Blog du Wren

Racing the Waters

Of the 5 legs of this most recent journey, 4 of them have been effected by mostly weather-related delays. I guess that is part of winter travel. Luckily none of them were catastrophic and one or two of them were even for the best. This last leg, however, was by far the most adventurous.

After spending a great 4 days in Portland thanks to friends new and old, I decided it was time to make my way home*. I looked forward to the train ride as a time to wind down and reflect on my trip and how incredible it was*. The weather gods, however, decided that my time on a train was not meant to be. Mud slides between Seattle and Portland had all but canceled all trains out of Portland for the next 3 days. Luckily, my travel mate and I are the unruffle-able types and took it as a adventure.

We found a friend who graciously let us borrow his vehicle* and we set off northward. The top of the hour newscast, followed by calls from concerned friends and family, alerted us to what might be our next hurdle: floods were expected to close I-5, and soon. After a discussion of whether to turn back and possible contingency plans, we pressed on. Freeway off ramps were closed as we raced by because everything below the level of the freeway was underwater. We saw police and highway workers getting ready to close down the last open land route between Portland and Seattle. As we looked in the rear-view mirror after passing the worst of it, a call came on the phone announcing that the freeway is now closed. We were among the last 100 cars to get through.

While the rest of the ride wasn't totally stress-free (heavy rains and dangerous puddles made for a bit of a white knuckle experience), we were glad when we crossed onto Fidalgo Island safely. Now as I listen to news of road closures, evacuation notices, and river stages I think about 1) the awesome power of Mother Nature 2) that it is good to be reminded that, despite what we want to think, we are still at the mercy of our environment 3) how glad I am to live in a place where the perennial disasters (fire, flood, drought, etc.) have so far avoided and 4) how glad I am to be home safe and sound.

Thursday January 8 2009

File under: travel

Communal Meals

The first thing I'm told when I walk in Andrew's door in Portland is "We've got dinner plans". Not being one to eschew meal plans, I dumped my bags and headed back out into the [relatively] cold northwest weather. Dinner was homemade tamales with lots of extras at a friend's house. Many people gathered together to cook, chat, eat, flirt, and discuss the finer points of converting a client-side database to be server-based. The following two meals the next day were much the same way: food gets cooked, friends descend, fun ensues.

Yes, these Portland dwellers do it right*. The idea of coming together for a shared meal is one that warms me to the core. Good people combined with good food: I'm afraid that's a hard one to beat.

Tuesday January 6 2009

File under: travel, food

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Recognize This House

Do you recognize this house? is another view. Not right off? How about if you removed the bushes? Replaced the gravelled front yard with grass? Painted it pinkish yellow? Added a nerdy yet do-goody neighbor? Does it ring a visual bell now? ( is a visualization). Still not seeing it? is your final hint.

Back in 1997(ish), a house was built using T.V.'s the Simpson's home as a model. The house was then given away in some crazy promotion. I vaguely remember hearing about the contest back then. Well, on this most recent visit to the Las Vegas area, I sought it out and took my typically . With the change in landscape, paint color, etc. it is hardly worth being a destination in itself, but since I was just out cruising around, it was a good way to kill the time. Plus, it complements my last Las Vegas Simpsons experience well*.

Sunday January 4 2009

File under: travel

Freemont Street Experience

One thing you might not think of when thinking about Las Vegas is free shows. Sure there are pricey cirque d' soleil shows, fancy showgirls shows, and once-in-a-lifetime Bette Midler shows, but there is lots of free entertainment too, if you know where to look: the water show at the Bellagio, the pirate show at Treasure Island, the circus shows at Circus Circus, the animatronic Zeus show at Cesaer's Palace, etc. While each of them have their charm, my vote for best free show in Vegas is the Freemont Street Experience.

Freemont Street in downtown* Vegas is a pedistrian mall with older (yet not unfancy) casinos lining it. Covering about 3 blocks of the mall is a giant dome* which, in the evenings, turns into a giant screen displaying what I can only describe as a crazy music . saw Don McClean's American Pie and one with the music of Queen. If you've been there, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, I suggest checking it out. It'll make you feel better about all that money you lost at the roulette wheel.

Friday January 2 2009

File under: travel

New Years Eve in Las Vegas

New Year's Eve in Las Vegas: . Streets blocked off. More booze than usual. More lights than usual. Motorcycle stunts. Police keeping tabs on everything. to revel together. Fireworks from everywhich direction. All in all, energy abounding: electric, chemical, and human.

Or so I heard. I was in bed by 9:30 and hardly stirred when the fireworks went off right outside my hotel. Jet lag coupled with cruisers lag* left me one tired cookie. (Sleeping through the big moment also means I'm up to 11 years on my no kiss at midnight streak. Yes, ladies, that is a challenge.)

Anyway, to each of you I send you my hopes for the best possible 2009 ever.

Thursday January 1 2009

File under: travel

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Juggling n Travelling

A good traveler knows how to pack light. I think I am pretty good about it*. But one thing I've included in my international travel bag of late is four dube airflite juggling clubs. (For those who don't know, juggling clubs aren't small.) But for the joy they bring me and the opportunities they provide, they are totally worth it.

First, juggling is a great way to past time on the beach, or a park, or a train station, or anywhere you've got time to kill. But is the best. Also, it is a great way to meet locals. They'll see you carrying your clubs around and ask for an impromptu show and then share a smile*. Or sometimes it is a little . Juggling builds bridges. Finally, you never know when a little entertainment will be called for. At the Boxing Day Jam Session, I took along my clubs and gave the gathered cruisers a bit of a . Good times.

Yep, I break a few packing rules by dragging my juggling equipment along, but it is totally worth it.

(P.S. This whole post is just an elaborate excuse to post this picture of Joya trying to imitate me by balancing a club on her head. So cute!)

Monday December 29 2008

File under: travel, juggling

Grenada Hash House Harriers

For the 3 of you out there that know what a hash run/race is*, please bear with me as I explain it to everyone else. Essentially, it is a hike/run/walk guided by temporary markers where misdirected paths are par for the course. In the case of the Grenada hash, the path(s) was through the jungle, along[/through] a stream, under cocoa, banana, nutmeg, and grapefruit trees, and down muddy slopes that sometimes didn't resemble a path at all. I'm so sorry I didn't bring my camera*.

When I signed on, I didn't know what I was getting into. I thought it was just a hike through the woods. I figured it would be nice to get to the extreme other side of the country (luckily it is a small country) and have a nice leisurely hike. When I figured out this whole misdirection thing, I planned to lag at the back of the pack and let the hardcores figure out the true path and I'd just tag along. Somehow, however, I got sucked into the competitive spirit of it all and ended up leading for a good chunk of the way, running along tiny paths through the jungle, not really knowing where I was going, shouting to unseen competitors/collaborators about what I've found. I was pointed down a steep hill by a local fellow who I thought was helping me out, but it turns out he was just having a laugh. Climbing back up the hill not only took all my energy*, but left me out of the leading pack. I finished completely exhausted by so pleased with the experience.

I'd say about 50 people participated. There were maybe 6 or 8 true locals, double that of ex-pat locals, and the rest being students, cruisers, or otherwise temporary dwellers. The division between first time hashers and veterans was split about 50/50.

Unfortunately, the experience ended in such a way that my memory of the event won't reflect the wonderful time I had out on the trails with my fellow hashers. After everyone was through, a hazing ritual was performed on the first timers. Getting the scoop ahead of time what said ritual was, I chose to opt out by making myself scarce. Degradation and disrespect aren't my idea of fun. My choice of opting out wasn't respected and said hazing was directed at me. I reacted instinctively out of anger in a way I'm not proud. It was kind of a fiasco, and left a bad taste in my mouth*.

But negative ending experience aside, the hash run is something I look forward to participating in again in the future. But probably not in Grenada. I don't think they would like it if I came back.

Sunday December 28 2008

File under: travel, Grenada

Friday Non-Comic - Here Vs. There

Anacortes Winter Wonderland (where I'm not):

Grenada Winter Wonderland (where I am):

Normally I run a comic on Friday, as part of my ongoing Friday Comic Series (you can check out past comics here) but since I find this just as funny (if not funnier), I thought I would go ahead and post it instead.

Thursday December 25 2008

File under: grenada

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the bay
All the cruisers were snoozin' for it'd been a long day
Up with the sun for coffee and the Net
Gossip, news, and weather more fun you'll not get
Breakfast in the cockpit is and fresh bread
We chat and we laugh til the sun's overhead
Next we load up the dinghy and head to the dock
To get Maggie to her flight, we keep an eye on the clock
She makes her flight and soars o'er the sea
And now just like that, our four becomes three
But no time to dawdle there's more work and more play
Then over the radio hails a boat 'cross the way
"Can we borrow some milk to make up our pie?"
So I swim it over, hey what a guy
Along with the milk, we send a bone for their dog
As I paddle I chuckle, This'll go on the blog.
Next on the list of our social to-dos
A picnic and , bring whatever food you choose.
The dinghies all convene and tie off
Luckily for us it remains such fine
Now back to the to settle in for the night
Sure it's only 6:30, but we're losing light
Sea cruising people are quite social it's true
But its safe to say they'll be in bed before you.
So now all is quiet, we do our own things
Steve's on the computer checking on the Vikings
Hope reads her book, the third one since noon
Luckily there'll be a book exchange soon
Me, I just sit here and soak it all in
Reflecting on what a great day it's been
And I think of my friends wherever they be
Wishing them the same happiness and wonder as me
So now this is posted I'll sign off just right
Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Wednesday December 24 2008

File under: poetry, holidays