More Getting to Know

Today was an errand running kind of day, but I got even more than that done! First, I discovered some exciting new places. Next to the river, there is a building, which doesn't look like too much, but it turns out that there is a seafood shop in it and a bulk tea shop. Both places look absolutely wonderful. I now know where I will buy my fish; I had been concerned because they don't sell it at the co-op, and I worry about the quality at Safeway and WinCo. The tea shop had an incredible variety. It was not quite as cool as Crazy Wisdom in AA since there is no cafe/tasting opportunity, but it looks like they have a lot of delicious choices. That's the most important part in a lot of ways, since the shop is not in the most convenient hanging out location (the same reason I didn't spend more time at Crazy Wisdom, actually).
After that, I did some price comparison shopping so I would know what pet supplies to buy online and what to shop for locally. It was tricky because it was hard to find exact items for direct comparisons, but I think I've got it pretty well figured out now. I'm just so anxious to get the actual cats!
Then, I ate Vietnamese food for the first time. I'm not in love with it, but it wasn't bad. I think that I would put myself in the "needs to try it again" category.
At home, I set up the good ol' hammock in the living room, only suffering minor injuries. Right now, I am in the process of trying to make baba ganouj. I have very low expectations; this is a dish I have severely damaged many times in the past. I am only attempting again out of necessity/desperation. There doesn't seem to be a restaurant here that makes it, and the version I found at the grocery store was... as bad as my usual attempts. Please work!

I Got Internet!

What more can I say: I got internet!
I can now email, post to the website, browse around and waste time again!

In other important news, I feel comfortable here in Corvallis in general and at my new house in particular. It is a very laid back community (what else would you expect out here on the coast) and quite friendly. At the subdivision, most of my... neighbors? cul-de-sac-mates? have extended a greeting or introduction to me. Most people smile and/or say "Hi" on the path that runs along the river.
The eats are good around here, too, although it is less diverse than Ann Arbor. So, are fewer options globally; on the other hand, there is a MUCH wider selection of Mexican food. So far, I know for sure that there is a great gelato place, very good Indian food and the coffee shop makes one heck of a chai tea latte. Also, the Great Harvest here makes ice cream cookie sandwiches. Sadly, this is seasonal and they don't make oatmeal raisin cookies. What are they thinking!? The farmers' market, as I think I have mentioned, is exceptional. For one thing, there is a woman who makes soft pretzels as good as the olde German grandmas of Manchester make. For another thing, there are things that grow here that don't grow at home in MI and even more things that don't grow out of the Colorado bedrock, including figs of multiple varieties and hazelnuts. And finally, the markets are graced by good old folk/bluegrass/African percussion/jazz etc. Yay!

I have been reading quite a lot since I got here and have all this free time on my hands.
I finally finished RED MARS, which I started reading just after I left CO. It was interesting and brought up a lot of social commentary-type topics, but it took me so long because I wasn't particularly engaged by the characters. I don't know, it was well written, but I just didn't get into it as I would have liked.
Next, I read MARLEY AND ME, the New York Times #1 best seller, by John Grogan. That claim to fame had me a little dubious at first, but I ended up really liking the book. It's a pretty easy read. What can I say? I actually laughed; I actually cried. I was hooked in. It kinda makes you want to get a dog. It kinda makes you never want ever think about getting a dog again. It's not a must read, but I would recommend it.
Next, I allowed myself to read another of Edward Abbey's (my hero's) novels, HAYDUKE LIVES!, which is the sequel to The Monkey Wrench Gang. Yes, the exclamation point is a part of the title. It was Abbey, not at his greatest, but still wonderful. He makes me want to quit civilization and go live in the canyonlands, or at least the mountains. His usual antics are present in even more density and intensity, probably because this is his last novel and he's even more old and crochety than his usual old and crochety self (which started to emerge when he was in his early to mid-twenties as far as I can tell). He even plugs the Monkey Wrench Gang in it. After finishing the Abbey, I wanted to go back and read Desert Solitaire, the Journals or even buy a new one, but I knew that I would quit school and drop off the face of the earth, so I resisted and went to the public library and got a card.
I checked out THE LITTLE PRINCE by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, which is Jack's favorite book last time I checked. I actually own a treasured copy of this book, but have never read it because it is in the original French and I've been lazy. The book is delightful and I loved the illustrations. Like other well-crafted children's books, adults should read this.
Next, I read UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN by Jon Krakauer, which is an investigation of the violent roots of Mormonism. It is fascinating, especially in light of the growing popularity of the religion. It is straightforward yet introduces more interesting things to think about, including how we might want to think about similarities between Mormonism and other major world religions. I do feel that I should mention that some rather gruesome passages are included.
I have also gotten hooked on the TV show Futurama, and have watched many a DVD-based episode.

new pictures!

Okay, Okay!

Okay, I'm back out of the state, so that means that I'm obligated to start blogging regularly again. I expect that I will WANT to blog regularly again since I want all of my lovely readers to know that I am safe, sound and doing whatever it is I happen to be doing. So, what am I doing now?
I just finished a cross-country drive with my mom and sister. We drove via South Dakota's Badlands, Wyoming's Yellowstone and Oregon's home of my kittens. The drive had some rough spots as we all have different ideas of what travel should be, but after one rough night we all united in a common goal: don't get stuck in one of the coldest part of the country (the northern Rockies) with no hotel and only one sleeping bag. Since that one crazy night just south of Grand Teton National Park, the travel has been much more relaxed and as tension-free as can be expected. Highlights were the Needles Parkway drive in Custer State Park in the Black Hills (recommended by Grandpa), Wall Drug..., the awesome coffee shop in Jackson WY, and Craters of the Moon National Monument.
The other major highlight was visiting the kittens! They are SO cute, and now I know which ones are mine. Right now they are tiny and can fit on the palm of my hand. They can't even jump from the couch to the floor or visa-versa. One is named Indy and the other, I think, will be named Linc. They will be able to come home with me after Caitlin's wedding, at the end of September.
Now we are in Oregon and I am starting to get settled into my new place. I already got the decor in my bedroom and it looks great. I just bought a bed and bookcase, which will help immensely, too. The bed should be assembled and in place by the end of today, but the bookcase needs to be shipped, so I don't have that yet. The final touch today will be the closet organizer, which will help me manage the small space. Future purchases will be a bedside table and artwork/picture frames for the walls.

I don't know what to say next, so I'll cut if off here. I'm not entirely sure when I will be getting internet at home, so we'll see how the posting goes, but I will have access to wireless at coffee shops, etc.