I have decided to stop doing freelance work for a while so that I can focus on finishing up several things that I have either been neglecting or forgoing for paid work. This site, although not at the top of the list of things I need to do for myself, is at least number 3. :-) I’m thinkin’ it should turn into a photo and design portfolio with maybe a deeper section devoted to friends and family. Hmmm….maybe it should be a site devoted to my new motorcycle gang - The Thunder Kats! I think I’m the only member though….I shall need to spend some energy brainstorming. If you have any idea’s feel free to share.

Had a fun day at Oaks Park last saturday with my siblings and their partners. Who does that? Who hangs out at amusement parks with their siblings after 30? WE DO!

What a bunch of goofy dorks we are!

I just upgraded my blog software, and now I’m launching two lightboxes. Ooops…I’ll fix it laters.

Juls got her first motorcycle today! It’s a Suzuki GZ250. I’m so glad she’s off that little 49cc scooter and on something that can keep up with traffic. It sure is pretty little thing, sparkley light blue paint, chrome and a big classic looking front fender. It is the perfect size for her skill level and small frame. I’m so excited for her.

I rode it home from Washougal for her this morning. It seemed so very tiny compared to my 500. My friend Chris just bought a Harley Road King two weeks ago - he sat on my bike last night and was probably thinking the same thing. :-)

She had a bit of a hangover this morning and was kinda nervous getting on it. Tee hee. After she got warmed up a bit I got my bike out and we road around the neighborhood for half an hour. It was really fun. Before you know it, we’ll have our own motorcycle gang! Look out, we may show up at your place, trash your house, puke in your potted plants and piss in your pool! Woohooo!

Yup, I went and done it. I bought a brand new black Kawasaki Vulcan 500LTD. It’s AWESOME. Every description I read says it’s a good 1st time buyer bike, but I think it’s awesome for a 2nd time buyer too. Especially one as light as me. :-) I took it out on the freeway yesterday and was amazed at how much more stable it was compared to my little ninja. I’m still getting used to maneuvering it at low speeds though - that’s much harder than fast and straight. I ordered a windscreen, engine guard and backrest for it and am looking at some saddlebags too. I’ll post pics when I get those on. YAY!!! I’m such a dork!!

Ok, ok. so my brother Craig just commented on my last post and said ” Hey! Either post something or lose your “favourites link” from me.”. Out of fear of such a dire consequence I am making this post.

So, first off, I should post some pics I took the first week I was back of my family celebrating my great nephews birthday at my Sisters house. I didn’t have my slr with me and was a bit jet lagged, so they’re not the greatest quality, but it’s the content that matters! So, here is my family, in all their glory.

So, what have I been up too since I’ve been back? Well, I got a job right when I got back. I’m working for Acumed doing some web development, graphic design and copy writing. It’s like a jill of all trades kinda gig. I still have LOTS to learn so I feel kinda incompetent more often than I would like. It will all come though, day by day. I love the people I work with and my boss is fantastic. Plus I get to look at gory pictures and video’s of surgeries all day cuz they make orthopaedic implants. BONUS! Jk.

My Parisian friend Elodie came to see us two weeks ago. We had a blast together. I took her to the gorge, the coast, sauvie’s (yes, the nudie part) and ran her ragged around Portland. Fun stuff. It was nice to have her here, it made my experience in Europe a little more real and connected to my regular life.

I have been slowly easing back into seeing my friends and life here in P-town. I have missed everyone, but I think I had a little post England blues. The sunshine has been a huge help. :-)

This past week Juls and I have been looking at bikes for her. She had her motorcycle safety course this weekend. She passed, although she dumped the bike at the very end of the driving test. Lol…funny stuff. She has been wanting a cruiser and because she isn’t able to test drive them yet I have taken a couple out on the road. The ride is so different from my little sport bike, so comfy and relaxed - I got a little jealous. So, I listed my bike on Friday and someone bought it within 3 hours. They drove down from Spokane and picked it up today. I couldn’t believe it. Anyway, I’ll be getting a cruiser this week. Yeee haw! I think I’ve decided on a vulcan 500LTD. It looks like this:

In case ya never saw my ninja, it looked like this:

Yeah, I know, you care. :-)

For those of you who may be looking for a beginner sport bike though, I can’t recommend the Ninja 250 enough. Low seat height, very peppy, great cornering and it looks good to boot.

I’ve also commandeered a light box from work and have been playing with it, takin’ pics. Hoping maybe to master some product photography skills. Kinda hard with the equipment I have but I’m coming up with some interesting stuff. I like this one a lot. Seems silly but making the background disappear and getting all the shades in the paper was fun. The first one is called “Ball of Paper” and the second one is called “Craig”.

So, yeah, that’s pretty much what I’ve been up to. I think I am going to redo this site, make it into a portfolio and move my blog to a nested page soon. So, brother, if you want to remove me from your favorites, I won’t hold it against ya. :-)