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.