Curly blondes invade the 503

What's a gal with straight brown hair to do? I'm blogging from my bed right now as I regain the strength that Biff and Halley stole from me.

Museum of Contemporary Craft, interactive exhibit, Mesh Glove Purse:



Playing at the Pittock Mansion, which wasn't mansion-y enough for these two:



Measuring the width of the hotel hallway:






These were taken during the second night of a karaoke double header. I'm addicted; I can't help it:

Striking it Rich

While Breezy gallivanted around Vegas this week, I decided to try my own hand at a little gambling while visiting Florence (central Oregon coast) for work. This is one of the coolest towns in the state, and apparently Micheal Bolton agrees. He was actually performing at the casino the first night I was there. I am just sure he was the good luck charm I needed to win my $65 jackpot!

Fear not, I spent the rest of my time at the beach, at the harbor and at the high school. On two separate occasions I accidentally launched Lucy's ball into inaccessible waters. Here she is desperately searching for it and cursing me under her breath:





I had to replenish our stock after that:



Considering the recent freeze that has been seriously cramping the style of the northern half of the country, I was thrilled to spend a few days in a super sunny, 55 degree beach town.

Without Me it's Just Aweso

Megs (Chicago) and Nell (Seattle) visited last weekend. Here Megan models the shirt Carol made for me a few years ago:



I lost:



West Side sunset from my front yard:



Dogsitting Chuck D:



And of course, no trip to my city is complete without a trip to Chopsticks Karaoke; here Nell sings "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon:



*Other songs performed: "Hotel California" (Megs), "Bad Moon Rising" and "Midnight Special" (Me)
**Pictures courtesy of MC Hammer

Mama J's Belly

Thanks to Vicky N. for sending me this pic of Jaime's growing belly! I'll have another baby update when I visit the expecting parents in March.

Jaime, will you let readers know the sex of your kiddo when you find out?

New Obsession

Disc: 1
1. All Along the Watchtower - Eddie Vedder & The Million Dollar Bashers
2. I'm Not There - Sonic Youth
3. Goin' To Acapulco - Jim James & Calexico
4. Tombstone Blues - Richie Havens
5. Ballad Of a Thin Man - Stephen Malkmus & The Million Dollar Bashers
6. Stuck Inside a Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again - Cat Power
7. Pressing On - John Doe
8. Fourth Time Around - Yo La Tengo
9. Dark Eyes - Iron & Wine & Calexico
10. Highway 61 Revisited - Karon O & the Million Dollar Bashers
11. One More Cup Of Coffee - Roger McGuinn & Calexico
12. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll - Mason Jennings
13. Billy 1 - Los Lobos
14. Simple Twist Of Fate - Jeff Tweedy
15. Man In the Long Black Coat - Mark Lanegan
16. Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power) - Willie Nelson & Calexico
Disc: 2
1. As I Went Out One Morning - Mira Billotte
2. Can't Leave Her Behind - Stephen Malkmus & The Million Dollar Bashers
3. Ring Them Bells - Sufjan Stevens
4. Just Like a Woman - Charlotte Gainsbourg & Calexico
5. Medley: Mama, You've Been On My Mind/A Fraction Of Last Thoughts On Woody Guthrie - Jack Johnson
6. I Wanna Be Your Lover - Yo La Tengo
7. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
8. Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window? - The Hold Steady
9. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues - Ramblin' Jack Elliott
10. The Wicked Messenger - The Black Keys
11. Cold Irons Bound - Tom Verlaine & the Millions Dollar Bashers
12. The Times They Are a Changin' - Mason Jennings
13. Maggie's Farm - Stephen Malkmus & The Million Dollar Bashers
14. When the Ship Comes In - Marcus Carl Franklin
15. Moonshiner - Bob Forrest
16. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine - John Doe
17. Knockin' On Heaven's Door - Antony & The Johnsons
18. I'm Not There - Bob Dylan with The Band

Post-NYE shenanigans in PDX

Dogsitting Lula

She's crazy. I love her.

Happy 2K8! NYE, Oregon Coast