Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The "Next Adventure"

Sorry about no pics and the late posting.  I've been feeling sick for over a week now and I managed to mess up my lower back, probably a pinched nerve, last weekend while kayaking.  Besides my body falling apart a lot has happened over the past two weeks.  I haven't been running much, because of the health issues, but I did mange to get out snowboarding twice and kayaking once.  I'm really enjoying playing in the snow again!  I also managed to secure a job at Next Adventure, the alternative sports store here in Portland, and started work yesterday.  The shop has products for almost all the outdoor sports that I enjoy and they are known for their crazy closeout deals.  I'm working in the paddlesports department and trying to apply my knowledge of the industry to the retail level.  Everyone at the shop are friendly and really passionate about enjoying the outdoors.  I'm trying to adapt to working a regular scheduled job again at the retail level.  This is a big change from my crazy adventures over the past 7 months or so.  The other big news is that plans are now in place for Julie and I to be living together in April.  Julie is planning to go to grad school in Portland to become a high school english teacher.  We are both working on plans to be back in MD around Easter and move our belongings out to Oregon.  I'm looking forward to a more structured life and one in which Julie is a major part of everyday life.  Many things are still in the planning stages, but the next few months will see lots of changes that are all meant to provide Julie and I a quality life together.  Stay tuned:)  Peace.....

Monday, February 2, 2009

Oregon Life Returns

(Big chaotic waves rolling into Indian Beach the day Joe and I went for a surf kayak.)

There is not too much new to report.  I've settled back into life in Oregon with the normal job search, running, and online Google work.  The only big news is that I finally got back on the ski slopes for a night of snowboarding, after almost 2yrs of not playing in the snow!  Joe and I met up for some night skiing at Mt. Hood Meadows last Sunday.  The conditions were fair at best, but I had a blast in the 12 degree and flurries.  I've been out surf kayaking twice.  Once with Joe on a big day that had us both completely worn out in under 2 hrs.  The second time was with Mike and it was a beautiful day out on the water, but the waves were quite poor.  Mike did manage to have THE one HUGE (like 9+ ft. face) wave of the day land directly on his head.  I've also been out running a bunch and keeping track of the data with my new Garmin 305.  I got out trail running this past Sunday morning with a local trail running group, Trail Factor, and put in 14+ miles on the trails in Forest Park.  I will be joining this group for some more runs in the future for sure.  Sunday afternoon I attended a Super Bowl party at Mike's house and had a great time.  The game and commercials were both entertaining this year and the food was good, especially the fried turkey!  I also managed to win the betting pool for the evening, netting a whopping $14:)  Sunday was a good full day.

I'm hoping to get a job locally in the next few weeks, hopefully in the outdoor industry, and start searching for an apartment for Julie and I to move into in the next few months.  Julie sent in her grad school application today to Portland University and is looking into becoming an English teacher for grades 6-12.  Things are very much up in the air at the moment, but if Julie and I can get jobs in PDX and she can get into grad school here things will fall into place.  I do realize that there are a lot of conditions there, but I'm trying to be optimistic:)