I really can't believe that the end of August is coming. That it is here, really. We had our six month social worker meeting last Sunday, and to think that it had been that long already really blew me away. It was crazy to reflect on where we were three months ago, too, as the evolution of la familia Shinn is difficult to see while it is happening, but when we hear from someone who has only visited a couple of time, we realize just how much we have grown as a family. It is really very amazing. It was also good to reflect on how much joy the kids bring us. It's not as if we don't realize it during the mundane, day to day living, but it is so much more clear and much bigger when I take a step back and look at it all. The meeting went well, as our social worker was pleased with how things are going. All the post-adoption stuff seems to now be falling into place a little bit, which is nice. I am just so glad that Janine is so organized and on top of it all. I know that if I were in charge I would be floundering.
So tonight we ate dinner at our friend Josh's house. He invited us over and cooked up a delicious meal for us and had some ice cream for dessert. We had fun watching the kids play afterward, wrestling, goofing off, etc. They had a good time playing in a different environment and showing off, as they often do. Becky was not there as she has been out of town working more lately. Hopefully we will get a chance to do that again with both Josh and Becky soon. Thanks again for the fun and food, 7-Up.
Last night we had our Kids Club leader meeting. It was well attended and went well. I think that the changes that Janine is trying out are things that will be positive for the kids and the leaders, too. We will be trying to do more small group stuff, which will give us opportunities to connect better with a smaller group of kids rather than being so spread out with such a large group. I am excited about it and for being able to participate again this year, as Traci has volunteered to watch the boys that night. It will hopefully be a good year. We will see many new faces and we will miss some mainstays of recent years (Nohemi, Daniel, Jaylee, Arleth, Roberto, Lizbeth, Julianne, Junior...all moved). It is always hard to see the kids go, but that is part of the package that comes with ministering in this highly transient neighborhood. On the flip side, Johnny and his siblings came back after being gone for almost a year. I think we all had just about given up hope on seeing him again, then all of a sudden he shows up at church one day...crazy. It was good to see him, though.
Shirley started school this week. She is just like most kids in that she was not looking forward to it starting up, but it seems that she has taken to it well. She has plenty of kids in her class that she already knows, which is nice, and hopefully starting out with everyone will help her as she continues her transition into the system. I am really hoping that she likes her teacher (the kids will not meet their actual teacher until the upcoming week...they have a fill in until then) and that she is able to understand more of what is going on in classes and such. She has improved in her English so much this summer, so hopefully that will give her more confidence in class. She is such a social kid, so I can't picture her not enjoying school, I just hope that she doesn't feel out of place, especially after last year's debacle of placing her 1 3/4 grade levels above what she had last studied/finished. And I hope she makes good friends.
I went to Alejandro Escoveda/Son Volt at Red Butte Gardens (last show of the summer series) last Sunday. I have to say that it was the best show of the summer. Both bands wowed the crowd and basically were hitting on all cylinders. Josh, Josiah, Richard and Brad went with, and we all had a good time hanging out, relaxing, enjoying the music. We had some trouble with some knuckleheads who didn't realize that there were 100 people sitting behind them trying to watch a show. They decided they should stand for half the show. We were all getting a little upset, but eventually they sat down or at least got out of the way enough for us to see what was happening. I just don't get fools who have no perception of anything but themselves. They bug me.
The Tigers are tanking. And I don't really want to talk about it.
It is still in the mid to high nineties here. It is ridiculous. I hate the heat and I was looking forward to it cooling down a bit, but it really hasn't. We are about 6" low on our rain measurements this year and it doesn't look like we will catch up in the next month. I really can't wait for fall and winter. Summertime is not good for anyone.
My movie making friend has asked me to try to put together a soundtrack for the movie based on the script that I have read. I had started by picking songs that I thought would fit, ranging from Blue Mountain to Bruce Cockburn, but he wanted me to write the music and songs. I have never thought in that mode, but I told him I would give it a try. I am interested to see what I might come up with...is that strange, that I am curious to see what I do? It sounded odd when I wrote it. Anyhow, it should be interesting.
I could use some sleep.
Oh. T-shirts. We are in the midst of choosing designs and finalizing some drawings. We have priced things out and are getting close to ordering. I am hoping to plant some pictures (advertisements) on here and on my lame facebook page before too long. Josiah's artwork is going to be featured, with some things that I have done every once in a while. Stay tuned for more news. And get your cash ready for the deal of a lifetime...or of the decade...or of the day...
...and I still dream of coffee, but it is still on the back burner.
Anyhow, I hope all is well. Don't get punched in the face.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Kip Dynamite: A Presidential Candidate for the Everyman
Well, things are getting back to normal now. After traveling around for a while (PA, then house sitting) we are finally back into our own house, busy getting the kids (and ourselves) back into routine. While we had fun traveling east and staying at our friends house, we always love coming back to our house. I really think that the kids missed their room and their toys and such. They have been playing a lot and sleeping better since our return.
The boys turned three yesterday, so we had a little party for them. It was quite a bit of fun, as we went out to eat with some friends and then returned home for some cake and ice cream and presents. It was really low key, as we only had a couple of gifts for the boys, but I have to say that I have never seen kids so excited about getting clothes. The boys were literally jumping around, doing somersaults, dancing, and showing off each item of clothing as they themselves discovered them among the shards of torn paper and cardboard. We all got a good laugh out of watching them and just enjoyed a good night of relaxing with friends. We were so happy that the boys had a good time and got to eat their cake and ice cream. Juancho had been anticipating this for quite some time, bringing up the party any time he could. I don't think he was disappointed. Shirley even got a little surprise when our friend Christie brought over a new "Troy" (from High School Musical) backpack full of supplies for the upcoming school year. Gifts for everyone!
Another highlight is having Brad, Traci and Joel back from Costa Rica. I picked them up a little after midnight on Monday night/Tuesday morning. It has been great to have them back and to hear of their adventures down there. It certainly brings back memories for us and our trip to Colombia earlier this year. We were happy to hear that they had a great time and that they were able to see sooooo many birds (I think over 200 different varieties!!!), which is something they truly love. Now I have my dog walking buddy back, too, which is nice. Having them back is all part of us getting into our "routine", too. Good stuff.
Tonight we had another night of company, as B, T, and J came over for lasagna. We were also joined by Josh and then by Sherri, who both could make it in spite of late invitations. We had a good time sitting at the dinner table sharing stories, discussing economics/politics/social issues. And the lasagna was delicious. It has just been nice to have our little community back after the summer months in which we seemed to be going this way and that way all the time. Winter schedules (school, kids club, etc.) will soon be in full effect, too, and we will be even more settled in. I am looking forward to it, for sure.
Josiah and I met with a t-shirt distributor/printer the other day and began our quest to make t-shirts. We were able to get quite a bit of information and have been going over the drawings and prices and such to get an idea of what we might/what we are able to do. It has been very exciting, to say the least, and has been another outlet for my creative side. Hopefully we will be able to get going on that and have pictures of designs here before too long. The coffee is kind of on the back burner now, but still rests in my head as something I would really like to do. One step at a time, though. Or one project at at time, anyway.
Work has been slowing down a bit as of late. We are getting close to wrapping up our full time stage of being there, as our tool install list continues to get lower. I am not looking forward to leaving that workplace, though, and I have been curious to know if there were openings in that particular work environment. That is not to say that I would go if offered, but I would be a fool to not listen. I am really not looking forward to the unexpected and extremely variable work of land surveying outside of IMFT's clean room environment. We'll see what happens. In the meantime, I hope that they forget about us and just keep us on full time down there...yeah, that would be cool.
Anyhow, I should probably get some sleep soon. I came home and fell asleep on my recliner this afternoon and I have a show to go to tomorrow (Calexico). I don't want to fall asleep during the concert...that could be embarrassing.
In the immortal words of Kip Dynamite: Peace out.
The boys turned three yesterday, so we had a little party for them. It was quite a bit of fun, as we went out to eat with some friends and then returned home for some cake and ice cream and presents. It was really low key, as we only had a couple of gifts for the boys, but I have to say that I have never seen kids so excited about getting clothes. The boys were literally jumping around, doing somersaults, dancing, and showing off each item of clothing as they themselves discovered them among the shards of torn paper and cardboard. We all got a good laugh out of watching them and just enjoyed a good night of relaxing with friends. We were so happy that the boys had a good time and got to eat their cake and ice cream. Juancho had been anticipating this for quite some time, bringing up the party any time he could. I don't think he was disappointed. Shirley even got a little surprise when our friend Christie brought over a new "Troy" (from High School Musical) backpack full of supplies for the upcoming school year. Gifts for everyone!
Another highlight is having Brad, Traci and Joel back from Costa Rica. I picked them up a little after midnight on Monday night/Tuesday morning. It has been great to have them back and to hear of their adventures down there. It certainly brings back memories for us and our trip to Colombia earlier this year. We were happy to hear that they had a great time and that they were able to see sooooo many birds (I think over 200 different varieties!!!), which is something they truly love. Now I have my dog walking buddy back, too, which is nice. Having them back is all part of us getting into our "routine", too. Good stuff.
Tonight we had another night of company, as B, T, and J came over for lasagna. We were also joined by Josh and then by Sherri, who both could make it in spite of late invitations. We had a good time sitting at the dinner table sharing stories, discussing economics/politics/social issues. And the lasagna was delicious. It has just been nice to have our little community back after the summer months in which we seemed to be going this way and that way all the time. Winter schedules (school, kids club, etc.) will soon be in full effect, too, and we will be even more settled in. I am looking forward to it, for sure.
Josiah and I met with a t-shirt distributor/printer the other day and began our quest to make t-shirts. We were able to get quite a bit of information and have been going over the drawings and prices and such to get an idea of what we might/what we are able to do. It has been very exciting, to say the least, and has been another outlet for my creative side. Hopefully we will be able to get going on that and have pictures of designs here before too long. The coffee is kind of on the back burner now, but still rests in my head as something I would really like to do. One step at a time, though. Or one project at at time, anyway.
Work has been slowing down a bit as of late. We are getting close to wrapping up our full time stage of being there, as our tool install list continues to get lower. I am not looking forward to leaving that workplace, though, and I have been curious to know if there were openings in that particular work environment. That is not to say that I would go if offered, but I would be a fool to not listen. I am really not looking forward to the unexpected and extremely variable work of land surveying outside of IMFT's clean room environment. We'll see what happens. In the meantime, I hope that they forget about us and just keep us on full time down there...yeah, that would be cool.
Anyhow, I should probably get some sleep soon. I came home and fell asleep on my recliner this afternoon and I have a show to go to tomorrow (Calexico). I don't want to fall asleep during the concert...that could be embarrassing.
In the immortal words of Kip Dynamite: Peace out.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
back to the high desert
Who cares about Barry Bonds? I don't, really. I read somewhere that people are most impressed with baseball records, the numbers that seem to stand out, or at least did at some point. I cared when I was 13, but at some point lost that. What I care more about is the pitcher. Living in my limited television watching household, we still have not see the new 'shot heard 'round the world', nor have we see any of the fanfare that followed. Not even on nightly news. It just isn't something that we are overly interested in. But I did see the pitcher who gave up the record tying home run. Babyface. Looked like he thought immediately, "It could be me." And it could have been, but it wasn't. So I wonder about the record giving pitcher, how he feels about ending up as a footnote, a trivia answer in the history of the game. I could imagine someone even being proud of such a feat. But to be that guy. I am not too sure I would want to be that guy. As the ball sails into the stands. As time freezes and millions of people see his follow through...footnote. History. In the encyclopedia for more than a couple of years as a journeyman. Footnote. That Guy.
So, yes, we are back in Utah. I, like Janine, have trouble with calling it home. I feel that I have not really had a home in several years, last feeling connected to the wilds of Alaska. My affinities now pull me toward Oregon, though, as I find myself drawn to the rains, the lush greens, and the familiarity of west coast living. So anyhow, we are back in Utah, back to work today after a one day adjustment for the Shinn family. The trip home was not to eventful, which is nice. We did have to crowd into four seats, with either Janine or me always with a 2 year old on our laps. It was good, though, and I am so glad that our kids travel so well. Juan (whom I now call Ponch) seems to have overcome his fear of flying. It all happened about the time that he started his new career as a non-stop color commentator to everything that is going on. It is actually quite funny, as his mind is continually working and ingesting/digesting massive amounts of information. He has to verbalize most parts of it, too. Andres is a little less talkative, but no less of learner. His recall is quite good and has improved dramatically in the six months we have had with all of them. Shirley continues to grow in her ability to speak English (rapidly, I think) and is always such a good help with the boys. They were all excited to come back home, even after such a good trip and good time for them back east. I think the familiarity of their own beds and toys has been very welcoming and calming for them. It will all get flipped over again, though, as we head to our friends house to house sit (Rich and Corina, Traci's parents) as they go to meet up with the Clemens folk in Costa Rica. It will be like a mini-vacation right here in Utah, as we will have access to a backyard and digital tv. The digital tv means more Miami Ink for me, and maybe actually being able to find Barney on tv for the boys. Anyhow, we are really looking forward to the backyard to let the kids run and play in for a week. It should be a good time. And we really hope that Rich, Corina and Sandy have a great time in Costa Rica. They will be coming back on the same flight as Brad, Traci and Joel, so we eagerly anticipate their return. I am sure that it will go quickly.
Mike Baksic...recognize that name? He is that guy.
www.organicconsumers.org
www.coopamerica.org
These are two websites that I have recently been spending time looking at. I have found them to be informative on a few different levels, specifically being sparked after Janine and I have been trying to be more conscious of where we shop and what we buy. I would recommend that any readers at least check it out. It is, at the very least, interesting, and hopefully challenging to our shopping habits and patterns. It has been a process for us, to become aware of where we shop, where our products are made, etc., and honestly it can be overwhelming. But I believe that we need to be informed of the things that we ignorantly support through the strongest vote: our money. When we look at atrocities and unfair practices that are supported directly or indirectly through our choices, we must consider what we can do to change things. We may say that it is simple economics that encourages to shop at big-box outlets such as Wal*Mart or lack of selection that forces us to purchase items that are not fair trade or organic. However, the likelihood that we can not avert our purchasing from being intoxicated by convenience or low prices is something that I believe to be a fallacy. There are alternatives, even though they might not be readily available or easily accessible. But we need to investigate, to learn about our options to progress in such a direction of being more conscious of what our purchasing power really does. It is easy to criticize the obvious: wars, natural disasters, caste systems, maybe certain political ideologies, certainly certain world leaders. But is it as easy to criticize the corporate machine that has no conscience, no real arbiter to judge, no real non-influenced policing system? Maybe it is, but the real policing comes when we decide to speak economically to such things, the countless atrocities and human rights violations that continue to happen by the power of our dollar. So we need to become aware. And from there we need to become concerned. And from there we need to become involved. Again, it is overwhelming. We are not going to solve the world's problems, but that does not mean that we should continue to add to it blindly, ignorantly, or even willingly, out of concern for only ourselves. My mind races as I try to ingest these things, wondering in how many ways I am so deeply entrenched, so deeply rooted in those things which I am now realizing I despise. It is heavy. And we will not be able always be consistent in every purchase. But we do hope that we are consistent in moving in the direction in which we continually consider the "other", as we believe that is what Christ meant with the second greatest commandment of loving others as we love ourselves. May our love for Christ lead us that way.
This
is me
getting
off of
my
soapbox
;)
I hope all is well.
And Matt...I did eat a couple of soft pretzels. And yes, I did tell you to get all that stuff before you got married, but rest assured, there is ink after matrimony...I know a good artist in SLC...
So, yes, we are back in Utah. I, like Janine, have trouble with calling it home. I feel that I have not really had a home in several years, last feeling connected to the wilds of Alaska. My affinities now pull me toward Oregon, though, as I find myself drawn to the rains, the lush greens, and the familiarity of west coast living. So anyhow, we are back in Utah, back to work today after a one day adjustment for the Shinn family. The trip home was not to eventful, which is nice. We did have to crowd into four seats, with either Janine or me always with a 2 year old on our laps. It was good, though, and I am so glad that our kids travel so well. Juan (whom I now call Ponch) seems to have overcome his fear of flying. It all happened about the time that he started his new career as a non-stop color commentator to everything that is going on. It is actually quite funny, as his mind is continually working and ingesting/digesting massive amounts of information. He has to verbalize most parts of it, too. Andres is a little less talkative, but no less of learner. His recall is quite good and has improved dramatically in the six months we have had with all of them. Shirley continues to grow in her ability to speak English (rapidly, I think) and is always such a good help with the boys. They were all excited to come back home, even after such a good trip and good time for them back east. I think the familiarity of their own beds and toys has been very welcoming and calming for them. It will all get flipped over again, though, as we head to our friends house to house sit (Rich and Corina, Traci's parents) as they go to meet up with the Clemens folk in Costa Rica. It will be like a mini-vacation right here in Utah, as we will have access to a backyard and digital tv. The digital tv means more Miami Ink for me, and maybe actually being able to find Barney on tv for the boys. Anyhow, we are really looking forward to the backyard to let the kids run and play in for a week. It should be a good time. And we really hope that Rich, Corina and Sandy have a great time in Costa Rica. They will be coming back on the same flight as Brad, Traci and Joel, so we eagerly anticipate their return. I am sure that it will go quickly.
Mike Baksic...recognize that name? He is that guy.
www.organicconsumers.org
www.coopamerica.org
These are two websites that I have recently been spending time looking at. I have found them to be informative on a few different levels, specifically being sparked after Janine and I have been trying to be more conscious of where we shop and what we buy. I would recommend that any readers at least check it out. It is, at the very least, interesting, and hopefully challenging to our shopping habits and patterns. It has been a process for us, to become aware of where we shop, where our products are made, etc., and honestly it can be overwhelming. But I believe that we need to be informed of the things that we ignorantly support through the strongest vote: our money. When we look at atrocities and unfair practices that are supported directly or indirectly through our choices, we must consider what we can do to change things. We may say that it is simple economics that encourages to shop at big-box outlets such as Wal*Mart or lack of selection that forces us to purchase items that are not fair trade or organic. However, the likelihood that we can not avert our purchasing from being intoxicated by convenience or low prices is something that I believe to be a fallacy. There are alternatives, even though they might not be readily available or easily accessible. But we need to investigate, to learn about our options to progress in such a direction of being more conscious of what our purchasing power really does. It is easy to criticize the obvious: wars, natural disasters, caste systems, maybe certain political ideologies, certainly certain world leaders. But is it as easy to criticize the corporate machine that has no conscience, no real arbiter to judge, no real non-influenced policing system? Maybe it is, but the real policing comes when we decide to speak economically to such things, the countless atrocities and human rights violations that continue to happen by the power of our dollar. So we need to become aware. And from there we need to become concerned. And from there we need to become involved. Again, it is overwhelming. We are not going to solve the world's problems, but that does not mean that we should continue to add to it blindly, ignorantly, or even willingly, out of concern for only ourselves. My mind races as I try to ingest these things, wondering in how many ways I am so deeply entrenched, so deeply rooted in those things which I am now realizing I despise. It is heavy. And we will not be able always be consistent in every purchase. But we do hope that we are consistent in moving in the direction in which we continually consider the "other", as we believe that is what Christ meant with the second greatest commandment of loving others as we love ourselves. May our love for Christ lead us that way.
This
is me
getting
off of
my
soapbox
;)
I hope all is well.
And Matt...I did eat a couple of soft pretzels. And yes, I did tell you to get all that stuff before you got married, but rest assured, there is ink after matrimony...I know a good artist in SLC...
Monday, August 6, 2007
traveling plans
It has been a whirlwind of a weekend trip for me. I arrived here on Thursday night after a flight with unruly children and an unruly older gentleman sitting behind me (do you really need to put your knees in the back of my chair? Really?). I was glad that I didn't check any luggage and that I was able to skip the usual idiotic jockeying for position around the baggage carousal. Fools sometimes amuse me, but that is one place where fools only have one purpose: to annoy me. I was glad we avoided that particular annoying aspect of traveling. Anyhow, we have eaten well, hitting most of my favorite places, including my favorite breakfast place, my favorite cheese steak place, and my favorite local Chinese place. We have had a ton of fun, and have had nary a dull moment since I have been here.
Our party for our kids went extremely well, with a spectacular turnout of friends and family. It was absolutely wonderful to see so many people whose desire it was to see our beautiful children. We were able to share at least part of our lives with those whose relationships we cherish, and it was wonderful to introduce our kids to the different people. Mom and Dad Clemens (along with Karla, Janine's sister) put a lot of time and effort into getting things prepared for the event, so we are extremely grateful for their help in getting it all together. I was just glad that everything turned out so well and that it was just a great celebratory time. The kids did very well, too, especially considering how it intruded on their nap time. Good stuff.
So we are actually supposed to be on our way to SLC right now. We went out to the airport today, believing that all was well (it was at my last check online). However, after we are dropped off, we run into problems at curbside check-in. We are told that we need to go to the ticket counter inside. So we trudge our bags inside (I am carrying probably 130 pounds of luggage at this point, while Janine tries to manage one of the boys in a stroller while maneuvering two rolling carry-ons at the same time...it was quite the scene, I am sure) and make our way to the line. We found an open place where Janine could wait with the kids and the luggage while I waited in line. The line was not really moving, which gave me plenty of time to notice on the board that our flight has been delayed an hour and twenty minutes. We realize that this will not allow us to catch our connecting flight from Cincinnati and that we are not going to make it back to SLC tonight. . .until I see a flight to SLC leaving in about an hour. I foolishly thought we might be able to get on that. But time rolls on and I am not moving very quickly. I moved much quicker when they started having to cart people off who looked like they had been there since Ford was president...seriously...it was a long time. Moses was the first to drop out...then Abe Lincoln ( I thought they would have flown him on Air Force One or something), eventually I get to the front only to be told the obvious; we're not going to make it to SLC tonight. So we book a flight for tomorrow, with an expected arrival about 20 hours later than we had originally planned, but better than their suggestion (we are staying at Janine's parents house) of flying through and getting put up in Cincinnati (I have never been there, but I really don't want to stay there tonight). We actually ended up calling MaryAnne (Janine's mom) while she and Jerry were attending a benefit dinner and auction just a few miles down the road at Citizen's Bank Ballpark. She volunteered to come get us and drive us back to the house. We were so glad that she could come so soon. The kids did wonderfully, in spite of circumstances, and are out playing at a park right now. I am amazed at their resiliency as they overcome all sorts of obstacles and changes that are put in front of them. Each one of them possesses such a great sense of humor, too, that it puts all the rest of us "mature" adults at ease when they make us laugh at any given time. We are always so grateful for our kids.
Anyhow, all this to say that our time here has been wonderful. It was great to fly in and get bombarded by my kids and to see extended family here again. Really, it was a little shorter than I would have liked it to be, but it has been great none-the-less. We will be home soon, Pak, so hang tight. The kids miss you. The kids miss many of you back home in SLC. We will see you soon.
anybody want to go get some tattoos?
Our party for our kids went extremely well, with a spectacular turnout of friends and family. It was absolutely wonderful to see so many people whose desire it was to see our beautiful children. We were able to share at least part of our lives with those whose relationships we cherish, and it was wonderful to introduce our kids to the different people. Mom and Dad Clemens (along with Karla, Janine's sister) put a lot of time and effort into getting things prepared for the event, so we are extremely grateful for their help in getting it all together. I was just glad that everything turned out so well and that it was just a great celebratory time. The kids did very well, too, especially considering how it intruded on their nap time. Good stuff.
So we are actually supposed to be on our way to SLC right now. We went out to the airport today, believing that all was well (it was at my last check online). However, after we are dropped off, we run into problems at curbside check-in. We are told that we need to go to the ticket counter inside. So we trudge our bags inside (I am carrying probably 130 pounds of luggage at this point, while Janine tries to manage one of the boys in a stroller while maneuvering two rolling carry-ons at the same time...it was quite the scene, I am sure) and make our way to the line. We found an open place where Janine could wait with the kids and the luggage while I waited in line. The line was not really moving, which gave me plenty of time to notice on the board that our flight has been delayed an hour and twenty minutes. We realize that this will not allow us to catch our connecting flight from Cincinnati and that we are not going to make it back to SLC tonight. . .until I see a flight to SLC leaving in about an hour. I foolishly thought we might be able to get on that. But time rolls on and I am not moving very quickly. I moved much quicker when they started having to cart people off who looked like they had been there since Ford was president...seriously...it was a long time. Moses was the first to drop out...then Abe Lincoln ( I thought they would have flown him on Air Force One or something), eventually I get to the front only to be told the obvious; we're not going to make it to SLC tonight. So we book a flight for tomorrow, with an expected arrival about 20 hours later than we had originally planned, but better than their suggestion (we are staying at Janine's parents house) of flying through and getting put up in Cincinnati (I have never been there, but I really don't want to stay there tonight). We actually ended up calling MaryAnne (Janine's mom) while she and Jerry were attending a benefit dinner and auction just a few miles down the road at Citizen's Bank Ballpark. She volunteered to come get us and drive us back to the house. We were so glad that she could come so soon. The kids did wonderfully, in spite of circumstances, and are out playing at a park right now. I am amazed at their resiliency as they overcome all sorts of obstacles and changes that are put in front of them. Each one of them possesses such a great sense of humor, too, that it puts all the rest of us "mature" adults at ease when they make us laugh at any given time. We are always so grateful for our kids.
Anyhow, all this to say that our time here has been wonderful. It was great to fly in and get bombarded by my kids and to see extended family here again. Really, it was a little shorter than I would have liked it to be, but it has been great none-the-less. We will be home soon, Pak, so hang tight. The kids miss you. The kids miss many of you back home in SLC. We will see you soon.
anybody want to go get some tattoos?
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
good show
I honestly cannot believe that it is August already. I am amazed at how quickly time has gone by, specifically since our return home from Colombia in February. Janine has found others who have been in the process or have adopted from Colombia, so we periodically check their blogs. It is always a reminder to me of our own time, our own process, and how it all seems so recent and at the same time so distant from where we are now. We have had our kids now for a little over six months and it is difficult to imagine a time without them. The surreal moments now are the moments, like this past week, that I spend without the kids. They are such a part of my reality that I feel quite empty without my family around. I am very anxious to go see them tomorrow, to hold their little hands, to hear their voices saying "Papi" and to have our family completely together again. Six months has gone by so quickly and has deeply rooted itself in reality in such a way that it almost seems as if we have had these kids from the beginning (although Shirley is two years older than our marriage:)). All that to say, I am absolutely blessed to have such a beautiful and wonderful family, my wife and kids, and I am excited to see them tomorrow.
So I did go to Ryan Adams last night, arriving at the venue four hours before the show started and still finding that my buddy and I were behind over 150 other people in line. There was very much anticipation in the air to see him, so wanting good seats (in the outdoor amphitheatre with open seating) people arrived early. I had packed sandwiches for dinner, so we just relaxed and talked about work (we both work at Stantec) until the gates opened at 6 PM. We rushed down the grassy hill to get good seats and ended up about 100 feet from the stage with no big-heads in front of us. We were happy with our seats. We had nice people around us, not too many loud talkers, which was nice. They were actually there to see Ryan Adams and not to socialize, as is often the case. The show started late, and while thunder clouds threatened us, they never really followed through, so we got a dry show. The band played for about an hour and forty-five minutes, mostly stuff off his last four albums, and had some Grateful Dead-ish moments of jamming out. It was quite fun, and I would certainly go see him again, although we were all disappointed that he didn't encore. The crowd was left standing (they were pretty lame with their cheering at the end) for about 15 minutes as we screamed and waited for his return. Soon, though, the stagehands began dismantling gear, and we knew that it was over. Next up: Calexico.
Today should be busy for me. I will be wrapping up some cleaning around the house before I go, making sure that I have mail, dog, and rides to and from the airport covered for the trip. I will drop a couple of things off at the library and some stuff at Savers, as well, so the day should go pretty quickly. I also will be going out to eat with our friends Josh and Becky and Jill and Josiah, so that will be good. We are going to go downtown to a pizza joint, which actually sounds good right now even though it is not yet 9 AM. I am pretty sure that I could eat a couple slices right now. I'd like to find time to do a little recording today, too, but whenever I get wrapped up in that I lose many hours on end just staring at my recorder with headphones on. We'll see what happens.
Pak will be going over to Rich and Corina's house for the time while we are gone, and I am pretty sure that she will like that. It is funny how she misses her buddy Rufus when he is gone. She has been trying to turn to Brad and Traci's house to get Rufus every time we go for a walk. She is so used to having him around. So the walks have been solo, much quieter than normal. It is odd to not have the Clemens family here, although we get good reports from Costa Rica. They really seem to be enjoying themselves, which is good for them. Everybody needs a break now and then, and I hope that they are getting theirs. But we miss them a lot.
We finally got rain here the other day. It stormed like crazy, actually. Thursday night. It was right after I ate with Josh and Becky, I was leaving their house (had Pakak with me, so she could play with Jack) and we saw the dark clouds hanging over the west side of the SL Valley. The fat drops of rain peppered my windshield as I drove off in the direction of home. I had forgotten that I was supposed to pick up a crate of produce in Taylorsville that day, so I knew that I had to drive the 30 extra blocks to go get it that night (it was already 9:30). As we drove in that direction, the wind was incredible. I could feel it picking up underneath the van as I drove. Pak was freaked out by the lightning, and her usual hyper self was put on hold as she simply laid down on the front seat and looked around at every flash of lightning. Anyhow, we finally made it to get the food and I got soaked getting it. It was quite an adventure. To top it off, the onions were really pungent and smelled up the car on the way home. Crazy. But we all made it.
Anyhow, I need to go eat breakfast. I slept in a little this morning, actually making it to 7 AM. Usually, me sleeping in means that I wake up around 6 AM. People think it is crazy that I consider that sleeping in, but it is about an hour after I usually get up. So 7 AM today was a nice solid sleep for me. It felt pretty good and probably would have been even longer if a certain heeler mix didn't come nosing me to get out of bed. Crazy dog.
Tomorrow I fly out. I see Janine and the kids. Maybe eat a cheese steak. I am excited. It will be good. I miss them a lot. Tomorrow.
So I did go to Ryan Adams last night, arriving at the venue four hours before the show started and still finding that my buddy and I were behind over 150 other people in line. There was very much anticipation in the air to see him, so wanting good seats (in the outdoor amphitheatre with open seating) people arrived early. I had packed sandwiches for dinner, so we just relaxed and talked about work (we both work at Stantec) until the gates opened at 6 PM. We rushed down the grassy hill to get good seats and ended up about 100 feet from the stage with no big-heads in front of us. We were happy with our seats. We had nice people around us, not too many loud talkers, which was nice. They were actually there to see Ryan Adams and not to socialize, as is often the case. The show started late, and while thunder clouds threatened us, they never really followed through, so we got a dry show. The band played for about an hour and forty-five minutes, mostly stuff off his last four albums, and had some Grateful Dead-ish moments of jamming out. It was quite fun, and I would certainly go see him again, although we were all disappointed that he didn't encore. The crowd was left standing (they were pretty lame with their cheering at the end) for about 15 minutes as we screamed and waited for his return. Soon, though, the stagehands began dismantling gear, and we knew that it was over. Next up: Calexico.
Today should be busy for me. I will be wrapping up some cleaning around the house before I go, making sure that I have mail, dog, and rides to and from the airport covered for the trip. I will drop a couple of things off at the library and some stuff at Savers, as well, so the day should go pretty quickly. I also will be going out to eat with our friends Josh and Becky and Jill and Josiah, so that will be good. We are going to go downtown to a pizza joint, which actually sounds good right now even though it is not yet 9 AM. I am pretty sure that I could eat a couple slices right now. I'd like to find time to do a little recording today, too, but whenever I get wrapped up in that I lose many hours on end just staring at my recorder with headphones on. We'll see what happens.
Pak will be going over to Rich and Corina's house for the time while we are gone, and I am pretty sure that she will like that. It is funny how she misses her buddy Rufus when he is gone. She has been trying to turn to Brad and Traci's house to get Rufus every time we go for a walk. She is so used to having him around. So the walks have been solo, much quieter than normal. It is odd to not have the Clemens family here, although we get good reports from Costa Rica. They really seem to be enjoying themselves, which is good for them. Everybody needs a break now and then, and I hope that they are getting theirs. But we miss them a lot.
We finally got rain here the other day. It stormed like crazy, actually. Thursday night. It was right after I ate with Josh and Becky, I was leaving their house (had Pakak with me, so she could play with Jack) and we saw the dark clouds hanging over the west side of the SL Valley. The fat drops of rain peppered my windshield as I drove off in the direction of home. I had forgotten that I was supposed to pick up a crate of produce in Taylorsville that day, so I knew that I had to drive the 30 extra blocks to go get it that night (it was already 9:30). As we drove in that direction, the wind was incredible. I could feel it picking up underneath the van as I drove. Pak was freaked out by the lightning, and her usual hyper self was put on hold as she simply laid down on the front seat and looked around at every flash of lightning. Anyhow, we finally made it to get the food and I got soaked getting it. It was quite an adventure. To top it off, the onions were really pungent and smelled up the car on the way home. Crazy. But we all made it.
Anyhow, I need to go eat breakfast. I slept in a little this morning, actually making it to 7 AM. Usually, me sleeping in means that I wake up around 6 AM. People think it is crazy that I consider that sleeping in, but it is about an hour after I usually get up. So 7 AM today was a nice solid sleep for me. It felt pretty good and probably would have been even longer if a certain heeler mix didn't come nosing me to get out of bed. Crazy dog.
Tomorrow I fly out. I see Janine and the kids. Maybe eat a cheese steak. I am excited. It will be good. I miss them a lot. Tomorrow.
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