I don’t write as often as I would like. frankly I have been very busy lately, and not with just having fun, actually just working and trying to squeeze in a ski when ever I can. not to worry, I still ski a minimum of 3 days a week.

I got tired of being poor. I got tired of worrying about wither I was going to have a job in a few months in montana, so I took up another one and created myself some level of job security. so I feel like I can relax again. and frankly, I like being busy, it’s actually what makes me move and get out and do stuff. if I have all day to kill, I might make it to the mountain by 11. if I’m busy, I will make it to the mountain for first chair and I will ski any minute I have free.

I can’t express enough how blissfully happy I am about having good jobs, having a career of sorts, and being in charge of my own hours. yeah, I have someone to report to and someone to make a schedule with, but I make that schedule. not my bosses. I feel blessed to have the flexibility to schedule myself a day off when I need one.

the blessed life I lead. things such as vacation time and scheduled hours, or calling in sick are just strange ideas for me. I know that’s how the rest of the world works, but I have taken my life somewhere where I can tailor it to suit my needs. it would have been cool if I could have done that in portland, maybe I would have not been so anxious to leave.

I must admit, portland still feels like home. well, it’s not portland that does, it’s the entire pacific northwest that I continue missing so relentlessly. I miss the volcanoes, I miss Bend, I miss the San Juan islands, I miss mt Baker, I miss the obsidian fields, I miss skiing off the summit of middle sister in the spring, I miss a certain porch swing in washougal, I miss the garden behind my old house, I miss the swingsets in the park,  just outside my door, I miss the dustiness of smith rocks, I miss the clarity of Waldo Lake, I miss the falls of the Columbia Gorge, I miss the muddy trail runs up to Angel’s rest, I miss the rain, I miss the bike rides through the water front, I miss last Thrusdays!! I miss meeting my friends for beers, I miss standing in line for sunday breakfast and mimosas, I miss the Hedgehouse, I miss the streets of SE portland, I miss the trees, I miss the forests, I miss Timothy Lake, I miss Deschutes river in the summer! I miss Indian Heaven, I miss McNeil point, I miss mt shasta, I miss Jefferson Park, I miss mt adams!  I miss the ability to go and do my own thing in the mountains without having to be so scared of avalanches or animals that might eat me.

oh well. despite all that, life is pretty sweet and beautiful here! just kinda lonely.