Imperiled

Although it is not in the shape of Yemen (see this cool Cactus Tractor blog!) my trip to New York has certainly proved interesting.  To start things off right I missed my connecting flight in Phoenix—

 (I was uploading pictures to facebook)

—and therefore spent a good deal of time in the airport drawing and listening to the CNN news.  This was when I first heard the term "Frankenstorm." I joked with my new friend (an airport employee) about getting stuck on the East coast if I didn't miss my rescheduled flight to Newark, New Jersey.    We both laughed and I resumed drawing this (which airport friend totally didn't know what to say about):

Inspired by Brandon putting an apple seed in his pocket (knowingly) "for later."

Distracting as this was, I did manage to get on the plane to Newark.  Then I took the train to New York, learning as I did, that both New Jersey and New York have a Penn Station, which could be confusing, but luckily I am a suave and careful traveler who doesn't make these silly mistakes—multiple times in one day.  Finally I found David, my brother, in the city and ate a bunch of food after my fourteen hour fast (which really doesn't seem fast).

Yesterday David and I met up with Stephen Perry who enjoyed eating everyone's breakfast.

David, Stephen, Chiliquiles, French Toast, Pancakes (out of frame) and Syrup on Sunday Morning.

It's possible that Stephen was storing up calories for the impending storm.  That's right, Frankenstorm!  Due to Hurricane Sandy the metro's were closed last night, flights in and out were canceled (mine among them) and everyone bought toilet paper and water.  David, roommates and I hunkered down in their awesomely hobbity apartment and watched the Karate Kid.

Today we're still hunkering.  

Thanks Thanksgiving!

Dear Blog,

Lately I've been in Oregon. Mostly just the usual. Tea, Knitting, Can-can dancing on stage with a reindeer, Cole, Eric, Paul, Rose, and the man singing Christmas carols to thousands of people. You know, typical Thanksgiving stuff.


It's too bad we didn't get in the Daily Tidings. They put Santa on the front page, and it actually was Santa. His name was listed as Santa in the caption. You can't put a fake name in the newspaper!

I arrived in Portland just in time to enjoy the experience of Pete basting a turkey. I enjoyed it immensely! Then Pete and whiskey made me feel right at home. A few hours later I was whisked away by a guy met on craigslist, Eric, and a (literal) bucket of vegan donuts.

Me and Pete hang out in the hospital! A blast from the past I found while sorting through boxes!

The donuts and I cuddled up in the back and enjoyed the two hour drive to the Shire--I mean, Eugene. But when I was all settled into my hobbit hole-- I mean, Ilana and Kyle's hobbit hole my stomach started hurting and I told the donuts we couldn't be friends anymore.

The next morning was nothing but wispy blue clouds in a wispy blue sky, followed by coffee and two breakfasts (typical of hobbits). Next I revisited my beloved Craft Center. Diane described the new floor as "white and covered with blood!" I replied, "I love it!"

On to Ashland Oregon with Cole as chauffer. He pulled off the highway along lonely stretches and hinted "jokingly" that he was planning to kill us. Nevertheless we all made it to Ashland alive and unmaimed and were able to keep our appointment with destiny.

Destiny? Yes, the moment I mentioned earlier. The moment that will live on and on and on... in all hearts of Ashlanders. The moment we shuffled off our mortal limitations and took to the stage!

Each year Ashland has a day after Thanksgiving parade (about 15 minutes of carolers, trucks, and gingerbread men) in which Santa arrives just in time to turn on all the lights downtown. And he gives a speech. After every sentence of joy and thanks he says: "Hurray!" or "Yay!"

This year his speech worked us into such a frenzy that we were shrieking "hurray" right along with him! And when the man who always sings christmas carols came on stage to sing we danced with abandon.

"On the one hand, [dancing on stage] would be the greatest thing ever, on the other hand we'd ruin Christmas!" -Cole Robinson (aka "Scrooge," and "the Grinch")

Still, in such a heightened state of christmas joy there is only one logical next step. So yes, we found ourselves storming the stage (with the help of one of the reindeer) in order to dance behind the solitary man singing "jingle bell rock" to an audience consisting of... Ashland. I saw myself clearly in that moment, highkicking, one hand on Cole's shoulder, one on Paul's, "this is it" I thought. "This is what it's all about..."

Love,
C