Tam’s Think Tank

Boston Skyline

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Karen’s camera handiwork in action. She figured out how to mess with the ISO setting on her camera to get this picture. So cool.

Mountains Saint Helens and Rainier

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Yes, another photo from the plane… it was so clear and beautiful this morning.

Mt. Saint Helens

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

This is one of the shots we took from the plane.

Well, here we are. It took us almost 13 hours of traveling, but we made it. We started by leaving the house at 5:00 AM Pacific Time, flew into Chicago, left there and flew into Boston, got our rental car, and made our way, with a slight detour (we made a wrong turn), to the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, Mass. After checking in at 9:00 PM Eastern Time, we moseyed next door to the Cheese Cake Factory, got each of us a slice, and came back to the room for some snacking and to finish watching the movie we started watching on the flight from Chicago to Boston. I was able to keep the secret of where we were going right up until we had to go to our gate in Chicago and give her the boarding pass. She had guessed where we were going, among other places, but didn’t know until we went to gate K4, when she said, “if we’re going to a K gate, I think I know where we’re going.

Right now, as I type, my sweetie is playing with the new camera I got her for her birthday (I gave it to her a bit early as I wanted her to be able to take some pictures before Monday). We initiated it by taking a couple of shots out of the window as we flew out of Portland (the mountains were lovely), and since arriving she’s taken a couple of the Boston skyline at night (our hotel is on the Charles River with a view of downtown Boston and there’s a full moon tonight… very cool).

So far I think this surprise birthday thing has gone pretty well. We are going to hit the sack here soon, we’re exhausted, and then tomorrow we’ll be off… continuing our adventure. There’s a lot to do here and we’re not sure, yet, where we want to start. One thing’s for sure… whatever we do, we’re together, alone, and we’re going to have the best time, no matter what kind of fun we’ll find.

Preparations have been made, plans have been concocted, and small travel size toiletries have been purchased. We are off on another adventure tomorrow. The thing is, I can’t say yet, where we’re going. Why you ask? Well, Karen doesn’t know. That’s right… I’ve planned, schemed, reserved, and purchased reservations without her knowing where we’re headed. And again you ask… why? Let me tell you… On Monday, my Karen turns 50, and when asked what she wanted to do for a big event such as this she said… I don’t want a party and I just want to be with you. So I decided this was a good opportunity to plan a surprise trip. I chose the destination we’re going to for a reason, and again, I can’t yet say why. All I did tell her was that we were flying through Chicago and that she didn’t need her passport.

You need not worry dear readers, all will be revealed in time. In fact, all will be revealed tomorrow morning when we head to the airport to start on our way. That’s probably when Karen will find out, and as for all ya’all (to borrow a term from Karen’s Oklahoma roots)… Well, you’ll just have to wait until I post from our mystery destination. Until then, keep your seatbacks and tray tables in their upright position.

I was driving to work today and noticed this woman walking along the side of the road, alone, smiling and laughing. I believe she might have even been singing or talking to herself. She looked like she was having the best time. Which got me thinking.

I think I’m one of those people. The people you see who seem to always be having a great time, alone. The people who laugh outloud when they’re by themselves, the ones who sing in their cars, radio blasting, nodding their heads to the beat. I’m one of them.

I used to make fun of those people. You know, the standard… man… look at her/him, they must be a bit off, a bit strange, a bit… challenged. When I was a kid I’d see my mom whistling in public (hands down, she’s the best whistler you’ve ever heard, and I’m not just saying that), or volunteering to participate in a sing along and I’d slink down in my seat and think… oh god, everyone is going to know she’s my mom… how embarassing. As if there was some sort of spot light on her that would suddenly then jump to me and everyone around would look at me sadly saying to themselves… there’s the poor pitiful girl who’s mother is… gasp… singing.

Now, here I am, one of them. I don’t volunteer to sing, though I haven’t been given the chance. And I still don’t and won’t do karaoke (what can I say, it’s not for me), but I do blast the radio, singing along, not afraid to bob my head and play the drums on the steering wheel. And yes, people do look, occasionally, but I don’t care. I also find myself being incredibly chipper in stores, restaurants, or wherever. I make chit chat with clerks and waitstaff, in genuine attempts to engage them, find out about them, and set them at ease. I have even danced in public, at a park, when there was no obvious music playing. Shocking… I know.

I think maybe this is something that happens as we get older. I am over 40 now. In fact, I’m a couple years into my 40’s. So maybe that is it. Maybe we just don’t care as much what others think. Maybe we don’t worry so much about how what we do is going to look to everyone else around us. Maybe, just maybe, we decide that living and being happy, being out there with who we are, being alive, is so much better than hiding ourselves behind our fears and insecurities. Or maybe it’s just that I am off a bit, strange, or a bit challenged myself. I don’t know. Ingnorance could be bliss. And in fact, if that’s the case, I’m glad about it.

One thing I do know… I’d rather be like this, free to be me, without hesitation or reservation, than worried all the time about appearances. I’d rather be one of those smiling happy people. I’d rather be singing aloud.

Weston At The Picnic

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Here’s a picture of our little guy taken at the family get together this last Saturday. What a glorious little guy he is. This was taken right before we took him off the leash and played fetch the ball with him for what seemed like an hour. He loved it.

The Napkin

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

This fine photo was taken Saturday at our family potluck. The mysterious fellow holding the napkin is my brother in law, Tim.

Wicket in Oregon

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Thought I’d post this pic of Weston’s little buddy, Wicket. He’s moved on to the greener pastures of Lancaster, England now. We’re sure that by the time we see him in September he’ll be barking with an English accent.

Ok… so I’ve, once again, added a few things to my blog.  If you look towards the top you’ll see a few new tabs, one titled permissions, one titled How Did I Get Here?, and a third titled Token Hippy Girl Who?  These changes aren’t huge, I’ve just decided to move the content around a bit and make it, I think, more user friendly.  Feel free to look around, make comments, and let me know what you think.

A blink
A moment
Everything
Can happen there
Worlds change
A world
My world
Yet
There is hope
Clinging to me
Feeling of peace
Of exactness
Like puzzle pieces
Fitting together
Snap
In place
Somehow
The mystery of the world
Magic
Running through me
Electric current
Knowing
Whatever happens next
Whatever change comes
Sadness
Awe
Excitement
Anger
There is a place for me
In it
In the moment
The blink
The mystery

So it’s Tuesday and I’m just now updating everyone about our weekend…

Saturday…  We went to Mom and Don’s place for a potluck and family gathering.  It was great to see everyone.  It’d been too long since we’d seen some of them so it was really nice to hang out, chat, and be with them.  A total plus to the day was that Saturday afternoon we watched Oregon State play North Carolina for the men’s college world series championship.  And, HOORAY, Oregon State won!  Woo Hoo!  Go Beavs!  Back to back championships!  Who woulda thunk it…. right on fellas!

Sunday… LL came over for some get to know you time with Weston.  She’s going to be our puppy sitter while we’re away next week and she needed some time with the little guy, figuring out the ins and outs of dealing with and taking care of the little fella.  We think they’ll get along famously.

Now we’re just trying to get some things done around here before we jet off Saturday morning to places I can’t mention yet because Karen doesn’t know where I’m taking her for her, uh hum, 50th birthday.  Her only requirements were that she didn’t have a party and that we were alone somewhere together.  I think I’ve arranged something she’ll like.  I’ll write about it later, after we get there.  I’m pretty excited about the whole thing…

Yes folks, once again I’ve added a little something new to by page.  In the sidebar, if you scroll down, you’ll see the VodPod.  It’s titled something like tokenhippygirl’s video collection.  There you’ll see five of the videos I’ve chosen.  There’s a link at the bottom of the section that will take you to all the videos in my collection.  Just so you know, I’m sticking with music videos right now and will be adding more as I go, so check back often.  The videos displayed on my blog will change randomly, cycling through all the videos in my collection.  Stay tuned because I’ll be adding Karl Blau, Laura Viers, and some other stuff I’m listening to lately.  If you want to hear a video that’s displayed, just click on it and enjoy!

Well, Mary and Martin flew off to Britain this last Friday out of Seattle. They actually packed up their rental car with their many enormous bags, loaded in Mr. Wickersham, and headed out of here Thursday. Poor Wicket had to fly earlier than they did (he had to go alone in his own little mini penthouse suite as part of the quarantine he had to pass through to live over there) so he was picked up by the dog moving facilitator at 2:00 and whisked off to the airport. Mary and Martin flew out later that evening. We’ve heard from them a couple of times since, and all is well. Wicket, their luggage, and the two of them all made it safe and sound. For now they’re staying at Martin’s parent’s house in Nottingham. But tomorrow… yes tomorrow… they pick up the keys to their house. How exciting!

We had fun with them while they were here… though time always seems to move so quickly. We found ourselves saying, gee… we didn’t get to do all the things we wanted to. But, we had fun with them none the less. It was a big adventure, all of us living here. And yet, I think it went pretty well.

I’m wishing them well and good luck for the next year or few, and letting them know that though we will miss them, it won’t be long until they get the chance to show us around Lancaster. We can’t wait! It’s going to be a blast!

 Time to share another poem…

Becoming
Real
I am.
My own thoughts
Whisper to me
Quietly.
Sometimes I mistake them
Thinking,
Perhaps
They are wishes,
Memories
Or the simple rhythm
Of the moving world.
Startled
I stumble through words,
Meaning
The shock of the sound
Of myself
Attempting expression
Shaken
By a depth of feeling
That can only be
Myself
Becoming
Real.

After 35 years working in this field, Ted has decided it’s time to sail off into the sunset. He’s had a spectacular career, starting work in March of 1972 for Jackson County. While there he worked a variety of caseloads including intensive, intake and field supervision. Also with Jackson County, for a period of three years, Ted worked as a Circuit Court appointed Referee. In 1995, after deciding he needed a change, he moved up to this County. We were, and have been, very lucky to have him.

When I asked Ted what his favorite things about doing this work have been he said working with the kids, something he still likes, and the variety and freedom this job provides. About the kids he said he’s done this long enough that he’s had adults, who were once on his caseload, seek him out and let him know that what he’d done for them had made a difference in their lives. He told me, “they never forget us”.

One of the most stellar things about Ted, and something we’ll all miss very much, is how he always manages to put things in the proper perspective. I asked him what he was most proud of and his answer, like the man, was unpretentious and matter of fact, “I’m most proud of my climbing (he was a part of the 1984 Ama Dablam Expedition in Nepal), my sailing, and my two world class kids.” He’s a man who knows what’s really important in life, which has, in turn, made him so very good at doing the work we do.

We here at the Department are going miss Ted’s humor, his candor, his incredible knowledge and experience, his friendship, and that amazing perspective of his. We know, as he said, that he’s “earned the chance to play”, and we agree with him. But when he says, maybe for the last time, “I’m in this for the groupies”, we’ll have to let him know that even though he’s made the comment in jest, he actually does have a very strong fan base here in the County who are going to miss him very much.

Ted… good luck, and bon voyage. Though you will be missed, it will be great thinking of you in shorts and sandals, Cindy at your side, a Martini in one hand and the wheel in another, sailing that boat of yours down to Baja, off into the sunset.

Tassle

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

We just got back from San Jose and attending our nephew’s high school graduation. It was a really nice couple of days with Charles and his family. Thanks so much for putting us up, and for showing us some of the things you love in and around San Jose. We really loved the art museum and the theater. We’re ready to come back down and catch another double feature. So… thanks! And, Charles, congrats! Sacramento is getting a great guy next year.

For more pictures from the trip, check out the flickr panel in the side bar of my page.