hockey and computer games

John came over today and played computer games; then Erica and Jason came by and picked both of us up and went to the Hockey Game. Almost won the half and half raffle (just 2 tickets off!!!).

Tried to take John home via the car but the battery was dead so I got him a Taxi instead.

Hockey Again!

Went with Erica and Jason and watched the hockey game... got a few pics too!

Lost my camera today

I ran home for lunch, and on the way home my camera fell out of my pocket and into the snow... luckily on the way back I managed to find the camera in the snow while walking back to work!

What luck!

Also it appears the front of my camera has a scratch on it now :(

Sunday

I wore the new shirt/tie I got w/ Sarah when I was in portland. It's a really nice shirt. I figured out later that when you iron stuff you have to use water + iron not just iron. I got several compliments though on how I looked.

Maybe I should dress nicer more often. I wish I had more shirts like the ones I got while in Portland.

After Church we went out Fritz Cove road and looked around; then went by Subway and Fredmeyer. | I wore the new shirt/tie I got w/ Sarah when I was in portland. It's a really nice shirt. I figured out later that when you iron stuff you have to use water + iron not just iron. I got several compliments though on how I looked.

Maybe I should dress nicer more often. I wish I had more shirts like the ones I got while in Portland.

After Church we went out Fritz Cove road and looked around; then went by Subway and Fredmeyer.

Hockey Game

I went to a Hockey game w/ Erica and Jason when I got back. Check out the pictures! | I went to a Hockey game w/ Erica and Jason when I got back. Check out the pictures!

heading back to Juneau

Tara changed my flight so I left later, and then got in Earlier in Juneau (cool huh!!). On the way there I helped this lady who wanted to move to Portland but was looking for a Job;

So I finally got home and that was nice. As you may (or may not know) the last several entries are all written over a month later so I probably forgot stuff!

P.S. Being able to spend time w/ the people who I did made my entire year. I hope I'll be allowed that chance again someday. | Tara changed my flight so I left later, and then got in Earlier in Juneau (cool huh!!). On the way there I helped this lady who wanted to move to Portland but was looking for a Job;

So I finally got home and that was nice. As you may (or may not know) the last several entries are all written over a month later so I probably forgot stuff!

P.S. Being able to spend time w/ the people who I did made my entire year. I hope I'll be allowed that chance again someday.

4th day in portland

Met up with Tara later that day and we went out to Fry's electronics... huge store.

Tara suggested later to go to a bar and grill place (wiki tikki bar, reminds me a mongoose for whatever reason!) They have happy hour. I screwed up here big time. I had a bad experience once at marlintini's in Juneau and I made the following promise directly to me: "I will never go to a Bar like Marlintini's unless extreme reasons/circumstances permit". I've pretty much unofficially shortened it to never go to a bar period. I get very very uncomfortable w/ large amounts of stuff going on around me; it's a flaw I know; sad thing is this wiki tiki bar was not to bad of a place except I sat on the bar w/ smoke around couldn't hear a lot and I felt soooo out of place. Anyway I started to get nervous but I didn't want to leave because Sarah, Margarett and Tara were all there and I was enjoying there company. In retrospect I should have just said, "I'm going to get a little fresh air". But I didn't and my heart started racing faster and faster and I get more and more nervous and uncomfortable. Then everything started to spin and I started panicking.

Then I rushed out of the place (feeling so very very stupid) and sat outside for a bit just bashing myself for acting like such a fool.

Anyway I ended up ruining their entire evening.

However I think if given a chance I would do better I know my limits and would be happy to go again w/ them (although I'm pretty sure they wouldn't want to take the risk!). I think I would just take a little break every little while outside and I could adjust to the environment.

Anyway a bit later and worked on Tara's computer some more cleaning off spyware and stuff.

Tara took me home and in the Hostel a very forward (and scary was out of my league) but very forward (not shy at all) lady came up and talked to me.(Briney Thomas from South Africa) She was actually very nice and I did like her. I got a video clip of her here:
http://myrond.juneauwireless.net/gallery?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=880

She also has a myspace blog.

3rd day in Portland

So, I got up and went wandering around town; went down to the ocean various places; Powell's Technical Books eventually meeting up with Sarah at Powells Books around 11:00.

We then headed out to see the Water falls; the weather was rainy but I'm from Juneau so I didn't mind. I didn't have a hat but Sarah let me borrow her red umbrella for a little while.

Then on the Way back we went by several thrift stores; I got two really nice shirts and 3 ties. I'm not too good at picking out what shirts/ties etc go with each other but they set me straight!

Then we went by and ate at Applebees, Sarah insisted on picking up the tab threatening me if she couldn't take it. I caved and against my better judgement she did. Nevertheless it was a great meal with great company! We don't have applebees in Juneau.

Next Tara dropped Sarah and I back in town at Sarah's place. I went exploring by myself for the next several hours picking up an atomic alarm clock for 2-4 dollars (which has the WRONG time in Alaska DOH!). I ran around on the train doing/looking at stuff eventually making it back to yellow line where we met up w/ Tara to go see the movie Underworld 2: Evolution. We arrived a bit later as this was movie was really packed! The only seats we could get was in the front row so I saw the movie REALLY REALLY big!

2nd day in Portland

This was another fun day!

I am writing about this approximately 15 days later so I probably forgot stuff!

Tara showed up in her car we then went and picked up Sarah at her place. Then we went out to pick up underworld evolution tickets! (pre-release!). Sat in line for a while.

We then went to see if we could find a big costco, found one ate there and had polish hotdogs.

On the way out of costco we stopped by this book sale. Tara found a couple of books too!

We then went back to Sarah's place for a while; she really had to get stuff done so we could go out later. Found a movie to watch later that evening called "Aeon Flux". Then Tara and I went to the Chinese Gardens.

After the chinese gardens Tara took a nap, then Sarah came by and we went and ate Pizza the Mcmanon's (SP?) and watched AeonFlux. Most people probably would think it was a stupid movie but I like action movies like that!

Got a bunch of beautiful pictures.

first day in portland

So before the plane goes off they ask for volunteers that would be willing too take a free ticket by not getting on the plane... I volunteer but it turns out they don't need any anyway.

So I arrive in Portland... completely lost wandering around and I find this ticket which says "Portland Hostel" Northwest District, so I hop on the tram and go there... and then I realize... this is the place to stay for sure! Wow look at what I've been missing all of these years!

So far these last few days I've lost my ticket (twice), hat, left my cell phone power adapter at home and some other things I forgot I'm sure. I rent a locker and I lose the key; thankfully the hostel owner finds it and gives it back to me later but; I guess I really AM absent minded. I got directions confused so I walked south thinking it was north then; finally after wandering around blindly in Portland completely confused I miraculously find myself at Powell's Books! Hallelujuah! I walked in there and I am completely overwhelmed... how cool is this I wander around like a dazed holocaust victim for a couple of hours finally several hours later getting the following books: David Drake: Bridgehead; John Ringo: Hero; David Drake: Bridgehead (yes I bought the book twice!!!! I told you I was absent minded!): Way of the Wolf Vampire Earth by E.E. Knight, David Drake: Foreign Legions.

So I head back to the Hostel of course heading the wrong direction a good portion of the time until eventually I figured out that North != South. Got back to the place and deposited my books in the locker.

Then I went out and looked at more stuff; seeing Portland makes me want to move out of Juneau so bad because there is so much to do over there.

Tara came by later that night w/ her friend Matthew and we went to eat somewhere (got a picture of it somewhere I'll link to it); Both of them had these coupons for $20 off a meal but if we sit at different tables. They are so cool they sat w/ on two different tables and we had a wodnerful meal. Really cool!

Monday Morning

the funeral was very nice; I wish I could remember everyone who there... I felt uncomfortable taking pictures but I did get a few at the potluck afterwards.
We had a great breakfast with Omlette's and pancakes; very good I say next to Marion and I ate my breakfast, but she gave me hers then she got more food! Then I got more food; needless to say I was very stuffed by the end.

We then went for a viewing and poor grandpa looked like a haulocaust victim; you could see where charcoalmariatooth took such a toll on him. He always put on such a strong face in the face of such adversity.

Later about 2:00 the funeral was very nice; I wish I could remember everyone who there... I felt uncomfortable taking pictures but I did get a few at the potluck afterwards.

I ran across Roger Slaven who gave me a haircut later that night... boy I sure look better now!!!

Interview day

I have my job interview today... going to Bouy Deck as well. | I have my job interview today... going to Bouy Deck as well.

Bandon Oregon Sunday

woke up and Marvin and Lani were making this wonderful breakfast. Later Elise and her two brothers came by for breakfast and we had a great breakfast. (See pictures)

We went to Sunday Morning bible study it was very nice; here is one cute girl that was making faces at me during meeting. I did nothing to provoke her! And she certainly did not want her picture taken!

I talked to the Elder and he used to work in Air Traffic Control in Anchorage and he knew a guy by the name of Steve Turner in Juneau... the name sounds very familiar; I took his picture so maybe someone reading this will know who it was.

Later we went back to the store and went to the condo for lunch.

After lunch for a while we went back to grandma's house where I met Ralph Gary David Clarence Marion relatives came by. I am confused as far as who is who so... here are the pics anyway.

Then we all came back to the Condo and ate pizza; everyone had a good time. Later that evening everyone started making a picture board... I gate lots of computer advice to my uncle Marvin who accepted it gracefully and very eagerly. I gave him such advice as "Ahh the computer is not responding, that is the problem". Or after he attempted to scan a image at 4800 dpi and the computer stopped responding, "You are scanning at too high of a resolution", and "If you had more ram you could store more stuff in the memory of the computer". I could tell that Marvin was very very grateful for all the very useful advice I was giving him.

Grandma remembered about a bunch of pictures and took Clarence and Marion (who is grandpa's sister) and is the eldest and only surviving relation to grandpa home and Dianne and Grandma came back with a bunch of pictures and attempted to make the picture board.

The day before Grandma's two brothers and sister came and visited her by surprise.

The day before Grandma's two brothers and sister came and visited her by surprise.

We then went to the funeral home and went over the card.

Then we went by the store, I needed to get some Double A batteries for the camera and while I was in line there was this young lady about 22-23 years of age buying some milk and other food but her method of payment was declined eventually she paid but I think she felt very embarassed and my heart went out to her. I would have gladly paid for her but I didn't know what kind of a reaction would have got and would it have been my place? She was only buying 11-12 dollars worth of stuff. I wish I could have done something; and I would have but she came up with the money (eventually paying cash).

Got to Bandon Oregon

Morning -
We got up and went to the airport; ran across Lani my aunt who was on the same flight; we switched planes in portland and were on our way again.

Lunch -
Arrived in Northbend/Coos Bay and Marvin my uncle picked us up. We went and went to this Thai place to eat... very good food!

We then went and met the really nice oriental lady who was renting the condos that Marvin rented and saw the condo... wow this is the perfect place! Here is a picture from the Balcony.

Then I saw my grandma... it was so good to see her and I missed her so much. I could tell that she was very happy to see me. This is so hard on her I loved grandpa and grandma so much and my heart just went out to grandma. She told me that she felt so lost for the last 10 days with grandpa gone. She is so afraid that when everyone leaves it is going to be so hard to be alone. I will come down again in a couple of months when all of the family has left as I feel so hopeless to do anything. I really miss grandpa...

We then went out to Fred Meyers to get some food; Eggs and other stuff were bought... I just followed behind my Mom has she bought strange stuff in a daze. I do that sometimes when shopping... turn off my brain follow behind her and think about ... stuff.

When my Mom and I were finished shopping we went to find Marvin and Lani they were in the electronic section picking up photographic stuff. My Mom's camera was dead and the only camera I have ever got was one of those free award ones from a credit card. So I went to get a camera... Marvin tried to sell me on one of those really really nice big cameras; but I wanted something I could put in my pocket and I ended up buying a Samsung digimax A50. For some reason that camera just... felt right I don't know why. It seems familiar for some reason. It runs on double AA's. The Fred Meyer sale's representative tried to tell me it would only accept a maximum of 512MB SD card.. which through my experience with SD cards invariably is wrong so I wanted to try it myself. I bought a 1GIG SD card for a 100 bucks and the camera for $179 and I was in business. Watch out now!

leaving Juneau to seattle

My grandpa died and my Mom and I cashed in award tickets to go down to the funeral. Before the plane left the volcano augustine spewed ash in the air so our flight was cancelled. So we got on a new flight that was even better it went down directly to Seattle. People who I knew that I saw on the way down were Phillippe who works at fish and game and this girl from the gym that I've only seen a couple of times who I don't remember her name; but she has always been very friendly to me smiling and stuff. I remember her because she was a senior on the track team when I helped a bit a few years back. I bet she was probably heading back down south to school. In the seattle airport when we had exited the plane my Mom needed to use the bathroom so I was standing out waiting for her and the nice girl smiled at me and said "see ya later" and walked off and that is probably the last time I'll see her. My mom and I stayed at the Holiday Inn in Seattle. Not too bad of a place we stayed in.