Stretch Armstrong

It seems like forever since i've visited the site but nary a week has passed before I doth putteth letters upon this page. A few winners and losers of the past week.

Dorks in a goofy looking hats scored a big win in WINTER STORM '09! You may laugh but as I stood at the bus stop for over an hour and a half my ears were completely toasty? How about yours? Oh... you were inside... dang you. Unfortunaltely for Brynn, Jack Frost forgot to inform her of his plans and she ended up freezing throughout a hellacious four attempt to leave downtown Portland and get home to the warm, warm, heater that I had turned on for her. I believe she got off at 5:00 and caught the 4:15 Sherwood Express which deposited her safely at the transit center around 10:00 pm. At least she wasn't the lady look forlorn when she learned that her bus was due at 6:00... AM! To paraphrase Brynn when the snow blows into Portland all bets are off as people turn into crazy aborigines, stabbing everyone looking to just get ahead.

Your tax dollars lost a big one this year as Portland proved that it is consistent in one thing... year in year out they are woefully unprepared for the frozen miracle from the sky. Let your votes do the talking.

What is it about money and losers. Unitus Credit Union who I allowed to protected by my banner of "they can do no wrong" screwed us over majorly as they told us we would not qualify for a loan or a credit card (no history) to pay for Brynn's education. If that wasn't bad, they were the same people who gave us the advice to wait until we really needed it to apply for said loan before leaving us scrambling on how to finance the term. Tom, the same guy who signed us up and called month after month reminding us that we could sign up for an unsecured credit card broke the news so this one's for you...
Finally we end on a positive note. Christmas. Always a winner was made even sweeter by spending time with two families this year. I wish there was enough time in the world to visit with each one of you during Christmas and New Years but suffice to say we love you all and may the new year bring many great treasures.

Christmas time

I think one of the most exciting things about Christmas is giving presents. I love to see the face of the person I give the gift to, hoping that when I passed through the store weeks ago that I had indeed picked up just the right thing. To this end with Brynn I have been bugging her to open different presents throughout the month but as a staunch "it's supposed to be a surprise" advocate I've made little head way. Granted there has been some progress, such as taking her to the Spoon concert for her birthday (due to a lack of over 21 shows playing that would be worth going to) and that same night I was able to get her to relent to accepting her new pea coat (which was the worst because I felt so bad all this winter having bought it and she was going to work in thin little hoodies in sub freezing temperatures, but hey I tried)! Finally as a pseudo birthday present (her family came up on Wednesday) I got her to indulge in a playing little New Mario Bros Wii. To this end I think I can say that this Christmas so far, so good.
I got a raise this past week which buoys our spirits as this Christmas has brought the realities of  what poor college students should live like. We had been living fairly comfortably off the savings of a year of just plain hard work but as little expenses ate away our pile of Uncle Scrooge gold, budgeting and personal finance has really come front and center into our lives. Thankfully we have jobs in which we earn a healthy living and are doing the things we need to do (educating ourselves) in order to further our economic means. The Lord has been good to us. On the flip side with the added income I have been delegated new tasks to work on whilst under the employment of SoccerPlex, none which has me working with kids more than I do. It's a sad trade off as I think I understand that perhaps now is not the time for me to lead the Kids Play program but I will continue to develop my skills in order to illuminate the different qualities I have to offer and maybe it will lead me in a different direction. I owe a lot to my experiences to my jobs at the YMCA and Salem Indoor Soccer. When Jimmy took over the SoccerTots program I got an insiders look at what it is like to learn the ropes and take over a program, that in my opinion pretty successful considering some of the circumstances that hinder Salem Indoor. I think what I really got to see with Jimmy and Vernon (and really the whole staff there) was what the look of real dedication to their jobs and clientel. This is something that has rubbed off on me and has really allowed for me to rise so quickly in the eyes of Jessica and Trent at SoccerPlex. I know that everything will sort out in the end and I am so grateful for all that I have, especially a beautiful wife who I love so much. What a great season we are in where the yuletide cheer can bring us all a little more happiness in our lives. Merry Christmas.

Spoon me...

Well it will be a December to remember. We are poor, cold, and happy. School is coming up and we are realizing how much it will take to pay for it but luckily we have been blessed with financial aid and come January 1, FASFA time! Cold, well because it's fraking cold outside and though the temperature climbed some i'm still shaking my booty off outside. Had to bust out Mr. Trench Coat for some added warmth while waiting for those big steel beasts. But as always our happiness lies in the fact that we have each other. And with it so cold in our apartment we get to snuggle a little more closely in the shadow of our mighty Douglas Fir which stands majestically at the entrance of our newly decorated living room (I would say we are now officially moved in now that Brynn has had some womanly influence when it comes to decorating). Slowly but surely we will decorate it, maybe tonight with a one o'clock frenzy of Christmas Cheer or not, been kind of sick this past week. I got it off some old guy who has been selling trees for over thirty years from the house he built of Garden Home, back when it must have been the "country". Nice guy but I hadn't realized how expensive trees are especially Nobles, which must rake in the dough for those lots that pop up all over the place. However I am not looking back and am content with representing Oregon and it's state tree, woot!

Brynn and I swayed, pushed (well really we got pushed by the mob of sixteen year olds), and rocked out to the last of this year's 94/7's "December to Remember" shows. Headlining was Spoon and though I think the keyboardist looks mighty mournful as though he feels left out from the triangle of power, the band played a fantastic set. Black Joe Lewis provided a nice opening act full of sound that reminded me of James Brown meeting southern rock/blues (think Mississippi). Best part was the lively horn section which complemented the lead singer who looks (and sounds like) Dave Chappelle (is it a black thing, NO! Just stating the facts ma'm), and one of the the brothers from the Proclaimers playing the drums. I was glad to get out and parking was particularly easy to find though it mean that Brynn and I were early to a show which allowed us a prime position but it meant standing around for forty five minutes for the show to start. There was this other girl who played a two song set between the big acts, Anya Marina, not worth remembering, cue to start erasing her from my conscience now... done.
Just reading up on interwebs... one thing that I have always been jealous of is my friends musical talents. I'm sure with plenty of work I could someday plop down at the piano and play but I want that ability now. It's one of two superpowers that I wish for, to become a master composer/writer (of music) which is enhanced by the ability to pick up anything and play it (well), real life Music man (the other power would be to either fix anything I needed or speak any language so in part this is all the stuff you saw John Travolata pull in "Phenomenon" but i'll pass on the cancer.) This need continues to grow as I've succumbed to the Rock Band craze and my inner musician is frustrated by the fact that I am pressing five colored buttons which is all a ruse to make me believe I am making music. All this to bring me to this point... see some friends, who can play music, this Wednesday (16th of December) at the Hawthorne Theater at 8pm. The way I understand it Britt and Brett are forming a new band Johan and this will be their debut performance with three other bands for the low, low price of four bucks. And if you want some advice head over to Pepino's to grab a burrito before the show.
Finally as Christmas draws a little closer, even more music can be heard dancing in the air, why not warm yourself up with a nice hot chocolate this next Saturday the 19th at our house? We are getting together to watch a Christmas movie (or maybe play some games) and having a hot chocolate potluck where you either bring your favorite kind or the best mix ins you can find.

Just about finished

One more final to go and what an awesome feeling. Life is peachy and all I have to do is work and sit back and relax until next term. Each of the finals went pretty well all that is left is my ASL final which should be good. Too bad it is conflicting with my sister's graduation from her CNA program. I wish her the best and I am very proud of her. It showed great resolve to do what it takes to get an education and do right by herself and for Michael. Now if only she would get an interpreter...
Been itching somewhat as I have started teaching on a weekly basis and had special circumstance to go down to Salem and get a few classes in. I want to move up. I have been teaching for about eight years now and I think I have what it would take to manage a program. What's exciting about SoccerPlex is that there isn't one but rather a smattering of classes. With what I learned down in Salem (thank you James, Jimmy, and Vern) I think I have the chops to do well. I won't lie in saying the motivation also dwells on money which has been on my mind a lot recently, mainly how we plan on paying for school for Brynn. Next fall it won't be much of problem because goodness knows we will be filling out the FASFA come the turn of the year but that still leaves two terms that we will have to take a loan out. Thankfully Brynn is a much more committed student that I and a loan for her is a good hands and will go over much better than my previous experience.
I love OPB music. One of the discoveries I have made aside from their fantastic Saturday evening programming is their in studio sessions that they post on the web. What is wonderful is that they include lots of local Portland bands that often bring the noise appearing in the Willamette Weekly and Portland Mercury but that I never get the chance to vet for because either I am too busy, too poor, or a combination of both.
Tree day is almost here. We had a little setback as the Boy Scout troop that was supposed to be selling trees at SoccerPlex never materialized on Saturday so we continue to be treeless to Brynn's chagrin. We have just about everything else ready to go including our first stand and I think Brynn has set her heart on a spot right by the couches just as you come in (displacing my stalwart drum set and guitars). I think tomorrow we will end up venturing to Swan Island but I was able to pick up a farm guide so we will see.
Cheap deal going on next Saturday the 19th, we are having a X-Treme Hot Chocolate Party at our house. We have some Stephen's and because of the recommendation of Britt and Brett we will pick up some more delicious drinks in addition to our wonderful flavor enhancers of hazelnut syrup, candy canes, and marshmallows. Feel free to come and to bring your favorites, we are going to have games and of course what would it be without a Christmas movie.

Things I like.

I've been looking around and there are things that I like, that are amazing, and just make a person happy.

* Walking around on your phone being unobtrusive and being able to kick piles of leaves (they hadn't been raked) and just hearing the sound of the leaves swishing, scrapping, and fluttering by your feet. Also not having my phone. The other day I couldn't find my phone (I had left it on silent and apprently it snuck under the couch) and it was glorious. Now Brynn and I have had this conversation over and over but, I do appreciate the convienence of the phone but it's good to know that there are times in which the world can't get at you.

* Holiday spirit. Admittedly I may be a grinch at sometimes (like when it comes to putting up decorations, I want to see nothing before December 1st) but I love the way Brynn gets so into the holiday. I did get my way but she has pressed forward and Father Time has aided her cause and she now flutters about in full Christmas mode. And I love semis with wreaths on their grills. Classic.

* Children having fun. I love when kids go to classes/practices (whether it may be my soccer class or a ballet class on campus) they are in it for the fun. Yes they may pick up a skill here and there but when a child tells their parents that their excited to go to _______, it is because they know they can be themselves and have fun. That why I love what I do.