Their Way

Three tiered “tree stump” serving platters. That’s what did it for me. Not the pie in place of wedding cake (although that was unique and delicious). Not the backdrop of Mt. Gould and Mt. Wilbur (although the view was stunning). Not the Red Bus ride before and after the ceremony (although that was pretty cool). Not the wedding dress the bride made herself (although it was beautiful). Not the suspenders and hats the groomsmen wore (although that was a stroke of genius). Not even one of my best friends acting as officiator (although that was bizarre yet fitting all at the same time). It was the log serving platters. They were such a minor touch. Yet they solidified things for me. Ron & Jessie’s wedding was a memorable thing to witness…let alone be a part of. Four summers in Glacier National Park transformed me. I think I’ve gone over that ad nauseum. But it’s done just as much, if not more, for the life-long friends I found there. I first met Ron in 2002. We were just acquaintances at first. But over the next four years, we grew into good friends. I first met Jessie during my last summer…in 2005. It’s the same story with her. We became closer the longer we knew each other. They are just two examples of how the park brought some special people into my life. But for Ron and Jessie, it was even better. They met each other In Glacier and eventually fell in love. None of what I experienced can top that. It’s only fitting they got married in Glacier. It was simply the only appropriate place they could do it…the “right” way to go about things. But they didn’t only do it the “right” way. They also did it “their” way. That’s what impressed me so much. In the beginning, I was worried about the disorganization and lack of specifics. They’re both well aware of what I’m talking about so I know I’m not offending them. But I noticed something happening in the days leading up to the ceremony. It was slowly donning on me just how perfect things really were. The final realization didn’t come until right before the ceremony. I saw Dave going over his notes and preparing to marry two of his best friends. (Dave is a de facto father of our quirky group and there was simply no one more fitting to fill that important role). I finally donned the suspenders and hat I was supposed to wear for the wedding. (I knew the look Ron was going for but I wasn't sure I could actually pull it off). I marveled at the homemade dress Jessie wore. (Jessie is crafty individual and I had been wondering what her vision of a wedding dress looked like). I saw the wedding party being transported in a Red Jammer bus. (The “Reds” are one of the many unofficial symbols of the park and there’s no better mode of transportation to choose in this scenario). I looked up and noticed the incredible backdrop of the Many Glacier Valley. (The valley’s mountains were the backdrop to our seasonal lives and this new chapter simply had to take place beneath them). I saw the pies being placed on a table in place of a wedding cake. (The pies from Park Café were a dessert staple for anyone who lived and worked in Glacier). Then I saw those serving platter logs. I never would have had the forethought to include those in wedding plans. Much like a wedding cake is tiered, these logs were different sizes. On the highest one sat a fresh strawberry pie…the king of pies for my friends and I. All I could do was grin from ear to ear. This was a damn cool wedding.

Pointless

I always feel the urge to write. I just can't ever figure out how to put the thoughts swimming in my mind into words. Sometimes, I imagine it's like a tsunami. We've all seen video of what a tsunami can do. Imagine the water mixing with debris of all kinds until it becomes a thick soup of unrecognizable crud. Now imagine trying to sort through all of it and organizing it in some way. Sometimes, that's what the task of writing feels like to me. It's just too damn complicated to lay it all out in a way that's understandable and creative. So I give up before I even write the first word.

Just thought I'd let you know that I do try when it comes to this blog. I just usually fail most of the time.

I've got a feelin'

Everything about moving to Portland has felt right.

The right time.

The right place.

The right job.

I remember the feeling I've had before moving to a new place. Whether it was Glacier National Park, New Zealand, Bozeman, or Boise...I was nervous. I was apprehensive. I was unsure. Yes, I was excited. But excitement can be drowned out by uneasiness. In every place that I've gone, I've found something good. But there was always the apprehension beforehand.

Portland is the first place I've arrived in and felt completely at ease. (Job jitters are a different story. I had those...but thankfully they're gone now). It just felt right to be here. I've certainly had a lot on my mind but nearly all of that is from the past. It's all from where I WAS. Nothing about where I AM makes me uneasy.

I've only been here about 7 weeks. But I already have some good friends. The job is going well. I don't have much to complain about. In fact, I've got a lot to be excited for. I really have no idea what's in store for me. But I just have a feeling it's going to be good.

I remember a documentary I saw a long time ago. It was all about Ronald Reagan. Something stuck out at me from that documentary that I think about all the time. One of Reagan's daughters was asked what she admired about her father. She said that he was simply comfortable in his own skin. It kind of blindsided me. I was NOT comfortable in my own skin...and I was jealous of anyone who was. Fast forward to last weekend. I was sitting inside the apartment of a new friend I've made here. A group of us were having dinner and drinking wine. Suddenly a smile spread across my face and a thought popped into my head. "You're life's gonna change here," I said silently to myself. "It won't be long before you're comfortable in your own skin."

I feel good about what's happening in my life. But more than anything, I feel good about being happy with myself. It's been a long time coming...and while I'm not entirely there just yet...I've got a feelin' that it's coming soon.

Settling in

Three full weeks in Portland.

Two full weeks at the new job.

One full week in my new apartment.

Things are...okay. I'm not miserable. I'm not euphoric. I'm decent. I honestly couldn't ask for anything better. Adjustment is never easy. It's never as bad as some people think either. It's just a matter of..."doing."

Some people have told me that they like my writing. They say they have been entertained and intrigued by my blog. Most of the time, I don't see it. There will be an occasional blog entry that I look back on and think, "hmm...that was pretty good." But I'm not usually that impressed with the words I "put down on paper." I am, however, always finding some good gems from other people.

I don't remember how I stumbled across a blog called Nothing But Bonfires. I know it was a while ago. I came across one particular entry in which the author described her move to San Francisco. Take a gander.

I can't think of a better way to describe how that move to San Francisco happened, how things just do happen, no matter how long you lie awake worrying about them. Sure, you can obsess about what you'll do when you get to a city you don't have any ties to, how you'll go about the complicated process of putting down roots, setting up camp, getting over hurdles. But in the end, time keeps ticking, things have to be done, and you do them. You get on the plane. You look for an apartment. You find a job, you go to the DMV, you make some friends to share your secrets with over bottles of wine you can suddenly afford. There's no choir of angels, no thunderbolt from above, no round of applause as you segue from scared to settled. Everything simply begins. And then you just keep going.

I can't think of a better way to illustrate how I feel right now. There's just one difference. The author wrote that passage after a good amount of time spent in her new place. I'm only a couple weeks in. I guess it's going okay.

I'm still nervous.

I'm still unsure.

I'm still holding on to things I need to let go of.

But I'm making good progress. I'm still going. There's really no other option.

Bridgetown

I'm making a concerted effort to get this blog back up and running after the 4-month unintentional hiatus I put it through. Inevitably, while pondering what to write, I've gotten lost in past entries. I wrote this blog post about Portland back in October. I had completely forgotten about it. I find it kind of eerie since I'm now living in Portland. (Day 2 to be exact).

I'm liking the city a lot. I'm still living with friends but a new apartment is just around the corner. I think I've found one. I applied for it and I should know by the weekend. It's not my ideal place. My preferred location is in the Pearl District. Unfortunately, the Pearl District is pricey. I simply can't afford it. Actually, I might be able to afford it. But I wouldn't be able to afford any leisure activities...like drinking vodka/sodas on a Friday night.

Regardless of where I end up living...I'm here. Which makes me think this place was meant to be all along. And, like I referred to in the post before this, I had to learn a couple lessons before I was ready to finally be here.

Also...the aforementioned entry on Portland was titled "Rip City." It's a lesser known nickname of the city. I liked it back then. I don't anymore. My new preferred nickname is Bridgetown. The bridges in this city are awesome.

Authentically unstuck

As this post gets published to my blog, I will be driving a U-Haul truck out Boise. With my Jeep in tow, I'll be on my way to Portland, Oregon...where a new chapter in life is waiting to be written. I'm excited. I'm optimistic. I'm ready for it. But I've got a heavy heart. This change of course is 16 long, emotional, draining months in the making.

On January 1, 2010, I wrote this:

Dear Boise,

It's not you, it's me. I know that's a horrible cliche to refer to when loosening ties with someone...but it's true. You're cute. You're charming. You're vibrant. You provide a quality of life that most people across the country probably don't experience. You're filled with good, honest people who love you for what you give them...a wonderful place to call home. In all honesty, I can't find a single thing wrong with you. So why would I want to break up with you? I already told you why. It's not you. It's me. That's all I can say. I'm sorry.

Love, Lincoln

I've had a lot on my mind the past several months. I haven't really opened up, on this blog at least, because things were muddled. They still are. But I need to flesh out my thoughts and this seems like the perfect place to do it. I have no immediate plans to leave Boise. My contract is up in a couple months. I've been looking around for new opportunities but they're either few and far between or the competition for them is insanely intense. I'm assuming I have the option to stay at my current job and negotiate a new contract. If that turns out to be true...do I want to do that? There's something to be said for simply "having a job" during times like these. But I wrote that letter to Boise for a reason. I feel like I need to move on. It's time. Coming here was the right thing to do. I learned a lot. I grew a lot. But I'm ready for the next step. But therein lies the problem. What is the next step? I have no idea....

.....There are big changes going on around me. It'd be nice to be a part of them...but I feel left out. And even though I'd like to move forward....I'm not even sure where I want to go. It's no secret the broadcasting business is struggling. Jobs are scarce. Salaries have taken a nosedive. The future looks bleak. That just adds more fuel to this already confusing fire.

Oh, and let's not forget one other important thing. I turn 30 this year. My birthday is just under three months away. It's a big milestone. I'd love to feel confident, put-together, and comfortable in my own skin on such a big day. Instead, I'm on my way feeling like a lost mess.

Happy New Year.

That was 16 months ago. To think of all that's happened between then and now makes my head spin. The moral to a story usually comes at the end. But I'll give it to you now. I was done with Boise 16 months ago. As it turns out...Boise was not done with me.

I use the term "Boise" in an overarching sense. It's simply a context provider. While I love this town very much, I haven't had any profound relationship with the city itself. But it's been my home for more than three years. It's easier to attach a name and a place to the "mystical unknowns" that kept me here longer than I ever thought I'd stay.

For me, moving to Portland is moving forward. I thought I was ready for it 16 months ago. But I wasn't. I can't think of a precise quote but I know I've heard many people say something to the effect of, "you can't move forward while you're still stuck in the past." I wasn't exactly stuck in the past. But I was stuck. Not long after I wrote that New Year's blog entry, I laid in bed and cried myself to sleep. I won't go into detail as to why. But that night I made the vow to myself to "live authentically." It was a slow process but I accomplished it in bits and pieces. I opened up to friends and family in a way that freed myself. It's what I needed to do to become unstuck.

That's one big reason Boise wasn't ready to let me go. But there's another. It's one that threw me for a loop in ways I'm still trying to understand. I don't like spill my guts on this blog. But I can cover the basics. I met someone. Someone I cared for deeply. It wasn't love. There was too much uncertainty and hesitation for that to develop. But it was something I've never experienced before...at least not in pure, genuine terms. They cared about me too. But the scales weren't balanced. My feelings turned out to be stronger. I'm told it happens to everyone at some point in life. Still...it's kind of embarrassing. The whole thing made me act a little strange. I was more dramatic than I wanted to be. But...I have a feeling it happened the way it was supposed to. It's taught me some valuable lessons. And, hopefully, I've at least gained a long-term friend. Maybe we can laugh about it together one day.

I like proper endings. I like to put things into context. Fitting my Boise experience into a nice, neat little package has proved almost impossible. I've tried writing this blog entry more than a dozen times. I never got very far. But this is what I've come up with. It's not as witty as I wanted. It's not as well-written as I wanted. It's not as profound or thought-provoking as I wanted. But it is the basic rundown. I guess that's all I really need.

My heart may be heavy as I make this drive and start this life. But I'm not stuck anymore. I'm free...and I can't wait to see what lands on the pages of this new chapter.

Thanks Boise...for everything.

Hello...Goodbye

Um...hi there.

Let's not talk about the fact I haven't posted anything since January. It's been a rough time for me. But things are looking up.

Here's the brief synopsis: I leave Boise in a few days. I'm headed to Portland, Oregon for a reporting job at a station there. I'm stoked.

My last day at work was last week. Here's what they did for me.

I'll write more later. I promise. I'm not giving up on this blog. I just took a brief hiatus.

Adios for now.

Uncertainty...with a paycheck

There's still no certainty in my life. I still haven't found a new job I can be excited about. But...I'm still employed. I'm now working without a contract. I'm officially an at-will employee. I can leave whenever I want. They can get rid of me whenever they want. Overall, it's a good thing. But that means it's "go" time. I need to find a way out...before they kick me out.

That's all I have to say. For now, I'll leave you with some more pictures of me with snakes. The green one peed on me shortly after the photo was taken. Bastard.

I love Creature Feature Wednesdays.

2010

It's about 10:30 on New Year's Eve. I'm home alone. I'd be out with friends right now, but I'm sick. I don't feel terrible....just your average cold. But I hate being sick so much, that I try not not to do anything that will jeopardize a quick recovery. Partying it up on New Year's Eve might just do that. I'm only slightly disappointed about now being out right now. That kind of surprises me. I hate the feeling of being left out. I don't like missing out on things. Under normal circumstances, I'd be seriously annoyed that folks were having fun without me. I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it. But these aren't normal circumstances. This year has been anything but normal.

It's hard for me put into words what I'm feeling right now. I had such high hopes for 2010. It was my 30th year after all. That seems like the perfect milestone to "get it together" and emerge a brand new person.

Hasn't really happened.

When I actually look back, I realize nothing terrible has happened to me. In fact, I've had some really good times. I went to Arches National Park for my 30th birthday...along with some awesome friends. I saw one of my best friends get married on a beautiful summer night in north Idaho. I went skydiving for the second time and loved every second of it. I opened up to friends in a way I'd always wanted to...and realized there was never anything to be scared of. New people came into my life suddenly and unexpectedly...and quickly became confidants and best friends.

When all is said and done...it was on okay year. But I cannot help being down on myself professionally. I have been ready to move on for so long now and it's just not happening for me. I don't know what it is. But it's definitely a confidence killer.

The only thing I wonder about...

The only thing I still can't figure out....

Is whether I'm still in Boise for a reason.

I'm still trying to figure that one out. It's apparently too soon to tell.

Happy New Year everyone. I'm intrigued to see what 2011 brings all of us.

There are no words

Living daily life is hard enough. Living it while being completely overwhelmed...is something else entirely.

I'm sorry I haven't written in a month. I think about it every day. But I just can't bring myself to do it. There's too much going on inside my head. That happens to some people and they turn to writing. They write and write and it helps sort things out. I'm not like that. I need a clear head to write...and things are anything but clear at the moment.

I am...lost. I really am. The crazy thing is that I know where I want to go. I just can't find a why to get there.

I've got serious professional dilemmas. I've discussed them at length so there's no need to bring them up again. There's still no clear direction for me.

I've got personal dilemmas too. For the longest time, I felt like I was on the outside looking in when it came daily life. I was free from drama and heartache and was glad I didn't have to deal with what my friends were dealing with. I was also free from love and relationships and the general good feelings associated with deep human connectivity. But that was okay.

My how things change. I'm not on the outside anymore...and I'm having a hard time dealing.

Why does it all happen at once? Overwhelmed.

I did see this today and for some reason, it made me feel a little better. It doesn't even correlate directly to what's going on in my life right now...but it's somehow comforting. It's from an episode of Grey's Anatomy. Cheesy...yes. But it is simple, deep, profound, and it rings true. It's about change.

When we say things like, “people don’t change,” it drives scientists crazy. Because change is literally the only constant in all of science. Energy, matter, it’s always changing. Morphing, merging, growing, dying. It’s the way people try not to change, that’s unnatural. The way we cling to what things were, instead of letting them be what they are. The way we cling to old memories instead of forming new ones. The way we insist on believing, despite every scientific indication that anything in this lifetime is permanent. Change is constant. How we experience change, that’s up to us. It can feel like death, or it can feel like a second chance at life. If we open our fingers, loosen our grips, go with it. It can feel like pure adrenaline. Like at any moment, we can have another chance at life. Like at any moment, we can be born all over again.

Slytherin

Ahem. I'm gonna DORK OUT for a moment and say that if I lived in the world of Harry Potter, I might be put in the house of Slytherin. Here's why.

Every Wednesday, "The Reptile Guy," Corbin Maxey, comes to our station to show off some of his animals. (They're not all reptiles...just most of them). This past week, he brought some snakes. He had two small ball pythons. Apparently, they are very docile and the make great pets. I have to admit. I even think they're kinda cute. I'm just not afraid of snakes like I am spiders. I don't know why. If I didn't have to go through the effort of taking care of one and feed it small rodents...I might even consider owning one. I even though it was adorable as the little sucker tried to strangle me.

The ball pythons were just the appetizer. The real guest was Rocky. Take a look.

That's Corbin holding Rocky on the end. He's a rock python. I wasn't too sure about him. Mainly because he was big and Corbin kept say they have nasty reputations, nasty attitudes, dozens of sharp teeth, and they can eat a human. Oh. That's nice. Rocky was pretty subdued though. He slithered toward Kyle and I a few times but did not try to kill us.

Can't wait to see what Corbin brings this week.

Pretty, pretty, pretty

I live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth...and I'm not just talking about Boise. Although Boise is beautiful in its own right, I'm talking about what's right outside my door. I live along the Boise River, underneath a plethora of foliage. Right now, at this moment, it is gorgeous. I don't need the amazing Autumn colors you'll find back east. I don't need to take a drive to Colorado to see the Aspen leaves change color. I can walk outside, stand on the Greenbelt, and look up in awe. I'm certainly no nature photographer. I'm sure a professional could take much better pictures. But here's what it looks like outside my door. I think it's pretty.

Fall is beautiful here.

The Story of Flagneck

I like being genuinely surprised. Especially when it's the kind of surprise that comes out of nowhere and makes you grin from ear to ear. That's what happened late last week when I walked into my room to get a pair of shoes from my closet. I looked up and saw this:

That thing has a name. It's Flagneck. Here's a closer look.

When I first spotted him, I stood there stunned with my mouth agape. Then the smile slowly spread across my face. Flagneck had finally come to Boise. This was a good, good day.

Flagneck's story begins in the summer of 2003. People first noticed him as he sat on the shelves of the Many Glacier Hotel gift shop. It wasn't long before he was deemed the "ugliest piece of merchandise" in the entire store...by the employees of course. I couldn't have agreed more. I'm all for being patriotic. But this is the kind of thing an overweight, midwestern housewife with far-right leanings and a gun rack would choose to put in her home. Hideous. Ridiculous. Tacky. Ugly. But also loveable. Flagneck became so iconically repulsive...that everyone loved him. I didn't work in the gift shop so I'm not sure if anyone ever bought Flagneck. I believe there was one confirmed purchase. But I think we had two in stock, so we never lost sight of the little guy. I don't remember much about Flagneck in 2004. I think he was there. But I'm not really sure. His iconic status, however, returned in 2005...when a new breed of gift shop employees found a way to celebrate his tackiness. T-shirts of course. Take a look.

Linda, Bev, and Stephanie. Don't they look gorgeous in their Flagneck garb?

That was my last summer in Glacier. I lost track of Flagneck then. My understanding is that he lived on. I don't know exactly where he's been over the past 5 years. I just know that he's resided in different parts of the country with different mutual friends...passed around like a trophy....a piece of memorabilia to induce warm, fuzzy memories of our collective time in Glacier. He's been in Portland for at least the past year...living with Jason and Shelly (Shellson).

How did he end up in Boise? Ron and Jessie (Sipner) were in Portland last week to pick up a car and visit Shellson. On their way back to Colorado they stopped for a brief respite in Boise. They were only here one night. But in that night, they managed to slip me the remarkable gift of Flagneck.

So, for now, Flagneck has come to roost in the City of Trees. I don't know how long he'll be here. He might follow me to wherever I end up next. Or I may hand him off to another unsuspecting Glacier veteran when they least suspect it. I'm just happy to see him again.

Needing more

Boise has been good for me. I've learned a lot and I've grown as a news anchor. I'm comfortable on the desk. I know how to do weather. I'm good (at least I think I am) when it comes to ad-libbing. I can go from serious topics to fun ones and then back again. I'm pretty versatile and I like that. But it's hard to find a job that gives you EVERYTHING. For me, that's reporting...especially live reporting. As a morning anchor, it's hard to come by. Being in the field is rare for me. Covering a live, breaking news situation proves even more elusive. I have zero doubts that I can do it...and do it well. But this business is about proving it. I have to prove to prospective employers that I can do it. That's the tough part. I'm applying for several reporting jobs. This is what I have to show people. I think it's strong...but it's missing key elements. I'm just hoping it's enough.

Creature Feature

My face says it all. I'm not a fan of having a tarantula put into my hands. But I didn't freak out. Although spiders sometimes scare the crap out of me, I'm oddly more at ease with a big arachnid than a smaller one. Smaller ones seem to move too fast. They can hide in your shoes, behind the bed, somewhere where you least expect them. I feel like I would notice a tarantula. Still...you can't tell that my hand was shaking when these photos were taken.

Charlotte, as she's called, was brought on by Corbin Maxey. Corbin is known as "The Reptile Guy." He's a Boise native. He's made the rounds at the other stations in town. He's also made several national TV appearances. It was the first time we had him on our station. Good times.

Natalee was not a fan of the snake. I'm less afraid of snakes than spiders but I was still a little wary.

Chompers was my favorite. Very cute.

It's days like this when I really like my job.

Rip City

Sudden, strong, intense infatuations are dangerous. They can mess you up inside. They can lead you to believe that if you don't get what you want...nothing will ever be right with the world. Or more specifically...nothing will ever be right with YOUR world. No amount of rational thought, from your own mind or the mind of another, can make you see otherwise. If you're lucky, you get what you want. (Whether what you get is really what you ever wanted...well that's a different story entirely). If you're not lucky enough to get what you want, hopefully the infatuation passes quickly and you can move on with your life. I've dealt with this situation before. (Very recently actually). I think we all have. But now I have a new problem. A new obsession. Portland, Oregon is calling my name...and I can't hear anything else.

I've always liked Portland. I've always thought it would be cool to live there. It's always been near the top of the list of places I want to live. But all of a sudden, I'm freaking out about it. I don't want to go anywhere BUT Portland. There are a number of reasons why. But none of them can be considered big enough for me to have such narrow vision. As stupid as it sounds. As corny as sounds. As irrational as it sounds. I really think it's speaking to me.

Scary stuff. Forget the fact that job hunting in the news biz is hard ANYWHERE in the country. It's worse when you focus on just one place.

Maybe my sudden crush on Portland will pass. I don't know. For now, I'm hoping our relationship is meant to be...and the obsession is just a precursor to reality. I'll let you know.

p.s. Rip City is apparently a lesser-known nickname for Portland. I liked it better than the City of Roses.

New year, new....something

Well. So much for this blogging "everyday" idea. I guess I shouldn't make promises. At the very least, I'm blogging on a "more frequent" basis. That counts for something, right?

In other news...check out this job posting on TVJobs.com. (I censor it for search purposes. Anyone could find out where I work if they wanted to. But I'd rather not have them find this blog by searching for my station).

Morning Anchor/Producer

****-TV

Nampa, ID

Yep. That's my job. It's now being advertised for all the world to see. I've officially told my bosses that I won't be signing a new contract. I'll likely be staying through the end of the year and then...well who knows? There is no plan at this point. I admit that I'm scared. Leaving my job is bittersweet. While I complain about recent changes, the truth is I've been allowed to professionally grow and develop in ways I didn't imagine.

I've compared my current situation to the idea of walking away from a relationship that's run it's course. You've had a great time. You have great love and respect and admiration for the other person. You're comfortable with them. But deep down, you know it's just...not...right...anymore. You're afraid to walk away because you know it's going to be hard. You have NO idea what's going to happen or what you're going to do. Still, you know it's time to go. That's how I feel. It IS time to go. I know that. I just wish I had some sort of a plan right now. I wish a great job prospect would smack me in the face. I wish I didn't have to worry about paying my bills. I'm wishing for a lot of things. But, at the very least, I have a sense of relief. Relief doesn't have to feel happy and joyful. It can be tinged with a sense of melancholy and resignation. That's where I am right now. I'm relieved I've taken a big step. Where I actually end up going...is anyone's guess.

Waiting for the end

I'm a little obsessed with this song at the moment. I listen to it and I get lost in the lyrics. It seems to be about the end of a relationship. My personal interpretation is a bit different...but for me, it's more about my relationship with where I am in life right now. The lyrics say it all.

Yesterday? Last night?

I've been working the graveyard shift for nearly 3 full weeks now. In two words...it sucks.

I didn't know what to expect. I've worked overnights before but never on a semi-permanent basis. In the times I did do it, I just powered through (occasionally napping when I shouldn't have) and got back to my regular schedule when I could. I can't do that anymore. I'm stuck on this schedule for at least the next two months...possibly three. I've seen what it does to people. From observation I thought my biggest problem was going to be lack of sleep. That's actually not the case. I guess I've learned to do without sleep over the past two and half years. Working early mornings will do that. The biggest problem for me is the blending of days and nights.

Terms like "yesterday" and "last night" don't mean the same thing anymore. I don't even know what "yesterday" means. Yeah, I worked last night...and by "last night" I mean early in the morning. It's all too confusing. It's effing me up psychologically. Morning is supposed to be the start of a new day. Not for me. I'm heading home to go to bed. Evening is supposed to be the time for winding down and getting ready for bed. Nope. I'm driving on a deserted freeway to work in an empty building with nothing but my thoughts to keep me company.

As far as actual work goes...it's okay. I expected worse. I'm continually hoping for better...and a good night's sleep...at night...when it's dark...and everyone else is sleeping.

Okay. I'm done.

That cabin in...East Glacier?

David Walburn is a singer/songwriter in Montana. Every summer he does nightly shows at the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park. One of his shows centers around an adventure he had in the 80's, when he and his buddies built a cabin in the Alaskan backcountry. In one of his songs, the lyric "that cabin in Alaska" is fairly prominent. I won't tell you the story about the cabin...although it's a good one. But I was lucky enough to make a pilgrimage there with some friends back in 2005. Take a look.

Fast forward to 2010. There's a new cabin from a different David. It's in East Glacier, Montana just outside Glacier National Park. Here's Dave with his pride and joy.

While I greatly respect Dave, and repeatedly name him as the one friend who would drive across country to bail me out of jail...he couldn't build this sucker all by himself. That's where another friend of ours comes in...Danny. He did most of the work on Dave's cabin...and he did a damn good job. Here's Danny working on his next project...his own cabin on the west side of Glacier.

I'm a month late in writing about these cabins and my recent trip to Glacier. But it was an awesome vacation. I was gone for 10 days. I'd like to say I did a lot of hiking and backpacking and camping. But that would be a lie. Instead I did a lot of napping, eating, drinking, and visiting with friends. But that's fine. I pretty much went there with one goal in mind...and I accomplished it. Looking back, I now realize this trip had a special purpose. While I would have liked to hike around a bit more, the trip was about frying bigger fish. If I really whittled it down, I could count my best friends in life on two hands. Seven of them were with me on this trip. Thanks guys.

It was also a significant trip for Ron & Jessie. I'd refer you to their blog but they haven't updated it in a loooooong time. (hint, hint). Conventional wisdom goes that Jessie didn't care much for Ron when they first met. That's the story we all tell. I don't know if it's really true. Either way, they eventually did grow on each other and Ron proposed in Glacier. Here they are on the shores of Lake Josephine.

Congrats guys. You deserve it.