The Spoooooky Graveyard
Chapter Three.One of my goals on the drive out to Seattle was to connect with some of my family history. My father grew up in Oregon and along the I84 there are a lot of locations where he lived. I have always felt drawn toward my father's family history and have always wanted to make it out westward to experience. The move to Seattle has become a special way of fulfilling that.
One of my goals was to visit my Grandfather's grave in Baker City, Oregon. I never met him, he passed away at a very early age, but I have loved the stories my Dad has recounted over the years. He was a hard worker. He was determined and often built things of his own design, such as homes and church houses.
We made it into Baker City around 7pm. The city is in a valley and surrounded by mountains, so it was getting quite dark. A kind man at the Kwik-and-Go informed me of how to arrive at the cemetery. Let me tell ya, it was in that one part of town where nothing is. Doug and I drove up to the gates and it was dusk. We couldn't see. There were many graves and I knew we wouldn't be able to get out and look at all of them. Needless to say, neither of us wanted to really get out of the car, it was a little scary. What made it even more scary was the names of the "streets" inside the graveyard. The first was "Ash" and the second was "Birch." Now that is Doug's last name, so we were both a little weirded out. "Chestnut" followed by "Delta" followed by "Elm." At this point we started to get a little frightened. "Nightmare on Elm Street." Ring any bells? We were trying to call my parents for a clue as to where the headstone might be. The phones were crackling, I accidentally revved the engine while in park. It was all too campy. It honestly felt like a teenage horror movie. At any second we knew some creepy ghoul zombie was going to pop up out of nowhere and attack us.
We made it out safe and took some time at the front of the gate to take pictures and such. All and all it was fun, but I still would love to make it back and pay my respects to my grandfather...in the daylight.
The legend of the Pink Taco
Chapter Two.The belly was a rumblin' down around about Boise, Idaho. It's important to note that Boise is on the verge of becoming the next cosmopolitan city. It felt a lot like Cherry Creek in Littleton, Colorado with the vastness of Denver. We stopped in at this Mexican restaurant called "Ole!" We walked through the Saloon style doors and were greeted with "dining tonight or happy hour?" Doug and I looked at each other and proclaimed in unison, "Happy Hour!" Our server was really cool and she offered us a "pink taco." A little disgusted, Doug asked what the contents were. We were hooked and let me say, the food was amazing. I suggest the Jose ranchero cream sauce on all items, with a side of the jalepeno jelly. After "dining" we were back on the road. But not in style, as we were in traffic. Apparently some trashed out white woman ran her truck off the side of the road into a pumpkin patch stalling both lanes of traffic for Boisians who wanted to see the devastation. A city on the verge yes, but apparently you can't take the po-dunk off the freeway.
Scarves across State Lines
Chapter One.Doug and I made it into Wedahomeys (Idaho) without any incidents or problems. We had no reason to believe there would be trouble awaiting us at the Stinker gas-and-go. Doug posed for a couple glamour shots before the big entrance in. But when I caught eye of the slightly overweight wanna-be-nubian-princess behind the counter, I could tell something was going to go down. We grabbed our pistols and dove behind some tator skins while she was blastin at us with her 12 gauge. Wait, that's not how it happened. Actually, she was just really bitchy to Doug, who was cordial enough to ask her about her weave. Turns out it was horse extensions and that bothered her. We grabbed our bevs and headed out.
Salt Lake to Seattle - A blog featuring Doug Birch
Have you ever seen those campy teenage horror movies? The movie where the kids are walking into an old mansion or taking a road trip into corn field territory. You know the type, right? Every time I see those movies I catch myself sayin, "kid, don't go in that door, you know it's not a good idea...just move on." The kid never listens.
The next few blogs will episode the adventure that Dougie Fresh and I took westward from Salt Lake City to Seattle, Washington. Each chapter is an adventure in itself!
You can take your burrito back Paco! - How to throw burritos at Taco Bell employees.
Two things that irritate me. Pet peeves, if you will...
Numero Uno - when you buy a new CD and you finally get the "government plastic" ripped off only to find that darn sticker on the top, bottom, and side of the disc. Impossible to remove and never a pretty sight when opened, because you are bound to have some sticky residue left over somewhere.
Ok, #2. I hate and will no longer patronize establishments that do not use debit cards as a form of payment. Ok, actually, what's worse...when the establishment charges you a "nominal" fee for using your debit card! I was in the Taco Bell drive-thru in Fresno a couple of weeks ago. I handed my debit card to the 16 year old drive-thru communications specialist. He informed me that my card would be charged an additional 99cents. I looked at him, asked him to acknowledge the fact that the burrito I ordered was a mere 89 cents. Was it so necessary to gouge me for a single burrito? Without hesitation I threw the burrito back in his direction and burned some rubber.
Can I get a side of tape with that?
Yes, you all must know by now...we are in that stage...the stage of PACKING!!! The last couple of days have been a blur. We had an amazing barbecue at the Hardebecks! Thanks so much guys! And tonight it was nice to see a couple of friends stop in as we packed away. We're close to done, but no sighs of relief just yet. The car has to be shipped and the bedroom furniture will need to be picked up. Apparently every last person in my immediate family is sick with the flu (Ok, just two) but I am grateful it's not me. Packing and the flu simultaneously = lousy. I can't explain to you how much fun it is though. It is a lot of hard work, but the two of us are really excited to start the adventure that will be Seattle. It'll be a new home. A home where everyone is welcome.
The Value of Sincerity (w/ Uck Fups)
Laughter may be the best medicine, but sincerity can help dissipate uck fups. I make many a uck fup; but not all turn out to be a learning experience. I wish I were able to see things in a clearer light, take time to be patient and acknowledge my faults regularly. Let me tell ya, it's a real joy when you learn that your uck fup was never an uck fup at all. In reality it was just a flounder inside your imagination; swimming deeper and deeper until sincerity nabs it by its hook and gets rid of it. I am thankful for people in my life who attempt sincerity. 'Coz I need many a positive role model. Thanks guys.
When you have kids
I really love kids. They can be fun. For instance, tonight I had one of my little pals over. I used to work with kids and he is the cutest thing on the planet. We were going to go camping initially. Then it turned into a hotel visit. Then all that mattered was that there be a swimming pool. It was way fun to see him laugh at the man swimming laps in the pool. But, he wore me out. I felt very tired by seven thirty. Geesh.
When friends drink Rum with Beer
Ok, I have this friend, who will go unnamed for the time being. He invited me over last night for some talk and a cocktail. I arrived a few minutes late. He answered the door looking lavish in a tan neck scarf and some fabulous Jackie O sunglasses. It was 10.30. We sat and talked and he offered me a drink. He had some rum, but the only mixers he had were, "water, gatorade, and beer." I peered into the fridge and he was not joking. I chose the gatorade. He chose the beer. We sat and talked for hours. It seemed like minutes by the time I left. Good friend. But I can't say I wasn't all too surprised when he called me this morning, too sick to work. I guess a real friend wouldn't let friends drink their rum and beer at the same time.
Home...for two weeks anyway
I am back in Salt Lake City from my nine week adventure in Fresno. Work was great and a very worthwhile experience for me that I believe will pay off in the years to come. Thank goodness. Bobby and I had a great farewell party thrown for us last night at "Gossip." It was really nice to see old friends and get to say our goodbyes. The plan is to leave for Seattle on Thursday the 21st of this month. It has all happened so smoothly. And what an exciting time! Bob is doing so well with his work and he deserves all the praise he's received. His models have been implemented on the national level for his company. He's pretty darn bright. Now we are sitting down to make a plan for the move and de-complicate it as much as possible. I will keep an update going.
Who knew this could be so much fun?
I am posting my first ever blog! Thanks to Craig Davis, I am now hooked. After reading three of his entries it made me realize there are so many experiences that I would love to write down! I can't wait to get into this. Craig, way to go, closet man!
