Wag more. Bark less.

Dear customer,

Allow me to let you in on a little secret.  Ready?  It's my job to give you what you want.  And, it just so happens that it is also my job to make sure you leave happy as a clam.  

To that end, let me just say, that when you are a) rude, b) arrogant, c) condescending or d) all of the above, it gets you nothing.  Well, actually, it causes me to curse at your back while you walk away, but other than that, nothing.

So, be nice to me.  Please.  It will keep me from cursing and make you happy as a clam just that much sooner.

Sincerely,

Me

It's a nice day...

...for a bike wedding.

My friends Bonnie and Pete tied the knot last weekend in an impromptu bicycle wedding.  They decided two weeks ago to get married and to make it an event during Pedalpalooza, the annual bike festival in Portland.

It was one of the most unique, sweet and genuine weddings I've been to.  Unique because they rode their bikes to the wedding site, to the reception site and then back home.  Sweet because of the cupcakes and VooDoo donuts that we devoured at the reception.  Genuine because of the way they look at each other.  Oh, the way they look at each other.  Love, my friends, it's love.

Congrats you crazy kids!

In honor of Dad

One of the bummer things about living so far from my family is that holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas just don't have the same effect, just don't feel quite right.  But there are other holidays that fall off the radar too, like Father's Day.  

Since we couldn't be with them, B and I honored both of our Dads by doing things we enjoyed yesterday-- a bike ride around Sauvie Island and then a hike in the gorge.  

I thought a lot about my dad yesterday.  Was he thinking about his kids?  Was he out on the boat or grilling in the back yard?  Was he doing something he enjoyed?  When I think about all of the things he taught me-- how to shoot a basketball, drive a stick shift, how to treat people with respect, how to have a sense of humor-- it makes me realize what a lucky little daddy's girl I still am.

35 years

In 1974.....

People magazine was first published.

Ryan Seacrest was born.

Dungeons and Dragons was officially released.

Streaking was the year's biggest fad.

"Bennie and the Jet's" by Elton John was at the top of the charts.

And most importantly, this guy was born.

Happy 35th babe!

Inspiration Vacation

Sometimes we get so set in our ways that we forget to change it up from time to time.  We go about our normal routines, do our normal things, go to our normal places, see all of our normal faces, etc.  Well, enough of that!  Enter the Rosarios!

Jen and Ben came for a long weekend and shook things up around here.  We did something that I haven't done in a really long time:  hung out in Portland.  Usually, when B and I get some days off, we're always trying to figure out how to get out of Portland, but this weekend, we did Ben and Jen stuff.  Like go to a track meet on Friday night.  Who knew a track meet could be fun even if you weren't running in it?  It might have been the company, but those races were fantastic.  

Then, Saturday was a drive to Eugene, a.k.a. Tracktown USA.  We checked out Pre's trail, a running loop dedicated to Steve Prefontaine (if you don't who that is, enlighten yourself and click here) and then snuck onto Hayward Field so Ben could run some laps.  It was so cool to see him experience a place he had always dreamed of visiting.  And gosh darn it, if those two Rosarios weren't inspiring.  By the end of the day, they had me saying I wanted to run a marathon.  Yeah, I know right?

Saturday night's festivities included dinner with Alyson at Nuestra Cocina and drinks at North Bar.  Eating and drinking, exactly what you are supposed to do when friends are in town.  Sunday morning brunch was even more of the same when we stuffed ourselves with down home cookin' at The Screen Door.  This was after Jen and Ben did their morning runs.  (See? They are totally inspiring!) The rest of day was window shopping followed by more food and more drink with of-course, lots of laughter, stories and jokes mixed in.

Let's see how long my marathon high lasts.  Anyone want to place some bets?

Me, Bob and Surly

One of Craig's good friends has recently embarked on a bicycle trip across South America.  You can follow his really epic adventure here:

www.mebobandsurly.wordpress.com

Monday Night Tennis League

B loves to play tennis.  He used to take lessons and play competitively in high school and he even tried out for his college tennis team.  Ever since, he's been on a seemingly never-ending quest for a tennis partner. 

I'm sure you're now asking, "Gayle, surely you will play tennis with him?"  Well, yes I do, but the man actually needs some competition once in awhile.  When he fires one back across the net with any amount of heat, I'm all "duck and cover!"

A couple of weeks ago, he sent an email out to the Portland contingent with an open invitation for a Monday night tennis league.  Every Monday night, anyone can come, all ages, all abilities.  The first two weeks got rained out, so last night was the official first night.

Jason, Holly and Mark showed up and we all had a great time.  I'm not the best photographer when it comes to "action shots" but here are two photos from last night's festivities.

And the expression on B's face the whole time?  Glee.  Absolute glee.

Needing some balance

Three weeks ago, a woman threw her 4 and 9 year-old children off the Sellwood Bridge.  The 4 year-old drown, but the 9 year-old miraculously survived.  

Two weeks ago, a hiker found the bodies of a father and his two children in a local nature park.  It was an apparent double murder/suicide.

This past weekend, a woman's body was found in the crawl space of a home after another woman killed her and took her unborn baby from her body.

I really need to hear some good news.  An uplifting story.  Some encouragement that this world is turning into a better place to live.  

The weekend is coming.

Rules for a Book Club

Rules for a successful Book Club:

#1 Invite some fun girls.

#2 Have fun girls bring food and wine.  One bottle of wine each is absolutely necessary.

#3 Read the book.  Or not.  But be prepared to make at least one comment about said book.  For example: "I really enjoyed how the author was so descriptive.  I was able to paint a mental picture in my head."  Or something similar.

#4 Drink all of the wine.  All of it.

#5 Laugh, giggle, laugh some more.

#6 Assign the next book.

#7 Rinse and repeat every six weeks.

The Hotel Emanuel Book Club:  Katie, me, Carrie, Emily, Julia and Sarah

 

Out of control!

The garden that is.  The spinach looks like it's on steroids, the arugula is freaking out and I even have some pink strawberries about two days ready from picking.  Go me!