I think it's time for me and Typepad to go our separate ways. It's not Typepad; it's me. I've moved on, and Typepad just can't give me what I'm looking for. I'm starting a new website.
It's early so there's not much going on.
I want a fresh start, but because I don't believe you can move forward without knowing where you've been, all of these archives and everything will eventually be on the new site. I look forward to finding out where this is going.
On Saturday, September 26, I'll be riding 100 miles to help raise money for 3 separate farm animal sanctuaries. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while now, and when this opportunity came along I jumped at the chance.
I haven't really been training all that much. My eating has gotten better, and will hopefully continue that trend in the next week, leading up to the big day, but I haven't really been riding like they say I should be. Then again, I think whomever "they" are, pretty much assume I drive everywhere I go as opposed to riding my bike everywhere I go.
I'm excited. It's been a while since I've had that sense of accomplishment that will come when this is over. It seems like I've been running in place a lot lately. Being a stay-at-home parent is great, don't get me wrong. I love being able to take Amelia to the park with the dogs, and put her down for a nap, and make sure she eats well and I get to read to her all the time but I'm looking forward to being on the road, and being done.
Most importantly, the whole reason we're doing this is for the animals. The sort of abuse and neglect that these farm animals have suffered is beyond comprehension. We are raising money for 3 sanctuaries, and visiting 2 of them. We start at the In Defense of Animals (IDA) office in Portland. One of the sanctuaries we're raising money for is Project Hope, a program of IDA. We're stopping at Out to Pasture Sanctuary in Estacada, Oregon. From there we ride to Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary in Scio, Oregon.
Please take the time to visit the donation page here. Every little bit helps.
Some friends and I were talking the other day about reaching that point in your life when you realize your parents are actually people, and always have been, and are actually fun to know. I'm not sure when it was, but it's definitely been a while.
This Fathers' Day I spent some time thinking about what kind of father I hope to be, and how great my dad is, and how easy he made it seem.
My dad has taught me a lot of things. Granted, I like to tell people, "my daddy always said. . . " which is rarely, if ever true. My dad didn't dispense wisdom in fortune cookie bits along the way, but it makes for a better story that way.
Which reminds me, of all the things I've learned from my dad some of my favorites are his ability to turn his Texas accent on extra thick for Yankees (people who live north of Oklahoma), and his ability to not quite embellish, but enrich the details of a story.
I know there were times when he didn't have answers. I'm sure there were times when he had no idea what to do, and I remember times when he must have been so terribly disappointed. But I also never felt as though he lost faith--in me or anything else. That is a testament to the strength of his character.
I don't know that I'm capable of that sort of faith. I hope I am able to live and lead by example as my dad does.
All that being said, today Laura made some pancakes (and got the crispy edges, like my mom used to) and we went on a family bike ride. This was the first time she'd been on a ride since her collision, and she said it went well. Amelia hadn't been on a bike in a while either, and she seemed as though she had a great time.
This is right before we got geared up to leave. Amelia has a sign for helmet. One of these days I'll record her doing it, and post it, so everyone can see her sign language. All in all, it was a really happy father's day.
I knew "Change" didn't mean EVERYTHING. But I didn't expect outright hostility and "business-as-usual" on LGBT issues. President Obama, you've pulled the bait-and-switch on the LGBT community and their allies as well, if not better than, George W. Bush and his compassionate conservatism.
I got this from the Slog, and while the writers were more fervent Obama supporters than I was, I think it rings true.
Dear President Obama,
My wife and I have been enthusiastic supporters of your candidacy and administration since early in the 2008 Democratic primaries. We are a young, professional, married, heterosexual couple with a 1-year-old son. I am a medical student, and my wife is a small business owner. Despite the incredible amount of time and attention consumed by being students, businesspeople and new parents, and our vested interests in issues like health care and the economy, we consider Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender rights to be among our most vital political interests. To date, we have been extremely disappointed in the near total lack of active support your administration has provided to the GLBT community.
Achieving equality for our GLBT brothers and sisters is the civil rights movement of our generation. Just as the movement for racial equality in the mid-20th century is well-remembered today, we feel
that the citizens and leaders of today will be remembered by how they stood on the issues of GLBT equality. You told us that you would be a "fierce advocate" of GLBT rights. We believed you. Since this January, your administration has continued enforcement of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, filed a deeply offensive brief in support of the Defense of Marriage Act, and most recently offered a hollow promise of benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, without assurance of heath coverage. The apparent rapid backpedaling of your administration on GLBT equality has been frustrating and alarming.We represent a key sector of your constituency. We advocated for your candidacy; we contributed money to your campaign. We are young, educated, politically active, and vote in every election. We talk to our friends about politics. While we are not gay or lesbian ourselves, GLBT issues are near to our hearts, and right now we feel left out in the cold by your administration. We recognize that politics is a complicated game, and are willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps there is a grand scheme that includes "fierce advocacy" for GLBT citizens at a later date, as it is clearly not occurring now. We understand that we may not get everything we want right away, but as of today your administration has given nothing concrete to the GLBT community, and we consider that unacceptable.
We want you to know we are watching you and your administration. The buck stops with you. If you are unable to exercise some clear leadership on this civil rights issue, you cannot count on our support in 2012 and the future. We believe that there are hundreds of thousands of people, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Straight that agree with us, and whose support likewise depends on your leadership on these issues. We expect to see improvement from your administration on GLBT equality: the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, and the extension of Equal Protection Under the Law to Gay and Lesbian families, including health insurance benefits. We hope to hear what your plans are on these issues, but we demand that you remember: it will be your actions, not your words, that we and history will remember you by.
Regards,
Lorne Walker & Laurel Greenidge
San Diego, CA
Here in Portland, we have what some might call fitness clubs. There are running clubs, cycling clubs, rowing clubs, possibly even climbing clubs. People joining together to participate in some common activity that they all enjoy, and share similar experience level. Well, we have what we like to affectionately call, our bike gang. Most of our friends are car-free, or car-light so if we go places together we're riding our bikes. It's just a great way to experience the city together. It sure beats being stuck in a car, or taking 2 cars, or riding the bus. We find free boxes, see who can ride with no hands, see who can ride with no hands and stand on their pedals (I can), and judge people in cars.
I go through all the trouble of making biscuits from scratch, only to have them stuffed in the dishwasher.
Today Laura, Amelia and I took the bikes out like we always do. Rain or shine, we ride bikes. If it rains, we get wet. If it's cold, we wear coats. We ride bikes.
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1/2 bell pepper, diced
2-3 medium sized potatoes
olive oil
vegetable oil
turmeric
salt
pepper
spices to taste
tortillas
mushrooms, quartered or sliced (optional)
jalapeno, sliced (optional)
red, yellow peppers, diced (optional)
fake sausage/Soyrizo, crumbled (optional) (Field Roast Sausage Mexican Chipotle)
salsa (optional)
And they live way out in the country, which is scary for 3 reasons: In Cold Blood, Signs, and Fire in the Sky.
We lost our cat last week, and it's been really sad.
Two men sitting next to me are playing cribbage. One is older, disabled and has a really nice board. The other is younger than me and showed up late. It seems like something they do often. I like that.
The Snuggie (you know, the blanket with sleeves) Pub Crawl. Link to come.
Phone blogging.