Thanksgiving, Peter and the Wolf, and my mother makes everything beautiful

So, Thanksgiving:

Picked mom up at the airport around 6, lots of fast talking and giggling on the ride home. Trying to fall back asleep, which resulted in more fast talking and giggling. Walked my precious doggie. Found a treasure to make my house beautiful. Went to meeting. Came home and cooked and ate the un-Thanksgiving meal. Halibut (that mom, herself, caught and filleted!), brussel sprouts, delicata squash, and quinoia. Yum! A few glasses of wine and one tired fight later, we had a lovely evening in front of a beautiful fire. Watched a movie and went to bed. Friday we had AWESOME breakfast at Genie's, including best waitress ever and mom forgetting her wallet. Te-he. Then we did shop, but at Goodwill, and since it was my birth month, we saved 25%! LOVE Goodwill. Came home and organized our treasures. Got a call from a F/friend, who joined us for dinner, IKEA (in and out in 28 minutes!), Puppetz vs. People (Improv comedy + TOJ puppets + comedy sports people= AWESOME), Portland City Grill for drinks, then Voodoo for doughnuts (apple fritter the size of your face), then (because we had absolutely no self-control) the Roxy for onion rings and hash-browns. Phew. Epic Portland evening. The next morning, I suffered from what I can only assume was a sugar hang-over. Grumpy and unfocused, Saturday was a challenge in life, much less being a pleasant hostess. Mom dutifully made the curtains I promised we'd make together, and by the time we'd hung them, everything was happy. I dropped her at the airport, thankful that I have the most resilient, focused, generous, and loving (albeit stubborn) mother alive. Getting to know her as an adult has been one of the most rewarding challenges of the past few years and continues as we redefine our understandings of one another. Kudos momma for making everything better, even when it's hard and most other people would give up.

So, in the two days leading up to Thanksgiving, Jonathan and I very quickly learned Peter and the Wolf. This week was supposed to be set aside for rehearsals all week, but as nothing ever happens as planned over at TOJ, we had to run over to Astoria and do a couple of shows on Wednesday. Now, at first I was cranky, because I've really enjoyed my two weeks home and was not pleased to have that interrupted by having to take a day trip to the coast (I know that sounds bitchy, but I was also worried about Peter rehearsals). Anyway, as everything with this job that I at first dread, it ended up kicking some major ass. Astoria just turns out to be the cutest town ever, and all without being kitchsy or pretentious. We performed at this BEAUTIFUL old vaudeville theater built in 1924. It was in short, awesome. I was informed after returning home that Astoria is where they filmed the Goonies (THE GOONIES!). I'm moving there. End of story. 

So, we pulled it off. Last night was our first of two performances of Peter and the Wolf and it was so much fun! I was nervous because I had never done Bonraku-style stuff before (puppeteers visible but dressed completely in black including henchmen-esque hoods and gloves), and I had to wear these ridiculous Spice-girl boots (like 6-inch platforms) because I wasn't tall enough. But it went great! Performing with live music was just about one of the coolest things I've ever gotten to do, and I got to meet Jonathan's parents (super adorable), and I had a bunch of friends come! All around great. And in case you were wondering I was the cat (difficult), the duck (my favorite), Peter's feet, a hunter, and alternately the bird and grandpa. Have I mentioned lately that I love my job?

So, today I have a long list of things that's been building for a while and I am so very excited to tackle it. It includes making a face for the Sasquach puppet that I'm building. Oh, yeah. 

Aaaaand it's sunny. For like the third day in a row. It feels amazingly decadent. 

hey! my life is starting to rock again! score!

So, supremely awesome weekend. 

Dad and I had a really great visit. 

That bears repeating: I had a fantastic visit with my father! 

He got in on Friday, and came and picked me up from work so he could see our studio and workshop. Then we had dinner at the Tin Shed on Alberta (so yummy). Saturday morning he came over and I fixed him brunch (my first attempt at a frittata was an amazing success). Anna ate with us, and I was really glad she got to meet and spend time with him. I broke my phone last week, so he took me and bought me a new one for my birthday. Super awesome, as I wouldn't have been able to afford one otherwise. Then he updated the operating system on my computer, which ended up being somewhat of an adventure in back-up land. I didn't have enough space on my computer, which forced me to finally back-up my senior project from my ASL independent study (three ASL interviews with sub-titles), which I'd basically been meaning to do since I finished it. (i.e. 2 years) After that, we went downtown to see a photography exhibit on the Columbia river gorge (1860-1950). Really cool. And then made our way to the Portland City Grill (30th floor = super awesome view of this city I love) for a shi shi birthday dinner. The next morning he came to meeting with me and then too me out to my favorite Thai place. Aaaand, he bought me gas. (!)

Even a year ago, the idea of us having a really relaxed, comfortable, (as in not awkward or frustrating) visit full of real conversations and just plain good times seemed like an impossibility. But we did. I felt like he was actually my father again for the first time in a really long time. And that was the best birthday present he could have given me. Very, very thankful.

And as for all the well-wishers, thankyouverymuch! 

My 24th birthday kicked some major hiney. Anna and I cleaned house and then did a little last minute shopping (trader joe's for wine, new seasons for turkey day groceries, and fred meyer for balloons and streamers-- yep, I had balloons and streamers). Then we decorated and she fixed me an amazing birthday dinner. I had gotten a nicer bottle of wine for the two of us to start the evening, and I gotta say, when you're used to $3 wine, $10 wine feels faaan-cy. Before the party I got all fancy in one of my pretty dresses I never get to wear. Anna had just finished a knitting project that didn't turn out exactly how she had planned but made the perfect last minute accessory to my outfit. (pics to come) So then my friends came over and we had fun. I ate a lot of chocolate and drank a fair bit of wine (kudos to myself for switching to water before the party was over). We chatted in front of a fire, and danced up a storm. It was so great to have my awesome house full of some great people, many of whom I see on a regular basis, but many of whom I don't see often enough. 

And if the first couple of days are any indicator, my 24th year is gonna be superb. One for the books. 

rain and the like

We had sun for about a second but the rain seems to be here to stay. In other news, turns out November is the least encouraging month to begin a running regimen in Portland. I've been biking when it's not too nasty and that lifts my heart (rate) and spirits. Currently seeking indoor activities beyond snuggling with Scout for exercise. 

Back on my no wheat/dairy kick and feeling very nice. I bought a LOT of groceries last weekend and am working my way to 3 part happiness: full pantry, clean house, clean clothes. Always seems to work for me. Maslov and all that.

November has been considerably lighter in the travel department. We'll have one or two nights out then two or three home. It's been pretty darn great to get to feel like I live in Portland again. 

Speaking of, I have fallen back in love with this city and am not going anywhere for a while. The biking, the mountains, burgerville, my kick ass job, a budding community... so much to love. 

My housing situation while it continues to kick ass, is in half-replacement mode. I understand and love my roomies and understand the need for transition, but I am ready for that to be stable for a while. I mean you Anna. No moving. Seriously. 

A little in panic mode about finding someone to watch Scout for me while I'm in AK for Christmas. I'll be gone a week and can't afford $20/night to board him, and I'm too freaked to fly him up in cargo in the winter. Blah. Stress. Can't. Deal.

In other news, I get older this weekend. Yep, 24 on Sunday. Having a few friends over for dancing and cupcakes, because really, what is better than that?

Also, a week from today is Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. Mom's flying down and we're going to eat Halibut and gingerbread and watch movies in front of a fire. Should be smashing. 

Aaaaaand, my daddy-o is flying in tonight and will be here for the weekend, and at the risk of actually having expectations, I'm kind of excited. Awkward hugs, and all that. 

So, as the seasonal affected disorder rolls in like the clouds I'm fighting back with cleanliness, a whole mess of food, and time with people that mean a whole lot to me. Look at me being all mature and stuff. Shucks.

may it be noted

I had a really fantastic weekend. 

In light of recent emotional states, this means quite a lot.

that's all.

future proche

There's a tense in French called the 'near future' that describes things, big surprise, that are going to happen in the near future. I have a weird habit of living my life in the near future. I realized recently that my fantasies about living in Asheville next year had become somewhat escapist. Tour is getting hard, and even though I had thought I had really organized a couple of weekends ago and gotten my priorities straight, all I really had done was realize that they needed straightening. Specifically, I need to figure out a way to feed my passions for creating. I made some prints today, and it was extremely satisfying. I also have some plans for long-term projects that are quite exciting (have I mentioned the Sasquach puppet lately?) I've also started investing again in my space. Space is super important to me, but I also have a bad habit of not changing anything after I've moved in. I hung more stuff on my walls today, but need more. I think that's all I want for my birthday. Art. 

Also, making slightly ambitious (ambitious in that I'll probably fail way) to start running. I'm at the threshold of fat-kid-dom (i.e. I don't want to weigh more than I do now) and I'm not entirely pleased. I talk a lot of talk about being active, and being strong but the thing is, I'm not. Thinking about signing up for a 5k around the new year for motivation. 

Basically, I have a fantastic life, and I'm trying to get my head straight so that I can recognize that more easily on a daily basis. It never hurts to learn again that it really is no one's responsibility but my own to build the life that I want to lead. This is it. 

landslide indeed

After 8 years of being ashamed, frightened, scared, and frustrated with my country and my leaders, I am hopeful, optimistic, proud, and gosh darn excited. I cried like a baby last night. It was the first time I've felt pure joy in a pretty long time.

I was talking about the election with some friends last Saturday and one of the guys I was talking to mentioned that our generation hasn't really had anybody that we've ever looked up to or been truly inspired by. That's one of the many reasons this election has meant so much to us. We admire (President Elect!) Obama, are inspired by him.

I know it's going to be a long hard road, but I have the confidence that The United States can heal.

Thank you to everyone who voted, organized, or just participated. You are what make our country great.

a very happy election day to you!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.

(Turn and face the strain)

Ch-ch-changes

Don't want to be a richer (wo) man

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(Turn and face the strain)

Ch-ch-changes

Just gonna have to (vote for) a different man

Time may change me

But I can't change time. 

Yep, I just quoted Bowie in honor of election day. 

I'm giddy. Fingers crossed, prayers prayed, now I'm just trying to keep from getting ahead of myself. I'm still in a dreamy "oh my god, can it be true?" And on top of the fact that Obama may very well win this election (please, please, please), Georgia may go blue. Let me reiterate: GEORGIA may go BLUE. (aw, shucks).

Regardless, Bush cannot be re-elected, which should be a relief to everyone, including those who helped elect him (*ahem*). 

I love voting. It's inspiring. It's... it's... getting your opinion to count. It's just great. I love it so much it gets me all inarticulate. 

And so... partially in honor of the changing face of America (did I mention that I was excited?!) and partially because of my current emotional roller coaster, I'm making some changes in my own life.

In a moment of introspection over the weekend, I remembered that when I take care of myself physically, I feel better emotionally. I also enjoy a healthy obsession, so I'm focusing on what I'm fueling my body with, and how I'm taking care of it. In the spirit of accountability I'm posting some goals. Cheers!

1) I will drink at least a liter of water every day.

2) I will do 5 sequences of sun salutations every morning.

3) I will take at least a 30 minute walk every day.

4) I will limit and work to cut wheat and dairy from my diet.

5) I will re-focus my nutrition to include protein, a whole grain, and veggies at every meal. 

6) I will be sure to take my iron every day. For serious.

All stuff I can do. No excuses. 

C'mon kids, bust a move.