For Kirsten
So I've been lax and my reason for not posting is completely unwarranted. I have not been busy making art as I have not worked on anything in close to a week. Sad but true. I've been around a computer mostly this whole time but I've been doing other things. Experiencing life if you will. The facts...

Last Thursday morning Joey and Pam made a visit to the fair city and that was a blast in a half, save having to work both Thursday and Friday. I went and picked them up from the airport not before I scooped Seth up (The Avett Brothers were playing that night at the Crystal Ballroom) from Burnside to surprise the two of them. I surprised them and we had a great drive from the airport to my place where I showed the three of them my habitat and surroundings on a brief walk up Hawthorne. I then had to get back to work for a couple hours. I got off and came home and changed and went and scooped the two of them back up and headed to MK Gallery for Amy Steele's thesis show on the PSU campus. Amy is attaining her masters degree and her thesis revolved around meeting dogs at the dog park and documenting their behavior and interaction with their owners and other dogs. An interesting show no doubt. We then traveled North to Burnside and to meet up with Levi and Alyson for dinner at Ringlers Pub. We had some interesting conversation and it was good to introduce the two of them to each other as we grew beards together for 4 months and it's only right. After dinner we went upstairs and partook in The Avett Brother's concert...definitely one of the best. The crowd was into it as was the boys and it felt like we were all on the same page, a huge celebration where no one stepped on anyone else's toes. It was great...and I met Jerry Glanville.

Friday after going to work for a full day basically I rushed home and got Joey and Pam and we traveled the boring non-scenic route up to Seattle. Blah. So boring but being with Joey and Pam made it better for sure. We toughed the 5 O'clock traffic and even indulged in a delicious truckstop dinner at Gee Cee's (I had the liver and onions) eventually arriving in Seattle at Neumo's at around 10:15 or so. Rachel and Lori joined us for a while but left because they were tired from exploring all day. The show was great albeit a little bunched in to Neumo's. We hung out with the guys for a little bit and then went and checked into our rooms and slept.

Saturday morning was an interesting one as we sat in the lobby and traded conversation with Scott, Seth, Joe, Jessica and whoever else came to our table for nearly 3 hours. What a way to spend a morning in Seattle at the Renton Hilton Garden Inn...I wouldn't have it any other way. Joey, Pam, Seth and I hopped in the car around 2 to grab some lunch. We went to the nice family restaurant called Claim Jumper. We had great service, great conversation and my meat loaf was delicious. We all four went to UNCC together so it's always good to get together and catch up. True friends never skip a beat. We headed back to the hotel where i switched off car passengers. Scott, David and Jessica Lea Mayfield joined me for a venture to Ballard. What a great little area. I'm hesitant to say hip but it was definitely favoring that vibe. I have no problem with that though. The shops were fresh and the people were "unique". I feel comfortable in that environment and I have to say that some of the other portions of Seattle that I've visited don't rub me right. I digress. We walked around and drove around Ballard for a few hours. I bumped into Tiny Vipers (Jesy Fortino) and bothered her for a photograph. I have no shame. We left that area and traveled back to Capital Hill to drop the guys off for sound check. I went and met back up with Joey and Pam at Moe Bar. Fellow beard contestant Will Hays and his roommate Lauren met up with us for a drink and then a walk to a really delicious Thai Restaurant. That was a treat. Then we headed back to the venue and enjoyed the Avetts yet again.

Sunday morning I woke up and spent some more lobby time with friends and then drove to Green Lake for dinner with Will, Rachel and Lauren at a place called Julia's that was absolutely delicious. After some more conversation and laughs I drove back to Portland not before I stopped at the Value Village for some Tacoma thrifting and the Michael's for some supplies.

So all in all it was an incredible weekend with friends and music. I left out a few things for time's sake. It's 5:34 AM and I think I'm gonna take Nolte for a walk and then do some painting before work. I'll also be uploading pictures to my flickr from the weekend today at work so look out for those. Hope everyone else is well.

jeremy