Game of Thrones In Concert (includes video)

For my birthday, which passed back in March, my sister bought me two tickets to the Game of Thrones concert at the Moda Center here in Portland. I knew it was coming to town and wanted to attend it with my girlfriend Brandi but Hubs kept telling me to hold off buying tickets. I started to quickly suspect that he had something up his sleeve but was very much surprised to find that it was my sister who had splurged on tickets.

On the night of the event, Brandi and I went out to dinner, wearing our finest GoT geeky apparel; her in a shirt which said "That's what I do, I drink and I know things" (which is even funnier because she owns a wine business) and I in my Hound helm shirt. We arrived at the Moda Center right on time, found a parking space ridiculously close to the venue, found our seats astoundingly fast and even indulged in some beverages before the show.

The show itself was incredible! Hubs and I had attended Star Wars in Concert back before moving to Oregon but they have really upped their game in the past 6+ years. This was an entirely new experience which included several stages, lights, video and even fire. There was a live orchestra and choir which performed the music from the show, conducted by the composer himself Ramin Djawadi. I cannot say enough amazing things about this experience! If you ever have an opportunity to attend something similar, I highly recommend it. One downside to the Moda Center is that they did not have a space where they could set up costumes and props from the show for public viewing like in other cities. That would have just been icing on the cake to have been able to see those as well.

Battle of the Bastards

Texas Vacation: Day 5

The highlight of my entire trip was going to Johnson Space Center in Houston! I have worked at and visited so many museums but I have never set foot in an actual NASA facility. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, the anticipation was almost more than I could bare. My sis, Mo and I met up with his sister, brother-in-law and nephew who also love space history. Having a big group was so much fun and we literally arrived at opening and stayed until closing. Not too often have I opened and shut a museum down!

Lunar Module

Saturn V building while taking the tram tour

Mission Control...the real Mission Control from the Apollo days.

I almost couldn't breath, seeing it in person and sitting in the VIP section was such an intense moment. After looking at pictures for decades, I finally saw it with my own eyes and sat in the exact same chairs as prominent historical figures.

Mercury Redstone Rocket (outside the Saturn building)

Walking the gantry

For decades I looked at pictures in books of the moon-era space flights. I have read, studied and know this section of our history better than anything I learned in college. For 4 years at Evergreen, I took people on tours and tried to explain to them the incredible size of a Saturn V rocket. "It is over 300 ft tall", "it is three Titan II's on top of each other tall", "it is wider than this particular area of our museum" but nothing could prepare me for walking into that building and seeing it. To say that it was a spiritual moment for me just doesn't explain it. My hand immediately went over my mouth and tears welled up in my eyes. Not just because of was the Saturn V stands for but because I was finally there, with it, in person. I could touch it and smell it. A dream that I have held in my heart since I was 16 years old was realized in that moment. I have my sister to thank, who made this trip to Houston happen and who was hell-bent on getting me there, even in the worst of Texas weather. I also have my hubby to thank, who sent me on this trip with a smile and hug and told me to have a wonderful time and make incredible memories. My Love -- it's you and me at Kennedy!

Texas Vacation: Day 3

Day 3's adventure began in Waco, Texas to visit Magnolia Market. Some of you may be familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines and their television show "Fixer Upper" on HGTV. I loved visiting their retail shop and seeing in real life what I have watched being built on television.

Located in downtown Waco

The Magnolia Silos

Magnolia Flour: the most delicious cupcake I have ever eaten!

Called the "Cup of Jo", chocolate cupcake with coffee frosting.

Dr. Pepper Museum located just steps away from Magnolia Market

The soda you purchase from this museum is the best Dr. Pepper I have ever tasted. I don't know what they have done to it but it is more fresh and delicious than any fountain or bottled drink.

Saw the Magnificent 7 at the Alamo Draft House.

The single best movie-going experience of my life!

They deliver food and drinks right to you as you watch the movie.

Texas Vacation: Day 1 & 2

Unfortunately this year Hubs and I were not able to take a vacation together. Circumstances with both Trudy and Mom-in-law precluded both of us from leaving simultaneously. Back in August, Hubs went to CA to visit his bestie which left September open for me to visit my sister in the great state of Texas! 

My initial impression of Texas after getting off the plane into the airport was, "well the humidity isn't so bad" and than I walked outside and thought I had been slapped in the face with a wet wash cloth. Wow! High temperatures and high humidity...I cannot even adequately describe it.

Mexican food in Texas is the best Mexican I have had since leaving AZ

Breakfast burritos in Texas: NOPE

Breakfast tacos in Texas: ABSOLUTELY

Very cool museum on Camp Mabry

The Austin Toy Museum! A blast from our past. 

This place literally has every toy from the 80s that we had or wished we had!

The infamous Austin bats which live under the bridges and fly out in swarms at dusk. 

EXCEPT on this night, they decided to take some time off.

Model Group Luncheon

Back at the end of March, the model group from Evergreen (which has mostly disbanded) got together for one of its notorious luncheons. Due to illness and a myriad of other problems, the entire group rarely is able to make it to the same place at the same time...until yesterday. What a wonderful day! We traveled to Lincoln City and ate delicious food at Fathom's Penthouse Restaurant and Bar. Wonderful conversation, belly-laughs and celebrations of recovery!

Funny Story: Another patron, not with our group but who was the same age as the others, came up to me and asked why I would be there with all those "old people"? I told him those "old people" were my friends! My group thought this was simply the best and referred to me as their "bus driver" who cares for them over at the "old-folks home". They were still laughing about it all the way home!

Madam President

At the beginning of the year, the President of the "Friends" non-profit I volunteer with announced that due to health concerns he would not be running for re-election. This left the organization with a huge problem, as we are quite a small board and have a small contingent of members. After much contemplation, discussion and research, Hubs and I decided this was a challenge I should accept.

For two months, I slowly picked up more and more responsibility with the "Friends" group and still donated a ton of time doing overnights at Evergreen. I quickly realized there would be no way to volunteer with both groups, so I made a choice. I officially said goodbye to Evergreen and was voted in as the President of the Friends of Historic Champoeg on the same weekend.

It has already been a rollercoaster ride full of changes and unexpected road blocks but I am challenging myself to handle them with dignity and grace. We have a great staff, some wonderful board members and supportive Park staff which will make the next 2 years an interesting adventure!

Day at the Vineyard

It has taken 4+ years but Hubs and I finally went to our first Oregon vineyard. It isn't that we are opposed to vineyards but we don't drink wine so the opportunity never really presented itself. Luckily my friend's Mom had her retirement party at Blakeslee Vineyard Estates and boy was it lovely!

Model Group Luncheon

Winter time is notoriously difficult for Oregonians, the cold and the rain forces us all to hole up in our houses and disappear for 6+ months. Now the sun is out, the flowers are blooming and friends reassemble like no time has passed at all. I was lucky enough to join up with (most of the) model group from Evergreen for a relaxing lunch. Good times and many laughs!

Me and Matt's Best Friend, Bob

Resting Under an F-15

Despite the fact that I no longer work at Evergreen I still volunteer quite a bit. The other night we finally had a night flight in the Space Museum so I took the opportunity to rest somewhere unique -- under the F-15. It is nice & dark and blocks the overhead lights but it did cross my mind around 1:00 am that I was putting a lot of trust in the engineering and maintenance of said aircraft. :-)

Giving Up or Had Enough?

I QUIT!

These are honestly words I never expected to use during my tenure at the museum. I had always anticipated my employment status would change based on their decision, not mine. Unfortunately, the changes and uncertainty surrounding the museum have altered the way it needs to do business. Those changes include taking comp time and flexible scheduling away. While we are considered salaried employees and therefore exempt from comp time, the museum had always honored it since our department's schedule was so erratic. Sometimes we work 50-60 hours weeks, working hours during the day and the night, but we always took days off to compensate (flexible scheduling) or "banked" those hours (comp time) for later. Not anymore. If I were to work Monday-Friday and have an overnight on Saturday/Sunday, I would be expected to return to work Monday-Friday instead of getting Monday/Tuesday off. From my calculations that is 12 days without a day off. When I voiced my concern, I was told "that's the job". There are dozens of other conversations and altercations which lead to this outcome and wish I could say that I was sorry about my decision...but I am not. 

I will return to volunteering at the museum -- being a docent and giving tours brings me happiness -- I still plan to help my co-workers out with big events and maybe an overnight from time to time. I still love what the museum stands for and I believe in its mission but I will decide just how much time I will donate and when, not the other-way around.

Changing My Perspective

Things at work are rough. New management, new people, new rules & regulations, constant change and uncertainty, never-ending meetings, looming budget deadlines, etc. It is just so hard right now... however I had an epiphany a few nights ago. I can focus on all the daily things that stress me out and that I have zero control over OR I can focus on making incredible memories with the people around me who I truly care about. So Thursday night my co-worker (and fellow shooting buddy) Robert borrowed the keys to the 747 on top of the waterpark. So amazing! It isn't everyday that you get a chance to sit in the cockpit of a 747 ON TOP OF A BUILDING!

The next night I tooled around inside the fuselage of a DC-3 and sat in the pilot seat of a P-51 Mustang. Yes, the job is difficult right now but I have also been blessed with amazing opportunities to create happy moments and make remarkable memories!

DC-3

P-51 Mustang

My New Hobby

It has been lovingly brought to my attention that I haven't been keeping up on the blog lately. Honestly, Hubs and I have just not had the time to get out and do much. Between our jobs, the "kids", the house, Jackie's stroke/hospital/rehab and my position on the board at Champoeg -- I feel like all the days have simply blended together.

A highlight I found, however, when browsing through my phone were these pictures from last month. The guys I work with are serious gun enthusiasts and convinced me to go shooting at the range. I was introduced to two Glocks (a standard size and compact model) and an AR-15. I was absolutely terrified of the AR at first. It was big, heavy, loud and o' so powerful! It took some time and a trip out to the forest but I am becoming more comfortable and confident in my abilities.

My "Seal Team-6" photo

Not bad for a beginner

Handguns are far more difficult than I expected

Oregon, you are gorgeous!

Friends Who Moved On

One of the most difficult things about working at the museum are the friends we lose along the way. We lost two very sweet men just last month. Mel was my supervisor for 2.5 years while I was a volunteer. He was funny, kind and hard on me from time to time. I will miss his dry sense of humor and his constant fixing of the chains around the aircraft. Chuck was a Friday volunteer and I got to know him when I was part of the model group. He was always kind and checked in with me even after I got hired full time. He is greatly missed at the front desk.

Melvin Johnson

August 30, 1941 - August 31, 2015

Mel passed away in Marion County. He was born in Portland, Oregon to Mel and Alice Mary Johnson. After serving 8 years   in the Air Force, he settled in California and worked in the electronics industry. Upon retirement Mel and Rosey, his wife of 32 years, moved to Salem, Oregon where they farmed Blueberries. Mel also enjoyed volunteering as a Docent at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville. Mel loved his large family and rarely missed the annual reunion in Silverton. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Melva Anne. He is survived by his wife Rosey and their 6 children: Eric, Tom, Melanie Mangin (Steve), Laurene, Dean Westergren (Tracey), Jacklyn Lang (Chase); their 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind 6 siblings: John (Linda), Linda (Jim), Carol, Chuck (Jo), Marvin (Tracy), Greg (Mika) and lots of nieces and nephews. Mel's dog Chica misses him very much!

Charles Leon Howell, age 75, passed away on August 26, 2015 at his home in McMinnville. Charles was born on January 3, 1940 to Clyde Lorraine and Charlotte Ruth Grigson Howell. Charles and Alice A. Beery were married on April 6, 1966 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

After graduating from West High School in Salt Lake City, Charles attended Westminister College in Salt Lake City, Northrup Institute of Technology in Inglewood, CA and California State University in Los Angeles. He moved to McMinnville, OR in 1971 and worked for Midway Volkswagen and Mac Auto Parts before owning Dave's Trophy Shop for 23 years. After retiring, he worked for Lowe's and then was a volunteer at Evergreen Air and Space Museum. He was a member of Kiwanis for 42 years, was active in Gallery Theater and the Methodist Church, plus many community activities.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Larry. He is survived by his wife Alice, sister Carol Lutz (Gerald) and brothers Ralph and Vernon.

Cobra Helicopter Visit (includes video)

Hands-down one of the coolest things about working at the museum are the visits from our active duty military, especially the helicopter crews! I have now met Army Blackhawk, Coast Guard and Army Cobra crews. 4 Cobras landed at the museum on June 16 around lunch time. I was teaching  at the museum that day and took the opportunity to show my students what awesome American power looks like!