Proud Brotha

I'm so proud of my sister. Kayleigh Sye is amazing on many different levels. I can't believe she's graduated college, and even a semester early! She's engaged and now has a three year old daughter. Basically, she's passed me up really quickly. The unfortunate thing is that she is back in Pomeroy for the duration of the summer. What a buzz killer. I'm praying that she doesn't get trapped there! I love her so much, and can't wait for the future.

Highschool Kayleigh.

Collegiate Kayleigh.

Little Kayleigh.

To infinity, and beyond...
















Kayleigh Sye, love you.

Back to Boise

I know that it has been an extremely long time since I've blogged. But I hope to get started doing it again. Since you last heard from me, I've wrapped up in Olympia, and moved my way back to Boise, Idaho. I know it doesn't make sense. I'm back in Idaho working on my Masters in Cultural Communication, and hope to be done sooner than later. But the plus is that I am back in Hyde Park-and really like my house. I love being so close to Camel's Back and to Harrison. It's the best play you could live in Boise.

I am still working for Abercrombie and Fitch, specifically in the Hollister here in Boise. It's been difficult because there's no way to move up in the company while I'm here, but I am just seein' how things pan out. My co-workers are interesting-to say the least.


I have just finished up semester number one at Boise State University, and have never experienced so much anxiety over school in my life. I am hoping that the Fall turns out quite differently. But we will see if that happens or not. Have learned lesson after lesson about grad school and how to survive in it.


Even though I know a ton of people in the area, I also know that being connected and staying connected has been a challenge. Keeping up those relationships take time and effort. I am happy to have rekindled some great friendships being back, and I'm settling into a great community of friends. I can't wait to see how things grow and develop.

Stay tuned for:
New friends coming back!
New work stories filled with ridiculous characters.
New reviews on the places that have opened up since I was here last.
Oh ya, and other new stuff.

Don't Pass the Chuck

Probably my favorite author of this time, could be attributed to none other than Chuck Klosterman. He's written so many books that challenge every aspect of my intellect. Strangely, I first got turned on to his literary genius through a little show known as, the O.C. Seth Cohen was reading, perhaps his most famous book, "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs". I can honestly say, that this book was the first book I have ever read that coaxed genuine laughter out of me. It's a rather strange oddity when you're sitting by yourself, reading, and can't stop laughing. Chuck's satire is unparalleled in my opinion. He has also written books including: "Fargo Rock City: A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North Dakota", "Killing Yourself to Live", "Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas", "Eating the Dinosaur", and the book I'm currently enjoying, "Downtown Owl".

Perhaps it's because I grew up in a town not too different from Owl, North Dakota, or it may be Klosterman's subtle wit and ability to transfix the reader, transporting them into his own world. This is his first published stab at writing a full, fiction novel. I'm not done with it yet, but am enjoying it immensly. I've been so busy re-reading books that have movies coming out this season (i.e. New Moon, the Road, Precious, etc.) Now back to Chuck.

Lately...

...I've been watching the following. Sometimes, I get home from work, and my motivation level is next to zero. So what happens...I read, eat, or watch television. Here are a few snippets of things that have entertained me.

Kathryn and Legacy from So You Think You Can Dance...not a season I've been watching much. But I did manage to catch this dance and loved it. It's supposed to be about a girl dealing with grief...it was beautiful.



The ridiculously hilarious new, primetime sitcom "Glee" cracks me up. The storylines are always a little vacant, but the performances are so funny. Here's a good mindless video to take you back.



Today on the Ellen Show...a really funny segment with a cute Chinese girl. Sarah, you will see a lot of these little kids soon.

Road Trip(s)

I have been terribly bad about blogging lately, but I have been super busy. My company transferred me to ghetto Tacoma to try and turn business around there. It has been an extremely hard transition because of my lack of desire to be commuting. I have taken trips to Pomeroy, the Tri-Cities, Portland, and LA. I needed the vacations, so I'm very happy to have gotten the chance. Unfortunately, right when I returned home, I had to report to my new location...Tacoma.

I am really hoping that Tacoma is a short stay for me. I really do like my management team. Kyla and Alex are great. It's also a lot of fun to be in a mall with multiple brands...feels more like a community. It's a much bigger volume area, so that also helps. Still, I am praying for temporary stationing.

My trip home to Pomeroy was rather hilarious. I did get a chance to see a lot of friends from high school that I haven't seen for years!
Nikki Utke, Melissa and Jon Borley, Colin, Justin, Nick and Craig, Courtney, Corrie and Crystal, Clint and Jess, Brandon and Megan...and their cute daughter Olivia. Visiting my hometown is always a comical experience for me simply because I have changed so much, and it has not. Everyone still lives exactly where they always have. The majority of people still use dial-up internet. My visit was announced weeks before I got there, so my arrival was expected. I got a chance to go back to my high school and see some of my favorite teachers...and some of my least favorites. Haha. It was a surreal experience to sit in the teachers' lounge listening to them all talk about how great my graduating class was. I swear they have thought more about it than any of us have.

After Pomeroy, I got a chance to go to the Tri-Cities and see my grandparent's house. It was so much fun to spend time with them! We went and saw an amazing movie, "the Soloist". What an amazing story! My uncle Jeff has actually had the chance to interact with Steve Lopez from the LA Times. After the movie, grandad, grandma, and I went home and had a couple mini sandwiches. I don't know if I can really describe it, but the sandwiches somehow took on an overwhelming nostalgic attribute. I'm pretty sure it is the rolls and the sweet cucumber pickles.

Quickly after that, I went to spend a couple days in Portland. I got to see my friends Dane, Charles, Spicer, Katie, Becky, and my mom. After a dance party, a new introduction to a coffee shop off MLK, and the Deschutes' Brewery Restaurant...my trip was rounded out. Spending that time with my mom was so refreshing! I had an amazing time, and long for the days when those sorts of visits can be more frequent.

I had a quick few days of work back in Olympia, then off to LA I went. The first day I got to LA, my aunt Wendy picked me up from the airport. We went to this great little place simply named "Home". It was a great restaurant with an array of delightful dishes. We also got to go pick up my cousins Caleb and Maggie at their school on Mt. Los Angeles. Caleb had no idea that I was coming to visit, so his face was priceless! Later that night I hooked up with Brian Gould and hung out at his place in Pasadena. I kid you not...the dinner Mike made for us...I would've paid good money for! Brian is lucky to have Mike. Marc later met up with us and we explored the wonderful Pasadena strip. I wouldn't mind living there at all. Marc and I spent the next few days around Hollywood. We hiked to the Observatory, went to the art museum, the Getty, checked out the greatest music store this side of the Mississippi, and got to experience Glendale, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and many other places.


Here's Marc at the Observatory.


After walking the Promenade out at Santa Monica, we took a night view of the pier.


Marc's Bailey's pancakes at the Griddle.


Glendale...right after watching Star Trek and eating out...but we passed a really hilarious taco shack, if only we would've known.


Marc and I spotted David Hasselhoff on our way to get music and coffee. He was shopping in Urban Outfitters of all places.


Brian, Marc, and I spotted this on Venice Beach...right by Muscle Beach ironically enough.


One of my favorite things about LA and its surrounding areas is that there is literally art everywhere you look. This is right by a bus stop in WeHo.


Had to get me some new glasses for the LA look.


Visiting Andrew at Red Bull in Santa Monica was such a turning point for me. That structure above their heads is a huge skate ramp. Behind them is a huge gaming room and to the left of them is a mini-theatre...what you don't see is people riding from office to office on their bright orange cruisers and pit-stopping at one of the many freezers full of Red Bull (which doesn't really have cocaine in it). Thanks for the Red Bull Cola, Gomez.

So, there are way too many stories to tell you about my time in California, but there were a few pictures from my time there. If you want to hear some crazy stories, hit me up, and we'll chat.

My Day Off

Yesterday, I got to have an actual day off from work! It was so great! First off, I went to the gym, then to a meeting for work, then to brunch. Then Megan and I went to find luggage for her. Right after that, I ran into a new friend, Cameron, and hung with him at the park. Then I went back to the apartment to pick up Tyler, and was rather proud of myself for accomplishing so much before noon. Anyway, once Tyler got up and showered, we left for Alki.

Once we made it to Alki, we parked and mosied along the boardwalk. The beach was so glorious! The weather has definitely been good to Western Washington lately. People playing volleyball, laying out, and sailing. All things done on a normal Tuesday afternoon.

Later in the day, things got a lot busier. But for the time being, we shared the beach with only a select few. We decided to eat at this little hut. And to my surprise, the food was amazing!


On our way back to the beach, we spotted a tattoo shop. Tyler had to get one. So...Twise got his first tattoo. What do you think?


Directly after that process, we met Tal for a little dinner at Black Bottle in Belltowne. What a fantastic day it was.

My Week in the Ghetto

For those of you that don't know...Tacoma, Washington is the ghetto of the Puget Sound. It is crazy ghetto. Now, I understand that many people have taken this term "ghetto" and applied it to various meanings. When I use the term, I mean it plain and simple...the projects. Granted, these are nothing like South Central folks, but there is shadiness around every corner. I have been working at our company's stores in the Tacoma Mall for just over a week. In general, people steal from all retail stores more than they should. But in Tacoma...it happens more than not. Crazy, I know. After a week there, I was ready to return to my spoiled kids' store in Olympia. Good experience, and fun to be in a high volume store...but it was kind of like a toddler, testing his/her parents to see how much they can get away with. That is the comparison of not only the shoppers, but the workers as well. Back in Oly, we have recovered from holiday, and are ready to start perfecting the store again.

I can't believe that I've been back in Washington for almost six months now. It really is true mom and dad, time does fly by faster as you get older. Not a lot of anything has changed. I'm working. Sleeping. And occasionally eating. I wouldn't say that this is a bad season of my life, but I will be forth-coming and let you know its definitely a desert season for me. It feels like I'm just kinda wandering. Searching. And obviously in doing so, there's a lot of realization and growth that takes place. Marc and I were just talking the other night about our past life in Ada County. It would be naive to think that we would always live across the street from our friends, and have great jobs, and live in a desired community for the rest of our lives. Man, we basically just had it too good...right out of college. My dad told me that I would regret moving into a brand new home with brand new furniture right out of college because it'd probably go down hill from there. I took that to be very negative thinking at the time...but he has proven to be right. My great job...gone. My great house(s)...gone. My possessions...everywhere. And now, I'm living in Olympia, in a small, trashy apartment with not one picture hung on the wall. I have returned to college. I believe for better days. I hope that direction comes soon. Its so crazy how security is blinding. And now...we'll see where I end up. In spite of everything...I really do have this sense of temporary status. God will move me. I think that I get through each day becase I know that this situation is temporary. I don't mean that to sound as though each day is so tough, and hard to even survive. But I can't remember the last time I had a blissful, annointed day. That's a little daunting. Perhaps one is right around the corner.

"T" Stands for Blog

In case you haven't heard, my roommate now has a blog. You should probably check it out sometime.

http://anightschange.blogspot.com/

Boomboxes and Bananas!

My lovely sister came to town for New Years. After getting off work, we headed downtown with co-worker Megan and joined a few thousand other Seattle-lites at the Space Needle. There we froze, listened to a few cover bands, and watched an awesome fireworks show off the Needle. It was great. The guys running around with boomboxes strapped to their backs tackling each other in banana suits were definitely a highlight of the night.

As far as resolutions go...I don't know that I really have any. Here are a few things I'd like to attempt to correct, but I'm guessing I won't have much success.

-change my "house smell" (evidentally I smell like Melissa's friend(s))
-get accustomed to Rebecca Stevenson (let's be honest...I miss Steve Dorval)
-not make fun of people with transition lens (even highschool Urkel look-a-likes)
-and drink my beverage before the cup sweats too much and leaves a ring on the coffee table

I'll keep you posted.

Snow, Syrah, and Saddle Creek

While others decked the halls and climbed their Rose Suchak Ladders...I sat at home with T-wise on Christmas. Working in retail is a tough profession for various reasons. One of the biggest reasons is because of the phenonmenon known as the "Holiday Rush". Now, while most people are listening to Christmas music and hanging Christmas lights on their houses, we in retail are pushed to our last nerves. Between angry customers, crazy kids let loose in the mall, and working all hours, everyday...is there any reason why we wouldn't be in festive moods? Basically, on Christmas, all I wanted to do was sit back, eat, and relax. It ended up being so snowy, there was almost no way to get out of the house anyway. Granted, T-wise and I did go and see a movie, "Bedtime Stories" (kind of a cute family movie). After all of the lovey-dovey, happy endings from the movie...we rushed home and I had to put on a Saddle Creek vinyl. Listening to the humdrum of mandolins and piano put me right back into the right mood. All in all, my Christmas was anything but festive...and yet, everything I needed. At least as far as I can tell, all I needed was rest. But family and festivities definitely lacked, and if I dwell on their absence too long...I might sink into a melancholical haze.

"You're afraid of the dark, too, Marv."

Well, if you've been keeping up on my infrequent postings on this blog, you'll know that I have posted a few different times regarding my co-workers. Considering work truly is my life, it's really pretty much all that I have to talk about. But don't worry, I still have an arsenal of random ponderings that will soon surface on this blog again. But for today, I wanted to introduce to you one of our new managers at 589. Her name is Melissa. Now, I decided to start calling her "Mel" thinking that it would be funny (I don't know why), but it wasn't. She didn't even respond to the predictable nickname. Anyway, she is such a breath of fresh air at the 589. Our previous manager had many interpersonal issues, some of which I'd be happy to discuss with you over the phone. Then Melissa stepped in...instant fun.

Melissa hails from Port Orchard. Quite frankly, I don't know one thing about this place except that they had a delayed start of two hours in their school district this morning on the account of snow. Other than that, I know nothing about the joint. I envision it to be a lot like Port Angeles...but I think that's only because they are both port towns. Melissa graduated from WSU with a psychology degree early because she's a brain-iack, or because she got a lot of "extra credit" time with her professors. Who knows really. She brings the most random comments to work, and yet I love them all. Tyler frequently finds himself confused at why we're laughing. Over brunch the other day, we laughed and reminisced about various made-for-Disney-channel movies we'd both watched as youngsters. We also both love the movies Home Alone and Swiss Family Robinson. Oh Roberta. Oh Fritz. Melissa claims to not see movies that everyone else has, but random old movies she knows by heart (All of the Brat Pack movies are included). The other day, we were doing orientation for a group of newbs, and NSync Christmas came on over the sound system, we started singing and laughing at work...then she busted out the Kevin McCallister. Do you remember the scene in Home Alone when he's trying to fool the burglars into thinking that there's a party going on at his house so he's got string attached to his foot and two hands and he's waving them around to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"? Well, that's the Kevin McCallister. Try it out...its a great move. Our newbs proceeded to let us know how weird they thought we were. Haha. But we're their bosses, so they can deal. Mel is nortorious for saying things that I haven't heard since I was a youngster in Pomeroy too (i.e. hot bombalottie, ahnah-hellnah, etc.). Cracks me up. I wish you could all know her. You'd probably pee your pants, at least a little if you knew her.

The Dark Reunion of Archibald and Humphrey

Well, as some of you may know, my old college roommate and I, Tyler Weisen have once again moved in together. I know...big surprise. Tyler and I have known each other since we were just little tykes. I remember at Family Camp at Pinelow, my family would rent out Lanman A and Lanman B. And the Weisens, along with the Herrings and Sterks would rent out Koinanea right next door. We were never really friends at that time, but we definitely knew that the kids next door were pretty cool with all of their fancy nerf guns and water pistols. Tyler and I didn't really become friends until junior high at junior high camp...back when we made out with the Grandview girls (and yes Geebs, this includes you from Prosser too). Despite our early friendship, T-wise and I did not see eye-to-eye in college. But all roads lead back to this untimely duo.


We are now living together in Olympia at this sweet little, shady, scary, apartment complex known as Holiday House. In case you're wondering, we live behind a McDonald's and across the street from Motel 6...classy I know. Anyway, we are getting a long so well. It's really quite entertaining. We had better be careful...this reunion could prove to be detrimental to all that is good...aka Global Warming, the hunt for Sasquatch in Western Washington (Kyle you're right, he/she does exist), and the gross ticket sales from the new Fast and Furious movie. Basically, life with T-wise is udderly unpredictable...and that's why I love it.

Galaxies and Burbs

I was sitting outside on my back porch, and realized, that here, in the Burbs of Olympia stars and galaxies can be easily viewed. I was listening to my obsession, Conor Oberst's newest album. The fourth song on the cd, "Lenders in the Temple" seems to be the best description of where and what I feel right now. If you need an update on my life, here it is.

A short delay, the pair of blues
Little voices mimic you
It's not so hard to make that sound
So watch your back, the Ides of March
Cut your hair like Joan of Arc
Disguise your will, they'll find you out
And when they do
Look out

There's money lenders inside the temple
That circus tiger's gonna break your heart
Something so wild turned into paper
If I loved you, well that's my fault

A bitch in heat, the alpha male
Not something she'd ever tell
Except when she got deathly high
And out it came like summer rain
It washed the cars and everything
Felt clean for just a little while
A telephone
We drunk dialed

Those starving children, they ain't got no mother
There's pink flamingos living in the mall
I'd give a fortune to your infomercial
If somebody would just take my call
Take my call, Take my call

Hello
Patterns in my mind now moving slow
Sorrow all across the surface roads
Smoothing out the edges of the stone
The lights are out, where'd everybody go
Alone

Erase yourself and you'll be free
Mandela destroyed by the sea
All we are is colored sand
So pay to ride the ferris wheel
Smile, all that you can feel
Is gratitude for what has been
'Cause it did not
Happen

There's money lenders inside the temple
That circus tiger's gonna break my heart
Something so wild turned into paper
If you love me, then that's your fault

There's money lenders inside the temple
This crystal city's gonna fall apart
When all their power turns into vapor
If I miss you, well that's my fault

Smile! You're on Candid Camera...

Thought that I should post a few pictures from work...enjoy.



The only perk about closing some nights...is pranking the morning manager. Have fun Megz.



Lindsay and I representin'...



Alyssa, our crazy stockroom girl...sneaking up on Megan.

These are just a few of many pictures from work. Basically, things get out of control here. Hopefully, we'll survive the Christmas Season!

We Work Hard for the Money

This is a legitimate video that we use for training. You might wonder what I'm doing these days...well, here's a little glimpse.

Car Twins...Sike!

Here I am...in the lovely Evergreen State. My days consist of work and coffee, then coffee and work. You might wonder why my posts have been so infrequent, but that is because I have had little to no internet access at my current house. But guess where I am now...another coffee shop. Go figure. Mudbay Coffee. It brings me back to Flying M. I love it so much.

Anyway, ever since I traveled back to the City of "Trees" for the D-Baby/Squaw wedding, I have been seeing car twins everywhere I go. Its been a constant letdown. For instance, I thought that I saw Derek's car the other day, and Austin's car today...everytime, a letdown. But if I emphatically ponder the possibilities of this happening...I realize that this isn't probably going to ever happen. A friend from hours away all of a sudden shows up just to do a drive-by wave. Nonetheless, it would be nice. However, I surprisingly haven't been lonely over here, just busy.

Today, Megan and I have been blogging and facebooking (cool, I know) at Mudbay. Then we're probably going to go and see "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist". I'll let you know how it is. Anyway, it has gotten me longing for the Flicks. I'm pretty sure that a place like the Flicks would rack in the dough here in Oly. Also, we went out for dim sum and Nordstrom's last night...and she has never been to a Nordstrom's. Megan didn't even know what it was. She also doesn't know what Burberry is. North Dakota (Norda) has sheltered her for too long! Haha. In other news, my boy Adrian got back from his mission, engaged, and is living right by me! Its so good to have him home.

Hopefully, I'll get to see some people from home...yes I'm still calling Boise home...as soon as possible. If it wasn't for my car breaking down once again, I would've been able to see Char and Kern this weekend. But it turns out it is a no-go. Perhaps one day, I'll drive by you on the 101, and think, man that looks like Shane and Kiki's Murano, and it'll actually be you. Here's to hoping.