Been a while since you’ve visited the city or never been? Check out some cool scenery and take a walk down impressive Mural Alley. And while you’re there, help me figure out some intriguing found plants. San Fransisco (and Outside Lands Festival) in Pictures.

Fun stuff at Outside Lands: we got to make our own “mixed tapes.” Check it out.

Time confuses me. After 3 days of energetic music, I can barely remember who I’ve seen. (Luckily, I snapped some photos.) My legs are jello and my eyelids are locked. A dream already, fragments of the music float by, in no particular order. You can also check out more acts and photos over at StereoGum, where my cousin’s old collage mate, Heather, snapped some amazing photos. (Note to self: work on getting a photo pass to the next festival!)

No time to explain. The last time I sat down to blog I spilled coffee and killed my laptop. At the time, I had visions of expanding to music and technology and had some witty commentary on the gmail and at&t outtage. Now I sit across from Melissa in a secret garden, preparing to walk over to our second day of the Outside Lands Festival. And now she’s sighing, waiting for me to wrap this up, so off we go.

PS. Radiohead is pure euphoria. As can be expected, pictures will be loaded soon.

John and Amelia Mlnarik

JT on the Vinyard

Amelia Mlnarik, Baptized

A few weeks back, my cousin John graduated from law school and the following day, they baptized his daughter, Amelia.

The entire weekend was bliss, sunshine, family and inspiration. I was lucky enough to meet up with my aunt, Susan, and her son, Nick, who were flying down to San Francisco from Seattle. After we got our car, we met up with Tricia and the Nebraska gang, Shirl, Don, Joan, and Tom, for some winery tours. Little J.T. loved playing with the vinyard’s puppy. I’m not sure who was better or more enjoyed fetching.

Saturday and Sunday were whirlwinds of celebrations. John inspired me with his valedictorian speech and proof that dedication, passion and a positive attitude pay off. I wasn’t prepared for mass, but having the priest raise little Amelia overhead as he welcomed her to the parish was pretty cool. It even topped the moment I realized that I wasn’t going to burst into flames as I entered a church for the first time in years.

For more pictures of the occasion, check out this album on Facebook.

I’m alive. Just been lazy with the computer. Summer is just so much more fun spent outside, on the beach and in swimming pools.

This week my uncle Paul invited me out to Black Butte, just outside of Sisters, OR. My friend, Kyle, and I drove out late Tuesday night so we could get in a game of Scrabble (in which I scored over 300 pts) and get up at the crack of dawn, er, noon. Cousin Liz came out with Skylar and Bella and we all enjoyed the resort’s outdoor swimming pool. After several games of ring toss, keep away from Skylar and shark tag the chlorine began to burn the eyes and I had to wuss out.

That night Kyle grilled up delicious sausages (Andouille, Chicken and Turkey) and asparagus and Kiki, Paul’s girlfriend, sautéed brussel sprouts that turned out to be the party fave. Unfortunately, Liz and the kids had to leave that night, so the remaining four of us battled out a game of Spades. After a few yummy sweet and spicy drinks, we’d all had enough and called it a day.

The next day I checked off a major to-do-before-30 and played a game of golf! OK, so it was more of a round of hitting lessons at the driving range followed by practice on the greens while Paul played a single game of 9-holes. And it was fantastic and fun and I’m definitely going to play golf again. And I want my lawn to look like the putting green.

Kyle and I then drove into Bend and visited with his parents, his sister and an adorable mud-faced nephew, Gunner. I was exhausted from golf, so was excited to sit down to a decadent snack at Typhoon (where, conveniently, my friend Elisabeth’s brother is the GM). Unfortunately, we missed Ben, who snagged a chance to leave the restaurant early and left my cell phone behind.

You can imagine my distress the next morning (only yesterday) when I realized I had no cell phone. That meant 3+ hours of driving back to Portland without the internet and without a phone. If you can’t relate, think back to Pee-Wee’s Great Adventures and his fervent cry after asking “what’s wrong with this picture? It’s just me … withOUT MY BIIIIKE!!!”

Good news is that I was able to get a cheap temporary replacement, made it to my hair appointment only 5 minutes late and got a call saying that someone found my phone. And even if they hadn’t I still would have written down this week as one of the best, as time with family and friends can never be lost.

Just a quick shout out to two courageous families, who brought 2 beautiful baby girls into the world recently.

Marley Denise Ballman graces Minnesota with her undoubtedly vivacious (even if only 1 month) soul. I’m so excited for Derrick and Melissa, 2 of the chillest and creative cousins I know. And I can’t wait to get the 2 Marley’s together at some outdoor music festival in a couple of years. (My godson, almost 2, is also Marley.)

Ashley Dawn Lehman squeezed in as a Taurus, on May 20th. She’s blessed with kick ass parents, and I wish her all the best (you can get) in Kansas.

It’s times like these, when people I love and respect choose to create new little people and offer them to our culture and societies, that I remember what a blessing life can be and how important it is for us to keep our environment and our earth healthy. These little soon-to-be-rugrats deserve our natural resources as much as we do. Reduce (save $), Reuse (save even more $) and Recycle (feel good). </friendly environmental plug>

Summer has hit Portland, finally! Yesterday temperatures reached 96 F while John and I rode around Portland in search of a fountain and a happy hour. If you haven’t visited the sunken rose gardens in North Portland, do it! Our super find of the day was “Liberty Glass”, a block south of Fremont on Mississippi. A brother and sister duo opened the cozy, cool and well decorated old “Hula Hands” house only 3 weeks ago. I was bummed to have to miss out on a full dinner and strawberry-rhubarb crisp dessert.

Now I sit in air-conditioned PDX, waiting for my plane to be cleaned so we can board and leave early. I know what you’re thinking: why leave Portland NOW that the sun’s finally staying out and temperatures well over 80? My brother’s graduating high school tomorrow, in Maryville Missouri. So, if luck stays on my side, MO will welcome me back with hot, humid hugs. Traveling with a few t-shirts sure beats lugging around winter gear and jackets!