Shot like that.

Evidence that I did indeed get a new camera.

Embarassing to say the least.

But it has almost been three months since I've posted here. If you want to know what has been happening in the meantime, check out DanErin.com.

This is still an important space for me. I have dreams of posting again regularly. Perhaps I've just succeeded in refining my readership. If my blog is still on your radar, you count as one of the devoted. It might not do much for your social life, but I appreciate it.

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Update: I have been accomplishing some of my New Year's resolutions in the past few months. I'm doing a pretty good job at planning out meals. I am drinking less coffee. Posture is still a tough one for me.

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I am almost finished reading Crime and Punishment, and it has been good for my soul. Dostoevsky was a genius. Reading this novel is like spending hours in a great art museum and realizing that every piece was imagined by one artist. I wish I could think about plot and character like he does. I wish my mind was big enough to create the kind of text he writes. At least it exists for me to enjoy, right?

It is strange how long I've neglected reading this book. It has been on my shelf for at least four years, and I avoided it as though it was some kind of chore. But reading it makes me feel like myself.

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In other news, Dan got me a camera today! I haven't had one since my trusty 2003 model opted for early retirement last year. Expect more photo documentation. I feel unleashed.

Right through the heart.

The Valentine's Day card that I made for Dan.

Sanctuary.

I walked by a man bundled to the ears. 4:00 PM. 39º high today.

He sat in the sun outside Portland Rescue Mission, blinking into the light. His eyes were the only visible part of him. We shared a silent moment enjoying the dazzling light and blue sky before my lack of coat drove me inside.

Beautiful creation.

Like morning again.

One last chance to blog in 2007. Some of my resolutions for ‘08:

• Better posture. I’m catching myself slouching. Perhaps some ergonomic fixes to my workspace are in order.
• Drink less coffee. Today I had two cups. Tomorrow I shall only have one.
• Plan menus for the week ahead. If I had thought about this even a year ago, I would have considered myself immensely boring. But I enjoy cooking, and I’ve been letting Dan do most of it. I think a good menu plan would motivate me to take the initiative more often.
• Enroll in at least one graduate course. In what? Who knows! I’m just not ready to let my brain settle.
• Blog more often. Really, I want to.

There are others, but you’ll have to ask me in person.

Farther from the root.

I am watching autumn from above this year. The trees out my window turn red on the top first, and the crimson creeps toward the lower branches.




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I had a dream last night. I met with a personality expert, and he told me that there was a destructive element in my personality.

He informed me that there was one question that would rip the top off a Pandora’s box of issues in my inner being.

As he opened his mouth to ask, all I could hear was the sound of my alarm.

Half way to half way.

We spent the weekend in the beautiful Columbia Gorge. Dan took me on a Sternwheeler cruise up the river. Our tour included interesting sights from the Northwest’s geological history, Native American traditions, the Lewis and Clark expedition and pioneer journeys along the Oregon Trail.


Sunday held a visit to the Farmer’s Market near our house. I’ve been wanting to stop by there all summer, and it was better than I could have expected. There were fresh flowers, vegetables, and a live accordion band. To top it all off, my friend that runs the omlette booth gave us a gigantic breakfast on the house!

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This is my first week in a new position with the homeless shelter. I am now the Communications Specialist, a recently created position in the organization.

I feel like I’m getting a fresh chance to be creative in my work since there is really no precedent yet for the tasks that I am taking on. It’s intimidating and motivating at the same time. I like change, and learning new things stimulates me. And I have an exceptional team to work with as I venture out. However the audience for my work is now considerably larger, so it creates a different type of pressure.

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And my beautiful sister Bethany is down in Mexico to study Spanish for a month!
Check out her blog at http://atimetotravel.blogspot.com.