I am not illiterate…

I just wanted to point out the fact that I do realize when a comment is left it states, “So&So has writed”. This is not my doing. It came with the the cookie cutter layout I downloaded. I rather like the “feel” of the page and haven’t been able to find the code to change it…maybe one day. Until then we all will have to cringe a little every time we see it.  Thanks for understanding.

very loud noises!

Well today the inevitable happened.  After 3 long months of unemployment I was contacted by an insurance rep. on behalf of ICU.  They are the institution that holds the loan note on my car.  So as of Friday March 12th 2010 at 10 a.m. I will no longer have my Subaru WRX.  It will be nice not to have to fork out that $500 a month in insurance and car payments, but I sure will miss her.  The last four years have been a glorious road experience, filled with high RPM’s, curving mountain roads, and the occasional four wheel drift onto I-5 off of the Iowa Street on-ramp. 

I spent a good hour and a half today in the cold and rain dismantling what I could in ways of after market parts on the vehicle.  My most favorite moment was laying upside down under the steering column with half my body in a freezing mud puddle, just so I could fiddle with two test connectors while reverting the ECU back to stock.  Sucking on the dirty ass flash light so I could see was fucking awesome as well.

I guess I may have to change the name of my blog now…maybe I’ll call it Me, Ru, and a Bus Full of Crazy A-Holes That Smell Weird.  Actually, that is kinda funny.  Well that’s my little rant today.  I’m open to ideas on a new title.  Take care all.

Beer Wars – a must see documentary

I just had the pleasure of watching a documentary on the “Beer Wars” present in today's America.  It was very informative, entertaining, and definitely in favor of the smaller craft beer kings and queens.  It made me dearly miss my work in the industry and relit the coals of wanting to home brew.  I was quite amazed, and relieved, to see that the smaller breweries have rebounded from being only 47 in existence to over 1400 nationwide.  I highly recommend watching this documentary (especially you Chris).  Well now I am off to watch one on the Pubs of Ireland. Slainte!

Picture from Iowa

Well, I finally got my printer hooked up.  Only took about 4 months.  Anyways, here is the one picture we took on the move from KC to Seattle.  This is at a rest stop somewhere in Iowa.  You can tell it’s Iowa from the wind…just look at Ru’s ears.  That is not her natural head posture.  Hope you like it!

What’s New in Spokane

Well things have not changed much since last time I wrote.  Still unemployed, still desperately seeking work, and still damn good looking.  Ahaha…couldn’t resist that one!

I guess I’ll start by telling you about my trip to Addy the other week.  It was fairly uneventful to say the least.  I did learn some interesting facts about grape growing, limestone, and the correlation between the two.  I would have to say the highlight of the trip was when I saw a moose in the woods, and no one else did:)  It was a small moose, but a moose none the less.

The last week or so has been a rather interesting and heart wrenching week.  On Super Bowl Sunday my 39 year old Uncle suffered a massive stroke and was hospitalized.  I found out the following day, right before my good friend told me her Grandmother had died.  Her tragedy was step two of a five step process that was sure to ruin her week.  I won’t go into details of her personal life.  Needless to say I have spent many days as of late just “being there” for her.  Which in all honesty I believe was the best way I could ever spend my time. 

Friday and Saturday held some fun and excitement.  I drove an hour South to a little town called Palouse, WA.  There I spent time hanging with my good friend Deanna and her wonderful family of Veterinary Medicine Miracles and Enigmas.  To be a little clear, she has two 3 legged dogs, another that is allergic to human dander, a half retarded cat (literally folks…no joke), and another one that just has issues.  With all there issues they are the oddest looking bunch.  But also one of the most wonderful collection of animals you’ll find.  So, we spent our days hanging out together and at the dog park in Moscow Idaho.  It was an awesome time.

That pretty much sums up what’s up.  A few more potential job prospects have floated my way and I’ve been diligently following up on them.  When any news on that front brakes I’ll let you know.  Till next time tata!

Going to Addy, WA…

Today I am heading up to Addy, WA.  It is somewhere near the Canadian border, in the hills I think.  My friend Nicole and her parents are going up there to investigate some land for a possible wine vineyard.  Being the unemployed free spirit that is loved by all…I was invited as well:)  So I figured I’ll pack up my camera, a couple rolls of film, my GPS (just in case), and see what adventures I can create.  I hear there are some “unusual Earth formations” that can be beneficial to growing wine grapes.  I might just have to take a picture or two of these.  Well…that is all I have for now, I’ll return with a post on how it goes.

A Glimpse of Home

I have come to the realization that I have not been fulfilling a promise made to myself when it comes to the creation and upkeep of this blog. My main goal was to capture the many little adventures that life provides and share them through photos and/or writings. I don’t feel like I have been very vigilant at this. For this I apologize, not only to myself but to those that actually check up on this. I will try harder in the future.

The main reason for this post is to give those who are not familiar with where I grew up a glimpse of the area I call home. So basically that’s you Angie (unless you know others in KC that would be interested in my ramblings:)). As well as to rededicate myself to the joy of landscape photography. As you can see I have had the pleasure of beautiful surroundings for a good portion of my life.

I now know it was the culmination of these beautiful places that stoked the fires of my creativity throughout my youth and into today. If you were to take a gander at my albums you would notice that many of my photos have two things in common; water and mountains. I believe these elements are the heart and soul of the Pacific Northwest. Not to mention, when you live on an island surrounded by mountain ranges they are bound to be in the background.

Now that I live on the opposite side of the mountains from where I grew up I have unknown territories to explore. I am quite sure I will develop a fondness for the surrounding landscapes and the desert terrain. I look forward to sharing future shots of my new home with all of you.

PHOTOS: The top photo is looking out over Puget Sound from West Beach on Whidbey Island, WA. This is one of my all time favorite shots. Photo number two is an overlooking shot of Oak Harbor, WA. Located on Whidbey Island it was my hometown for many years. The bottom right photo was taken by a friend during a trek into the Cascade Mountain Range. I have spent many joyous hours hiking around those “hills”. Unfortunately due to technological mishaps I have very few pictures to show for it. One day I will venture there again and return victorious with oodles of quality shots.