Ally and I booked our tickets to NYC! This will be my third time there, and Ally's second.
We're going to be in the Big Apple for Ally's birthday. We leave around midnight on April 18th and arrive around 8am the next morning. Ally's birthday is the 21st. We will be there for 6 days and 5 nights, leaving on the 24th.
Now we just need to get our lodging figured out. Hotels are expensive unless you want to sleep with rats and cockroaches. I would rather sleep on someone's floor or couch than to stay in a creepy, filthy hotel or to have to pay a ton of money for something that is merely decent.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
ready for spring
I'm tired of the winter. I'm tired of the rain and the cold. I know that I shouldn't complain because Oregon has very mild weather compared to most places, but I'm still tired of it.
I don't even care that Spring means allergies. I'll suffer a bit for some warmer weather.
I want to be able to do things outside. I want to go hiking and ride my bike. I want to throw a frisbee in the park and even maybe have a picnic.
I don't even care that Spring means allergies. I'll suffer a bit for some warmer weather.
I want to be able to do things outside. I want to go hiking and ride my bike. I want to throw a frisbee in the park and even maybe have a picnic.
Friday, February 16, 2007
a short vacation
On Tuesday Ally and I headed to Newport for a few relaxing days off from work. As a wedding gift, we received a free nights stay at a condo. The free night had to be used by the end of March, and Valentine's day seemed like as good a day as any to spend a night on the Oregon coast.
The weather on Tuesday was beautiful with the temperature above 50 degrees and the sun out. We left Portland early enough to arrive in Newport around 2:30, giving us a few hours of daylight. We couldn't check in to the room until 3pm, so we headed to the bayfront where we ended up at the Rogue Ales pub. After a pint of beer each, and an informative conversation with a few locals, we headed to the condo to get checked in and to enjoy the beach before the sun went down.
That night we went to dinner and then tried one of the local bars on the bayfront. This being February, and the middle of the week, the bar was dead so we decided to head back to the condo and take it easy the rest of the night.
The next morning was Valentine's day, so I made Ally eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and mimosas. After breakfast, we went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The weather had turned on us, so it was a bit difficult to enjoy the outdoor exhibits. It was fun nonetheless. After the aquarium we went back to the bayfront where we bought some saltwater taffy and had lunch. Ally usually hates seafood, but she was a good sport and had a cup of delicious roasted garlic and crab soup with her cheeseburger. I also had a cup of soup along with a tasty fish taco. After lunch we decided to retreat back to the condo until it was time for our valentine's day dinner.
For dinner we decided to take Tim's advice and try a place in Depoe Bay called Gracie's Sea Hag. On the 8 mile drive to Depoe Bay, we discovered where the name Cape Foulweather came from as we drove through the most dense fog I think I've ever encountered. The dinner was good, but we left promptly in hopes that the fog didn't have time to get much worse.
The next morning we woke up and left early so that we could get breakfast at the Otis Cafe. It is always the best breakfast anywhere, and is deserving of it's national praise. After breakfast, we drove to Grand Ronde and stopped at the casino. We set a limit of $20 each and decided to play the slots. Ally lost all $20, but I left with $41.45. All together, we won $1.45 ... not much, but at least we didn't lose anything.
All in all it was a fun and relaxing trip.
The condos as seen from the beach below
we tried to save this starfish from the gulls
Ally on the beach
why am I walking like a penguin?
Ally takes a stroll on the beach
we were eaten by a shark at the aquarium
boats in the bay
delicious fish taco
The weather on Tuesday was beautiful with the temperature above 50 degrees and the sun out. We left Portland early enough to arrive in Newport around 2:30, giving us a few hours of daylight. We couldn't check in to the room until 3pm, so we headed to the bayfront where we ended up at the Rogue Ales pub. After a pint of beer each, and an informative conversation with a few locals, we headed to the condo to get checked in and to enjoy the beach before the sun went down.
That night we went to dinner and then tried one of the local bars on the bayfront. This being February, and the middle of the week, the bar was dead so we decided to head back to the condo and take it easy the rest of the night.
The next morning was Valentine's day, so I made Ally eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and mimosas. After breakfast, we went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The weather had turned on us, so it was a bit difficult to enjoy the outdoor exhibits. It was fun nonetheless. After the aquarium we went back to the bayfront where we bought some saltwater taffy and had lunch. Ally usually hates seafood, but she was a good sport and had a cup of delicious roasted garlic and crab soup with her cheeseburger. I also had a cup of soup along with a tasty fish taco. After lunch we decided to retreat back to the condo until it was time for our valentine's day dinner.
For dinner we decided to take Tim's advice and try a place in Depoe Bay called Gracie's Sea Hag. On the 8 mile drive to Depoe Bay, we discovered where the name Cape Foulweather came from as we drove through the most dense fog I think I've ever encountered. The dinner was good, but we left promptly in hopes that the fog didn't have time to get much worse.
The next morning we woke up and left early so that we could get breakfast at the Otis Cafe. It is always the best breakfast anywhere, and is deserving of it's national praise. After breakfast, we drove to Grand Ronde and stopped at the casino. We set a limit of $20 each and decided to play the slots. Ally lost all $20, but I left with $41.45. All together, we won $1.45 ... not much, but at least we didn't lose anything.
All in all it was a fun and relaxing trip.
The condos as seen from the beach below
we tried to save this starfish from the gulls
Ally on the beach
why am I walking like a penguin?
Ally takes a stroll on the beach
we were eaten by a shark at the aquarium
boats in the bay
delicious fish tacoSaturday, February 10, 2007
free rock
Thursday night Tim, Ally and I went to see Quasi play a free show at the Doug Fir. It was the third time in the last year that I have seen them play for free in Portland. My co-worker Keenan met up with us even though he had never seen or really heard Quasi.
There were two opening bands, both of which were mediocre at best and quite boring too. Once Quasi started playing though, it was obvious that it was worth the wait. They played a pretty good mix of songs spanning their seven albums. There was also a lot of improvised "jamming" between songs that was fun to watch. Sam is an amazing musician and Janet hits the drums harder than almost any drummer I've seen. Joanna Bolme joined the duo on bass, and she is an excellent addition, rounding out the songs and giving the jam sessions a deep, driving rhythm.
It was a great show. I even think that Keenan became a fan. It's good to know that at least one of the Portland bands that I loved in high school is still around and making great music. I hope they keep it up and I get to see them a bunch more times.
There were two opening bands, both of which were mediocre at best and quite boring too. Once Quasi started playing though, it was obvious that it was worth the wait. They played a pretty good mix of songs spanning their seven albums. There was also a lot of improvised "jamming" between songs that was fun to watch. Sam is an amazing musician and Janet hits the drums harder than almost any drummer I've seen. Joanna Bolme joined the duo on bass, and she is an excellent addition, rounding out the songs and giving the jam sessions a deep, driving rhythm.
It was a great show. I even think that Keenan became a fan. It's good to know that at least one of the Portland bands that I loved in high school is still around and making great music. I hope they keep it up and I get to see them a bunch more times.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
money to spend
Ally and I did our taxes on Saturday at H&R Block. Owning a house and being married helped us get a pretty good return.
I would like to put some of that money into the house in order to increase the value of the house. The first thing that needs to be done is replacing the kitchen cabinets. We (mostly Ally) started resurfacing them and didn't really like the way it was turning out, so we quit without finishing the project. We definitely need new cabinets. Nothing too fancy, just basic cabinets.
Jeremy can get us a good deal on countertops, so that helps keep the cost down. I wish I knew someone who sold and installed cabinets so that I can keep this affordable. If anyone knows anyone, please let me know.
Hopefully we can afford the new cabinets and countertops and still afford to visit NYC this spring.
I would like to put some of that money into the house in order to increase the value of the house. The first thing that needs to be done is replacing the kitchen cabinets. We (mostly Ally) started resurfacing them and didn't really like the way it was turning out, so we quit without finishing the project. We definitely need new cabinets. Nothing too fancy, just basic cabinets.
Jeremy can get us a good deal on countertops, so that helps keep the cost down. I wish I knew someone who sold and installed cabinets so that I can keep this affordable. If anyone knows anyone, please let me know.
Hopefully we can afford the new cabinets and countertops and still afford to visit NYC this spring.
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