Category: blahblah

After 6 hours of being trained on software I already knew, it was my turn to do the training. I met with a group of seniors to introduce them to PowerPoint. I wasn’t sure how the training session would go – PowerPoint is one of my least favorite programs – ever. But some of my early training jobs, like back in middle and high school, included training seniors how to use their macs. My friend Clem and I made pretty good money doing it.

This group was a bit of a surprise. They were Cocoon-like in their interest to learn and the capacity for which they absorbed what I was saying. I was able to make jokes that don’t normally go over with the faculty crowd I usually train, plus, they seemed more adept. I suppose there is probably true because they wanted to be there. They had purchased a laptop together as a group to do slideshows. And I think they’ll do just fine. Even using Windows.

We used to get Pace Picante salsa because it came in convenient 64oz containers. Over the last several years it has deteriorated in quality – well, it basically added water as the second (as well as the first) ingredient. I sent them a letter saying as much, but didn’t hear anything. I told them I was going to change salsas, and I did.

Today we opened a bottle of La Victoria Hot. Holy Crap its hot. Jalapenõs are the 3rd ingredient. And now, 20 minutes later, I’m still crying. Milk helped briefly. We’ve found the replacement.

This weekend we celebrated the marriage of Ben & Therese Walz in Tacoma. The ceremony was held at St. Patrick’s, and was the first time I’ve been to a catholic mass. It was certainly more elaborate than any other wedding I’ve been to, but it was kind of cool to see the entire ceremony. The following reception was a lot of fun, but there were several grievances committed on the dance floor.

One of the highlights was the bride’s brother doing karaoke to Bohemian Rhapsody. It was amazing, as you’d expect from a guy who gave his new brother-in-law a t-shirt that says “Mr. Plow” on it.

Ben was always the bar raiser when it came to calamity in college. But he is also one of the most generous people you’ll ever meet. We wish him and Therese all the best, once they return from St. Lucia of course.

Is it irony that a child with super-human strength was born in Berlin? Or am I just sensitive to the whole Übermensch thing?

I was trying to explain all the intricacies of a project to an instructor and found myself in several gray areas regarding responsibility. While mentally stumbling over the problems we’d encountered, I found myself trying to explain the difficulty of making disparate systems work and tried to paint an ideal picture and accidently dropped in a bushism. “… and all the childrens smiling..”

There was a pause in which I was trying to think of a way to resurrect the sentance, but I couldn’t. The instructor laughed, so I continued and pretended that it never happened.

Today we celebrated the union of Lindsay and Joe. The ceremony was held in a wooded glen above the Nooksak river and at the foot of the North Cascades. It was a beautiful day and the services rendered were equally eloquent. A long time friend was ordained for the occasion, and the message he shared for the ceremony was wonderfully fitting. It really matched Joe & Lindsay’s fantastic friendship, love, sense of adventure and devotion. We wish you the best, especially with that nettles rash.

There was a bit of confusion. He wasn’t actually a friend of anyone, which I learned after about 20 minutes of cryptic drunk talk. I had asked if he was a friend of anyone’s, and yes, he was Andrew’s. Well, we were pointing at different people. The guy in question was someone completely unknown by my friends. Regardless, I spent nearly 2 hours with the man, learning his psychosis, life, and halitosis.

This fellow seemed a friend, especially with a Lucky Lab shirt. We spoke for some time and despite his being on the third day of a major bender, he assured me that I was a friend. In all honesty, his pictures of Skagway, Jeanau and Craig Alaska were amazing, and it was fun to speak with someone so passionate about the inside passage.

Regardless, I noticed glances of condolence and sorrow from across the room. People identified this fellow as a Alaskan State Ferry reject. I enjoyed his stories, less of his breath, and was somewhat surprised that after identifying himself as a friend he would empty my pitcher of Boundary Bay IPA and leave. Such is life.

After catching Tightwad Tuesday at the Hedge House, Michelle and I spent some time relaxing in the yard, then turned on the tube. VH1 had a show with Journey’s Randy Jackson encouraging discussion from John Maher and Paul Simon. Not being a John Maher fan, I was skeptical, but Paul is one of hte greatest songwriters ever, so we watched.

I was impressed by John for the first time, but I was pulled back to the summer of 1999 when Michelle insisted that I go with her to see Paul Simon in concert. It was a perfect day with a perfect sunset in the 4th row. Paul hadn’t toured in a while, and standing atop the Gorge with ravens flying overhead and a natural amphitheater of happy people, he was elated. The show was amazing. Paul infected people with his elation. Its too bad that Bob Dylan had to kill it. Sure Bob’s great, but that was a while ago. His live show suffered, so we left a bit early.

My sister used to get the magazine 3-2-1 Contact growing up. I often read it on the can. One day I read that hair can grow up to 80 MPH in spurts. A few days later, my friend Andrew brought up this otherwise obscure fact on the playground, probably while not getting picked for a basketball team (you see, he often took the ball and ran off). I was surprised that we read the same magazine, but it turned out to be true of many things. We read a lot on the can.

Anyway, this fact came up again when Michelle was pointing out how much my scruff had grown, and was amazed how quickly hair grows. I recalled the fact, which she called into question. I pointed out that someone else knew this to be true. So he’d better leave a comment.

Michelle typed this in while I was taking a sip of beer: “3 shout outs to ny wife”. I think she meant “my” wife, but its difficult to type from across the couch, so I figured I’d clarify then post.