10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

happy new year! Wow, its hear again. Time for the ball to drop. Gonna go party Ranch House style and celebrate by waking up and salting walkways at 6:00 tomorrow morning. Don't you wish you were me?

it happened.

That history I was writing about in a previous post. The WSU men's basketball team has started their season 12-0 tying their best start since the invention of the shot clock! Next up in the new year, the University of Washington Huskies.

hi ho, hi ho...

it's off to work we go. Went actually. Today was our first day back at camp after the break, and it was really nice. Time flew and we got a lot done in preparation for a group that is coming up tomorrow and staying for the better half of the month. They are a Wilderness EMT course and they hold they're classes here on the mountain. There should be some pretty good stories.

Disneyland!

These are a couple of kids that we were standing in line with (on our honeymoon) as we awaited our turn on the Nemo ride.

we're heading home

it's been an awesome time here in Elk Grove. We've had time to really relax and be away for a pretty significant chunk of time. I, for one, am ready to get back up the mountain and start working again. We are going to take a full day to settle back in at home and then crank it up again on the 29th. As for today, 3 1/2 hours in the car with our cat should be pretty entertaining.

I've been posting a lot of pictures lately...

oh well, just thought I would point that out.

Merry Christmas!

history?

Last night the WSU men's basketball team got their 10th win of the season. This is noteworthy because they have only played 10 games so far. For those of you keeping track at home, that is, in fact, a 10-0 start. The best start in school history was during the 1991-1992 season when the team went 12-0. The current eddition of WSU bball has two games left over teams they should beat before they start the Pac-10 season on the road, in Seattle, at our bitter rival the University of Washington. Should be fun.

Loans

They are eating us alive.

i played golf today

It was bad.

signs of winter...

Are those gingerbread cookies you ask?
Yes.

ask how, ask now...

ask Sherwin Williams. Does anyone else other than me remember that slogan? Anyway, the past three days have been spent doing prep work for a big paint job in mountain view lounge. I didn't really understand just how big that room was until Cosby and I started meticulously taping and running plastic up in the rafters, and all of the window sills. There is a lot of space in that room. Prep will be done tomorrow and then we will start to paint on Monday.

the first semester...

is in the books. Today marks the end of the "fall semester" up here at camp. Three people (Tyson, Katie, Arty) will be leaving for good at the break. The rest of us will return with some newbies to start the spring semester. It has been good. Still waiting for snow.

Confessions Part I

I just commented on a friends blog while seated on the porcelain throne. Is that so wrong? How about that for a genius blog?

When I was your age...

the other day I was taking down a huge amount of photos from a picture catalog that used to be displayed in Mountain View Lounge here at camp. I was looking in to some of the faces that were displayed, and saw some of the same expressions that I have made. I saw myself. Moreover I saw my mom when she was on staff in 1974. She was my age. She was probably thinking about similar things then (as I am now.) It just got me thinking...

if you say so.

I went to this site and this is what it told me. I must have a superlative grasp of grammar...or something like that.

Round 3...ding!

were coming out of our corners for the third round of this Thanksgiving bout. Today we are going over to Tori's Mom's side of the family, after having gone to her dad's side on the actual day. Of course we also had a small celebration at the Hopes as well. Thus, round three.

reign over me.

watch it. It will make you laugh. It will bring a tear. It will make you feel. Plus, Don Cheadle is awesome.

I just found these

these are a few photos from the pebble beach portion of our honeymoon. I don't think Tori enjoyed this part very much, but golf history is incredibly rich there. So it was a sort of a mecca for me. I have seen this place so much on TV it was unreal to be there in person. I got to see the U.S. Open trophy with my own eyes. Wow!

say what?

The temperature is consistently in the upper 60's/low 70's during the days up here. Apparently someone forgot to tell the weather that it is November up here at 5,000ish feet in the Sierra Nevada's.

we are insured!

and this time it is on our own. Today Tori and I got our car insurance taken care of and the day before we signed up for our medical plan as well. We have been checking a lot of these "grown up" things off the list lately, and I think that we are almost caught up. Up next are our cell phones and getting our cars registered in CA. And if our student loans don't sink us we should be able to break even. Doesn't that sound like the life?!

shes back.

although there was a mix up in the flight arrangements on the return, Tori will be back tonight. Or at least very early tomorrow morning. Im looking forward to the stories.

it all comes down to this...

vs.

an awesome opportunity

Tori left for LAX this morning with the group from Sierra Vista (our church) that is going to Jackson, MS for a week to go through a seminar led by John Perkins on cultural reconciliation . The door opened for her to go this past Tuesday and now she is in route. Prayers for safe travel and a spirit filled time would be much appreciated. In other news I guess that means I'm bachin it up this week.

Hello World Part Deux!

Maybe it will work this time?

Hello World!

my hat is off...

to the Rockies. There is no way in the world that I thought this would be even remotely possible about a month ago. Then, Yorvit Torrealba and co. decided not to lose again, and became one of the most incredible stories in post season history. Not since The Big Red Machine ('79 Cincinnati Reds) has a team won 7 straight games in the postseason to advance to the world series. It gives me hope for the Mariners next year. Go Rocks!

what a night!

So, tonight we pulled out all of the stops. We made sushi with our killer sushi set that we got for our wedding. Tori also made some basil pesto, just to have on hand whenever we should want some. The wine was great and so was the mess that we made making it all. We also cleaned up the house a bit. Now, maybe watch a couple episodes of The Office Season 3 and then go to bed?

mind blowing!

tonight I chatted with a friend on the internet via his blog. way cool.

Nothing says day off like Sarah McLachlan

After I got off work this evening I realized that tomorrow and the next day are my days off. It's kind of strange to have Wednesday and Thursday as your weekend, but I am getting used to it. I was sitting on my couch (which is green andleatherish)surfing the world wide web, when a Sarah McLachlan song started playing on itunes. I chuckled to myself and thought that I would share with you. Consider yourself in the loop.23

P.S. the 23 that appeared at the end of this post was lovingly put there by Apollo. I guess he wanted to put in his two cents.

I cant hold it in any longer...

we got a kitten!!! His name is Apollo and we got him about three and a half weeks ago. He is an extremely cute (yes, I really did say cute) orange tabby. And if Tori and I weren't such dorks we would have had pictures out by now, but we lost the charger to our digital camera. He is actually chasing his tail as I am typing this out. I am ready to give up on the old charger and just buy a new one, but until that happens you will just have to trust that this is the cutest cat you have ever seen (yes, I did say cute again.)

we pressed more cider today...

Tori's mom and brother are at camp (they came up yesterday) and they are leaving tonight. But before they do, we made some cider. It was a good time. Today is our friend Tyson's birthday, and so we are going to celebrate it tonight, should be great.

not much to report.

Tori is (hopefully) on the road to recovery from the sickness that I so lovingly shared with her. It rained today. WSU got pounded by number 1 USC in football tonight 47-14. All of our pictures are hung on the walls (making it look alot like home) except my graduation photo which fell off. My student loan company finally stopped calling me after I convinced them that "I really am making my payments." I am. There will be some pretty exciting news soon, once we get the camera charged up again, until the it will have to wait.

In utterly random news, this is my 100th post.

a day in the life...

I just got done pressing some apple cider. A few of us are going to go down the mountain to watch the Yankees play the Red Sox in Fenway. Church at 6.

it would be fun to return to this level...

but we need someone with that Clint Mathis mohawk, Im pretty sure that is crucial. Claudio Rena and the gang were awesome. Heres to the World Cup in 2010!

celebrating one year.

Today is the one year anniversary of my blog! It kind of snuck up on me. This evening a group of us from camp went down to the pre-grand opening of the new REI in Fresno. It was a fun time, we had name tags affiliated with the outdoor programs we were with. There was food and beverages provided and a good time was had by all I am pretty sure. Tomorrow there will be more road bowling as well as a day off. And lastly, to pay homage to that very first blog I am going to re-post it on to the end of this one (its pretty exciting ;-}Cheers to many more posts.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

number 1

Tony I can post on your blog now! Yippee! more later????

how bout this guy

this past friday the accommo team gave this great sport a whirl, and had a great time. I cant say that $10,000 bucks was on the line, but pride was. We are going to do it again and if I can get anywhere close to that guys form I will be a very stylish bowler.

camp fire and creme brulee...

tonight we are getting together as a common fire staff for bible study. This has been happening since Monday night, but tonight we are going to sweeten the pot a bit. Tori made some creme brulee in the kitch today and we are going to feast on it outside of the ranch house (a place at camp if there is still anyone outside the Calvin Crest sphere that reads this thing.) It should be a good time of fellowship, study, and dessert. Maybe Iwill be able to snag a picture. Then again maybe not, being that we haven't found our digital camera yet. At any rate, this should be good.

so...

my wife went through this kind of terrain on her bike back (in Spain) in January, that's pretty impressive.

RAIN.

It rained through the night last night, and the overcast drizzle is still on. And, as is always the case, camp could really use this. I love it so much, the greens are greener, the browns are browner (I know that last one soundsweird) but those of you who have experienced mountain rain understand. We are currently having french toast made from the banana bread that I baked last night. It's blissful.

they're in!

So last night we got an e-mail saying that all of our pictures were in. There were over 1200! We got started pretty late and thus became tired, not getting through them all, but what we saw was fantastic, it brought back some great memories that were tough to recall without some kind of photographic evidence. Its time to pres some more coffee and continue the moving in, but the wedding album is in sight, and that's pretty hot!

under a week

yesterday we received an e-mail from our wedding photographer, Chris Humphreys, teling us that our entire portfolio of pictures will be ready in under a week. We are pretty stoked.

first day off at camp

Although I had them during the summer, it feels a bit different now. The pace is so much slower and it is pretty enjoyable. Tori and I are pondering a trip to San Luis Obispo to see one of our freinds, Josh Krane, play at a coffee shop. As is always the case (at least as of late) there is also plenty of unpacking and moving in to do. All of our things are now over at the infirmary, it is just a matter of finding a place to put them. I think it is time to eat something, or maybe press some coffee...

new beginings!

I am writing to you from our new home! There are piles of stuff and tonight I am going to build a bookcase, but we are moving in! I should probably keep this one short, but I was a little too excited to not say anything. We are still going to be in the lodge for a at least another night, but that will change soon as well. Off to build!

Student Loans...

they suck!

we're almost there

Tori and I are under a week away from being able to move in to our first place together. We are going to be living in what is the infirmary (the other 9 months) here at camp. It has been quite the process moving all of our stuff around from place to place/ state to state, but we are almost there. Tori is going back to Sacramento this week for a doctors appointment (for the record she is feeling much better)and she will also be bringing the remainder of our things back with her for the impending move. It is going to be a lot of fun turning the infirmary into our home, and making it our own...

adventures in accommo

I love being back. Accommo is so cool. There's something about the scrubbing of a toilet or the moping of a floor that gets my juices flowing. The accommo team this summer is pretty sweet. It has been a privilege to see them in action and I have enjoyed my time teamed up alongside of them. Tonight is the "accommoque" (accommo team barbecue) and it should be a pretty rockin time. However, it is pretty strange jumping in to a summer that was already 2/3 done, but I have felt welcome. In other news, Tori seems to be getting a little better, hopefully that trend continues...

um, basicallyyyy...

it really sucks when your wife is sick. Other than that our time here
at camp has been good. There is a pretty good vibe around the mountain
and the staff seems to be clicking really well. Also, the common fire season is quickly approaching, which is cause for much excitement.

just a little taste

here is a link to those of you who have not seen yet, there will be more later...

http://chrishumphreys.typepad.com/chris_humphreys/2007/07/tori-and-geoff.html

enjoy

we're baaaaack

That's all I'm really going to say right now. We had an amazing time on the honeymoon, and are looking forward to moving up to camp...

so...im getting married tomorrow...

that's all I really have to say about that. The family is in town. The rehersal is this afternoon. And this thing is for real.

one year ago today...

Tori and I had been engaged for a matter of hours. This time around, we are going to be married in four days. My how time fly's. I have been in Elk Grove for the past few days and everything is moving along nicely. I might be able to post again between now and then, but after that I will be taking at leat a 13 day honeymoon blogging break. TTFN as tigger would say.

Happy 4th!

Today is our countries independance day. To celebrate with the fam we drank a local micro brew called Mac and JAcks African Amber (the best beer I have ever had) and we watched baseball. We also finished packing my car for the trip down to California. This is going to be my last time in Washington as a single man. Wow!

Marriage Countdown: 10 days

Question of the day...

As I was driving over to Gig Harbor yesterday, I was listening to a Mariners baseball game. Neither team had pushed a run accross the plate yet and a couple of times as the broadcasters went to break they said that there was "no score" in the game. In principle, I understand this but it got me thinking. Since the game itself is underway and moving forward dosent that meann that the the scoe is 0-0? Just because nobody manufactured a run yet doesnt mean that there literally is "no score," does it? I dont know if this makes any scense to anyone else but me (except maybe Ben Posluch) but I just thought that i would throw that out there. Thers that.

Marriage Countdown: 13 days

P.S. Today my family and I will celebrate my 24th year of life.

Done and done.

Tonight, after 11:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time I will no longer work at the Spokane Airport Ramada! Freedom! I am so glad to wash my hands of this place and start a new chapter of life with Tori. It has been nice to have a job, but the powers that be at that place a have made it pretty difficult to enjoy the time that I spent there. Needless to say, I am very excited about leaving. California here we come, right back where we started from, CALIFORNIAAAAA! (a little OC shout out)

Marriage Countdown: 15.5 days

Join us...

in our prayer that Shalene will be able to make it to our wedding all the way from Chicago.

Just so we don't forget...

Pibb+red vines= crazy delicious

This is for all the Bobby's and the Billy's out there.

This is actually for Ben Posluch and Shawn Simas. Although I don’t think Shawn actually knows I have a blog, this particular post is still for him (Ben, thanks for reading.) The two of those men (as well as Joel Foley) and I shared a room the summer of 2001 (8B for you Calvin Crest folk out there.) Through the course of the summer we discovered my electronic yahtzee game. This lead to instantaneous bonding and many late nights laughing hysterically and passing the hand held game around. I rediscovered that glorious game while packing for my move to California. I then took it with me to work this evening and enjoyed it very much. Especially the fond memories of the time that I shared with my roommates of 8B.


Marriage Countdown: 21 days

Toto in the house!

Literally. Not the little dog from The Wizard of Oz, but the band. It was pretty funny when they checked in, they thought they were pretty hot stuff in Spokane. They did sing Africa though. Shalene if you still read this thing I told them you are a big fan of that one. The adventure continues...

Hypothetically speaking...

isn't it cool when you have a public restroom all to yourself and a song like Elton John's Tiny Dancer comes on and you can just rock out a little bit and sing it in to the mirror. Hypothetically speaking of course...

2 weeks left in my Spokane adventure

So, we are under a month away from the wedding day. Which means, that I have about two weeks left in Spokane. This is pretty wierd because leaving Spokane will signify the end of Eastern Washington which signifies the real end of college, which signifies an end to a huge portion of my life. To everything turn, turn, turn, I do understand. But its just a little strange to think about. And for the record, I put in my two weeks notice at the Ramada, that was a joyous time. They do things pretty backwards there. Its time to get out.

Surprise!

Mwah, ha, ha!
Last time I was a guest, this time I am breaking and entering into Geoff's blog! ha-HA! I think he'll be okay with it, given that we'll be married soon. Still, it makes me feel like a hacker or something. Look out - YOU could be next!
So, it's weird to be planning a wedding when the groom is a thousand miles away. I have to put in extra effort to include him even a little bit, because he's so far away and our schedules clash. While I'm at it, Geoff, what kind of beer do you want at the reception? I figured I'd let you make that call. You get to choose three kinds, though Mac 'n' Jacks is not an option. Mull it over and get back to me. Over all, I think the wedding plans are coming along just fine. No one seems to think I should be alarmed, so I'm feelin' good.
My little bro John and I will be at family camp this next week - he as a child care assistant (CCA) and I as a CCA counselor. Fun times.
That's it for now.
~Tori

iwow

I just saw a commercial for the iphone. Now I know that we have known about this thing for a while now, but that commercial really brought it to life for me. Im pretty sure that I will never own one, but it was pretty impressive none the less. And at the end of the commercial it says "coming june 29th" like a movie promo. Pretty cool.

so...I'm at work again

Today is actually a pretty busy day for a Sunday. We are currently in a little lull, which makes it nice. And plus, the Mariners won today! They did it in comeback fashion and the swept the once hot San Diego Padres. This excites me very much. Life right now is pretty simple, I work and I hang out at the walkers house and watch Mariner games. I like it. This will all change soon, and I am excited about that too.

Marriage countdown: 35 days

I appologize...

its been (right after I wrote those two words the phone rang 5 times and I checked someone in, you wouldn't have known that but I threw that in there for your own edification) two weeks since I last posted. As (phone rang) you can now tell, I am at work and this is my eighth straight 3-11 shift. Needless (checked someone in) today I am a little tired, but i am alive. So...now you know. And hopefully now that I have (phone rang) broken the seal, this will lead to more posts in the not so distant future (phone rang and I was away for a while).

count down till marriage update: 38 days

home stretch

we are actually sealing envelopes right now. I know that this is actually a little late in the game, but it is what it is. There are red envelopes and invites all over the place. They will soon be in out of our hands and in to yours (if you happen to not get one don't take it personally, we still love you). Weddings are hard. Those of you who have done it understand. Those of you who have not, will some day. That's all for now.

Graduation Day.

Congrats Tori!

what to say...

Today was an unbelieveable day. I dont even know what to say. Everything turned out alright in the end, but it was just nuts on so many fronts. Maybe more on this later...maybe.

Bloomsday 2007!

So, yesterday I participated in the Bloomsday Run www.bloomsdayrun.org. Myself, Tori and about 50,000 (or so ) other people ran through the streets and outskirts of Spokane. I ran most of it being that I would run for 8 minutes and then walk for 2, over and over again. It felt right to post this on the 7th day of the month. Being that it was Bloosday 07. My official time for the 12k (7.46 mile) event was 1:35:24. 1+3+5+2-4= 7. Try that on for size. Coincidence?

"Boy, I'll say."

I went to a new barbershop on Monday. It is a little hole in the wall called Dave's Barbershop and Styling Salon, out on North Monroe in Spokane (Dave doesn't work there anymore, he has since left us.) I initially went to this place because they do shaves as well as the standard hair cut. When I first arrived it felt like I was walking in to Mayberry. Everyone obviously new each other and there I was in a polo, shorts and flip flops. Awkward. But no matter to me, I went to the first person I saw and he said, "what can I do ya for," I knew I was in for a treat.
However, when I realized they would not accept debit, or a check, I had to take a brief detour to a near by Bank of America to grab some cash as to appease these people. I walked back in and sat down in the sea foam green chairs lined up against the single pained window, grabbed the front page of the morning paper and unfurled it with a quick snap of the wrists. Everything around me seemed to go quiet and I looked up to see about half of the employees/patrons with radar lock on me. One of the gentlemen said under his breath (so he thought, he was old), "looks like a job for big Mike." And there he was the man, the myth, the legend, Big Mike. A slender old man no more than 5 foot 9 and about 5 teeth left in his head, just staring at me as he said, "can I help you?" I then noticed about five separate signs that said proudly, "we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone we see fit."I responded with, "woops, I must have been out of it for a second there, I didn't realize you were ready for me." He responded with, "boy, I'll say."
I went on to request a four on the clippers evened out on top with a shave to get rid of my wintery beard. He obliged and went about his work. I was able to relax eventually and hit my stride, I started cracking some jokes and they warmed up to me and the experience was enjoyable for everyone involved. I dint realize just how intense a real barbershop shave was, being that this was my first. The warm towel, the hot lather, the shave soap and the lotion (all of which were repeatedly applied) were awesome. At the end of my 45 minutes of barbershop culture, I thanked the man paid him his money plus a decent tip and a hand shake, and walked out the door. I don't think that they had seen my kind in a while. I laughed to myself as I walked out the back door to the dirt parking lot where I had left my car, just another day in the life of my Spokane adventure.

"the sticks"

Yesterday, I used my day off to go play a round of golf. I drove about 2 minutes down the road that I live on to Hangman Valley Golf Course. I had played there twice before, once shooting my best competitive round which qualified me for the state tournament my senior year of high school. So, I dusted of "the sticks" (what golfers call their golf clubs) and went out to play a leisurely round with two older men that I joined up with on the first tee (their names were Bob and Rick.) It was a great day, I hit some good shots, I hit some bad shots and I putted very well. At the end of the day I shot an 82, (which I was very surprised/satisfied with) and finished the experience with an amber ale on the 19th hole (clubhouse). Quite the day off. Bliss.

spacing.

I don't know why, but the past two times that I have done spell check on my posts, they have come out with funky spacing. Any thoughts/suggestions?

note: this post was done sans spell check.

plasma for all!

so basically...I just donated my own plasma. Tori and I went to a place
in downtown Spokane that collects plasma to help people with hemophilia
and other various diseases. As a serious bonus, they payed us $40 a piece! They have payment plans for donors who do it twice weekly, I must say that is pretty tempting. My arm is
no worse for the ware and I'm helping someone else. All good thing,
yes? Just thought I would keep y'all informed.

guest blog...

Ladies and gentlemen. Devoted readers of all shapes and sizes, would
you please put your hands together for a new addition to the ol' blog. Tonight I have a guest in house (actually...I'm a guest in her house, oh well) her name is Tori. Enjoy...

Hello everyone. The other day, Geoff and I ventured south, into the Lewiston-Clarkston
Valley (just as background, this area is on the border of Idaho and
Washington, possess a singularly unpleasant smell due to a paper mill,
and is the place where I lived with Geoff's mom and sister for two
years). The purpose of our mission was to choose and then purchase a
wedding band for Geoff from his old friend Joel Detray (good guy, non-conflict diamonds). As much as I loathed living in Clarkston,
I have to admit it was a fun drive and wonderful visit. It was sunny
and warm, a glorious day, we bought Geoff's ring, and to top it off, we
had scones from Sage Bakery. As an avid lover of scones(and a one-time
baker) I'll say that Sage makes the best scones I have ever had in my
entire life. Geoff agrees. Rachel Graff agrees. Anyone who's tasted Sage
will agree: they are bliss. And what really sets them apart are not the
flavors, though those are amazing (just wrap your mind around raspberry
mango,to start) it's the texture. Sage bakery achieves a perfection of
scone texture that is nigh unattainable. I mean, there are scones, and
there are Sage scones. And this place where heaven comes just a little
closer to earth is in theLewiston-Clarkston Valley. Random!
On the way home we stopped to take pictures of a farmhouse fence made
entirely of old wheels. It's a local landmark and a slight to behold.
The point is, there are beautiful things to be found everywhere, even in places that smell bad and don't have Thai food.
The End.

So guest blog number one has wierd spacing issues. I will try and work that bug out for next time...but I enjoyed it. Thanks to my guest Tori and to the blogspot people that make this all happen, I give you a tip of the cap as well.

Gross!

So last night I worked a 10 hour and six minute shift. That's a long time to be on your feet. There wasn't a lot for me to do in the last 2 hours anyway. But, my manager had called me that morning and asked me if I could stay late to help the graveyard shift guy, since it was an overall busy day. Praise Jesus I have a job though!

Tea Partay

All I ask is that you give this a look and enjoy. I think it is a commercial that didnt actually make it to tv. I cannot take any credit for finding this, thanks are due to Rachel Graff for introducing me to this.

Enjoying some time with the fam.

I have been over on the west side of Washington since Sunday night visiting said family. My dad and I actually went to see the Mariners open their 2007 season on Monday night, and we were privilaged enough to see one of the most dominating pitching performances of my life. After the game I hung out in a local Irish Pub (The Owl and Thistle) with Ben Fife, which was equally as awesome. This has been a nice time away from the Ramada, but I will enjoy being back in Spokane come Thursday. Tomorrow, I hope to play some golf in preparation for The Masters this upcoming weekend. Should be great.

just wanted to say...

...I'm going to eat dinner in three minutes. In fact, I am over at Tori's house and she is watching me type saying that I do in fact only have three minutes. So there. I posted, and I am looking forward to dinner cuz I am hungry. I am probably out of minutes now.

Beatboxing Flute Sesame Street

Most of you have probably seen this guy already (i.e. pinas blog, or just of your own accord) but here you go any way. He is unreal!

huckleberrys are great!

This morning I had two pieces of wheat toast with a little bit of butter and some huckleberry preserves. Simply put, delicious.

The madness is maddening!

This is far and away my favorite season in sports that the year has to offer. These are the lovely moments in time that are affectionately referred to as March Madness. 64 teams are participating in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Not only is this super event going on, but with the promise of spring comes baseball's spring training.
However, this March is much different for me. My team, Washington State, is actually participating in the tournament for the first time in 13 years. This is the same team that I worked with for two years as a student there. I poured so many hours in to that program, and they were so bad...now they are awesome! The down side of it all (which is also a big upside) I have a job. I missed our first round game which we won, but I am also working today during the entirety of the second round game, its maddening! This tournament is never a guarantee, so I don't know how many more opportunities I'm going to have to see them participate. I am so torn! Oh well, I needed the job and the Lord provided. Maybe I'm getting sick...cough, cough. Go Cougs!

I'm back.

I don't know if i was just recovering from the previous post, or if it was something else, but I acknowledge the fact that I have not posted in a while. Needless to say (because I already said it) I'm back. Tori and I were down in California since Thursday and we got back yesterday afternoon. We split time between Calvin Crest, Sacramento and Ripon. We enjoyed our time taking our engagement pictures up at camp. We actually had to snowshoe down to Sherwood because the snow was still so deep on the trails that have been covered by shade. The picture experience should be a post in and of itself. We also had some time in Sacto with Toris family, which was nice, and drum roll please...we spent time in beautiful Ripon, CA with our friends the Pinas (I don't know how to put a tilde over the n.) The whole trip happened so fast, but we both had an awesome time. For now, its back to the Ramada Inn.

Bubba vs. the deer

Today I witnessed one of the most amazing things my eyes have ever seen. Four youngish deer were in the Crotty's back yard. I was watching them watch the creek and watch me as they walked on their way. And then Bob (Mr. Crotty) got the idea that we should let Bubba have a go at them. I thought that was an ok idea knowing there was zero chance for Bubba to do anything remotly close to what he wanted to do to them. For some back story, the Crotty's dog Bubba, a 13 or so (nobody really knows how old he is, they got him as a stray) year old dog is a huskyish, wolfish, muttish type dog, and he is obviously getting up in years. But upon seeing the deer he took off after them, as he has done many times before. And of course...they ran off. End of story right? Wrong.
I watched Bubba as he continued to follow close behind (as close as the deer would let him.) And then he took off again. Three of the deer evaded him, but one freaked out and ran in to a fence, giving Bubba just enough time to hurl his mass at it; and he knocked the deer off its pins! (This is the point in the story where the squeamish should no longer continue their reading, but I must continue) Bubba proceeded to gnaw on the deers back leg. The deer got up, and Bubba knocked it over again The deer got a up a second time and Bubba knocked it over again and continued to gnaw. This was obviously causing a lot of ruckus so the neighbors were out trying to see what was going on, and what was letting out that God awful cry. Finally the deer got up a third time, and was able to zig zag the grasp of the leaping K-9. As Bubba chased after the deer(barking an insane bark that I had never heard uttered from his jowls previously) I was left to ponder what had just happened.
I'm pretty sure the deer made it away, and I was able to call Bubba off and grab him by the collar. But as he was running circles around me he had a crazed look in his eye, not to mention a mouth full of deer hair. I was in a state of shock. I will never look at the dog the same as we go on future walks together. I have a new found respect for said dog, and who knows if he wont be sizing me up next time. For know that's a risk I am willing to take in adventures with Bubba the deer slayer. Deep breath...wow.

guess who got a job?

Me! Praise Jesus. The search is over, I am in. I will now be your very own Front Desk Agent at the Ramada Inn in Spokane, by the Airport. I love the fact that I am an agent, I feel so Jack Bauer about the whole thing. I am going in today to fill out paper work and get the grad tour, and from there we will see where it goes. Thanks so much for all of the prayers, and now; its time to go to work!

Bathroomology

Last night Tori and I went out to dinner with Bob and Nancy Crotty at the Old Spaghetti Factory. The night was great, the conversation was great, and...come on...the Old Spaghetti Factory was pretty darn good too. But toward the end of our meal I made my way over to the bano (sorry about the lack of a tilde, I don't know how to do it) and upon arrival and stay, I noticed that the cleanliness of the room of rest, was very nice. When my business there was finished, I took the time to check out some of my favorite "hot spots" (for those of you who don't know what hot spots are, they are those places that are commonly missed when cleaning a bathroom appropriately, as well as places where hands often go) and to my delight, they were taken care of. The person(s) in charge of accommodations at the OSF are on top of their game. At least they were that night. As you all know (or at least know by now) I have mad appreciation for a clean b-room. Props to the Old Spaghetti Factory for their diligence in camode cleansing. Any other restaurants/places that any of you have noticed have a respect for the same fine art? Let me tell you, its a true pleasure.

an update

Still no job. Although over the weekend I didn't really look because of the holiday and the fact that Jeff and Krista Crotty were in town. It was fun seeing them and hanging out with them and their family. Many good stories, and many good times. The dogs have officially been watched, and I am not too much worse for the ware (I cant really speak for the dogs though.) And so I am off, back out to job search and see what happens. There you go.

crab apple tree pruning and dog watching

It is almost as if I am a part of the Crotty family. In this time of transition (and what feels like utter chaos) I am just living. I help out the Crotty's by doing projects that they would like to have done, if they had the time. In a small way, it is my way of saying thank you to them for allowing Tori and I to live so close, and they aren't even charging me; so generous. And this weekend I am going to be watching Matt and Laura Crotty's dogs and cats as they leave town to go skiing with Laura's sister (some much needed time away.) I help out where I can for now while I am officially looking for any job that will pay me actual money. I am putting production on the back burner for now (as North by Northwest has obviously backburnered me.) Oh well, life goes on. So if any of you out there know of anyone looking to hire in the Spokane area, I am interested...

will they come, or wont they come?

That is the question. As Tori and I are (trying) to finalize our guest list we are ever asking ourselves, will they be able to come or not? As we labor over these names that we love, it is SO hard to draw a definitive line. We were given a number of 175 that can attend and recept after the wedding. We feel like we could do that with just our friends (especially Calvin Crest folk.) But as the drive to 175 continues, we realize that all of our family and us are included in that number which makes it tough to whittle that number down. This is hard. But, I am ever impressed with the grace and tact that Tori is displaying throughout this whole process, she is carrying the load and doing an amazing job of it. It is a pleasure to see her in action, and even though stress comes and stress goes, it is a privilege to see how generally happy she is about all of the goings on. I am proud of her. She's a champ. Me on the other hand I just follow along, encourage, and try not to get too in the way, while helping sift out the details and offer my opinion. I guess you can never know just how stressful wedding planning/engagement is, until you yourself are in the middle of it. That's all for now.

Im frustrated

The job search here in Spokane is not going as well as planned. That is just the problem, I was made to believe that there was not going to be an actual search and that I was shoe in for the very job that I wanted (full time, benefits, everything) and now I am contacting these people every so often and they just take their time and throw me a bone here and there, but I am getting tired of it. I don't know exactly what I am going to do if this doesn't work out. Plus I am getting married in 5 months. I am happy about that. But, that means I am not just looking out for myself any more. I am going to have a wife. I am going to have to look out for the both of us, and this situation isn't working out. Needless to say I am a touch stressed. Other things are going well, but this one glaring issue is on the forefront of my mind. I would appreciate your thoughts and your prayers.
On a different and brighter note, I had an awesome dinner with Tony Biasell the other night. It was grand.

She's Back!

Last night at 5:25, yes, in the middle of the Super Bowl (I could have cared less) Tori arrived in Spokane. It has been nice, catching up on life. She shared stories of Spain with me and would I share stories of life here in Spokane, while she was gone. We had dinner, we went and sipped on coffee, I really just wanted to look at her for a while but we had to go our separate ways. Soon enough, even that will change. Today has been a day of getting things back in order again, and her final semester begins tomorrow. The fridge is stocked clothes are washed, and now its time to to try and fight off the jet lag, a process that no doubt will take a while. But, shes back...and that's just fine with me.

I have a dream...

There will be more to come on this later I have discussed this briefly with Ben Fife and at length last night with Shalene (come on we all only know one Shalene.) I cannot wait for Tori to get home!

the secret's in the sauce...I think?

Last night I was over at the neighbors house watching 24 and the Gonzaga basketball game. As the night was wearing on (pleasant of course) I began to notice a very pungent aroma. Understand that this neighbor (who will remain nameless) has two very old dogs, so naturally I became very suspicious. Every ten minutes or so that same smell would come wafting up my way and I couldn't figure it out, being that the dogs had been moving around. And that's when it hit me...Could it be me? No. It cant be. Or could it. I did have some pretty killer chili earlier that day, and well...we've all been there. So now I am paying really close attention to see who or what this odor was emanating from and as I am continuing to watch the game I couldn't help but chuckle to myself about my thoughts and this tricky situation.
The episode of 24 was great and the Bulldogs wound up winning, and in the end I was able to pin the malfeasance on to one of the dogs and my mind was laid to rest...at least I think it was that dog.

Under a week...

...until Tori comes home from Spain. Continued prayers for safe travel would be great. She is set to arrive the night of the 4th.

Schrute-Space

for the record, Dwight's blog is hilarious. As my second point, Pam and Jim had another long, semi awkward conversation over the phone tonight; when are they going to wake up!? http://blog.nbc.com/DwightsBlog/

Biggest transition so far...

...going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. I guess this is how the real world works. Seems simple enough, but it is messing with me a little bit. I will keep you all updated with the riveting musings of the life that is Geoff White. I'm sure you are all spellbound ;-)

Back in Pullman

so...I came back to Pullman today for the Washington State vs. University of Washington Basketball game. This is for state bragging rights, an let me say it was an absolute pleasure. The game wasn't that good, because we beat them so badly. The final score was 75-47. It is strange being back as an alumnus, especially now that the Basketball team is so good. That is a group of guys that I was so close with for two years, as a manager. So many thoughts so little time. In the end, I enjoyed myself very much.

just livin' the dream

40 paper plates at the Dollar Tree: $2.17
Lunch for 24 at Subway: $84.68
Two days traveling around Spokane running other peoples errands and getting some exposure to a real film shoot: Priceless

and so it begins...

will lead to more work and a part I am done with my first taste of professional PA (Production Assistant) work. The past two days were jam packed with stories, errand, burned out bulbs, snow flurries and action cues. I tried my darnedest to not get in the way. O was always there to help and a big part of what I wanted to gain, was to see how all of the people and job titles fit together to make the greater thing work. I feel that I accomplished that. I am currently waiting for a phone call from the producer that I worked for, to get reimbursed for gas and a couple of extra purchases and hopefully this experience will lead to more work. Which in turn (someday) will lead to full time Producer work. It is very exciting.

first gig!

Tomorrow morning at 9:00 I am meeting up with one of the commercial

production teams to go out and shoot a local spot on the South Hill of
Spokane. This is essentially my proving ground. If I preform well
(whatever that means) I will be brought back again. If I continue to
show that I am serious about this (and an asset, instead of a
liability) I will be brought on in part time manor; and will then be
trained to take over as a full time producer! This is my first
professional "foot in the door" moment. I am pretty excited, nervous,
happy, scared, etc.. we will see where this goes exactly, because
nothing at the moment is guaranteed. I will keep you posted.Prayers would be very much appreciated.

its been far too long

This post could also have been titled, adventures in dial up land. I am officially living with Bob and Nancy Crotty here in beautiful Spokane Washington. The snow is falling outside right now, Bob and Nancy are away for the weekend and I am sick. Other than the sickness, life here is good. I have an interview for a job that I want a lot on Monday. I don't know how that is going to go, because they have already filled one of the positions that I really wanted. For those of you who don't already know I am apllying work at a local film production company called North by Northwest Productions, you should check them out on line. The transitioning from college life continues and I am not quite sure what to do with myself. I find myself doing odd jobs around the house and going on jogs and other such things. I feel like I am getting a peak in to retirement. I like what I see, but I would like to see what real work is like first.
Tori is in Spain for jan term and she is bicycling across the Camino de Satiago, which is pretty exciting. I miss her though. I think the transition to Spokane would be a bit easier if she was here, but it is what it is. And she will be home soon enough. I feel like I could go on forever, but I am glad to be back blogging again. Happy new year to you all!