Mike Doughty Rocks

Yesterday my wife learned that Mike Doughty was playing a set for free at a local record shop. The whole fam was totally tripping. Mike Doughty is one of Mr. Man's favorite artists and he loves rocking out and singing along, particularly "Bustin' Up a Starbucks".

The store was of the old-fashioned, independent music seller variety, not your corporate mall experience. Mike and Scrap sat up in the balcony and we lined the walls of the store. Notice the Keep Portland Weird banner in the background.


It was hot and the music jamming and it reminds me that I haven't been to a live show since Snakelady Librarian watched Mr. Man while we caught a Melissa Ferrick show back in Michigan almost 3 years ago. Sad.

Mike played many of our favorites, songs off the new album and some we hadn't heard before. It was a blast. Mr. Man was too hot, was bummed that there wasn't room to run and dance and was dismayed that the songs didn't sound like they do on the recording. Clearly, I need to get him to more live shows.

After a bit of cooling off outside, Mr. Man was game to go back inside for the autograph and a snapshot with Mr. Doughty himself. Ola, they are both so damn cute.

Great American Pastime

Snuggling with Mr. Man, trying to get him to go to sleep tonight, I say, "Stop picking your nose."

He says, "It's a sport."

End of conversation.

Promotions

Last week I passed my speed test in Cun Tao (self defense) training in Poekoelan Tjiminde Tulen. That meant defending against 100 attacks in 6 minutes or less. This marks the entry into the Third Phase of training our art and my rank is now symbolized not by a white belt


but by a white sash. I received my sash on Monday and I spent the next night sewing on all the fringe before my next class.


Tonight Mr. Man was given his very first speed test and he passed! I asked him what his intention was before class and he told me focus. He has been announcing for some time that he was going to pass his very first speed test. He intended to do so and he did. Awesome. I will happily sew on his fringe.

Here he is at his celebratory dinner at our favorite vegan cafe. He always gets French toast and tofu. We played hangman and he is telling me how many more moves I have left. I love this kid.

All Good

Some days you never forget. Some days are so hard you want to quit. I love days like today--the kind that are so good it hurts.

The day started off on the right foot with a playful morning in bed with the wife. Mr. Man was sick and I'm fighting a cold, too, so I enjoyed a day spent at home hanging out with him. He built an amazing ship with 4 decks, a grand staircase and a mast out of paper and tape. I was merely the maker of the steps and an occasional consultant.

Checking my email first thing in the morning I discovered a very important person in my life contacted me. We haven't had any contact for over five years. I thought we would never speak again. Yet there he was. Unbelievable and wonderful.

After passing my speed test last week, I've now been elevated to the next rank in Poekoelan. This week was the first week of my new classes. Tonight's class was awesome in a kick your ass and put your life in perspective way. I love my art.

So here I sit in bed, having a rock concert and reflecting on the day. Smiling.

To the Coast

Mr. Man's 7th birthday came and he really wanted to go to the Coast. So I googled "Oregon coast nature" and I found Ocean Haven. I signed us up for the first family vacation we've taken since Mr. Man joined our family (not counting Festival).

That's the place - right there. Notice there's nothing nearby - no bustling tourist traps, no hotels. Notice that I've taken the picture from the beach. This place was heaven. And they compost our food scraps and recycled our tin/plastic. I loved vacationing at a place that shared our values.



From the kitchen with the skylight, I could see the ocean as I cooked.

This was where we ate our meals - overlooking the ocean.

This is where Mr. Man slept and where I knit. The roar of the ocean was constant.

This was the view from the bedroom where my wife and I slept.



This was the path down to the beach.



At the end there was no fence, we just walked along the rocks, holding on to the rope, then stepped down the rocky slope to the sand.


We went down to the beach in all weather, although the weather was pretty nice.


This was the closest we got to a sunset.

When we left to come back, we stopped at Cape Perpetua at high tide to see the spouting horn and devil's churn. Basically it's a very rocky shore, with channels worn in where the water comes rushing in at high tide. It was pretty impressive.


Here's the spouting horn. See that tall puff, that happens after the wave crashes, because the water has gone into a cave and puffs out the top.

We stopped by the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse as we drove home. Somewhat interesting, but a lousy historical movie that ended with a gruesome ghost story. Nice.

While only 3 days long, it was the best vacation ever.

Finished Set

I finished these about a week ago and haven't had a chance to post the photos. I'm happy with the way things turned out - an umbilical cord hat and two socks.

I'm working on a blanket now. Watch this space.