weekend adventures 59

Sorry for the silence Monday & Tues, I was still in Portland with mi familia having a jam packed weekend. And, Oh. My. God. Let me tell you, this weekend was insane. So much running around I don't even know how I stayed awake for it all... Details from both concerts will be in their own posts, as well as the bulk of Meagan's Graduation pictures, if you are wondering. I have a ton of pictures...

saturday
Me and Pat drove up to Portland in the late afternoon to spend the weekend with my familia. We went with all the kids to pick up my Grandparents from the airport. These were my Dad's parents who I had not seen since I was 18 or 19. Right when my Grandma saw me she gave me a big hug and said "Jennifer, it has been too damn long." Next we headed downtown to Irving Street Kitchen for some fried chicken and delicious dinner family style. The food was great, as always, and it was awesome to be catching up with my Grandparents, plus, Leah was in town, so all around good things. After dinner me, Pat, and Leah went to the Rogue Public House right up the street so that he could get the Rose Festival Ale for his collection, and then ended the night at North 45 for a drink before bedtime.

[[ irving street kitchen. thank you letter. pat & sleepy j. bottles. ]]

sunday
This whole day was complete and utter chaos... We spent all morning/afternoon prepping food for Meagan's Grad Party which was in the evening. So. Much. Food. When we were finally finished there was an overwhelming amount of friends, family, and children in our not so gigantic house. Though it was nice visiting with everyone, I was kind of relieved when it was time for me and Pat to head out to the Thrice show downtown.

[[ meagan's grad party and awards. ]]

I am not going to go in to the details of either concert until I can give each their own post, but I will put in a little visual preview in the meantime. I took a ton of pictures both nights. I will say that Thrice night consisted of not only their main concert set, but also a secret little show in a random parking lot. More details to come when I get a chance.

After the show, and secret show, me, Pat, Megan, and Tony headed to Montage (our favorite) for some super late dinner and a night cap. We closed the place down bellies full of macaroni and some sweet 90's Mariah Carey jams which were playing at the restaurant. Me and Megan may or may not have been singing to each other... and whoever else happened to be listening. I love that place. I got the best leftover wrap job this time too... its a squirrel!

[[ the roseland. me/megan. bathroom stall artwork. thrice teaser. montage leftovers. ]]

monday (busiest day of all time)
After getting home super late and sleeping on my parents living room floor (for lack of beds/couches) I was a little tired in the morning and hesitant to get up right away. However I had made an appointment for me and my sisters to get mani/pedis at 10, so alas, up I went. My family decided to go to Helvetia Tavern for lunch, which is right up the street from my dads place and has really yummy burgers. I had a their home made garden burger, and it was delicious. Then it was back home where we all got ready before sitting in traffic for an hour along Germantown road. Finally we arrived at UofP for Meagan's graduation. We were early this time so that there was time to take pictures, which we did, a lot. We were definitely one of the loudest groups in attendance as well, it was awkwsome (awkward+awesome). We cheered like idiots when Meagan walked out to take her seat, when they recognized seniors who won state competitions this year, and when she walked on stage to get her diploma, I think people got the point. We love our little and are very proud of her. (Did I already brag about her winning the Marques Nettles Memorial Scholorship as well? I was definitely not that much of a bad ass in high school).

[[ lunch at helvetia tavern. ]]

[[ graduation teaser. ]]

((( more images from graduation to follow tomorrow )))

Unfortunately right after Meagan was done me and Pat had to take off early and haul ass to make it to The Used show downtown at The Roseland. Same venue, two nights, two bands. We made it in amazingly good time through a series of green lights and some moderate speeding... Again, I will save the details of this show for its own post when I get the chance.

[[ the used teaser. ]]

After the show was over (amazing by the way), and I was all nice and gross/tired from being down on the floor, I had to run to the car and head for Grad Night, which I had volunteered to work at for the second time. Although the venue this year was in Vancouver Washington (right above Portland), I somehow managed to navigate my way there successfully and quickly. Thanks iPhone. I was singing directions the whole way so I wouldn't forget... haha, maybe this is my new tactic. "Exit 8, exit 28..." True story.

I was really worried about being late, but as it turns out I got there right after the rest of my siblings who were also helping out. After quickly changing my clothes, for the fourth time mind you, we set up the equipment and started doing airbrush tattoos. There were a ton of kids, including this one guy who came back to my station at least a dozen times. I was seriously glad to have help this year. Four hours later, we were wrapping it up (around 4am). I definitely was not as exhausted last year as I was this time, though of course last year I did not have a concert in between. I was sooo happy when we were finally done, but it was fun to be able to see my little and some of her friends having fun throughout the night.

This time when we left I made sure to have a passenger to keep me company/awake during the drive home. This proved fairly successful because unlike last year I did manage to park against the curb/sidewalk, not completely on top of it in my mostly asleep state. I was not only thankful to be home, but also that I could sleep in Meagan's room this time on a bed since there were less guests at the house. I don't even know what time we got to bed, sometime around 5am. In fact, the newspaper man handed us our newspaper as we were walking inside from our cars because he was already out delivering them.


tuesday
After sleeping in as long as I possibly could I went out with my dad and little sister for a while. I don't even know how I spent my whole day in Portland, I was so tired and delirious. Eventually I brought myself to set out on the long drive home, so I said my goodbyes to everyone and headed out. It felt glorious to sleep in my own actual bed.


Told you last weekend was a lot of business. Phew. Normally I would have split this in to two, but it is a short week for me and I already have too much stuff I am putting off as it is!

thrice / the used

((( First of all, this weekend is going to be INSANE. Prepare for some lengthy adventures to take over my posting next week, although note that I will be MIA Monday, and possibly Tuesday for little sisters graduation. )))

When I was 18, there were few things I enjoyed more than some Thrice or The Used blasting through my headphones and a sketchbook in my hand. (Circa "The Artist in The Ambulance" and "In Love and Death"). In fact, on me and Pat's very first date we listened to The Used's first two albums and sang along at the top of our lungs to "Sound Effects and Over Dramatics", so these two bands definitely bring back some memories.

Though I have had the pleasure of seeing Thrice three times now, and successfully obtained their autographs at Warped Tour back in 2004 (oh yea), I have never had the chance to see The Used live. Until now...

They literally have not come through Portland since I was a Junior in high school, in fact, the closest they came (and the concert I am still mad at myself for not making the trip for) was Seattle for the Taste of Chaos Tour in 2005 when I was a Freshman at SOU. So when I saw a concert announcement for a show in Portland this Spring I jumped on it as a tribute to my 18 year old self. I am however seriously keeping my fingers crossed that they play a few things off of their first 2 or 3 albums, because past that I really stopped listening to their stuff regularly, not their best in my opinion. Bring on the "old" stuff!

Alright, now on to Thrice. Several months back Thrice announced that they were going to be doing one final tour throughout the U.S. and wanted their fans to vote on the set. They created an online poll through their website with a list of every single song they have ever made, so I of course voted... on a lot of songs, because lets face it, it was hard to narrow them down too much, there are so many good ones throughout their older albums. When the tickets came on sale I literally stayed up until midnight and bought four of them for me, Pat, Megan, and Tony so that we were sure to have them. Despite seeing them several times already, there was no way I was going to miss this.

So, this weekend along with everything else that is going on (and there is a lot), I will be going to two back to back concerts! Thrice on Sunday night, and The Used on Monday!!! Mix that in with a high school graduation and working my little sisters grad night and I have nostalgia to the max! Needless to say I am PUMPED!!!

Now, for a little playlist action if you please. Here is a sampling of a few of my favorite songs from each band. 

omg my baby sister is graduating ??!!??

When I was eight my little sister, and first sibling, was born. A lot has changed since then with my family dynamic, considering that I am now somewhere in the middle, and literally a "red headed step child". As much as I love my big crazy confusing family and all of my sisters, Meagan is still my only true sibling and I love her dearly.

Since she is my baby sister I can hardly even fathom that she is graduating high school this weekend! The same high school (mind you) that I graduated from eight years ago and remember fondly. It is hard for me to even believe that it has been that long for me. Half of my "best friends" I don't even keep in touch with anymore, but for a while there they were the most important thing in my life.

Of course what really weirds me out about the situation is that both Meagan and Jenna are going to college in California next year to join a Tumbling and Gymnastics Team. Though Jenna has been in college for a year (still weird), I can't believe it is Meagan's time as well. I mean, it was after all towards the end of Freshman year that I began talking to a certain someone whom I am now engaged to. Looking back we seemed so little, but at the time we felt so grown up. I wish both of my little sisters the best of luck next year, and to Meagan Paige, I really hope that you are MUCH more behaved than I was as a Freshman... for reals... like... seriously...

[[ little meeegan growing up (she might now like that one from 2007). ]]

And check this out... pictures of me and Meagan both playing Powderpuff Football our Senior years. Ha! 

[[ me and meagan, both 17. ]]

Love you mini me!

may :: photo challenge

I know my Midweek Inspiration posts have been suffering a bit lately, but it is just because I have so much other stuff going on as of late! They will get back on track eventually... although, maybe not until the end of the summer admittedly. Nothing wrong with having a few more personal adventures right?

Anyway, I have to get my Photo Challenge for May post done this week because next week I am completely full in terms of blog content, and then I will have a week off (you will see why later). So, without further adieu, here are my photos from the May challenge. Click here to view previous months.

[[ may photo challenge. ]]

chris & mandee's wedding

A few weeks ago me, Pat, and his family spent the day in Yachats Oregon celebrating the marriage of Pat's step brother Chris and his now wife Mandee. Since they were not hiring a photographer, I volunteered to take some wedding photos for the two of them (with the help of Pat and a tripod, since we were both in the wedding as well). The weather was primarily overcast, but there were a few shots where the sun peaked through slightly. Not too bad for the Oregon coast in May.

Below is a sneak peak of a few of the hundreds of images I have been editing for them over the past couple weeks. Please keep in mind, I am no wedding photographer... just doing a little favor (so be nice).

((( click on the images to view them larger.
open them in a new tab to view them much larger. )))

[[ chris & mandee. 5/19/2012. yachats, oregon. ]]

game of thrones

I am pretty sure that by now everyone and their Mother is as addicted to Game of Thrones as I am, but in case you have not started watching yet, you are definitely missing out.

Me and Pat were introduced to the first season of the HBO series sometime last year and although we were initially a bit thrown off by the pilot episode/prologue we decided to keep watching and realized how incredible everything about this "show" really was. From the set design and costuming, to the amazing acting and character development, to special effects and shooting locations, the quality of this television series is truly incredible. However, to praise the success of the show we must first praise the author George R. R. Martin for coming up with such a detailed and twisted plot and describing it in excruciating detail over what will be seven books in A Song of Ice and Fire series. These are not any teenage novels. Love, lust, deception, betrayal, black magic, secret plots, twists and turns around every corner, opposing royal and lorded families, war, vengeance, sex, murder, the undead, and of course, dragons.

The books mainly follow four houses throughout the series (although many other characters and families are introduced along the way): the Starks, the Baratheons, the Lannisters, and the Targaryens. Although I will not trouble you with the details of each house, I will say that you are initially prompted to fall in love with the Starks, and then find yourself torn among them all as you begin to side and sympathize with other characters as well. Because the books are not written from one perspective but switch back and fourth between characters (as does the series), it is hard to simply choose one favorite character. I initially was drawn to Arya Stark and Daenerys Stormborn (Targaryen), but have found myself sympathizing with Jon Snow (Stark), and Tyrion Lannister as well.

Since we just watched the finale of season two last night I thought I would take the time to post a little bit about the series. Me and Pat are also on the 5th book.

As a visual reference for this post, I decided to throw up the opening sequence. This is a compilation of all of the castels shown on season 1, and those from the beginning of season 2, as created by Michael Delving (before Quarth and Heronhal were shown). The opening is incredible, it seriously amazes me every time I watch it, (and as with the series, it is ever changing to match the books and chapters being explored).

"When you play the game of thrones, either you win or you die."

brasada ranch :: part VII

The majority of my Sunday was spent on the golf course riding along on the 18 holes Pat and his family were playing. For someone who never plays he isn't half bad either, even picking up a par. Here are a few of the shots. I was trying out some new lens filters, but I think they fuzzed up a few of my pictures, not sure how impressed I am with them. Either way...

[[ sunday 18. ]]