Bird’s Eye at Barracuda, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
I love a big disco ball… don’t you?
Bird’s Eye at Barracuda, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
I love a big disco ball… don’t you?
We seem to never have a dull moment. Ever. Always on the go, always “stuff” to do. Always. Always. Always.
This weekend was no exception. To sum up… We had furniture delivered Friday evening and then met friends for dinner at The Varsity (it was great to see you Jimmy! … and the rest of ya’all too, don’t want you to feel left out even though we see you all the time), we redecorated our bedroom around the new furniture, we rented and returned a U-haul to move some family furniture from our house to my nephew’s place, we met up with friends at a club and boogied our selves down to the ground at Barracuda followed by dessert and coffee at Hobos, we met my mom and new step sistas for a trip to Red Pig Tools (fun for the whole family if you love handcrafted garden tools) and then lunch at the Carver Cafe (pretty tasty… long wait, but great burgers when we finally got them… possibly it was so crowded because I just now found out, while looking for a link for the Cafe, that it was used for the cafe scenes in the movie Twilight…. who knew? Not I. If you’re interested you can find that info HERE), we loaded up a bunch o’ stuff in the truck and took it to the dump (including some hazardous materials in the way of old stain that they only take on the last Saturday of the month), we watched a bad, underscore bad, movie called Choke (don’t see it, whatever you do), and it’s now only three o’clock on Sunday. We’ve decided to turn down an invitation to have dinner with friends at Joe’s Crab Shack. It’s time for us to just relax at home. Hang out. Enjoy some quiet time. Read. Surf the net. Blog.
The sandwiching part of the title of this little missive is about what you ask? OK, so here it is. It relates to a conversation Karen and I had last night on our way to the “Hot Flash Dance” where we boogied and hung with new and old friends. Our conversation was this… though I guess I must first describe what we refer to as sandwiching. Sandwiching is when three people dance together, with one person in the middle… sort of sandwiched in. So here’s what we discussed, which I think is worth sharing if for no other reason than it made us both laugh hysterically. We decided that when you’re young… a teen and in your 20′s, and even into the 30′s… when you sandwich it’s sexy. Three people all sort of dancing together, being silly, being sexy… whatever… it’s kind of sexy. Like a, let’s see if I can find a sandwich that sounds sexy… OK, here it is… kind of like a Grilled Taleggio and Tomato Sandwich. Sounds sexy yes? Kind of exotic, not completely sure what’s in there, mysterious… yet fresh and juicy with the tomato and all. Sexy. But when people get older… later 30′s and then 40′s and beyond… sandwiching isn’t as sexy. And don’t get us wrong… there are still some sexy sandwichers out there. But c’mon people… sandwiching after 40 is usually, in our analogy anyway, like a great bologna and cheddar sandwich. Plain, comfortable, friendly… but not really sexy. We, at this time in our lives, are like bologna. And don’t go feelin’ all sad and bummed for us. We’re not bummed, or sad. We like being bologna. We like sandwiching and laughing our butts off while we do it. It’s hilarious. No longer sexy… it’s just plain fun and silly. There you have sandwiching 101, Karen and Tam style. I love being us.
Drying The Brushes, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
The theme for this week’s Photo Hunt is hands. I looked through the ol’ archives and found this one, taken in December, 2008, with my iPhone camera. We were working on our most recent rental project and this is the clean the paint out of the brush technique that seemed to work best. I used a funky camera setting with the phone to get this shot. I kind of like it.
If you’d like to play along and join the hunt CLICK HERE for details.
Line In The Water, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Here’s one, actually taken with the Canon PowerShot SD750. Much more portable and easy to get on the boat than the Rebel XT. Not a bad little shot taker either.
Equipment, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Went fishing today with Stan, Stacia, and Dennis. We caught nothin’. I think these guys aren’t going to take us out anymore. Ah well… I love going anyway. Just being out there, on the river, watching the sun rise, the fog lift, and freezing my ass off as we make the turn and whip back up river… yelling ye haw as we go. It’s a pretty darn good time. Throw in great company, boat talk (plug cut fish, Stan’s butt holes, questions about last names of famous characters like Alice of Alice in Wonderland, music), AM snacks, and a dash or two of Baileys and I can’t think of many better ways to spend time.
Just a quick note to say that my uncle R has been, as I mentioned in an earlier post, been sending out the music of my cousin, K. In one of those mailings he also included a link to an interview my cousin did with a woman, who’s a musical artist in her own right, from Nashville. I thought I’d post the link to that interview here. He has a pretty good way with words. Check out the interview HERE.
Without further ado… I decided to randomly pick ten movies I’d consider, at this moment and off the top of my head, to be some of my most favorite. Then I threw in, as I did in my earlier 10 Cheesy Movies post, a couple of bonus features. I know if you asked me next week to come up with a list of films that these would, probably for the most part, still be on my list. Though, right now and thinking about it, since I’m writing this after compiling the list below, I could add Bridge Over the River Kwai, or any of a number of other Hitchcock films. But, I didn’t, and I haven’t. What follows is the list I came up with today. Check them out and feel free to leave a comment or two on your thoughts and/or what your picks would be.
Amadeus. There’s just something about this one. Very intense. Tom Hulce is awesome in it. Slightly over the top, but then I think his performance actually sort of makes this movie. As we hear the whisper… “Amadeus”.
The Shawshank Redemption. Who doesn’t like this movie. Everyone I’ve ever met likes it. I think it’s got something to do with the age old story of guy goes through something unjust, guy endures, guy says screw you to the corrupt establishment, guy lives happily ever after. Yeah… something to do with that.
The Usual Suspects. Group of unlikely fellows gets wiped out by scary mystery man with a surprise at the end. Really great story telling here. Excellent writing, directing, acting. All around great romp of a movie. Add in Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Benecio Del Toro, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollack, Pete Postlethwaite and, well… what more do you need?
The Matrix. Sci-fi at it’s best. This movie changed the way we enjoyed action, special effects, and strange new lands. I can watch this over and over. Who doesn’t duck slightly when the bullets go flying as Keanu is doing his ultra limbo. Pretty cool.
L.A. Confidential. What a fantastic ensemble movie. Just, to keep it simple, really great. Has an excellent feel and look to it as well.
Rebecca. Scary housekeeper, mystery former wife, slightly quiet and brooding husband, the hint of ominous things going on, and Hitchcock. I know this wasn’t his favorite of his movies, at least the process of making it wasn’t, but this is a damn good one. A master class in direction, camera angle, building the plot, and telling a story. Plus… Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine.
Blade Runner. Ah, another sci-fi great. Early Harrison Ford, strange future world, androids, Rutger Hauer’s dying scene, and a story based on a Philip K. Dick novel called “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep”. How can you not like this movie. It’s dark, brooding, and strange. All good.
Kill Bill vol. 1. Quentin Tarantino at his best. Not to mention Uma kicking ass and Keith being wise, witty, and making a mean bologna sandwich. I love, love, love… let me repeast, love, his dialogue.
The Princess Bride. Mawage. Mawage is wat bwings us togever today. Ah… there’s no other movie like this. Sword fights, love, a six fingered man, ROUS… it’s phenominal.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. This is a film filled with powerhouse acting. I mean, think about it… Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy (in his last performance), and Katherine Hepburn. It gets no better than this. It is a true acting master class. Not to mention that it’s also a very well done movie.
Two Bonus Features:
Lawrence of Arabia. Beautifully shot, a bit strange, and incredibly long, this is a great movie. Oh yeah… and Omar Shariff, Alec Guiness, and Peter O’Toole. Wow.
Silence of the Lambs. I can watch this movie over and over. Just a great all around film. Again… great acting… Jodi Foster and Anthony Hopkins, who can go wrong with acting chops like that. Then you throw in the plot, the story telling, the very creepy bad guy, a very famous rendition of Tom Petty’s “American Girl”, and you have a winner.
Sunrise, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
This week’s theme for the photo hunt… yellow. I decided not to go for the flower shot, which would’ve been super obvious since I have tons of those, and instead put up a shot I took on a September morning. Sun coming up, nice yellowish glow. I was out on the Columbia River fishing for salmon with a friend who keeps trying to “get me into a fish”. He didn’t. I didn’t catch one. But really, who cares. Man… it can be beautiful out there.
If any of you out there are interested in joining in the hunt, CLICK HERE for more info. tnchick will fill you in on all the ins and outs of getting on board with the hunt.
My cousin is a sweet souled man. He’s had his share of ups and downs but, really, who hasn’t had those of one sort or another. As is the case with many of us who look for an outlet to express those ups and downs, he has his. Amongst other talents he is a self trained musician, and over the course of the last several years he’s amassed quite a collection of tunes. Tunes that are unusual, unique, thought provoking, and very personal. Fairly recently K’s run into some circumstances that have caused him to say he might never write and play music again. His dad, my uncle, has decided that just in case K’s serious about this statement, my uncle’s sharing K’s music with all of us who know and love him, as well as anyone else out there who might be interested in hearing what this good-hearted man has to offer.
The song I’ve included here was the first my uncle sent out. The following is what my Uncle had to say about K, his music, and the reason for this project. This is a father who absolutely, without a doubt, loves his son. Read what he has to say and then check out “Let It All Out” by Coamhim. And K… we love you man.
I’ve decided to initiate an email musical endeavor I’m calling the “Coamhim Music Project” (pronounced Kwom-heem). As many of you probably know, Coamhim is the musical moniker for my son K. From about 1996 until October of 2007 (mostly in the the last 5 years), Coamhim created more than 250 complete songs and many dozens more partial and incomplete audio projects. His musical stylings are totally eclectic; it is impossible to cubbyhole his creativity. He has produced songs in every genre imaginable: Rock,Country Rock, Blues, World, Emo, Christian, Experimental, Ambient, Trance, Alternative,Spoken Word, Rap, Hip Hop, Americana, Folk, Acoustic, Funk, Metal, Easy Listening, etc…His bedroom would usually end up being his studio where ever he lived. He worked with a $150 electric guitar knock-off, a $150 bass guitar knock-off, an $600 Korg electric keyboard, a $100 acoustic guitar knock-off, a $300 programmable drum “machine” , a couple of different guitar pedals, a $20 garage sale Wurlitzer organ, a $50 microphone, and a computerized music program called Pro Tools (Also M’s piano when he lived with us). Later on he threw in an ocarina and a pan pipe. Also, earlier on he used pots and pans for his percussion and our upstairs bathroom (in Seattle) at 2 and 3 in the morning for drumming, singing, screaming and what ever other sounds he needed to make for a particular song. Basically he did music almost whenever and wherever he could. His mind was constantly overflowing with music, and he had to “let it all out”. K has never been and never will be a great guitarist, he’s just barely adequate on the keyboards, and his vocals will never get him to American Idol. But I absolutely guarantee you there is not a more imaginative musical or lyrical mind ANYWHERE!! What he might lack in physical skills he more than makes up with imagination, tenacity, technical expertise, and a laser musical focus. When he would step into his “creative zone” he often would work 12, 16, 20 hours or more straight. Those finely honed talents and skills have allowed him to produce an unimaginable volume and variety of songs. He has told me that he doesn’t think he will ever again compose any more music. I don’t know if that statement will come to fruition or not, but I wanted to do something to honor his ability and creativity. So, to that end, beginning today, I am going to send out one Coamhim song a day until the well runs dry. If any of you don’t want these songs, please just delete them or let me know and I will take you off the list. Conversely, if any of you think there is someone else who may want to receive this music, please let me know and I will add them to the list. So, if you are inclined, open up the music and let it flow……………..Thanks so much for your interest………R………… PS, It seems appropriate to begin with “Let it All Out”……..
Waiting For Dinner, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Here I sit, waiting for dinner. Tonight it’s pizza. That’s what
happens when you get two sickies living together and a third person
who isn’t sick, but wants nothing to do with eating food that’s come
remotely close to the sick. LOL
I promise… This is my last and final sick, cold, etc. reference.
I’ve been blogging today from my phone, photos and all. Technology,
isn’t it rockin’ cool.
Sitting Second Chair, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Just another day at the office today. I’m still not totally back to
normal, virus wise. This thing is hanging on. I still sound like my
voice has dropped a few octaves, but I’m workin’. Nose is still
running, but I’m workin’. Tired as hell, but I’m workin’. Ear aching,
but I’m workin’.
This is starting to sound like a bad country song. So…..
On another note… Pun intended. We are firming up our American Idol
pool at work. It’s crunch time. Votes must be on the board by today at
five sharp. We have two sides of the pool. Ten dollar buy in. Five to
each side. First side is the winner/runner up pick. They must be in
order. Second side is the weekly kick off vote. Person with the most
correctly guessed kick offs wins the side. There are now 13 people in
the pool. That’s $65 big ones for each side. Pots can be split if
there are ties. This is serious business and causes much talking of
smack during the week. Such good fun. We also have a few Idol parties throughout the run of the show at various of our places. I know, I know… We are complete dorks.

Ah, Books…, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Today’s Photo Hunt theme is four. This isn’t very imaginative, but I’m going for the number four, as in four books in this stack. I know, I know… not very witty, but what can you expect from a sick girl.
If you’d like to join in all the photo hunt fun CLICK HERE for all the rules, regulations, etc.
As anyone who might check in regularly has noticed, I haven’t kept up with the blogging in a few days. Reason? I’ve got the crud. Some nasty bug has been moseying around these parts and it landed on me. There’s been a lot of Nyquil, Advil, and pudding consumption. Pudding you ask. Yes, pudding. For some reason when I get a bad cold I crave pudding or mousse or cheesecake or any other of a long line of sweet things. Luckily my sweetie takes this seriously and always helps me out, as does my bro. I’ve been miserable, but at least I’ve had snacks when I want them. I’ve been home sick since… uh… Wednesday. That’s three days here on the hide-a-bed. Three days of not going outside, not moving around, doing a lot of nose blowing, and trying to sleep. Three days of having a temperature, and aching, of Vicks, and having the dogs jump on me to lick my face because they know something isn’t quite right with their mamma. Three days of everyone avoiding me, using their sleeves on their shirts to open cupboards, and of major hand washing. I think maybe I turned a corner today. My temperature is still above normal, but I think it’s going down. That’s a good thing. Being sick sucks. Just so you know. And, I’m sure you do know. Everyone gets a bad cold occasionally. I’m just whining right now.
Waiting for Recess, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
I took this one yesterday with my iphone.
Rising Up, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
One last photo from our walk in the park today. Yes, also taken with the iphone.
K, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Two of the most important things in my life. My honey, and Riley. I love this photo.
Park Art, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
I love this sculpture. A raindrop and it’s cascading ripples. Very cool. In the background is the bridge on the left, and the water pollution research station on the right.
St. Johns Bridge, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
The wonderfully beautiful St. Johns Bridge as seen from Cathedral Park.
Crossing, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
We went for a stroll today at the pups favorite park… not sure if it’s really their favorite park or we just imagine it to be since it’s fairly close to our place and they always seem to have a good time when they’re there. Either way, and makes no never mind, they always enjoy it and we do too. I’ve taken hundreds of photos there, though most of the time I do it with the digital SLR. Today, however, I decided to walk on the wild side and not take the big camera with me. I left it in the trunk. I decided to concentrate on the pups and on talking to my sweetie. It was time very well spent. I enjoyed the heck out of it. Though, as you can see by the posted photo here, I managed to squeeze in a few pics with my iphone. I can’t help myself. Again I’ll say, like in the Sixth Sense, but not, I see photographs.
Before we found ourselves at Cathedral Park we’d ventured over to the SE side to try and find a flag pole. Yes… we need a flag pole. We have a flag pole fastener fastened to the house, it just doesn’t have a pole. And now we have flags. That’s plural on the flags. They are Tibetan peace flags. I got them for my birthday, last September, and we haven’t put them up yet. Granted, we were heading into late fall and early winter at that point and who wants to put up flags that will be tormented by snow, sleet, rain, and this year, more snow. So we waited. But now it’s spring and we need a pole so we can finally get those flags up. Alas… the flag place was closed. Seems they don’t operate on Sundays. Bummer. Luckily for us the trip wasn’t in vain… or is that in vein… one never knows for sure. Again, I digress… the trip wasn’t for naught. There was a Japanese place right across the street we’d passed so many times and said to ourselves most times… we should try that place. Today, thanks to the closed flag place and our drive there, was the day. And it was pretty darn good. Tempura, teriyaki chicken and gyoza. Yum. The walk at the park afterward was nice. It always feels good to walk after a big meal.
I absolutely love this band. We were lucky enough to see them when they were in Portland. If you get a chance to see them, do. I’m telling you, you will not be disappointed.
Urban, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
We wandered down to Saturday Market today. It just reopened for the season last weekend. We love it there. Great place to spend an afternoon.
The market is going through some changes, moving part of itself to a different locale (across Naito Parkway and into part of Waterfront Park) which will be pretty cool actually. This is a building that’s been sort of in the middle of the market for years. It’s getting an overhaul. Wonder what will be in it and if they will keep the cool elephant painting on the side.
Cell Block Sac State, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
We stopped in Sacramento to visit Charles… hey Charles… and he gave us a tour while we were there. Yes… this is a dorm hallway.
Lake Shasta, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Karen took this one. I love the movement in it. Lake Shasta was lookin’ a bit low. Very low actually. Let’s hope for a lot of rain for that part of the country.
Farmland, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.
Northern California is beautiful. Karen took this one.