En Route - to CR

Coat, hat, scarf all on as I walk out my front door with my single small pack-sack on my back -- aaahhh 5 weeks in Costa Rica on the horizon. Down the street I go to catch the local LTD Eugene bus to the Amtrak train early Saturday (3/14) morning. I didn’t fly out of Portland until the next day but was greeted, treated and sent off by a few of my great friends in Ptown (Sandra, Elissa, John, Tina, Kevin, Orla, Jessica & Mark). Ah, what sweetness life gives.

E, J & I finally met the newest clan member ……… and she is a heart stopper. A bright yet serious being with such goodness in her soul that simply touching her lighten’s the world.

Red-eyed we (me and momma Sue) arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica this morning at 5:24am. Food – sleep – on my agenda. Momma Sue is out running errands already.

M.S. Thesis Prez

OK -- yup it's true. I finally presented my thesis to the world. Feb 19th. It went better than even I imagined (and I have a good imagination). YEH!!!
My fluvial crew (co-geomorph-grads & lovely friends) stood up in the middle of the presentation when I showed this slide of a dam failure generated Outburst Flood:




and did a 2 second long vocal outburst along with standing up from their seats. It was perfectly pulled off. They even got the rest of the room involved the second time the slide was shown. Audience participation ......... can't beat that at a thesis presentation!

I am so pleased that it went so well. And I am even more pleased that I get to check that item off of my list of "to-dos to finish." Copious thanks to the many family and friends that have seen me through this processes. More to come -- for certain!!!!

Update on the shop

Jon is moving in!!! Shelving built, sewing machine set, electrical in, heaters and generator fully functional -- and two cars getting worked on. These are pics from last weekend (1/18). Uncle Ken & Mike were over helping out on a Sunday. When I arrived the activities moved inside the house and the four of us installed lighting in what is quickly becoming Jon's office. VERY COOL.

Paul Carlile --

Paul, a friend to us and many, died last week. I have no words to sooth the loss. What I do have are good memories of a silly, intelligent, thoughtful soul. What I do have is an incredible group of friends that miss him and appreciated him. I am sad that I wont see him again. I am grateful that I knew him. Even in his death I have learned things from him.

You can find more that others whom have found words have posted at:

http://www.foldedspace.org/2009/01/15/hurt/
http://blog.risingspiral.com/?p=2009

I share this video taken, in Aug. 2008 at a friend's birthday party Paint Ball event.

Jon's BIG MOVE

This weekend my brother Jon rallied friends and their trucks and trailers to get his entire auto upholstery shop moved in a couple of day. Big job...... but we all had a great time! Everyone pitched in, worked hard, and inhaled massive quantities of dust. Jon seemed quite pleased with how it all got accomplished. He hopes to be up and running at his new shop in just a couple of days. Today friends are helping him wire and install his heaters and air compressor and then on Monday the fancy cars get delivered.

Decommissioning the old shop:























Installing the work bench and sewing machine in the new shop:

Birth of little Orla

Tears swelled in my eyes as Kevin described over the telephone the grace and strength of Tina and the beauty of Orla. Tina gave birth to Orla Osana, their healthy daughter the night before (Jan 8th at 11:40pm). The joy I feel for Tina reminds me of the sister that she is to me. My expectation and singing heart reminds me of the love that comes instantly when a baby of the clan is born.

Little Orla has so much to teach us all.

New Years

May we all seek adventure and joy in 09. Or as my friend SJ says -- "be kind in 09"

It seems as though anything is possible. I look towards this new year as a time of so many potential beginnings. It is unlike any other year I remember in my life. YES WE CAN!

Steve and I celebrated New Years Eve at a party with friends. The party's theme was "funky formal" so we all had the opportunity to dress up in wacky-wear. Live music provided by the garage band Used Log Truck. Codi got the toys out and we fire danced just just before midnight.
Celebration!!!!!!!!!!