Friday, January 27, 2006

a working man

For the tenth weekday in a row I am up before 6:20 a.m. I realize that there are many of you out there that do and have done the same for year, but give me a break and allow me to relax for a second in this accomplishment. Also, part of me felt like you all were a myth until now, existing only in the minds of the fool hardy and gulible.

I must say that while getting up before the sun has some significant drawbacks it does allow 8 hours to be put in before 330, and this has allowed me a good amount of time to work on the house. The upstairs is almost finished and it really is beginning to feel like home.

My job allows me to work closely with Steven (Brielle's oldest brother) who is very gracous and has a good gift for teaching. I have not yet applied for an apprentiship but will explain that technicality at another time. Steven's boss, and in that way mine also, is Ralph. I like Ralph. He seems to be a good hearted guy who likes to joke around a little and who talks with great joy about his kids from time to time.

I have to yet to encounter any bleeding or angry customers but there is one small ancedote. There is a job site that we just finished the underfloor on yesterday. Right next to this restaurant/coin machine place is a house. An old man lives at this house. This man gets up between 9 and 1030 am walks outside his door, gets into his 1984 blue chevy, closes the door, and sits there. Just sits there. Our site faced his drivers door so we could see him fairly well. He never really watched us, in fact he never even looked our way. Occationally he gets out and walks around the yard a little, only to return back to the truck within 15 minutes. He would just sit there and sort of stare forward. His record is just over 3 hours without getting out. I asked Steven if he could imagine a life like that. He said he could, in fact he said that it was his life goal and dream.

Gotta go, gonna go and sit in my car in the driveway for a little while.

Monday, January 09, 2006

portland is very pleasant

i am still awe struck and joyous about the wedding.

so many amazing things were done for us for the wedding that pondering it for only an instant is very humbling, and any longer prompts a tear.

brielle and i are spending this week in portland.


best quotes of the week:
"so i was in the marines for a while. . . that was a good time" -ian
"you made me blush" -seth
"so, yeah we missed the wine tasting" -matt
"no, i refuse to do that" -brielle referring to drinking our first toast with our arms entwined.


things that are missing since the move:
-quackbert
-the mp3 cd that galon gave to me (this may in fact be in grinnell still)
. . . to be continued


p.s. i find myself bordering on cliché these days and it may continue for sometime. i cannot say for sure how long. as a consolation i do have permission from a good friend adam (currently in Bangladesh) who may be the only person on the earth who hates clichés more that brielle and i.