Hannah Graduates

It was a great day for my sister Hannah, as she graduated from Eastern Oregon University with her degree in Business Administration. I know there were times she thought this day would never come... but it finally did. I recall driving through Colorado during my cross-country trip with friend Christian, when I got a phone call from her. She told me the great news that she'd be finished with college very soon and asked "do you think I should walk in the ceremony?" and I replied "hell yes, you've worked this hard, you might as well get recognized!" So she did, and I was proud of her. In a way I have had my regrets on not finishing with a four year degree. I had finished my second year at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, earning an associate's and certificate in video production. About a year later, I transfered to Oregon State University, where I did not finish a four year business admin degree. So, I am very glad my sister did... and I'm not going to rule out that I might finish one day myself.

I spent most of my Saturday at the graduation party. It was good to hang out and talk to people. Of course, little did I know my face was turning into a tomato. Even right now I am in pain, and even the slightest grin smarts. I must have gotten a combination of sun and wind burn.

I did get to talk with some friends and relatives (including Pat and Terry). I have a very entertaining video of Terry I'm going to post, but won't until I figure out how to properly embed video into the blog -- still learning at this time, but look for it soon!

The rest of the weekend was fairly relaxed, but I did have a ton of company on Sunday. Most of my friends are home from college right now, so my house is hopping.

Back to work this week. It has really been picking up lately. In May, I had a fairly slow month, the slowest in quite some time... but in the last few weeks things have really taken off yet again. It will be an exciting week I am sure. Then I'm filming a wedding on Saturday, so it'll be another work-filled week gone by in a summer that has already started to fly by.

-LB

Post Willamette Valley Trip Blues

I'm back, and I have been for several days now. I miss the Willamette Valley. My friends, the green-ness, the fact that I can go to any store or restaurant after 9pm!

I did have a very good time. I saw my good friends Dylan, Thane, Matt, and Jay. It's been a while since I've seen Jay, so it was good to catch up with him. You'll see some pictures in this blog of him that I (again took with my camera phone). Didn't bust out the real camera like I should have.

Jay has made a life for himself in the urban metropolis of downtown Portland, living with his girlfriend Ellie. They have an apartment, which is very nice and modest in size. It was nice to see him doing well. Dylan and I went mobbing around downtown Portland for the day and managed to meet up with him.

I also saw Thane play unlimited hours of his beloved World of Warcraft. It didn't seem like the kid could leave that thing alone for more than an hour at a time.

Monday night (the last night I was in Aumsville/Salem), I saw Matt. He and I went and more or less 'bar hopped.' We had a great time catching up and having some choice alcoholic beverages. Not a normal activity for me, but it was fun nonetheless.

The place I stayed the entire time was my friend Linda's house where I house-sat. It is a beautiful three story home in the farming country east of Salem. I fall in love with her plasma television every time I visit!

One noteworthy fact is that this trip was an eye-opener again for my life and gave me a great view of my prospects. I'll save those for a later blog entry.

-LB

Hood River

Okay, I confess, the only *real* reason for this blog entry is to piss my friend Amy off, because Hood River is her absolute most favorite place. I've gone through it three times so far this year, and managed to gloat every single time to Amy about how "beautiful" and "wonderful" it is in Hood River. I'd text message her each time, and get a return response such as "turd" or "brat!"

This one's for you Amy. Hood River - (as taken from my camera phone)

Top Ten For Week of June 9, 2007

1. Melissa Newhouse
2. Keithanne Boevé
3. Dylan Lewis
4. Thane Shetler
5. Amy Kyle-Percy
6. Jay Watts
7. Alyse Fischer
8. Ezekial Hale
9. Hannah Bobbitt
10.Elizabeth DeBoie

Portland/Salem/Coast Bound

Another trip, yes, it's been a few months since I've ventured to the Willamette Valley and the coast... so early June seemed like as good of time as any. I'll be house-sitting for a friend who lives in the Salem area (which is what I normally do as of lately). I enjoy staying there, it's a nice, fun, and relaxing way to have a long weekend. I plan on seeing some friends in the Portland area while I'm down there.

Thursday night, some friends and I hung out at my place before I left. Sterling will actually be heading to the coast the same time I am, along with his family. We probably won't see each other during the trip, but we might possibly cross paths on the way down there.

This is a God-awful picture of me, but a very good one of my friend Melissa Newhouse. She is from Pendleton, but staying in Joseph this summer while she works at an accounting firm in Enterprise. I have really enjoyed her company this summer thus far, and I am sure there are plenty more good times to come this year. She goes to school at the University of Idaho, along with her boyfriend (a good friend of mine) Kyle Hook.

Sterling is one of my two best friends... and quite a character. He's a regular at my house (along with Melissa, Zeke, and Kyle). My other best friend Christian is still back in Steubenville, Ohio until August. Until then we will be entertained non-stop with this gang's antics, which have been great so far :)

Here you see Sterling talking to Alyse on the phone. It was an interesting picture I thought at the very least.

Below is a picture of Kyle in his hot new boat that we've been taking out. Well it's not new, but it's new for Kyle taking it out. All the sudden he decided to take on the project of getting this boat up and running again. Some of us wonder why? But he enjoys it, and that's what matters!

More pictures to come this summer! I will try to post more often, and keep you up on what's been going on in my life. I know I have lagged in recent weeks, but I still am sticking with my New Year's resolution.

See you when I return to the county next week.

-LB

Relay For Life: In Pictures - Part 1

Last weekend was one of the most productive weekends of my life. I was proud to be on the Wallowa County team for Union/Wallowa County Relay For Life. I had a blast with my team members: Keithanne, Cynthia, Kathy, Alyse, Hannah, Heaven, Rhea, Carol, Dolores, Chris, and everyone who helped us out.

Wallowa County won for raising the most money! I look forward to next year. Please enjoy this photo essay of the event!

The winning team! (From left to right: bottom front - Heaven; top: Kathy, Carol, Chris, Rhea, Levi, Alyse, Keithanne, and Cynthia. Not pictured: Hannah and Dolores

Relay For Life: In Pictures - Part 2