Getting Back On Track

If you haven't noticed, I've been lying low lately. This, being my first blog entry in almost a month, and only the second of the year (sorry). Things haven't been good... there's no sense in making stuff up... I haven't been good. 2007 was an interesting year that brought on a lot of change, and I think 2008 is going to be a year of rebuilding and rehealing -- and a year of new experiences both unpleasant and pleasant.

First of all, to explain my last blog entry... I've had quite an ordeal with the narcotic pain medication. I want to explain that I am NOT addicted, but rather I am dependent. I actually become ill when I come off the pain meds. I get physically and mentally sick. My folks would be the first to tell you, as they are usually the first phone call I make when I'm "crashing." Teary-eyed and depressed, I tell them I feel the world is ending, or at least mine that is. The truth is, it's really not -- my parents explain this to me. The thing is, I keep telling myself it's just the medication, but no matter what my mind plays powerful tricks because of the withdrawal. So, me being the inquiring mind, asked my dad the other day "why didn't I have this feeling the first time I had cancer and pain medication?" Evidentially I didn't have much of any pain medication except before the chemotherapy, and once I was on the chemo, the pain meds were not a part of my regimen. This time, on the other hand, it was very necessary that I have pain medication to function even half way normally. You see, I was being burnt alive, which is nothing short of the truth due to the overdose of radiation I underwent last fall.

Now, I'm facing a new battle, nerve damage in my right foot. As the battle of the narcotics is winding down, I face a new fight, and that is horrific pain in my foot due to scar tissue that is apparently putting pressure on my nerve endings. I'm on a new medication now for that... more importantly -- it's non-narcotic. So, a new battle begins, but I am definitely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I take one day at a time, remembering the people who love me, and not thinking about the people who don't.

On a lighter note, things at ODOT couldn't be better. I still very much love the job, and DO NOT miss anything about my old business. I miss my family and close friends in Joseph, but not the stress I was experiencing, especially in the latter half of last year. This was the stress that brought on my cancer, I am convinced.

I am even finding out I have some pretty good friends down here. Hanging out with my friend Michele from McMinnville has been keeping me in good spirits. My pals Jonathan and Antoun have been proving to be true assets in my 'new life' here in Salem as well. Once all of this medical stuff is behind me, I will lean on everyone a lot less and let them do some more leaning on me.

But enough of this mushy stuff. I'm taking my mom's advice, and keeping my 'chin up.' :-)

-LB

The Dependence

I write tonight in a totally different focus, one of positive thoughts and a hopeful future. This is something a week ago tonight, I could tell you was very different, in fact it was bleak.

Over the past six months I have been treated for pain as a result of my Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma which reappeared on my right foot last summer. Through radiation this past fall, a lot of healing, and a lot of rest, I can now tell you I am cancer free once again in my life. It should be normally be a time for celebration but it has actually been a time of depression. Recently, I went off the pain medication, because I no longer had pain... but what I didn't realize is... I had a dependence. It was like I had been day dreaming for the past six months and then woke up to a cold cruel reality -- or at least that is what I thought it was. However, it was not, it was a huge ugly depression which set in as my body was looking for the pain medication. I spent day after day sleeping, thinking the world was a terrible place -- in fact one thought of how life wasn't even worth living anymore. No, not taking my own life, but definitely found myself evaluating why I was even living. I knew this was because of the withdrawals, but no matter how many times I told myself it was because of that and only that, I felt like I was at rock bottom. Symptoms like sweating, trembling, and feeling cold were very common for me. After talking to my family, I knew I had to seek help, and that I did this past Tuesday where I met my new physician in Stayton, Oregon. Recommended to me by my friend Linda, this doc was incredibly thorough and caring about the situation and helped me develop a plan to rid myself of this awful dependence. It involves putting me back on a "trickle" of what I was on for the pain medication along with another prescription.

Also notably, I was kept "afloat" during my downtime by phone calls to my family and my local Salem friends.

I can tell you now here at the end of the week I am a new man, and oddly enough I am happier than I've been since before becoming ill with the cancer. I don't think I've felt this good for a couple of years. I feel renewed and very hopeful of my outlook.

One thing I've learned from all this, how powerful drugs can be, and how I don't want to be dependent on them. Here's to the happier and wonderful days ahead :-)

-LB

The Top Ten of 2007

Hello everyone,

It's that time again, or past that time (really). It's time for The Top Ten People of the Year. Just like I've told you over years past, this is unlike no regular list. This is a list of people I feel are deserving of some recognition, simply for who they are. They have impacted my life to the greatest extent during the year. I try to keep things mixed up year after year, and though possible, it is normally rare for the same exact people to be seen on the list every year.

This is the absolute latest I've ever waited to release the list. You know as the saying goes "life happens." That is exactly what has happened. After battling cancer yet again in my life this past fall, it has been a long time coming catching up on many of my day to day things, and truthfully, that is what I've been doing since the first of the year. The blog, and many of my other pastimes have had to take the backseat as I catch up on things like websites and my social life.

However, it's now time once again to honor the most important people in my life from the past year. I must say that just because a person isn't on my list, doesn't mean they aren't important to me, but chances are a person on this year's list made enough of a "splash" in my life to be worth recognizing, and shaping who I am, and who I'll becoming. So with out further, a-due, here is this year's TOP TEN PEOPLE!

#10 ~ ELIZABETH DEBOIE

Undoubtedly, a year ago I didn't even hardly know who Elizabeth DeBoie was -- except for the nice lady who more or managed our local grocery store in Joseph. Every time I went in there she was working hard.

My business, LB Productions was yet again going through growing pains, and we had recently lost an employee. This is when Elizabeth came forward and asked if I was looking for someone. I told her that I was, and ironically within a few weeks she had resigned from her post over at the store (for unrelated reasons), this is when I made the call. Shortly after coming to work for me I knew how valuable and hard working of an employee she was. She turned out to be one of the most loyal people I had ever had the pleasure of working for me.

Just months after Elizabeth came to work for my business, I was looking for a huge life change. Even as the news came down I was job hunting in the Willamette Valley, Elizabeth did not scare. She stayed working for me and told me as I recall "I'll keep working for you Levi, as long as you are here." The words were both surprising and relieving to hear.

Just a couple months later a job offer came in, and I was telling my employees the news. This is when I received another offer, an offer from Elizabeth herself, that she and her husband had a desire to purchase my business from me upon my departure. I was shocked.

Elizabeth is someone I have deep respect for. She stayed even as unsettling news came, and then decided to take the very risk on her own, to run a business that could both be profitable and a huge stress. She took on a lot, and it was something I was very up front to her about... but as she has now been at the helm for several months now, she has learned quickly, becoming a self-taught expert; like myself just over a decade ago. This made me proud of her and proud to know her.


#9 ~ KYLE HOOK

Kyle is an interesting guy, as he has a lot of "isms" that are kind of hard to figure out. This guy has been my friend for over 7 years now. Prior to that I wasn't a big fan of him, as I've told you before.

This year was a rather interesting one for Kyle and I. An underlying pressure was building on our friendship in the summer of 2007. It was not a good thing, and finally came to blows one summer evening after we got off from wakeboarding on the lake. It broke out into a huge argument and turned completely ugly. Without sharing any further personal details, it was involving a mutual friend and I didn't feel he treated this friend respectfully. But to this day, I realize that it wasn't necessarily my business.

Though I defend all of my friends, I realize that I can overstep my bounds sometimes. Kyle and I have since mended over this. This huge bump in our friendship has only strengthened it. Now we are as close as ever, even with me living across the state.

Kyle is a fun guy to be around. He says the funniest things. He's a major goofball. This is why I like him. Next time you see Kyle, ask him about the Sirius Satellite Radio telephone operator we had fun with :-)




#8 ~ MICHELE SAWIN

Michele has been my friend for nearly ten years now, but this is her first appearance on The Top Ten People list. I've been doing this list for ten years now, so it was about time.

Michele is a very sweet person. She will go out of her way to help out a fellow human being. I am eternally grateful for what she did for me this past fall. I recently had moved to Salem, and with the discovery of my cancer, I had to start radiation treatments. With the medication and treatments, I was in a deteriorating condition to be driving from Salem to Portland everyday for treatment. This is when Michele stepped in... and in a big way she did.

Michele was there for me when I needed someone the most. Her sister Virginia proved to be a big help as well along the way.

Even when days seemed grim, Michele was there to pick me up and take me to Portland. She kept me laughing when I needed a good laugh. She kept me smiling when I needed to be happy. She made a lot of my dark days much, much brighter. Thank you, Michele.


#7 ~ AMY KYLE-PERCY

My fellow cancer survivor, Amy Kyle-Percy has been an inspiration to me this past year. She was always a person I could call up to and complain about life. She always had a smiling face when I'd go see her on one of my many trips to the valley during my job hunt. In a way, I am thankful I did so much traveling this year, because I got to see people like her, more.

Amy has been an instrumental person in my life to lean on during my recent (and hopefully the last) battle with the big 'C.; She understands what the dark days are. In fact, she's had some dark days herself, and with encouragement, she has been able to pull ahead too.

Amy is total proof that this horrible disease can be beaten, and that life can go on. I am very happy to know her, she is a great lift to my attitude when I'm down.

I suggest we all look in our own lives to our "Amys" when things have us down. You don't have to look any further than this human being to have your spirit lifted.


#6 ~ THANE SHETLER

The middle child syndrome. Thane is a classic example of this. Looking for acceptance, looking for someone to pay attention to the things he does. Thane has made some mistakes in his life.

But guess what? He's proven everyone wrong and completely rebounded from being in a horrible situation. Yeah, the kid made mistakes, but he shouldn't have to pay the rest of his life, nor should he be labeled a "troubled kid." Truthfully, Thane is now one of the most grounded human beings that I know. He and I have bonded in the past year more deeper than ever. As Thane was telling me about being on drugs, he broke down. The guy felt terrible for the mistakes he had made. Then I broke down. I'll never forget that conversation. He and I knew we had each other as friends to get through no matter what.

He's come a long way... and now it looks like he's going an even longer way... physically that is. He's thinking of moving from Portland to New York. Such a notion is terrorizing to me as he is one of the few people I have around that is familiar to me since I've moved from Joseph to the Willamette Valley. But I will support him no matter what. I just want him to be happy and I know he'd want the same for me.

When I know the odds aren't good, all I have to do is look at my friend Thane to know that I can turn things around no matter how horrible of a hand life has dealt.

Additionally, if his inspiration isn't enough, Thane is incredibly hilarious and ALWAYS fun to be around. Even when he's in a bad mood, he's entertaining. Thane, thank you for letting me share your downfalls and your triumphant rebound. We all can learn from you.




#5 ~ ALYSE FISCHER

She actually gives a damn. She's as sweet as sugar too. In fact, she's too sweet sometimes. She's almost cares too much for fellow human beings. There aren't many people like Alyse around anymore. I personally learned of her undying passion to care about her family and friends when she started dating my best friend Sterling.

Since being a HUGE part of Sterling's life, she's become a very important part of my life. She's all about details. She will remember the things you care about -- even the small things. I recall the summer that she defended me, when someone was treating me terribly. She's also good at pointing out a person's flaws and positive aspects. When you're in her corner, you can expect to be showered with compliments and kindness.

One classic example is her making me a birthday cake every year, or giving me an easter basket. I mean who would care enough to do that? Alyse would.

Her dedication to those she loves is unsurpassed. Alyse, thank you for going the extra effort and lifting me up; and for goodness sakes, take some time for yourself!















#4 ~ CHRISTIAN AMBROSON

Christian has been my friend for over 7 years now, and my best friend for the last 3 years. He's been on my Top Ten People of the Year for the past three years. I can't say enough about this guy. He's the man!

Christian Ambroson is one of the most caring people I know. It is those types of qualities that I look for in a friend, and since almost day one, I knew we shared a lot in common. One thing in particular, he and I shared a lot of the same hobbies from early on as I didn't do a lot of the "small town things," and he was from Lake Oswego. Just as an example, it seemed all of my Joseph friends would go hunting, and I swear Christian and I were the only people in town who didn't hunt. It was things like that, a lot of little things like that.

In 2005, Christian and I lost a close mutual friend. In such a dark time, Christian and I grieved together, ironically further bonding us as friends. At the time Christian was in an exchange program in Austria during his second year of college. As you can imagine being thousands of miles away while losing such a close friend was not an easy thing to go through. But we got through it, together.

This year, we took a cross country road trip together. It was both exciting and completely boring at times. But you ever wonder what makes a good friendship? The fact that you can sit in a car with someone when you are completely bored off your ass! You start talking to yourself and saying weird things -- you instantly become more comfortable with the other person. And that I did with Mr. Ambroson.

Christian is truly one of a kind, and it is my absolute privilege to call him my best friend. He's one of few people on this earth I have no problem telling them that I love, as he says the same to me. We share a bond like brothers, we care about each other like family. Christian, I love you man; take care and see you on our next adventure!










#3 ~ JONATHAN STEPHENS

It seems a very fitting time to talk about this next person. Not since I met my best friend Christian Ambroson have a met someone so similar. He too, also from the Portland area. Jonathan Stephens has quickly become one of my best friends. I'd even venture to go out on a limb and say within the top five.

Frankly, I don't even know where to start. It's hard to wrap my mind around this guy. But what I can tell you is that I do really like this kid. He's got the best friend qualities written all over him. He's funny, caring, smart, honest, and just plain cool.

The 'J Dawg' and I met shortly after I started my new career at ODOT. It's quite funny, but the first day at work I saw him and had a feeling that I'd soon get to know him. My inkling was right on, Jonathan introduced himself to me a couple days later. Things quickly got stranger as we virtually started finishing each other sentences or thinking almost the same thoughts quite frequently. He's a GIS Technician for ODOT, and works just a couple cubicles away. Now entering my fourth month of working for ODOT, it seems like I've know Jonathan for almost two years -- simply because we see each other everyday almost all day. Then, if that isn't enough we often hang out in the evenings together.

Another great thing is that Jonathan introduced me to another really cool guy named Antoun Kehdi. He too is originally from Portland. We all can be found daily hanging out both by day and evening. We probably see each other more often than anything else.

Jonathan is perfect representation of my new life. I anticipated that it could take six months to a year before I made some good friends to even come close to the caliber of my Joseph friends. Jonathan and later Antoun proved that wrong.

Whether it be our geeky nerdy conversation about upcoming technology or one of our many observations about people who work in section of ODOT (which shall go nameless), the J Dawg and I are strikingly a lot a like... though I am a much fatter version. Haaah! Thanks buddy for being who you are and someone I can look forward to hanging out with each day. And who knew by pure fluke we'd have so much in common, but there are reasons for everything I suppose.

#2 ~ STERLING SHETLER

My best friend. No wait, Christian is my best friend. Uhh... wait a second, so is Sterling. Okay, I come clean -- I have two best friends. They are TIED as my BFF's.

Again, I've known Sterling as long as I've known Christian. For at least two years, Sterling has been my best friend. It's funny, because I call Jonathan "Sterling 2." The reason why, Jonathan is the Sterling equivalent to my original friend from Joseph.

Sterling is probably one of the most loyal, funny, cruel, and honest people I know. He's a real hard ass, but actually has a heart of gold, truthfully. He's Thane's brother (earlier on the list). They are nothing a like, not for a second. But they are both true individuals, and you like them the same for their unique personalities.

So you see, Sterling and I became close during the massive exodus of friends that left Joseph for college and other places. We both didn't really care for the Joseph bar scene, and were perfectly content just hanging out. That we share in common -- we both share the quality of being reclusive.

And by far, the largest admirable quality of Sterling is the fact that he doesn't care what others think. He conducts life the way he wants and doesn't let anyone influence him but himself. Though many times he's influenced my life -- that doesn't bother him. He can influence you, but don't even try to get him to be a certain way. It just isn't going to happen. That's why I love this guy.

Beyond my family, he's the person I miss the most from Joseph. I even tear up at this moment recalling our good times. But I know I won't be a stranger and neither will he just because we are in two different places.

Sterling isn't an overly emotional guy either, at least he's not going to let you know about it. But I found out that the guy truthfully does have feelings. I know he was pretty upset when he learned I was moving. He'd never come out and tell me, but his girlfriend did -- and it's moments like that which make me realize that even though he doesn't show it, the kid really considers me his best friend too. No matter where we're at Sterling, I hope we remain BFF.

AND NOW THE MOMENT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR....










THIS YEAR'S NUMBER ONE










THE MOST INFLUENTIAL, MOST IMPACTING PERSON









THE #1 PERSON OF 2007.......

#1 ~ MELISSA NEWHOUSE

Two years ago I didn't even know who Melissa Newhouse was. But then, my life changed forever. I met her as she was dating one of my friends. Then, last summer she moved in for the summer and our bond was unbreakable ever since.

I can tell you right now, without a doubt, I wouldn't be living in Salem, Oregon if it wasn't for Melissa. She was absolutely instrumental in pushing me (literally) to make this move. It all started one warm July evening when I told her of my aspirations to move west. Her first reaction was "why do you want to do that?" When I told her I felt that I had been living in a rut for years, she could immediately relate it to her own life, and within days and weeks she was sending me the strongest encouragement I had ever seen. You see, I had been contemplating on moving for nearly 5 years, but for some reason as things got closer to an actual move, I always had an excuse to back out. Not this time, she was the one who finally pushed me over that edge.

She helped me realize that I was young, and this was the time to do something like this. We had many, many deep conversations and finally she came to almost threatening me if I didn't do what my heart was telling me. So it was set, I was to move to the Willamette Valley, and the job search became full blown over the period of several weeks in July and August, when one August afternoon I received a call from the woman who is now my supervisor that I had gotten a job, one of my top picks in fact, with the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Most of my job hunt was centered in the Portland area, and very few were south in Salem, but for some reason life brought me to Salem. As a result I wouldn't be here talking to you about people like Jonathan or Antoun. They wouldn't exist in my life. If it wasn't for Melissa I would still be living in Joseph, in my rut, probably forever. But this girl had enough pep and vinager (I think that's how the saying goes), to push me to the point to make a huge life change. One that was both scary and absolutely exciting.

But you know what else? Melissa was a great friend, an absolute gem to have around. Her and I hung out like old friends all summer long and I won't ever forget our good times. I recall our midnight trips to Wal Mart in La Grande. We would drive all night and have the best time talking and hitting that discount store at all hours. No it wasn't about the prices or shopping... it was about the experience! The bonding as friends. A bond that grew into a true friendship. Melissa, people even ask me to this day if I have regrets over making this desicion, and my response is "yeah, that I didn't do it sooner." I thank you for enriching my life and allowing me to get out of a completely toxic situation. You're the reason I now enjoy life... THANK YOU! I hope you now why you've been chosen as my TOP PERSON FOR 2007!

2007: A Year of Change

2007 was not just any year. For me, it represented more change than I have ever faced in my life. Change for the good I hope. This is both a new and exciting time for me in my life, the things that use to be "normal" to me in my life are now history. I am living an entirely new life in a new place, new people, and a new adventure.

The year started like any other. LB Productions was thriving and I had a fairly basic social life in Joseph, Oregon. Little did I know, by year's end my life was going to have changed forever. So what prompted all this you ask? Where did it all come from?

People who know me well aren't surprised at the big changes that 2007 brought. For the past two years I had considered these changes. But when did I finally "break?"

In March I went on a long, long road trip across the country with my best friend Christian Ambroson. It was that trip that spawned a great debate in my mind... "what was I doing with my life?" My buddy and I had a great time, though the trip was long and boring in some spots, it gave us both time to think about life. For me, it was almost a soul searching mission.

The trip essentially started in Portland, where I left my car for when I flew back. Christian and I rode home to Joseph with his parents and left the next morning. We traveled across the midwest, eventually making it to Steubenville, Ohio where he goes to school. Days later I got on a Southwest Airlines flight and flew from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania back to Portland. It was the most miserable flight of my life. The flight was hot (due to an air circulation problem). The seats were uncomfortable, and I sat next to the most annoying person. By the time I reached Portland I wanted to kiss the ground. Most of the trip across the country was brown and dead or snow covered, simply because of the time of year. Oddly enough, though, when I returned to Portland everything was green and blossoming. It felt like a great place to be. The feeling was right, and after spending a few days with my friends Dylan and Thane (even making a side trip to the coast), I snapped! It hit me: I couldn't waste anymore of my life doing what I was doing. I wanted to move to the Willamette Valley, and move I did.

My reasoning was quite simple... I was burnt out. The business had eaten me alive. In the ten years I actively ran the business my stress had risen to an uncomfortable level. By 2005, my weight and blood pressure were at a very unhealthy level. In 2007 cancer returned. I was spiraling out of control, all on the account of working too hard, changes had to be made or I was looking at an early death. I recall one of my doctors asking me "Levi, what do you expect to happen if things continue in the same direction?" It was then I realized I was in serious trouble.

With that being said, the spring of 2007 went like any other, I had record computer sales in my business... things for the most part went smoothly. I had one of the greatest summers ever, but the number of Joseph friends was dwindling. Our close group was shrinking, people were moving on with their lives. I felt as if I was in a rut. The pressure was building. I had to get out.

I was part of Relay for Life for the first part of the year. It was very meaningful for me, being a cancer survivor. I helped organize the largest and most successful relay team in Wallowa County history.

The summer kicked off with lots of fun on the lake in my Mastercraft Ski Boat... my only reprieve from the daily grind of my life. As you can imagine it was no challege finding friends to come join me out on the water. I will say though, it was harder than in previous years because so many of my local friends were disappearing for the big city. This included my friend Jay Watts (pictured below) who became a full time Portland resident. Previously, he came home for the summer. This was just another factor in my decision.

In June I started applying for jobs over the internet, by late June I had interviews scheduled in the Portland and Salem areas. The first job that came to the surface was a position at the Forest Grove School District as the lead technology coordinator at the help desk. This position looked promising... however, I was not hired. This ended up being a good thing as I really didn't feel a good fit in that area. A few weeks later I was actually hired at a call center called Stream in Beaverton. I did not take the job as it wasn't paying nearly what I made at my own business. Then, I received a call in mid July from the Oregon Department of Transportation to schedule an interview. Oddly enough, this was one of my top picks for a job. I was not surprised about the interview, but the fact it had been narrowed down to four people. I had a great interview, and a couple months later my references told me they had been called. This is how I knew it was serious... and just a day later the woman who is now my supervisor called me up and told me the great news. Not terribly thrilled about moving to Salem (my priority was in Portland), I still took the job. It was almost late September at this point, and I never expected to be hired as it had been over two months since the interview.

Back track to late August -- things had progressed so much in my job search, I made a decision to downsize my business; to move it out of the nearly 1000 square foot office space (pictured), to the back two bedrooms of my house. Without any word of a new job, the plan was to just keep running it 'business as usual.' That's when ODOT called, and it was all over.

I informed my employees of the good news (for me, but not for them). To my absolute surprise, one of them offered to buy the business prior to my departure. It was all set, and I started my new life on October 29th, working for the Oregon Department of Transportation. LB Productions became Simply Digital October 1st, and the web development portion was split off, and renamed "LBSITES."

In the midst of this all, I discovered a exterior bump on my right foot. Being a long time sufferer of a very rare condition called Lymphomatoid Papulosis, I assumed it was just another outbreak. After a trip to OHSU's emergency room, and a biopsy, I found out for the second time in my life I had cancer. For the first three weeks of my new job, I drove or was driven by friends to radiation treatments. This added an extra challenge to my already changing life.

By the end of November, the cancer was history -- the effects of the radiation were not. I spent ten days off from work recuperating from "collateral damage" caused by the radiation. My entire body swelled up and my foot was still a mess. It is still unknown at this time if I received too much radiation.

At the beginning of December things began to bounce back, my body was healing. By the second week my spirits were lifting. The third week my sister married her sweetheart in a small ceremony in Las Vegas. The final week of the month, I made a quick trip back to Joseph for Christmas. I received numerous comments on my weight loss and how good I was looking. For the first time in my life, I have become virtually stress-free. Who knew in one year I could reach my goal? Who knew I could recover from the worst so quickly? Though I miss my family and friends in Joseph... I have goosebumps thinking about my new life here in the valley. My new friends and my former skinny self returning are enough to make 2007 'my year.'

-LB

Back in Salem

No post holiday blues here, in fact quite the contrary. Usually I get the blues during the holidays. This year was no exception. I really can't explain it, but I just do. The drive home to Joseph wasn't all that bad until I hit Meacham on Saturday night, that is when the I-84 turned into a parking lot. It's like people forgot how to drive or something. So after spending an extra hour of my trip in the snow, I landed in La Grande where I took a breather at the Taco Bell and proceeded into the county. I had a good holiday with my family and did something quite unusual... stayed at my parents -- which isn't something I've done since well... last month during Thanksgiving. The great news is that I rented out my house in Joseph, so that left me with no place to stay but at my folks. It wasn't bad at all, and it was nice having my mom cook all the meals and to not have to worry about much of anything. I spent the majority of my time with my best friend Sterling Sunday (hoping to see my other best friend Christian later this week). We had a ceremonial "burning" of my Joseph stuff. It was kind of sad... but really more fun than anything. Later that night, he, Alyse, and I got together and had a mini Christmas after eating at El Bajio -- which I have missed immensely by the way! Seems as if no place down here in Salem can 'get it right.' So Sterling and Alyse got me the coolest present ever - a digital photo frame... which turned out to be one of the hottest gifts of this holiday season.

Went home and had a pretty mellow Christmas Eve. My sister and her new husband Colby came back for the holiday. Christmas day arrived and it was all but time for me to leave. I did pretty well, got some clothes and most notably an Outback gift card which I can use for one of my many dinners I have at my next-door neighbor here in Salem. Then, yes of course, I had to leave...

The trip home wasn't bad, until I hit the Gorge. Then it got quite bad, and several times I thought I was going to can it up with all the stupid drivers around me. It was snowing hard and continuously and just wouldn't stop. It was piling up on the sides of the road and blowing hard. It got to the point where it was slushing up on the road surface and people started sliding around. Finally I arrived in Troutdale and life was once again good with just plain rain (hey, that rhymes). This morning I woke up bright-eyed and bushy tailed and went back to work. Thankfully my good pal Jonathan was there too so it wasn't all bad. It was just kind of crummy having to go back to work right after Christmas. Nonetheless, it's life, right?

-LB

P.S. TOP TEN PEOPLE OF 2007 COMING SOON!

Top Ten for Week of December 15, 2007

1. Thane Shetler & Dylan Lewis
2. Debbie Bobbitt
3. Carl Bobbitt
4. Jonathan Stephens
5. Antoun Kehdi
6. Robin Ness
7. Alyse Fischer
8. Amy Kyle-Percy
9. Sterling Shetler
10. Michele Sawin
    

Thane & Dylan Rock

Good friends are hard to find. Great friends are even harder to find. I am blessed, I know that I am, with truly great friends.

After arriving back from Vegas, Thane and Dylan picked me up at the Portland airport. It was at this point I sprung on them I needed to get to OHSU right away for a doctor's appointment for some swelling I still have as a result of the radiation treatment (don't worry I'm going to be fine). Nonetheless, I had to get there quickly, and they said "sure no problem." Little did they know I would be shuffled all over the hospital and not get out of there until hours later. After patiently waiting for my doctor for over an hour, I finally got in, and then that took another 45 minutes at least. After coming back out into the waiting room I told Dylan and Thane "you guys are like the best friends a guy could have..." and they immediately knew I was up to no good. That's when I laid the news on them that I would have to go in for a CT. That's when we went into the main part of the OHSU hospital and waited for another hour before I got scanned.

Finally, five hours later we got out of there. They didn't complain once to me. Though I never expected to be there that long, I still appreciate their patience and am sorry they had to be so long. For this, I am making them my honorary #1's on the top ten this week.

Thanks Dyan and Thane for hanging in there for me, even when you didn't have to.

-LB

The Vegas Wedding

My sister's wedding in Las Vegas has now come and gone, but the memories are still all to fresh. I was impressed with all the lights, buildings, and construction of the city. Vegas is truly a world in itself, and I now know why it's called 'sin city.'

Hannah and Colby wed in the outdoor chapel adjacent to the Howard Johnson in what many called 'old Vegas.' It was a bit more modest setting from the places we stayed. My parents and I stayed at Bally's right next to the Paris hotel, which I thought was quite impressive. The wedding party stayed at Treasure Island, and my sister and Colby stayed at the Venician, probably the most impressive resort of them all.

I found that Vegas was a both pretty and trashy city all in one. It's definitely more beautiful at night than it is during the day. At night the lights and casinos rule the landscape. However, in the day you can see trash, construction, and pollution. Nonetheless, I thought it was a very interesting place to visit, but not one where I would want to live.

Originally, I was going to depart on Sunday with my folks and drive down to Vegas with them. But complications made a sudden last minute change in plans, and I ended up flying down Monday night. It allowed me to get in some more hours at work, and cut the travel time down to hardly anything by flying out of PDX. When I arrived in Vegas I felt miserable. I had swollen up from the flight and my medication had fallen behind. I was exhausted and in pain. I was even doubting if I should have gone. Thankfully, by morning I was rested up and ready to go. My parents were nice enough to push me around via wheelchair most of the time I was down there. Believe me, it saved my foot!

I played some slots and did terrible. If I would$160, but that soon faded away. Meh, go figure... I kind of get the impression the casinos don't make their money by giving it away -- I dunno, just a thought?

Wednesday was wedding day. I awoke to my parents who had ordered room service for breakfast. That was pretty cool!

We then arrived at the Venician to meet up with my sister and the bridesmaids shortly before the wedding. Naturally we had a photo-op beforehand. They insisted I get a picture with my sister and mom (pictured). I remember standing in pain long enough so I wouldn't have to be in a wheelchair in the wedding pictures.

The girls were pretty fired up (if you know what I mean), by the time we arrived. Liza, Jill, and Shonda (my sister's bridesmaids) were already having a pretty good time.

At about 5:30 that night we traveled over to the wedding chapel. It was a very small wedding, the smallest I have ever attended. But I think it is the way I would want my wedding to be. Just close friends and family kept this wedding comfortable and fun.




Shortly after the wedding we headed to Caesar's Palace where we ate at the Cheesecake Factory and everyone had a good time.

As the night wrapped up I fell like a tree in the woods and quickly went to sleep. That night I had a horrible nightmare.

I woke up as I was on a plane and it was crashing. The memory was so vivid and scared me to death! And guess what... I was flying back to Portland that morning! Thankfully, my parents calmed me down a bit and I got on the plane anyway. But what an awful nightmare to have! Originally I was going to leave on Friday with my folks, but since plans changed, I left Thursday even earlier than normal so I could make a doctor's appointment at OHSU in Portland. Unfortunatly, I still have some swelling in an unpleasant place and I'm trying to get it resolved.

The plane ride back to Portland was no fun even though I made it once peice. Somehow I got one of like five seats on the plane that had a permanent arm rest on both sides. As a bigger guy, you can imagine my difficulty. I couldn't feel my butt by the time we got to Portland, let me tell you! Additionally, this was the first plane I had ever been on that didn't have vents above you so you could stay cool. Oh no, of course not, it was hot, turbulent, and miserable. I must say my flight down to Vegas was fairly pleasant. So this is how I would rate it: US Airways is in between Southwest and Frontier Airlines -- the two other airlines I've flown. Southwest being the worst of the bunch with their hot uncomfortable "u-pick" seating, to Frontier's high-back, plush, first-class like seating with air vents above, and DirecTV on the back of everyone's seat. Plus they served Mountain Dew! I would have flown Frontier, but it would have meant a layover in their hub of Denver. So, I would say US Airways was right in the middle of the two airlines.

It was an exciting week, and I am glad I went for the experience. Oh yeah, my sister got married too...

-LB

(enjoy the pictures below)