Oregon reveries.

I'm back home after my lovely trip to Oregon. It was so lovely to see the folks, the sis and her family, Aunts Sandi and Pam, and especially Grandma who is recovering extremely well from surgery. There was also much relief after my brother gave us quite a scare all the way from Minnesota with his run-in with West Nile Virus and a few trips to the ER. It all was the best kind of drama – the kind that ends quickly and with a positive outcome.

As I've written about previously, I spent some wonderful time out at the coast. Such rejuvenation! And then as I headed up to Grandma's yesterday, I decided to schedule a trip to The Enchanted Forest. This roadside whimsical theme park was such a part of my younger years. As a wee one, I was certain that it was an extension of Disneyland, mainly because my imagination was often allowed to take flight in crazy ways in both places. I enjoyed paying homage to favorite sites as the little castle (which seemed so huge when I was five), the summer theatre stage (where I'm sure my love for theatre was spurred on), Humpty Dumpty, the Crooked Man's House, The Old Woman's Shoe (wherein you boarded a slide that would send you plummeting down the hill on a little green rug), the old western village Tofteville, and the Old Witch's Head (seen in the photo above). But the attraction I revisited with a bit of trepidation was the Haunted House... I remember that as a kid, I was absolutely freaked out by this thing, but I usually had someone to cower against. In fact, one legendary family story found my Grandpa, cousin, and I making our final exit from the place, one kid wrapped tightly around his head and the other wrapped around his ankles after nearly pulling down his pants. Every visit required a trip through this evil place, but I treated it like ripping off a band-aid... a long, slow, meandering tearing of skin.

But it couldn't have been as scary as I remembered it. Right? I bought my tickets and mounted the steps... Okay, who was the sadist who created this torture chamber in the middle of a kids' theme park? Granted, I was sans cowering buddy, but this place was FREAKY – all sorts of things popping out of the darkness and jets of compressed air. There were little whimsical-ish scenes along the way too, but the path between these breathers was horrifying! I emerged from that revered exit door actually sweating and SO relieved to be seeing the sunlight once again. I breathed a sigh as I half-jogged to the theatre where the panto-inspired, unchanging schtick style was slated to tell us the tale of Cinderella. Much more my cup o' tea!

So that's a little recent adventure for you. Now I'm back home and getting set to tackle some work that has been simmering on the back burner for a while. Take care, y'all. Peace and love!

A rainy 5th of July.

It's funny. It feels like a lazy day, but I'm realizing I've actually done quite a bit. I rolled out of bed, talked to Ma on the phone, grabbed java in Waldport, visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the otters and sharks and jellies, stopped in at the Nye Beach Clambake and partook in clams and shrimp and crab and a historical walking tour to boot, read about the only state-sanctioned counterculture music festival in America's history (Vortex 1 near Portland in 1970) at the Canyon Way Bookstore, and moseyed 20 miles north to Lincoln City for some chowder and Wi-Fi connection at the McMenamin's Brewpub. It's been a joyful experience partly because the music mix here has been (expectedly) amazing. In addition to some really great classic stuff, I've heard a few of my recent favorites – Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and the Avett Brothers.

Last night was really fantastic, rather surreal evening. After the day at the La De Da Parade, a nap, and bowls of chowder at various favorite dives, I meandered back to Yachats for the evening Independence Day fireworks. To appreciate the scene, you should know about this particular section of the town. There's a large inlet that is filled with lulling waves at high tide and is a big sandy cove at low tide. All around the inlet, folks had camped out and those who lived along the perimeter were hosting parties. All throughout the evening, pyrotechnics from laymans' private collections would pierce the dusk. There were smoke bombs, sparklers, piccolo petes, and various crackling and whistling diversions which in turn made way for pieces that varied in legality and, therefore, fun... Roman candles and other crazy bright and loud things. It was all rather fun to see the cove socked in, not just with a light fog, but a layer of pyro smoke. The actual show, detonated in part by the Yachats Fire Department was pretty spectacular too... at least a half dozen false endings followed by an amazing bombastic finale. As the traffic congestion eased up through the little town, I took refuge at the Landmark and caught a set by The Insomniacs, a really fantastic blues/rockabilly band. On the walk back to the car, I happened by the local craft bazaar and their evening finale of fire dancing by the Burning Truth Tribe. Pretty spectacular! After soaking up a little of the local color, I meandered back to the house and watched Blazing Saddles on TVLand. A really great day.

And now, I've got to get back to my homework – formatting pages for my long-overdue website redesign. Wish me luck. Take care, y'all. Peace and love!

Off to greener pastures...

I'm off to Oregon to visit the family and to get a Pacific Northwest fix. I'll be up north for a week, just freewheeling with the schedule. I hope I get a bit of time out at the coast, but for sure I'll spend time with Grandma who is on the quick mend from surgery, and because of that my aunts are also in town which will be great. It will also be wonderful to see the folks (and all the work they've been doing on the house) and my sister and her family. I'll also take along tools to accomplish a little light work if the spirit so moves. We'll see. I'm just looking forward to breathing some of that Oregon air. Peace and love, y'all!

2008, y'all!

Well, I'm back at the McMenamin's in Lincoln City (because their WiFi connection rocks) and I'm enjoying some chowder before heading north to Tillamook to visit the famous cheese factory. Tomorrow will bring a visit to one of my favorite places in the world – Cape Perpetua and Heceta Head – and then a bite at the Drift Inn in Yachats where Richard Sharpless will be making some singer/songwriter magic. Friday I'll meander back to Lebanon to hang with the family a bit more before heading back to windy So Cal on Saturday.

Also... tonight, Dave Letterman and Craig Ferguson will be back with new shows. I appreciate what the writers' strike is all about, but I've really missed the topical and current aspect of the late night shows. So, hooray!

The weather today is cold and windy and drippy and – well – just so perfectly Oregon-like. I'm feeling a little nostalgic and enjoying a delightful melancholy, and yet I'm eagerly looking forward to the new year. My 2008 will be bringing so many great opportunities, and for the first time these opportunities are dependent solely on my own elbow grease. I can't wait. Bring it on!

So, here at the headwaters of a new year, I wish you all love and joy and especially peace in 2008. Be tenacious with all those exciting new opportunities and adventures. Go get 'em, y'all!

Painted faces on parade...

Okay, that was a bit "musical theatre geek"y, but I'm now unveiling a new sketch - the Las Vegas cast of The Phantom of the Opera Spectacular. Check it out here. This particular piece features 45 people - one of my most populated illustrations. Kristi Holden, Christine in this production and old friend, commissioned it along with sketches of her conductors and stage management staff. It was a huge project, but it was a lot of fun, and I'm so thankful that Kristi thought of me for this.

I'm typing this wee entry from Seattle where I'm visiting my Aunt Pam and cousins. Just flew in today from Oregon where I spent Christmas with the folks and Grandma and a lovely gathering at sis Deanna & family's new place. It was a wonderful Christmas - even including snow! Now it's off to bed so I'll be well-rested to watch 'em toss fish at Pike Place. There's a birthday gathering for cousin Cori tomorrow eve, and in the in-between time who knows what adventures I may embark upon?

Peace & love, y'all!