Ever have one of those days, where everything just comes together perfectly to culminate into this beautiful life experience? Today has not been one of those days. Besides having to deal with the aftermaths of an arguement with a good friend, I've had some issues at work. While at work our data network goes down pretty much crippling me from doing the bulk of my planned work for the day. Then I find out that I can't extend my apartment lease by 3 measily months so now I either have to pay up the bum for month to month or move in June. This could be a blessing in disguise, but I wanted to wait the summer out and see what would happen with the merger. The only glimmer of hope for the day, is that I am driving to Los Angeles tonight to work merch and watch John Mayer and Glen Phillips. This too shall pass...
Since moving to Bakersfield almost two years ago the big jokes around town have always dealt with being from Bakersfield, the summer temperatures (the adhesive holding the soles of my shoes has melted from playing basketball outside), and the air quality (is it bad when you can see the air on a daily basis?). Then I read this in the morning paper: City gets low ranking for living. And people ask if I like living here. Come on, first I'm a Montanan living amongst Californians and then to grow up in a state with the most pristine blue skies I've yet to see only to move to one where I actually got excited that I could see all the way to the Grapevine. I think I'll go chew some air for a while.
So I was in Wal-Mart today buying some of the essentials (toothbrush and dryer sheets) and while I was in the checkout line I committed the common intrusion of privacy. We all do it; look at what the person in front or behind you is buying. Anyway, so there I was in line as the clerk is running my items through and I look at the items laying on the conveyer belt. It just struck me odd that this woman was buying not only Vivarin, but a sleeping aid. Me being, well, me, starts to wonder why someone would have to buy that combination. Maybe it's not for the same person. I would hope that it wasn't, but if it was what kind of life would that be. Stimulants to keep you awake and drugs to knock you out for the night. We are a pill popping society that has a fix for nearly everything packaged in an encapsulated form. Excuse me, I need to go take my vitamins now.
On the way to the mailbox this afternoon I happened to notice that there was a group of ducks (what are they called...i know it's a gaggle of geese, but what is a group of ducks called...anyway) waddling by a tree that was along my path. As I approached them, they began to head back to the phony lake that is next to the apartment complex. Yes, we are situated by a "lake"...that's why we can charge so much for rent. On a normal day, I'd just keep on walking by, but you see, this was not any normal day. I don't know why, but I was feeling off and in a bit of a funk most of the afternoon. No, I didn't do any bodily harm, but if you are ever in need of a laugh, start chasing ducks. I think the funniest part was the sound of their webbed feet slapping against the pavement. Ok, so that entertainment lasted all of 10 seconds if that. The ducks at the complex here have long been a source of amusement since I moved here. All I know is one afternoon I'm getting dropped off from my carpool and it was a scene from Animal Planet right in my drive way. The whole conversation was "Are they?" and "I think so".
so I took a vacation...i'll write more about it later (that's what the ROADS section is supposed to be for. Just couldn't resist sharing this photo from a sign at the Grand Canyon.
The Northwest portion of my journey is nearly complete. It's been nice just to get away for a few days. Saturday I drove up to Seattle to visit an old high school friend and had dinner with a shirt-tail cousin that's in college there. Seattle is a very diverse city and I enjoy going there to visit and absorb some of the culture, but I just don't know if I could live there. I saw two people trying to break free from several white trashbags...it was some demonstration I suppose, but I'm not sure if I got the point.
Always being one to have an alterior motive, or so I've been accused, we went and saw Howie Day and Pat McGee Band play at the Crocodile Cafe. If you have the chance, you must see Howie Day play...absolutely amazing. Heading south tomorrow for the rest of the week...couple of shows and possibly driving to the Grand Canyon. It will also be the longest stretch I'll be without the internet in a very long time. I'm sure my email box will explode in my absence.
So today I woke up in Portland...actually, I woke up in Vancouver, Washington, but it's close enough. My last journey up here took me to a cheese factory and this time I'm going to the largest bookstore in the world, Powell's. I could live here someday...someday maybe I will. Time to go kick around the city until Jen (with one n or two?) is done at work.
Typical sunday spent putting off the things I should have done which is namely my taxes. Instead I took on the monumental (if you saw the pile, you'd understand) of organizing my files. This meant tossing through old bills and crap that I'd kept. Can't help it...it's hereditary to accumulate. I'm trying to rework the dna though and purge my apartment of much of the unnecessary. This will soon lead to the culmination of what I like to call the "box of crap" or putting some of it up on ebay.
But I digress. As I coming to the end of the pile I unearthed some cards from college graduation (1999). Brought back some memories to glance through them, but they were eventually placed in the circular file...all but one. Looking at it then and thinking about it now brings me to instant tears.
Sorry I'm not with you this day! But my thoughts are this afternoon in Butte! Best of Luck and maybe we can visit you in California some time! Love you always! Grandma E.
I can remember being somewhat bitter over the whole thing and I'm still not sure if it was because Mike and Nora decide on that day for their wedding or that she chose to go to that rather than my graduation. It's done for now and I can accept that, but in the end I just wish I could have had one more moment...
watched some "free jazz" tonight down at barnes & noble. ever since i moved to bakersfield i've been disappointed with the lack of coffeehouse type places to go. i've resisted doing the barnes & noble shows up until now, but i saw in the Californian that this guy (Kris Tiner) i saw play trumpet at the Brews in the Village was going to be playing as a trio so i figured i would at least check it out. glad i did...i was impressed with what i heard. guess they do more improvisational and spoken word pieces at a coffee shop downtown so i'll go check that sometime.
