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.

After 4 trips to bike shops and 7 test rides, I went back to the first store I visited (twice yesterday and twice today) to buy my new love. This “starter” road bike possesses strength, radiates beauty and invites all, who pass by, on an energizing yet not exhausting 40 mile ride.

This is my third “pure-bread” bike (that I didn’t pick up off the side of the road) and I’m looking forward to a long-term relationship with it, unlike it’s 2 predecessors. My first, a lower-end Fuji roadster, and I were together for a year before heartless thieves ran off with it. A few months later, only last fall, I picked up a Gary Fischer and complained about lack of comfort. So I left it in Missouri, while on my winter/spring road trip, for my 14 yr old brother to ride. (I still get updates on how awesome it is: it’s only 2 minutes slower than a car for going across town!)

So now’s when I ask locals for all their fabulous bike ride recommendations and invites.

1. sign up for Aikido seminar - if you pay enough money while you are unemployed you will guilt trip yourself into going

2. go to Aikido seminar - ok, so you’ve already paid and taken Friday night off … but Saturday morning you find yourself wanting to skip it anyway. (maybe you can say you were sick and get a refund?) the hardest part is getting started.

3. breathe

4. don’t listen to techno - you’ve made it through the morning and first 1.5 hr session. you’ve eaten a high-carb lunch in preparation for the next 3 hrs. keep the energy levels up and skip out on the techno in the local coffee shop.

5. attend all sessions - ok, so you stumbled on the techno by accident and find yourself tired again. no matter what, close the laptop and go back.

How’d your trip go? Was it everything you expected?

I cannot count the number of times I’ve been asked these questions. After my first return to the aikiki after four long months my response to the common questions shifts, accommodating the changes I notice in my Aikido practice

I look nage and uke in the eye. I later recall that I breathe without need of reminding. My body wants practice and my mouth holds back on muttering, a sign that my mind has let go of “right” and “wrong” and all I understood is practice, play.

Today I go to Aikido for the second time since my return. I easily mute myself as I feel the words slipping from my tongue. Instead of verbal corrections, I select a piece of form or technique for my body and mind to focus on. As nage during the Jo practices, I search for grace and confidence in sidestepping, as the long stick thrusts towards my torso. (Any moment of hesitation and injury is certain.) As uke, I press for firm and maintained connection and awareness of my ma-ai. I surprise myself when I “see” both nage and a fellow student taking ukemi and am able to switch the direction of my roll to avoid collision.

So what does my more relaxed and confident poise and awareness in action say about my trip?

Simply put, it rocks - like the music at SXSW. Of the 15,000 folks at the festival, around 100 entered a softball tourney, the entertainment for the close out BBQ. Those braves played their hearts out on dusty fields after 4 days of continuous drinking, partying and little sleep. And some of us won.

I wrangled the Ausie’s into signing up for a team and w00t, can Cricket players hit a ball! We all caught on quickly to win 2 games and advance to the championship game. It was looking meek when we were down 0-9 at the bottom of the first inning, but in what was hailed as the comeback of the century, we rallied to win at the bottom of the 7th and final inning 17-16. Nothing bonds people like winning together.

At the start, I wasn’t sure we were going to figure out how to function as a team. We were disorganized and at a slight disadvantage with a quarter of us unfamiliar with technicalities, like rules. I’d like to think that my chatty instigations and cheer leading helped pull us together … at least everyone knew my name. And by the final game, even though I sat out after the first inning with a smashed toe, everyone knew everyone and cheered everyone on. (Note to self for future games: catch the ball first, then tag the runner to avoid a stomping at home plate.)

I could go on about how much it rocked to play, and especially to win, but I’ve got a championship dinner at the Salt Lick to attend. Larry the Lawyer says it’s the best Texan BBQ in town.

Finally! After 3 sober, singless weeks, I find karaoke in Kansas. After I finish writing a post on being sick, I pack up my things and start to head out, when I decide to sit at a single open spot at the bar. The men are friendly and I easily contribute to their conversations on the Simpsons. It also gives me a great way to introduce myself as being from Portland, home to Matt Groening. One thing leads to another and I ask about karaoke. Turns out that there’s a bar offering it 7 nights a week and these guys actually enjoy checking it out.

Maggie’s Scotch and Soda is slightly larger than the Sugar Pine, but the locals are similar. The selection reminds me that I’m now in the heartland/cowland … lots and lots of country I’ve never heard. And so I’m surprised by a few gems that I make note of - it’ll be fun to bring these back in Portland. “Some girls doin’t like boys like me, but some girls do.” “Save a horse, ride a cowboy.” My favorite: “well, I ain’t first class, but I ain’t white trash.”

Jack and Joe mention Kamakazie Karaoke, when you don’t know what song you’ll be doing. As the name suggests, it can be dangerous. Jack’s last experience had him singing “Girls just want to have fun”.

So far, Wichita has my thumbs up!

It’s been an adventurous week in Tucson. After a few days of cold, rainy and snowy weather, the sun finally got my memo and came outside. I even burned a little while attending a beautiful outdoor wedding yesterday and could feel the Vitamin D production. (In hind sight, this was critical to surviving my last night in town.)

I have so many stories and posts to share - and will - and for now am leaving you with a short note to say that all the strangers I’ve met in Tucson have been completely awesome, friendly, helpful and sincere. In fact, as I was riding in the back of a Tucson police car a few thoughts kept circling through my head, including: if I’d only kept talking to strangers, this never would have happened.

No need to worry. The ride was a friendly offer in lieu of a taxi and, despite it being uncomfortable, it was free. (I hesitate to include this, for fear my phone will be ringing off the cradle, so a note to all my friends and family - I’m in no trouble with the law, have found a new rock strength in the desert and am still healthy with no injuries: so fine in all senses of the word.)

On the recommendation of said sweet people, I’ve got some new places to check out and a potential rock-climbing partner. A peek at my upcoming weekend*:

Saguaro National Park and Desert Museum - I’ll make it before closing this time
Kartchner Caverns
Cochise - recommended for climbing
Tombstone

* When you don’t have a job, weeks and weekends blur.

Saturday night in the mountains (outside Spa Mom), gives me a glimpse of small towns to come. (I imagine desert akin to mountain.) Saturday night, the local Sugar Pine boasts karaoke, and, on a whim, I sweet talk my brother and mother into venturing out for some fine entertainment.

With only five or six people singing (and only two to three more drinking), I take the excessive mic time to try out handfuls of new songs … and settle my nerves of being in the spot light. I still prefer Elisabeth’s rendition of “Crazy on You” and make a note in my phone to do Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason” again … somewhere in the South.

We each take our turns, sometimes performing encores, clapping graciously for others and accept praises of being “such a talented, singing family.” (Too bad, we forget to do our acclaimed “Edelweiss”.) My mom smiles a lot tonight - she’s proud I’m letting loose a little (and doing duets) - and I’m having fun turning the tables. (It feels good not having to be the responsible one!) I keep my family and the bar laughing … Mom’s right - a little vodka goes a long way.

At the end of the night, I know this will be one night of karaoke that will not be forgotten. Even though folks tell me people are people everywhere, the Sugar Pine has me excited to meet more strangers. (Though I can do without the Woodies: those suckers have me feeling sick on Sunday!)