Snow

It’s been snowing a lot this year. I love the snow so it’s fine by me, but it seems to snow at night and then melt during the day so I don’t get a chance to enjoy it because I have to work.

Work sucks!

Oh…I shouldn’t say that…I’m lucky to have a job and don’t want to jinx it.

I love my job!

That is actually an honest remark which is why the thought of losing my job is so depressing. But I’m not going to dwell on that right now. As I said last post, my job is safe for now and if anything did happen to the Center, I’d probably be one of the last they let go. After all…someone has to clean up the mess and it won’t be the scientific staff. And…I have a good rep at the university and shouldn’t have too much trouble getting another position. But I digress.

So, about that snow. I know you Midwesterners and Right Coasters have a hateful relationship with snow but for this California boy, snow is magic. I have never had to shovel the driveway or keep my sidewalks clear or slog through feet of snow to get to school or work. Snow to me is simply about fun. Snowball fights, skiing, sledding, snowball fights and beautiful moonlit landscapes viewed from a hot tub.

Living in Oregon now I have had to make my way to work in the snow, but it’s usually a few inches of slush by the time I hit the road. If more than a few inches are on the ground I stay home to make a snowman and play with the dog. That usually includes a walk in Forest Park which is absolutely breathtaking as the snow adds dimension so much dimension by highlighting various layers of the forest. Yep, I love the snow!

This afternoon I attended a faculty meeting for two and a half hours. I sat next to the window and watched as flurry after flurry drove into the canyon behind our building. It was exceptionally soothing to watch those flakes fall from far above and track them as they fell far below me onto the forest floor. If only every meeting were accompanied by such simple beauty. If only all unpleasant situations were. It was the best meeting I’ve ever attended. Afterward I walked to my car in the fading light with snow falling lightly on my face. The quiet had settled in and all seemed still and content. So did I.

I love snow!

The View from Here

I seem to have come down with a nasty head cold and sore throat so I’m not in much of a mood to post. Of course I haven’t been very motivated to post at all lately thanks to some serious shit going down at work. I’ll know more on Wednesday as to how things are going to shake out but many folks are losing their jobs or are being cut back to half-time. Fortunately, my boss thinks I walk on water (his words not mine) so I’m safe. I’ve just been so busy I don’t want to pick up the computer when I get home. So…for now I’ll leave you with this.

This Cooper’s Hawk has been spending a lot of time in the cedar tree next to the bird feeder. So far the birds he’s hoping to eat have eluded him thanks to the black-capped chickadees’ warning calls. I shot this from the couch while watching football on Sunday. Nice view eh?

Doggone

I was trying to write a bit about Saturday’s Q Center Panel mentioned in my last post but the dog, disappointed with my lack of attention this weekend, won’t quit a) licking my hands while I try to type b) dropping his saliva soaked tennis ball on my laptop and c) pawing at the keyboard.

I am trying to get back into the swing of posting regularly again but now I must play. Oh…and I just noticed it’s started snowing. Yea!

Bye now.

I Suck…

…but you knew that. I’m not talking about that though…I’m talking about Portland’s LGBTQ history. Local PDX blogger and seamstress extraordinaire, Lelo in NoPo, sent me this quiz.

How well do you know your Portland LGBTQ history?

Enable Javascript to take this Quiz.

My sorry ass score (4/10) shows I don’t know beans about it so I’m heading down to the Q Center this weekend to participate in their history events. Actually, I’ve been looking forward to this since last month when Lelo told me about the A-list panel of activists, community leaders and politicians they’ve assembled for a roundtable discussion “30+ years in the making: Stories from the struggle for our rights“.

I’m sure a better time will not be had anywhere in town that night. I mean think about it…a room full of mo’s telling war stories about the struggle for equality. It’s going to be FAGTABULOUS!!