Leaving Las Portland

I wrote the following for another blog, but then realized I didn't want to write something else for this one. So I apologize to my cohort members for the duplicate writing that results from laziness

Today Dad & I packed up everything I own and took two angry cats on the road. We have a huge truck because my dad did some fancy math and decided it was more economical, so I'm driving to New York, with enough room left in the truck to take about 15 homeless people on vacation. Since we're staying two nights with my uncle in Vancouver, we didn't load the car onto the trailer yet so I spent my driving alone time thinking of the things I'd miss. I ordered onion rings at DQ (yeah, I know, NY is retarded without DQs) and drove out Wilsonville Road, listening to Comfortably Numb (apparently it's a real tearjerker) and crying the whole way. I said goodbye to the sign that says "blueberry's for sale" without out even internally mocking the grammatical error by saying (exactly what is your blueberry selling?) I started thinking about our top ten lists and how when I come back for my final defense, I'm going to be trying to do so many things I've missed. As I drove into Portland, the sun was beginning to set behind the West Hills and I thought about how much I love the people and the culture of Portland. I glanced around at my fellow drivers thinking about how, in every other city I've been in, drivers are pushy and rude. But no, not good old P-town, I'm going to miss those nice drivers. I've heard rumors about New Yorkers, how pushy and impatient they can be. Lost in my reverie, I notice a white Corolla coming down an on ramp. Trying to be a nice Portland driver, I slow down so she can go ahead of me, but she won't, so I try to speed up as we're rapidly running out of two lanes. And then, she rams on her gas nearly sideswipes my car, cuts in behind me, races to the left side of me, flips me the bird and drops the f bomb out her passenger window. Ah sweet reality...I'M SO OUTTA HERE!!!!

Smarter than They Look

Welcome to Scotland, where a gull steals chips.
Video

Similarities

These pictures caught my eye...Honestly, I'm not trying to pope-bash, I just couldn't resist!

Lost in the 60s Starring Pope Benedict XVI

The Pope apparently now wants to do away with Vatican II a piece at a time, a council he in fact participated in. Hmmm. I'm guessing the committee didn't go his way?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19692094/from/ET/

More Good Times in Lafayette

Oakley got to go home today. He was so happy to see Beth! Before she got here though, he helped defend the place by running a coyote off several times. After Oakley went home, I got ready for bed and I noticed Simon getting really nervous and pacing in front of the door. I called for Garfunkel to come in and finally spotted him coming out of the shrubs. All of a sudden this gray blur comes flying after him. So I grabbed my keys and ran outside to try and save him. I spotted the coyote on the driveway and he still seemed to be in hunting mode, so I wasn't sure where G was, but I knew the beast didn't have him. I charged him on foot a couple of times and he'd run into the meadow, but he'd always come back. So finally, I jumped in my car and sped after him honking vigorously. I sped through the trees into the meadow and circled it a couple of times blaring my horn. The Volvo was pretty good for off-roading as always, and I was pretty sure I had put some fear into that dog. I was still worried because I hadn't seen anything of G. I had walked around for a while calling him, when I heard a little meow from my balcony, He had made it inside. So I went back in and closed the doors. Poor guy was all puffed up and shaking, even now he's still cowering beside me, but at least he's safe and I know Blondie is as tough as ever (good old car).

Good Times in Lafayette

So....Today actually had three interesting things happen.

1. We had a police chase in Lafayette. Of course its such a small town that it wouldn't make the news, but I witnessed it myself and it was impressive. All ten or less minutes of it.

2. I talked to my grandpa today and he asked me who I was and what I was doing and so I said, "I'm Melinda and next year I'll be Dr. Pearson." He responded with, "Good! you can come down here and fix my shoulder." I told him that I was going to be a psychologist and not that kind of doctor, to which he replied, "well then, you can come down here and talk to me and make me believe it doesn't hurt anymore." Ah, even dementia can't deaden that wit!

3. Oakley continued his swimming lessons. He is no longer afraid of the water and was having fun jumping in and chasing tennis balls.









Tired puppy...

Next we head to the diving board!

Swimming Lessons

I didn't think it was right that a golden retriever be scared of water, so I gave Oakley some swimming lessons today.



He's also the forgiving sort...