Me, My Dog, and I ®

Day 130 (September 16, 2010) Return of Day 92 Grizzly Bear

2010-09-16T18:50:00.002-04:00

Farewell to Savage Cabin

2010-09-15T20:10:00.002-04:00

Since May I have been working as a Living History Interpreter here in Alaska at Denali National Park and Preserve. This Summer I portrayed a 1941 United States National Park Service Mount McKinley National Park Ranger. I have kept a daily blog, along with photos and video on the Facebook Group Page: Zach's Living History Adventure in Alaska. Which is why there haven't been too many posts to this page. However, as this Adventure of mine is coming to a close I will be switching back here for my "regular life" posts ;)

Anyway, today I felt like I wanted to make sure I posted the video that I recorded this afternoon upon the completion of my season here in Denali. This summer in 324 performances I entertained and educated 549 Tour Buses with an estimated 23,058 tourists on board.

Here is my farewell to life at Savage Cabin, Mount McKinley National Park, 1941:

Happy Birthday America...

2010-07-02T16:51:00.003-04:00

"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."

~John Adams, July 3, 1776

Above All...

2010-06-18T10:18:00.003-04:00

(click on image for full size photo)

Old Glory flying above Mt. Eielson, from the Eielson Visitors Center, Denali National Park and Preserve. All in memory of Carl Ben Eielson.

I snapped this photo, for as I stood there yesterday afternoon seeing this image I couldn't help but think and my mother and sister who were in Arlington National Cemetery in honor of another group of Airmen.

Seeing this image in person or in picture, I can't think of a more fitting motto than that of the US Air Fore:

ABOVE ALL

Memorial Day 2010

2010-06-01T03:58:00.003-04:00

For some households everyday is Memorial Day.

This post is dedicated to the family of Staff Sergeant David P. Spears, US Army, 25th Infantry. "Chief of Smoke" 2/9 Field Artillery, 'B' Battery. KIA 24 July 1966, Ia Drang Valley, Central Highlands, Vietnam.

Come Follow My Adventure...

2010-04-21T00:47:00.002-04:00

Come on over and join my new Facebook Group: Zach's Living History Adventure In Alaska

I created this group page so that there will be a central location for people to keep up-to-date with journey in Denali National Park this summer. I will use this group page to post pictures, videos, and stories for you all to see and follow along.

And, no I do not plan on abandoning my blog, I just wanted another venue that would enable me to share multimedia experiences of my Summer adventure.

Big Changes...

2010-04-14T21:55:00.003-04:00

I have to admit that while I am more excited than I have been in a long, long time...I am just as equally terrified!

Today, my management team officially approved a leave of absence for me that will allow me to accept a short-term contract with the Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture, the National Park Service's authorized concessioner of Denali National Park.

I will be spending May through September of this year working as a Living History Interpreter as part of the Denali Natural History Tour.

I cannot express how excited I am to have the opportunity to continue and advance my career as a Living History Professional, as well as have the opportunity to live and work in Alaska at such a beautiful place as Denali. This experience will be a great departure for me on many levels, yet I know it will be an adventure full of lessons to be learned. It will be a wonderful break from the summertime of Virginia, however, I will be sad at spending that time away from Portia (a big thank you to my family for agreeing to watch her while I'm away). It will be a once in a lifetime experience I have no doubt.

And it won't be so bad reporting to work here everyday:

For those of you who are wondering, my assignment will be to portray a 1940's era Park Ranger. A great departure from the many characters I have portrayed over the years and it will be a whole new era for me to familiarize myself with, I really can't wait...despite how scary this whole thing is.

A Full Company At 'Over-Strength'

2010-04-10T22:56:00.005-04:00

As some of you may (or may not) know, my job involves me playing a variety of different people from the 18th Century. One such character is Captain Alexander Parker of Col. Thomas Posey's Virginia Regiment. Typically I will portray this American soldier/veteran on Wednesdays and Fridays as part of our End of Day program. The year is 1781, and the American and French forces are amassing for the siege of Yorktown. But before the march to the city of York, Capt. Parker has come to Williamsburg to find any and all brave, able-bodied men, over the age of 16 who would like to exact some revenge on the Redcoats that have wrecked havoc and devastation on their countryside...and with a cry for all those willing to fight to step forward or be left behind this is what happened yesterday, Friday, April 9th:

21 ranks of men, five across stepped forward and volunteered for service in the Continental Line. Considering how quiet this crowd had been all day I honestly did not expect more than three or four men to step forward. While we had few boys step forward they were removed from the ranks before the volunteers were issued their Oath of Enlistment:

At this point in history, a complete company is composed of 100 men. With 105 total men sworn in we exceeded the numbers of a full company by five men, making this the largest number of men I have ever seen recruited here...a full company at 'over-strength'...it was a lot of fun to be a part of and see the patriotism of this quiet crowd come to life in these 105 men.

(Click on images for larger view)

Even Gen. Washington Celebrated St. Paddy's Day...

2010-03-17T13:12:00.002-04:00

On this day, let us take time to send a big "Cheers!" to the Irish Parliament and ALL the sons of Ireland who in 1780 chose to join together with the American Alliance to promote the "Cause of America". God Bless America and Erin Go Bragh!!

My Favorite Day Of The Year Is Today....

2010-03-17T07:41:00.000-04:00

A Journey To Share With You...

2010-03-08T16:10:00.003-05:00

In the Summer of 1999 I had the privilege of serving as part of a team with Youth for Christ's Summerserve mission teams. We were a group of American teenagers/young adults assigned to serve in a church in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, a suburb of Belfast, at that time one of the world's deadliest cities. It was a wonderful experience, and despite the reputation I never once felt afraid or at danger, well save for being followed by a street performing clown for a couple blocks (but who wouldn't be afraid when being followed by a clown).

My team was lead by a wonderful man, Mark, a.k.a The Wayfarer. Following our teams mission, Mark actually went back to N. Ireland where for several years he and his wife continued to serve as missionaries. Around the same time I moved to Virginia, Mark and his wife were called back to the States and for the past year or so they have been living in Denver. Mark is an amazing man and in my opinion is a great role model and leader of men, especially young men.

Recently I was reading on Mark's blog about one of his friends, Jonathon. This young man has embarked on a journey. Just over a week ago, with his dog by his side, Jonathon embarked on a journey that will take him from the Atlantic Coastline of Delaware all the way to San Francisco, CA. Jonathon intends to raise awareness for Kiva.org an organization that connects people across the world in an effort to promote entrepreneurship and alleviate poverty.

Jonathon and his dog Kanoa plan on walking the American Discovery Trail nearly in its entirety to raise money and awareness for Kiva. Throughout their journey Jonathon will be keeping a blog with video and pictures of their adventures. This week it has been amazing to watch and listen to the details of this incredible walk. I encourage you all to head over to Jonathon's blog and follow along in this amazing young man's journey. I really wish his journey took him through Williamsburg, as I would love to take Portia out and join him and Kanoa on part of this journey.

Godspeed Jonathon and Kanoa, I look forward to following you as you progress on this amazing journey!

One of the best SNL guests in the modern era...

2010-02-28T13:24:00.002-05:00

Think what you want about the guy, but I must admit Justin Timberlake is one of the funniest entertainers of my generation:

I Really Need To Breathe...

2010-02-23T18:40:00.000-05:00

And Lay 'Em Down

Hey, Bend, Oregon: LIVE ORANGE...

2010-02-16T12:54:00.005-05:00

JOURNEY in Bend arrives this Sunday 2/21/2010

Click here to learn more:

Happy February 14th...

2010-02-14T10:02:00.003-05:00

On this day 151 years ago, Oregon officially became the 33rd State in The Union. So, let me just say Happy Statehood Day everyone! If you are going to be in or near Portland, Oregon today I highly recommend that you take some time to stop in at the Oregon Historical Society and join in on the celebration. Today is a free day at OHS and they will be having live music, tours, living history theatre, and yes, there will even be cake!! Happy Birthday Oregon, thanks for making February 14th, such a special and memorable day!!

Olympics 2010...

2010-02-12T10:36:00.002-05:00

Winter Olympics start tonight and I thought I'd just give a shout out to those residing in the little loft apartment over the really great party...or as some would say America's hat. Go Team USA, however, please know my neighbors of the Great White North I will be rooting for you in Hockey...so, GO CANADA HOCKEY, EH!

Happy Birthday Portia!!

2010-02-08T00:01:00.011-05:00

On February 8, 2007 somewhere in Central Oregon a Chocolate Lab gave birth to six puppies. The Lab had given birth to puppies before...Lab puppies...but this time was different, the puppies were most certainly not Labs, well not purebreds anyway. These puppies had white markings on their chests and toes and for whatever reason it was decided that these puppies would not do and they were subsequently "abandoned" (for the lack of a better word) at the Humane Society of Central Oregon, located in Bend, Oregon. The volunteers and employees worked diligently to wean all six puppies and find them loving homes. And as is usually the case with the puppies they were quickly adopted...all five of the six anyway...all but this one:

The called her "Sweetie" on account of her kind and gentle disposition. For some reason though the shelter was having a hard time finding her a home. Much loved by the handlers and volunteers that worked with her they would post notes on her kennel encouraging folks to take a look at her and hopefully adopt her: "I love to play and run, if you want more energy I will give some to you. I can not sit yet but I am learning!" or " I heart being taken out on walks. I do not know sit, come, or down, but get me treats and teach me! I am very energetic and I love people!" But even with references like those, "Sweetie" continued to live for nearly five months in her kennel at the shelter.

Then one day in June, while looking yet again through the shelter in search of that perfect dog...I met "Sweetie"...I immediately snapped a cellphone picture of her (the one above) and forwarded it to my roommate/landlord in hopes he would approve of my attempt to bust her out. I particularly liked this dog not only for her demeanor, but for the fact that she was almost a pint-sized version of my roommates dog Zeke, a Mastiff-Boxer mix:

After seeing the photo of "Sweetie" my roommate, Matt, agreed that she seemed like the right dog to rescue. So, on June 30, 2007 after close to five months in a cell at the local shelter the last of the six puppies was about to get a new home, but before that could happen she needed a new name, "Sweetie" is nice and all, but it's more like a nickname, than a proper name. I felt that I had the perfect proper name, inspired by the heroine of William Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice I settled on the name, Portia.

Portia, from Merchant of Venice, is beautiful, gracious, rich, intelligent, quick witted, and has high standards in men. She obeys her father's wishes, even while having the determination to land the suitor of her desire. Even at one point disguising herself as a man to save another's life. This character fit perfectly with this precious little puppy, full of energy and a willingness to please.

So, on June 30, 2007 "Sweetie" became Portia...rescued from the shelter to come home where she made fast friends with Zeke:

It's been a great three years, Portia and we have come along way from our beloved home in Central Oregon to our new home some 3000 miles away in Virginia...hope your day is special!

Portia and Poe

Poe takes Portia for a walk

Portia with her 1st Birthday present from Aunt Sarah

Portia, Rockway Beach 2007

Car rides are one of Portia's favorite things

Stopping to visit with Uncle Flash in Tennessee on her way to Virginia. We miss you Uncle Flash

Zeke and Portia, we miss you too Zeke

Aunt Shelby and Portia

Portia before leaving Oregon

Not only does she love car rides, but she LOVES snow!

Portia makes a pretty good Disc Golf caddy

Loving life at the creek with her buddy Darby

Enjoying a run alongside the James River

For The Moments I Feel Faint...

2010-02-03T16:19:00.002-05:00

Lately I have had this growing feeling of being out of my depth...a feeling like I keep swimming, keep swimming, only to sink further and further down. Then, today, the words of this Relient K song came on:

Am I at the point of no improvement?

What of the death I still dwell in?

I try to excel, but I feel no movement.

Can I be free of this unreleasable sin?

[Chorus:]

Never underestimate my Jesus.

You're telling me that there's no hope.

I'm telling you you're wrong.

Never underestimate my Jesus

When the world around you crumbles

He will be strong, He will be strong

I throw up my hands

"Oh, the impossibilities"

Frustrated and tired

Where do I go from here?

Now I'm searching for the confidence I've lost so willingly

Overcoming these obstacles is overcoming my fear

[Chorus]

I think I can't, I think I can't

But I think you can, I think you can

I think I can't, I think I can't

But I think you can, I think you can

Gather my insufficiencies and

place them in your hands, place them in your hands, place them in your hands

Snow Day...

2010-01-30T21:53:00.003-05:00

Upon reporting for duty at work today, we were the only place open!

Portia and I pretending we were back in Oregon for the day!

Portia enjoying the snow

Though I Walk Through Valleys Low...

2010-01-25T09:51:00.003-05:00

Lyrics I Had To Share...

2010-01-23T18:52:00.002-05:00

Heard this song tonight and I really felt like I needed to share the lyrics...they hit home for me pretty hard:

Sometimes we fall down and can't get back up

we're hiding behind skin that's too tough

how come we don't say I love you enough

till it's to late, it's not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won't come
we could make a feast from these crumbs
and we're all staring down the barrel of a gun
so if your life flashed before you
what would you wish you would've done

Yeah... gotta start
lookin at the hand of the time we've been given here
this is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
every second counts on a clock that's tickin'
gotta live like we're dying

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
turn it all around or throw it all away
we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
while we got the chance to say
gotta live like we're dying

And if your plane fell out of the skies
who would you call with your last goodbyes
should be so careful who we live for out our lives
so when we long for absolution
there'll no one on the line

Yeah... gotta start
lookin at the hand of the time we've been given here
this is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
every second counts on a clock that's tickin'
gotta live like we're dying

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
turn it all around or throw it all away
we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
while we got the chance to say
gotta live like we're dying

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
turn it all around or throw it all away
we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
while we got the chance to say
gotta live -- like we're dying

We never know a good thing till it's gone
you never see a crash until it's head on
all those people right when we're dead wrong
you never know a good thing till it's gone

Yeah... gotta start
lookin at the hand of the time we've been given here
this is all we got and we gotta start livin it
every second counts on a clock that's tickin'
gotta live like we're dying

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
turn it all around or throw it all away
we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
while we got the chance to say
gotta live like we're dying

"Live Like We're Dying" ~ Kris Allen

Donated My Hair...

2010-01-11T21:28:00.002-05:00

I did it! Finally went in and got my ridiculously long hair all cut off!! And I figured that since I didn't want my hair anymore that it would be better used by someone who might need it, so I donated my ponytail to Locks of Love. Locks of Love requires that your ponytail must be at least 10 inches long and mine came in just under 11. Here's a few photos I took today to commemorate this occasion:

Here I am with my hair down for the final time.

Getting ready to go in and get my haircut.

Here I am posing with my trophy ponytail before sending it off to Locks of Love.

Went to dinner with a friend to celebrate and while we were eating dinner I noticed the restaurant had this poster from my hometown of Pendleton, Oregon. It is a Lee Moorehouse photo of the 1915 Bucking Contest Winners: Lee Campbell, Jackson Sundown, and Yakima Canutt.

Living History...

2010-01-08T00:06:00.006-05:00

It's what I do...go here for booking & info

A Decade Of Dominance...

2010-01-04T01:24:00.017-05:00

In honor of today's (Jan. 4, 2010) Tostitos Fiesta Bowl match up of the Boise State Broncos and the TCU Horned Frogs I wanted to take a moment to shine the light on quite possibly the greatest football dynasty that never was fully appreciated and often overlooked in the last 10 years...The Boise State Broncos.

Okay, so I fully appreciate that this decade isn't complete until the end of 2010. And for that reason I have chosen to look at the record and body of work for the Boise State Broncos dating back to their 1999 season and then all the way through this season which will culminate in tonight's bowl game.

Some of you may not be aware that the Boise State Football program has the best record in all of Division I-A Football, or as they call it now in the FBS. Now I could possibly just ask you to take my word for it or I could tell you to just go look it up for yourself, but I thought I'd be nice and let the records do all the talking for us:

1999: 10-3 W, Humanitarian Bowl def. Louisville Big West Champion

2000: 10-2 W, Humanitarian Bowl def. UTEP Big West Champion

2001: 8-4 2nd Place WAC

2002: 12-1 W, Humanitarian Bowl def. Iowa State #12 WAC Champion

2003: 13-1 W, Fort Worth Bowl def. TCU #15 WAC Champion

2004: 11-1 L, Liberty Bowl Louisville #13 WAC Champion

2005: 9-4 L, MPC Computers Bowl Boston College WAC Co-Champion

2006: 13-0 W, Tostitos Fiesta Bowl def. Oklahoma #5 WAC Champion

2007: 10-3 L, Hawai'i Bowl East Carolina 2nd Place WAC

2008: 12-1 L, Poinsettia Bowl TCU #11 WAC Champion

2009: 13-0 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl TCU #6 WAC Champion

----- --------------------------- ------------------------

121-20 5-4 with one to play 2 Big West Championships

7 WAC Championships

And while I'll let the numbers above do all the talking, tonight I will be rooting on the Boise State Broncos as they take on the TCU Horned Frogs for the 3rd time in the last 10 years in hopes that the Boys in Blue will be able to add win number 122 to their list of accomplishments during their often overlooked "Decade of Dominance." For the ninth time in the last 10 years the Broncos record now stands at 10 wins or more. For the second time that record is an unblemished record of 13-0, and with a win tonight it will be 14-0. Yet again, the Broncos will be only outsiders to the BCS National Championship. The last time they were in this situation (2006) they were told that as a member of the WAC that they hadn't really played against a perennial college powerhouse and proven they can win...so what did the Boys from the Smurf Turf of Idaho do?? They went to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and defeated Oklahoma, a perennial college powerhouse.

I certainly hope that in this year's Fiesta Bowl the Broncos will find similar success. And I certainly hope that the powers that be, who seem so reluctant to have a true college football playoff, will perhaps consider BSU's entire body of work and realize that this school is every bit deserving of its record, and perhaps in the decades to come may be even able to share or win a National Championship of its own.

But enough of my wishful thinking...Good Luck Broncos, and before I depart here's a look at a few of the Broncos I have enjoyed following over the years:

Jared Zabransky

QB 2004-2006

Hometown: Hermiston, OR

Tony Hilde

QB 1993-1996

Hometown: Pendleton, OR

Ryan Dinwiddie

QB 2001-2003

Hometown: Elk Grove, CA

Legedu Naanee

QB 2003-2004

WR 2005-2006

Hometown: Portland, OR

Korey Hall

LB 2003-2006

Hometown: Glenns Ferry, ID

A Day Trip...

2010-01-02T19:28:00.004-05:00

Today my friend Drew and I went on an adventure to Richmond going to an antique and tool show; then Drew decided that since I had yet to explore any of the Civil War Battlefields that surround Richmond that we should detour our way back to Williamsburg by stopping at some of the sites along the way. We were able to visit several important sites around Richmond, including Cold Harbor, Chickahominy Bluffs, and we finished by a stopping at Malvern Hill. Here's a couple shots that I snapped with my phone at the Malvern Hill Battlefield:

(Clicking images will enlarge them)

This is looking up at the Union artillery line from about as close as the Confederate Line got before being turned back.

This is looking down the hill from just behind the Union line...the tree line in the distance is where the Confederates begin their attack.

Worth Pondering: Question Of A Lifetime...

2009-12-27T09:17:00.004-05:00

One of the gifts I opened on Christmas morning contained a small blue box with this question printed on top: "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" when I opened the box this same question was imprinted on the silver paperweight that was inside the box.

The weight of this question is much heavier than the paperweight, I can assure you of that. I have pondered this question for several days. I think maybe a few years ago I might have known my answer to this question, but at present I can honestly say I have no idea how to answer.

I think I might have a few ideas as to how I might answer, but honestly I don't know.

What about you? Do you know the answer to this question for yourself?

A Very Happy Puppy...

2009-12-25T16:45:00.001-05:00

Thanks to my sister Ashley and her husband Zack even Portia had a gift to unwrap this morning!! Happy Christmas Everyone!!

A Very Special Meeting...

2009-12-22T19:09:00.004-05:00

So I have to brag...I can't help it...and I don't think you can really blame me...but last weekend I was able to go "home" to Oregon for a quick visit. The main purpose of my trip was to attend a family wedding in Portland. But as an added bonus I was blessed with the opportunity to meet my "niece" little Miss Georgia Benson. Georgia's mom and I have been friends since Middle School, and some of you may recall I served as a bridesman in her wedding. Well, little (and I do mean little) Georgia was born in October so this was the first meeting (the first of many I hope)...I absolutely adore this little girl. Here's our first visit together:

And before I left town I went over one more time to visit with her and we shared a special moment together when she figured out how to hold onto her pacifier and keep it in her mouth all at the same time:

I can't wait to watch this little girl grow up and see all that she has to offer this world!! I eagerly await our next opportunity to spend some time together!

It Truly Is The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...

2009-12-20T21:03:00.002-05:00

I bet you thought I was going to make some post about it being Christmas time, didn't you??

Well, to be honest I think the only thing that could make this time of year even better would be if the Commissioners of NCAA Division I-A Conferences, the Director of Athletics at Notre Dame, and the representatives of the bowl organizations would finally come together and agree to a 68 team Division I-A College Football BCS Playoff.

I mean really most teams have a full month or more off the field before they even get to play in a bowl game. Plus, you end up with multiple undefeated teams at the end of almost every season. And this year we have been left with two Cinderella stories who will be playing against each other (Boise St. vs. TCU in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl) so how do you have the Cinderella ending when they play each other? How hard would it be to bracket the 68 teams playing in the Bowl Series this year into four regions, rank and bracket those regions, then have your playoff. Use the existing sites for each round of the playoffs, have each game and site sponsored just as they are now, sell your commercial time and your TV contracts (much like you do already), then use your existing BCS Bowl sites for your Quarterfinal Round, i.e. : Midwest final at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ; West final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA; East final at the Orange Bowl in Miami, FL; and the South final at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, LA. And then have your semi-final and final games played at which ever site is in the rotation for that year's championship as per the current "double-hosting" system. Let's face it the match-ups would draw in more viewership, especially when a bowl game is slated to go head-to-head against an NFL, NHL, or NBA game...under the current system the weaker bowls are losing viewership due to this, I mean who really thinks that tonight's R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl featuring Middle Tennessee vs. Southern Mississippi is going to win in the ratings against the Sunday Night Football match-up of the Minnesota Vikings vs. the Carolina Panthers? The true advantage for having a playoff is no longer watching artificial match-ups selected by committees and voters that in turn leads to true Cinderella stories where David actually has a chance to defeat Goliath cause he fought his way there and didn't have to rely on some computer system running some numbers to see if he could get his chance against the giant.

I know, I know...wishfully thinking. But a boy can dream right?? Regardless, I am going to enjoy these 34 games in 20 days, cause no matter what College Football Bowl Season is truly the most wonderful time of the year!!

the Sing-Off...

2009-12-16T22:35:00.005-05:00

Gotta say I love this show on NBC, I only wish it was longer than the four nights it is slated for this winter. I can't wait to see how it all turns out next Monday night. I am a little torn as I don't know who to root for exactly. I have two favorites for sure, NOTA and Tufts University Beelzebubs.

Here's a couple samples of NOTA:

And here's a couple samples of the Beelzebubs:

Gotta Love HIMYM....

2009-12-15T20:05:00.004-05:00

Okay for those of you who don't know HIMYM translates to the CBS hit show: How I Met Your Mother. I have been watching this show since the Pilot episode aired on September 19, 2005. And I have been a loyal fan ever since. Each episode just gets better and better. Now I don't know if the writers on the show or even the creators have ever been to Oregon but I personally love how they have over the years have made use of Oregon in their show.

My most favorite use of Oregon in the show came in Season 2, Episode 21: "Something Borrowed" when Marshall appeared wearing a vintage Oregon State Beavers T-shirt:

I have searched and searched and I have yet to find a place that sells this t-shirt...hopefully one day I will be able to have my own! If anyone finds a place that sells this shirt please let me know.

Last night I returned from a very quick trip to Oregon. I went to Portland for the weekend didn't have time to see everyone, but a cousin got married and it was the easiest way for me to see the most amount of people in the short time I had. It was great to see the Spears family as well as spend time with my dear friends the Delamarters and the Bensons. Making my trip extra special was getting to meet and spend time with my "niece", Georgia. She is the most precious and adorable baby I have ever met.

So after settling in last night I turned on last night's episode of HIMYM and not even moments into the episode this image appears on my screen:

For those of you who don't know that is Portland, Oregon's own Steel Bridge in the background and the title "Wakey Wakey Beaverton" is in reference to Beaverton, Oregon a Portland suburb. Seeing this image made me laugh all the more, despite the scenario already being played out on the screen. I love Oregon and I am really glad that my favorite show on TV is finding ways to show off my favorite state!

Looking To The Tunnel's End...

2009-12-14T03:33:00.005-05:00

A lot has gone on in my world as of late and one of the most frustrating things for me has been trying to process everything...more importantly trying to process how I feel about everything. Then while driving today this song came on the radio, to me it is an old song originally sung by one of my favorite groups dc Talk...but today it was being performed by a band called Story Side B...regardless, the lyrics of this song put into words my feelings and frustrations into words that I could not come up with on my own:

I keep trying to find a life

On my own, apart from You

I am the king of excuses

I've got one for every selfish thing I do

What's going on inside of me?

I despise my own behaviour

This only serves to confirm my suspicions

That I'm still a man in need of a Saviour

I wanna be in the Light

As You are in the Light

I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens

Oh, Lord be my Light and be my salvation

Cause all I want is to be in the Light

All I want is to be in the Light

The disease of self runs through my blood

It's a cancer fatal to my soul

Every attempt on my behalf has failed

To bring this sickness under control
Tell me, what's going on inside of me?

I despise my own behaviour

This only serves to confirm my suspicions

That I'm still a man in need of a Saviour

Honesty becomes me

[There's nothing left to lose]

The secrets that did run me

[In Your presence are defused]

Pride has no position

[And riches have no worth]

The fame that once did cover me

[Has been sentenced to this Earth]

Has been sentenced to this Earth

Tell me, what's going on inside of me?

I despise my own behaviour

This only serves to confirm my suspicions

That I'm still a man in need of a Saviour
[There's no other place that I want to be]

[No other place that I can see]

[A place to be that's just right]

[Someday I'm gonna be in the Light] [

You are in the Light]

[That's where I need to be]

[That's right where I need to be]

Christmas Time Is Here...

2009-12-12T11:34:00.002-05:00

Janna (Meyen) Weatherby....Rocks!!

2009-11-30T13:14:00.000-05:00

For All Who Have Served And Their Families...

2009-11-11T11:35:00.005-05:00

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.

~Abraham Lincoln

On this Veterans Day, let us not only remember and be grateful for our Veterans but let us all take time to do as Lincoln suggested to care "for his widow, and his orphan" for these too have sacrificed for our Nation.

Two Minutes...

2009-11-11T07:04:00.002-05:00

Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served and continue to serve this country and their families. I, for one am grateful for your service and will never forget. I will for one will take at least two minutes today:

Pittance of Time

Bunky | MySpace Video

The Fifth Of November...

2009-11-05T19:33:00.003-05:00

Remember, remember!

The fifth of November,

The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.

Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England's overthrow.

But, by God's providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James's sake!

If you won't give me one,
I'll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn'orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.

Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!

To Save Or Bury A Battlefield...

2009-11-04T12:50:00.008-05:00

A young soldier and surgeon, Major John McCrae, attached to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade, in the Spring of 1915 was a witness to the horrors of war. The good doctor never grew accustomed to the screams of pain and anguish, the suffering, the blood, and the dying at his dressing station in Ypres salient.

One death in particular hit Major McCrae very hard.

A friend and former student, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed by a shell burst on May 2, 1915. Lt. Helmer was buried that same day in a small cemetery just outside Major McCrae’s dressing station; due to the absence of the chaplain, Major McCrae performed the ceremony. The following day Major McCrae penned this poem:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

~Lt. Col. John McCrae (1872-1918)

Shortly after putting these words to paper, Major McCrae inadvertently handed his notepad containing this poem to another young soldier, Sergeant-Major Cyrill Allison. Sergeant-Major Allison noted: “The poem was exactly an exact description of the scene in front of us both. He used the word blow in that line because the poppies actually were being blown that morning by a gentle east wind. It never occurred to me at the time that it would ever be published. It seemed to me just an exact description of the scene.”

An exact description of the scene.

It is hard not to envision Flanders Fields just as Major McCrae saw it on that Spring day in 1915. Read it again and you will see rows and rows of poppies growing between the rows and rows of white stone crosses marking the graves of those who fell in battle. And as you read, can you also see in your mind’s eye, the townhouses, condos, shopping mall, and a parking lot with its bright lights shining down on the scene?

It may seem outrageous to suggest that you might also see urban sprawl on top of a battlefield or burial ground of American soldiers killed in action. We can all agree that building 400,000 plus square feet of shopping space on top of Arlington Green is ridiculous. That it would be unthinkable to build 95 single family dwellings, alongside almost 900 condominiums and townhouses on Gettysburg National Military Park. But sadly, the equivalent of all of this, is currently being proposed right here in America’s Historic Triangle, and more specifically in the City of Williamsburg.

5 May 1862, just one half mile east of our beloved Colonial Williamsburg 3,843 American soldiers laid down their lives upon the field of battle. Many of these were buried where they fell, often in unmarked graves. Some of course would be re-interred later, some sadly were not. Left to their unmarked graves upon the field where they gave all.

In July 2009 the Civil War Sites Advisory Council (a branch of the National Park Service) designated this battlefield as Core Battlefield Property, ground where combat and casualties were sustained. This field of battle where brave young Americans paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country is now facing a threat of its own -- the threat of being buried beneath yet another shopping center here in Williamsburg.

The proposal by Riverside Healthcare includes combining two large pieces of property totaling 337 acres. These two pieces of property lie within the Core Battlefield Property. What is being proposed is the building of 200,000 plus square feet of office space, 95 single family dwellings, 882 condominiums and townhouses, and 400,000 plus square feet of shopping center, in addition to a hospital and nursing home. All of this to be built on top of the site of the Battle of Williamsburg.

Drive throughout this city and you will see unfinished projects similar to this one being proposed; the AIG Baker and Marquis Shopping Centers come to mind. Setting aside the economics and the fiscal responsibility of starting yet another such project in America’s Historic Triangle, let us consider what happens if this project is allowed to move forward as planned…the battlefield of the Battle of Williamsburg will be buried forever. Lost to corporate and urban expansion.

Read the poem again.

Seems ridiculous to read of Flanders Field and imagine anything else than the “exact description” that Major McCrae gives isn’t it?

Now imagine reading those words and trying to envision it while standing in the parking lot of what used to be that field.

“We shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.”

**********

Stephan P. Zacharias is the proud grandson of Staff Sgt. David P. Spears, 25th Infantry Division, KIA, July 24, 1966, Vietnam, Panel 9 East, Line 71. Zacharias has been a living history performance professional since 2001, is an active member of the National Association of Interpreters, and is currently employed by Colonial Williamsburg.

A book by it's cover, perhaps...

2009-11-03T00:54:00.005-05:00

Roller Coasters vs. Brass Doorknockers

by Paul Caputo

As a child, I visited Williamsburg, Virginia, with my family. Prior to the trip, I spent months anticipating a day at an amusement park called Busch Gardens. I was consumed with and petrified by a roller coaster called the Loch Ness Monster, which featured multiple loops and a 114-foot drop. I studied photos of the roller coaster in a Busch Gardens brochure and wondered if I would have the courage to get into one of those metal, yellow cars when the time came to do so. (I would, and it was great.)

My 10-year-old brain had blocked out the fact that Busch Gardens would only be one part of a vacation that included several other sites. So you can imagine my surprise when, on the first day of the trip, I found myself not on the greatest roller coaster ever, but watching a living history interpreter in period costume demonstrate how Colonial-era Americans made brass doorknockers.

Once I stopped comparing the relative adrenaline rushes associated with the Loch Ness Monster and brass doorknockers, I appreciated the immersive historical experience of Colonial Williamsburg. I may not have understood all of the history I was seeing, but I left (in spite of myself) with an appreciation of how different my life was compared to what it might have been 200 years earlier. I learned something about the origins of my country and the people who made it what it was.

What I did not appreciate at the time was all of the discussions that go on behind closed doors at sites like Colonial Williamsburg. I did not think about how easy it would have been for poorly researched or inexpertly presented first-person interpretation to warp a visitor’s sense of what life was like in the Colonial era. It never occurred to me that management might have chosen to use interpreters in contemporary dress to educate visitors in the third person. Once I bought into the experience, I never questioned that what I was seeing was anything but purely authentic or that there was any other way to present it.

At a site like Colonial Williamsburg, I am confident that the living history presentations were then and continue to be of the highest quality. However, whether it is because of poor planning or a lack of resources, that may not be the case at every site. This issue of Legacy discusses some of the many factors that go into creating and providing effective, genuine historical experiences, and explores the whys and hows of different methods of doing so.

Author Paul Caputo has been the art and publications director for the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) since February 2002. He earned a master of fine arts in visual communications from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2001 and a bachelor of arts from the University of Richmond in 1995. He is a Certified Interpretive Trainer and the editor of Legacy magazine, and he has presented sessions on graphic design and interpretation nationally and internationally. Paul lives with his wife, Sheila, and their children, Joel and Maya, in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Welcome Georgia Elizabeth!!!

2009-10-16T08:28:00.005-04:00

I have always thought that my best friend was a champ...now I KNOW she is!! After 36 hours of labor she gave birth to her first born baby GIRL!! Georgia Elizabeth came in at an even 6lbs and 19 inches. I could not be more excited for Sarah and the now Daddy D! And due to the new rules at hospitals to protect newborns from H1N1, Sarah almost immediately went to work at posting pictures for all those who couldn't come in to meet little Georgia. Here's my favorite so far...Georgia with her Daddy D! Can't wait til I get my chance to meet her!

I've been working here too long...

2009-10-01T19:42:00.004-04:00

On my way out the door to go and train new recruits of the Continental Army in the manuel of arms and here is my inspiration for the night...

Courtesy Freelance-Star 09-14-09

2009-09-14T10:53:00.005-04:00

Game slides history lesson into 1859 fair

September 14, 2009 12:36 am

BY CHELYEN DAVIS
In September 1859, there were still slaves in Spotsylvania. Virginia hadn't yet seceded. John Brown's raid in Harper's Ferry was a month off. The Montpelier Guard militia was as much a social club as a fighting force. No one had heard of the Confederacy, nor made distinctions between who wore blue and who wore gray.
It was a time Spotsylvania County tried to re-create, in small part, this weekend with the first "Past in the Present" fair.
The fair, held Saturday and Sunday in the courthouse area, was part of the state's commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
Speakers enacted political debates of the time, including a debate over potential secession. A man sang slave songs. A medicine show entertained old and young alike.
Those who came Sunday might have seen two club nines use a willow to hit the apple then leg it around the bases for an ace.
It was vintage baseball, which comes with its own terms, and rules, circa 1864.
That meant three balls were a walk, and if a ball was caught after one bounce, it was still an out. Pitches (from the "hurler") were underhanded.
"Before TV, million-dollar contracts, and gloves," is how Bruce Leith described the vintage game. Leith is from of the Eclipse Base Ball Club of Elkton, Md., one of the teams playing.
Leith said his group is a reconstitution of a club that was formed in 1866.
The team plays with wooden bats and wears uniforms that look like those of the era--long-sleeved woolen shirts and knickers.
Leith said in the 19th century, chambers of commerce would outfit the local team, trying to make them look as spiffy as possible because when they traveled, they were walking billboards to lure tourists to their hometown.
Leith said the team travels the East Coast, mostly D.C. and north, to play other vintage teams.
Their opponents yesterday were the newly-formed Pastime Base Ball Club of Williamsburg, who were playing their first game.
Team member Stephan Zacharias said most of the team members work at Colonial Williamsburg, so historical reenactment "is a field we're all familiar with."
For them, Zacharias said, playing vintage baseball isn't just about the sport.
"This is more about the history of the sport for us," he said. "It is an educational opportunity as well as an opportunity to have some fun."
In another field were members of the Montpelier Guard, a military reenactment group.
They said the Montpelier Guard was a pre-Civil War militia group that later became the 13th Virginia Infantry, Company A, when the war started.
In 1859, though, they were men in blue uniforms--something they said startles people, who don't realize that blue was a popular military color in both the North and South before the war, and was standard for Virginia militias.
"A lot of people come up to us and say, 'Oh, you're Yankees' because we're wearing blue," said Steve Blancard of Fredericksburg.
Blancard actually wasn't wearing blue; he was dressed in period clothing, but was portraying a new recruit, one who might have shown up to the militia with his grandfather's Revolutionary War-era flintlock musket (which Blancard was carrying).
With him were Guy Tirk of King George and Rich Rossmiller of southern Stafford.
They said the Montpelier Guard helped provide security for John Brown's trial and helped escort him to his hanging.
Normally, the men's re-enactment activities are more centered on the war itself. But they said portraying the time right before war started is a good way to educate the public.
"It gives us a chance to step back and start telling the history of before the war," Blancard said, a history that is "often overlooked."
Next year Spotsylvania will hold an 1860 fair, and will continue annual fairs during the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the war.
"Right now we're building awareness," said Rachel DeLooze, the county's tourism and marketing coordinator, who helped organize the fair.
She estimated Saturday attendance at around 1,000, saying all the food vendors ran out of food.
"It's been a really good turnout, especially for a first year," DeLooze said.
She plans similar activities for next year's fair, and hopes there might be interest in forming a local vintage baseball team.
spotsylvania.org/150CW.htm.
Chelyen Davis: 540/368-5028
Email: cdavis@freelancestar.com

Stephan Zacharias (left) of the Pastime Base Ball Club of Williamsburg and Glyn Richards of the Eclipse Base Ball Club of Elkton, Md., perform a bat toss before their game at Spotsylvania's 1859 county fair yesterday.

Val Povinelli tries to slide into first base against Glyn Richards during the vintage baseball game held at Spotsylvania's 1859 county fair yesterday. The teams play by the rules of the mid-1800s, which means they don't use gloves.

Courtesy Virginia Gazette 09-09-09

2009-09-09T20:58:00.002-04:00

Turning back the clock

The Pastime Base Ball Club shows how the game was played 150 years ago.

Pastime Base Ball Club plays the game 1864 rules

By John Harvey

Published:

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 2:21 AM EDT

WILLIAMSBURG

Have you ever wondered what baseball looked looked like 150 years ago?

Ron Carnegie and Stephen Zacharias are giving baseball fans in greater Williamsburg that opportunity with the Pastime Base Ball Club.

This vintage club is dedicated to building interest in the history of baseball, offering education and entertainment to people on the Peninsula.

Carnegie formed the club in greater Williamsburg last fall as a means to show how baseball was meant to be played.

“The game really lives up to its gentlemanly nature,” Carnegie said. “The clubs play for fun and education. Certainly they want to win, but [enjoying] the game is more important. It is a game of honor.”

Vintage baseball growing throughout the United States, with approximately 250 clubs throughout the country. The Pastime Base Ball Club is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Baseball League, which includes seven clubs between Maryland and North Carolina.

Games are played by baseball rules of 1864, which differ somewhat from that of the modern game. For example, players do not use gloves and foul balls are not taken as strikes. In addition, outs can be recorded by a catch from a fly ball or on one bounce.

Pitchers stand 45 feet from the batter, known as the striker, and must throw underhanded. A gentlemanly game, players determine outs and umpires serve more as announcers than officials. Fines are given for rude behavior, swearing, spitting or arguing with the umpire.

“This is where rec softball players go to retire,” said Zacharias, who joined the club earlier this year. “People think you have to be athletic to play. This is basically T-ball for grownups.”

Zacharias is no stranger to vintage baseball. He grew up in Oregon and got involved with a similar club there. “I just love the time period and the spirit of the game,” he said.

“I like playing softball and this is really similar to playing in the rec leagues. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to get back into [interpreting] 19th century stuff.”

History is also important to Carnegie. He works as a historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg. A former Civil War re-enactor, Carnegie admits playing vintage baseball is a nice change of pace.

“My first involvement with historic baseball was as a re-enactor many years ago,” he said. “Back then the game was really being played mostly as an adjunct to other activities. I have long had an interest in the history of games. I thought the idea of re-enacting a sport was so more pleasant than re-enacting war.”

Carnegie estimates that more than 25% of modern vintage clubs have historical backgrounds, but admits the league is open to everyone

“Vintage ballists come from all sorts of backgrounds.” He said. “Some are re-enactors or historians, some just love playing baseball, some just came out and thought it looked fun.”

Most teams field rosters of 15 players for games, which would guarantee the required nine players needed for a game. Carnegie said the Pastime Base Ball Club is still seeking members.

“Any adult can participate to some degree,” Carnegie said. “The game calls for a certain amount of physical activity, of course, but it is common to find a large range of ages playing. For the present, only an eagerness to play is required.”

The Pastime Ball Club is slated to make its debut with an exhibition game against the Elkton (Md.) Eclipse this Sunday, Sept. 13, at Spotsylvania Courthouse near Fredericksburg. The game will be part of the Spotsylvania 1859 County Fair.

More — If interested in participating in the Pastime Base Ball Club, visit pastimebbc.com or e-mail Carnegie at mail@pastimebbc.com.

Stand Alone...

2009-08-25T18:25:00.000-04:00

Famous Failures...

2009-08-19T07:59:00.001-04:00

If you've never failed...well, then you've never lived!

It's Not Easy...

2009-08-18T22:31:00.001-04:00

A New Year...A New Decade Ahead...And Some New Plans...

2009-08-10T21:34:00.008-04:00

It has been awhile since I have had the opportunity to sit down and really write a decent blog and for that I apologize, first to myself and second to any of you who have been feeling left out in reading about what I've been up to here.

For those of you who don't know I turned 30 on August 1st. It was definitely an eventful week leading up to my birthday as both my parents flew in to visit me for my birthday and before I could even get them to the hotel for their first night together in town, the rear differential on my Jeep Grand Cherokee caught fire with all three of us inside...should you care to know more about that incident feel free to read about it over on my mother's blog...just keep in mind her telling is a little bit more dramatic than what actually occurred but it gives you a pretty good idea of what took place that night.

Since my car was out of commission after that (and is still to this day) mom and dad had to rent a car for the reminder of their time here. I had to work on my birthday and so did everyone I know here in town so after work that day I celebrated at home with my parents and a few co-workers by having a 30-minute, 30th Birthday Bash...the cake you see above was made by one of my co-workers and probably the best friend I have in Virginia, Amaree pictured here with Portia.

And let me tell you this was in all probability one of the greatest cakes I have ever tasted in my life. It was a two layer chocolate with chocolate chips cake with this chocolate fudge frosting...it literally had the consistency of Christmas Fudge...no lie. Amaree was afraid that it wouldn't turn out since it was her first time making a cake like this, but as my buddy Canada would say it was: "GREAT SUCCESS!"

I will admit I have been a little frustrated this week not having my own source of transportation...Williamsburg is not exactly pedestrian friendly outside of the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area. I suppose at this point a bicycle will be a wise investment for me and I have be searching Craig's List pretty regularly in search of the perfect road bike, although as far as grocery shopping and transporting Portia goes I am not so sure a bike is going to cut it. Here's to keeping my fingers crossed that the auto shop can fix my Jeep on the cheap!

I must also admit that I was not looking forward to turning 30 this year, nor was I looking forward to starting a new decade in life...the thing that for some reason bothered me the most was not being able to check the box 24-29 on applications or the visitor card at church...I must now check the box that just says 30. HOWEVER, I will admit now that my birthday has come and gone with very little fanfare and not as much drama as I had anticipated up until my birthday I will admit 30 isn't so bad. I have even taken the time to set a few short term goals for myself...I am not going to go into all of them at this point but I will share one that all of you can help to hold me accountable on:

As of tonight, I have applied to become a Professional Plus Member of the National Association of Interpreters where I will join the Cultural Interpretation and Living History Section of NAI. My goal is to become a certified NAI interpreter by August 1st, 2010. This is a huge step for me towards taking myself and my career as a Living History Professional seriously.

Some will say that joining NAI isn't necessary to what I do or to my career, however, if I wish to advance in my field this organization is one that will give me the tools to advance. Also, many sites that hire Living History Professionals either require NAI certification or highly desire it as part of the application process.

So as I begin this new decade of life in my 30's I look forward to the new adventures I shall take starting with this step to take my career and myself a little more seriously.

My Life In The Theatre (thus far) Quiz...

2009-08-06T01:30:00.009-04:00

1) What was the first play you ever did? 1st Grade, Missoula Children’s Theatre came to Enterprise, Oregon where I was cast as one of the appleseeds in JOHNNY APPLESEED. I got to be the main appleseed who had a confrontation with Johnny.

As an appleseed in JOHNNY APPLESEED

2) What was your most recent show? What job/role? Currently I work as an Actor/Interpreter for Colonial Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City where I portray James Innes, John Beckley, and Edmund Randolph.

As Major James Innes

As John Beckley

As Edmund Randolph with Amaree Cluff as Elizabeth Betsy Nicholas

However, my last stage play I portrayed Norman Dewars in THE NORMAN CONQUESTS. As Norman Dewars

As Norman Dewars, The Norman Conquests

3) What was your favorite show/role?

LOVE LETTERS by AR GURNEY where I played Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. This was my senior project in high school where I co-directed, co-starred, and co-designed this show with my cast mate and crew. We broke all of Mr. Gurney’s rules regarding his show and had a blast doing it.

As Andrew Makepeace Ladd III with my co-star Melissa Wilde (Smith) as Melissa Gardner

4) What was your most challenging show/role?

This is a tie for me: Man from THE TURN OF THE SCREW or Blake Eaton from HOLE IN THE SKY.

5) What is the most bizarre show or role you've ever done?

I would have to say Revolutionary City at Colonial Williamsburg is the most bizarre show I have ever been a part of.

6) Has anyone ever written a show for you?

Not for me, however, I have been told on a couple of occasions that I have inspired composite characters in several shows.

7) Have you ever quit a show to accept a better one?

Nope.

8) Have you ever completely blown character on stage?

I have to say yes cause I am sure I have…but honestly I can’t remember specifically when.

9) What show(s) are you just dying to do?

BILOXI BLUES, CELEBRITY ROW, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

10) Have you ever done one of your "dream" shows?

MACBETH (as Banquo and Macbeth understudy)

As Banquo in Macbeth

11) Who was/were your favorite director(s)?

John Remington, the man who inspired my career and Craig McIntosh who has always been there to advise and guide me to become better. And I wish I could have been directed in a show by my professor Loren Reynolds he is one of the best I’ve seen and yet to work with.

12) Who was your least favorite director?

There are a couple that come to mind and they know who they are.

13) What is the most surprising role you have ever been offered?

Lt. Yolland in TRANSLATIONS by Brian Friel

14) Have you ever injured yourself onstage or offstage?

Nothing serious…but have suffered wounds in combat yes.

15) What show(s) have you done multiple times?

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Fyedka round one. Constable round two.)
TAMING OF THE SHREW (Gremio round one. Grumio round two.)
THE SPOILERS (Roy Glennister both times)

16) Have you ever had an onstage kiss?

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Fyedka)
SCAPINO! (Leonardo)
MACBETH (Macbeth: the understudy show)
TRANSLATIONS (Lt. Yolland)
MOVE OVER MRS. MARKHAM (Henry Lodge)
LEND ME A TENOR (Tito Morelli)

17) What was your scariest moment in a show?

SCAPINO! The 2nd story railing I was holding onto broke away from the set and I almost fell on top a spear being pointed at me by one of the other actors onstage while I fell/scrambled down the set.

18) What is your best show memory?

My senior year of high school I was a part of the best theatre program in Oregon. My friend Melissa Wilde (now Smith) and I won the state acting competition for the Duo Serious Experienced category with our selection from LOVE LETTERS…I will always remember us being the last two standing on the stage at the end of the day and getting the opportunity to perform right there in front of all the theatre programs represented at state that year. Also, Melissa and I were a part of CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD that was selected as one of the best shows in Oregon that same year. We got the opportunity to travel to Eugene and compete at the state level. Both that cast and Melissa and I were selected to showcase at the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. Melissa and I finished in the Top 4 that year and we all had several amazing road trips that year…memories that I will always treasure.

19) What is your worst show memory? Fred Phelps and his so-called church the Westboro Baptists putting out a fax and fliers claiming I and my fellow cast mates of THE LARAMIE PROJECT were on our way to hell to join Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood for being a part of that show.

20) What is your saddest show memory?

HOLE IN THE SKY…the entire show is about the second tower that fell on 9/11. We played composite characters that were based on the people who worked and died in that tower. The show all takes place in the time it took for the tower to fall after impact. This tower was the one where no one survived above the impact. This was a very sad and yet very rewarding show. I received an American College Theatre Festival/Kennedy Center National Selection Committee Award for Excellence in Acting for my portrayal of Blake Eaton, the dead man on the desk.

21) Do you have any theatrical superstitions?

I did until I actual did the play Macbeth more commonly referred to as the “Scottish Play” for those who have yet to perform in it.

As Stanley in Brighton Beach Memoirs

As The Constable in Fiddler on the Roof (2nd time)

As Grumio in Taming of the Shrew (2nd time)

As John McAdams portraying Stephen Mead Johnson, Unitarian minister in The Laramie Project

As Jim Stools in Nice People Dancing To Good Country Music

As Jesus Costazuela in The Odd Couple Female Version

As a French Soldier in the Scarlet Pimpernel

As Dr. Curtis Franklin in Children of A Lesser God

As Roy Glennister in The Spoilers with my co-stars Shannon O'Rourke (McClellan), Lacey Sievers (Lichi), and Andrea Harris

Skipper Dan...aka What My Life Has Become...

2009-07-14T20:35:00.001-04:00

Skipper Dan

When Civil Liberties Go Too Far...

2009-07-08T20:10:00.002-04:00

This is unacceptable...I don't care what your political, social, moral, or personal beliefs are treating a memorial such as this, in this manner, is absolutely unacceptable:

Happy Birthday America...

2009-07-04T01:40:00.003-04:00

So despite the fact that I am a firm believer that we should celebrate/observe the birth of America on either July 2nd, the actual day that the Declaration of Independence was passed or on August 2nd, the day it was signed...I am willing to accept that tradition stipulates that we celebrate the birth of America on July 4th, the day of the first public reading of the document on the streets of Philadelphia. And since today is the 4th of July let me be one of the first to say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, America!!!

Let us not forget to take a moment to remember all the men and women who have gone before us and continue to serve this great nation in our Armed Forces...Remember:

For those who fought for it,
Freedom has a flavor
the protected will never know.

Thank you to all the Veterans and the families of the fallen...your sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Are you looking for something....

2009-06-15T13:30:00.002-04:00

"You ever go looking for something that really wasn't all that lost to begin with? I'd say most of us spend all our lives searching for that which is right there all along.

Tragedy of it all is that we dig and we dig and we dig so desperately to find whatever it is we're looking for...'til of course, we get tired of diggin' there and we start somewhere new...

But if we'd endured...if we'd just shoveled away one more pile...we'd a struck gold."
~The Man in White, Pirates of the Great Salt Lake

This is insanity...

2009-06-09T16:56:00.003-04:00

I cannot believe this Ad Campaign was ever approved and after seeing the photo for myself I have no idea how the executives in charge can make the following statement:

"The ad design, which was developed as an evolution of the long-standing Tysons Corner Center campaign "Where the Stores are,"™ was not intended to emulate any representation of the Memorial Wall."

How was this intended to be anything but an abusive representation of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall?

Tysons Corner ad shocks Vietnam vets | Washington Examiner

Shared via AddThis

A prayer for soldiers...

2009-05-25T08:22:00.002-04:00

O Lord God of hosts, stretch forth, we pray your

almighty arm to strengthen and protect the Soldiers of our country.

Support them in the day of battle, and in the

time of rest and training keep them safe from all evil.

Endue them with courage and loyalty;

and grant that in all things they may serve without

reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Memorial Day 2009...

2009-05-24T20:51:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow is Memorial Day.

In my family, among many others, this is a special day...a holiday to prayerfully remember all the men and women who have sacrificed so much for this country of America...sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives...

All have given some, and some have given all.

I hope everyone will take the time wherever you are to take a moment and to not only remember the fallen, but take a moment to say a prayer for the ones those fallen have left behind, and most importantly that you will take the time and the opportunity to thank a Veteran for their service and welcome them home.

For those of you in the greater Portland, Oregon area I would encourage you to attend the service that will be held at the Oregon Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 10 am PST tomorrow. The Oregon Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located at Washington Park across from the Metro Park Zoo, 400 SW Canyon Road. The ceremony will include a reading of the 801 soldiers of Oregon who paid the ultimate price during the Vietnam War, a 21-gun salute, and fly over. And most importantly, from my perspective, the featured speaker will be author, and my mother, Karen Spears Zacharias.

Due to some circumstances beyond my control I will unable to attend services in Washington, DC this year, however, if you are in the area there I would encourage you to make your way down to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall for the 1pm EST ceremony.

I will be here in Williamsburg for the day and will be attending the Memorial Day Commemorative Program here at Colonial Williamsburg at 10am EST. The program will remember all those who died while serving their country Colonial Williamsburg's Fifes and Drums will lead the procession. This 45-minute service begins in front of the Governor's Palace, which served as a Continental Army field hospital during the 1781 siege of Yorktown. A wreath will be placed at a plaque marking the graves of the soldiers, prayers will be offered and the militia will fire musket salutes. The procession will then advance to Bruton Parish Church, where a wreath will be offered to a church representative who will lead prayers in memory of those veterans interred in the churchyard. Finally the procession will advance to the French military gravesites near Providence Hall to recognize the aid of the French Allies in the siege of Yorktown.

Hopefully you will be able to attend one of these ceremonies, or ones similar to these across the country wherever you may be. But if not please take a moment wherever you are and remember the reason for the holiday. To all the Veterans and the families of the fallen please know that I am thankful for all of you and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Happy Birthday, Grandad...

2009-05-17T18:04:00.004-04:00

On this day seventy-eight years ago, in the hills of East Tennessee in a place called Rogersville, Leona and Howard Spears welcomed one of their five sons into this world...they named him David Paul.

David Paul Spears is my maternal grandfather. On February 13, 1954 he married my grandmother, Shelby Mayes Spears in Hawkins County, Tennessee.

My grandad was a soldier. An decorated Army Veteran who served both in Korea and Vietnam. For many years my grandad was a man of mystery to me, someone who I knew very little about (and some times I feel like I still do) for you see I never got to meet my grandad. My grandad, David P. Spears made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and his family. His life was lost in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in 1966.

However, is memory lives on in the family he left behind. As his eldest grandson I wanted to just take a moment today to let him know that while I miss never getting to meet him here on earth, I am forever grateful to call him my grandad and I certainly hope that if they celebrate birthdays in Heaven that he is having an awesome party! We love and miss you everyday grandad!

Virginia is for...wait for it...Me!!

2009-05-04T22:32:00.008-04:00

I know a lot of you never expected to ever read those words from me...but over the past few days I have come to realize a few things and have come to appreciate some things about myself and some truths of life.

For all you Pacific North Westerners don't despair...cause there is one simple fact, Oregon will always be myhome and more importantly my heart will always be in Oregon. There is no way around that. Oregon is where I am from and it is where the majority of my life and my own personal history took place. I will forever be grateful for being from Oregon...most importantly from Eastern Oregon. I will most likely always long for the mountains and high desert landscape of that region of the world. However, I must remember while that is were I am from it is no longer where I am at...

Now I am in Virginia...the birthplace of America. The original colony. The most history. And most importantly the place that is said to be for lovers...at least that is according to most of the bumper stickers and t-shirts that get sold in most of the gift shops!

Honestly though it must be true...Virginia is for Lovers...for no other reason than because I live here now! I have been reading about the love of Christ a lot lately. What has hit me the most is not how much He loves me (which is incredible by the way and completely amazing), but what has affected me the most is the Lord's charge for us to be love, His love to the world...

And that got me thinking...why don't we do a better job of this? I mean it is the Lord's greatest commandment to love one another as Christ loves us. A fairly simple instruction...but terribly hard to execute for most of us. What amazes me is how stingy we are about even just simply using the word "love" or even telling another person that we "love them".

We tend to put rules and regulations on that word "love"...that it should only be used when you "really mean it" and that you should only say it to certain people...otherwise some how it won't mean as much if we just go around and tell each other that we "love each other"...

But isn't "love" just a four letter word in the English? Does it really possess and more or any less power than any other word in our vocabulary? Isn't the true meaning of words really taken from the intentions and actions behind the words being spoken?

I think so anyway...

Love is a daily choice...a choice to act upon the greatest commandment that God has given us...to get up and go out and share His love with the world. We all need to realize that every person who lives in this world is deserving of our love...no qualifications, no rules, no requirements...the deserve our love because God loves them just as He loves us.

We have all been created in His image and each of us needs to daily remember to choose love when we get up in the morning. We should remember that we ourselves are love...we are loving...and most importantly we are lovable.

We all forget that part about ourselves...that we all are love, loving, and lovable...the important thing to remember is that we all need to be reminded of this from time to time. So this week look yourself in the mirror each morning and choose love...choose to love yourself as God loves you, so that you can then go out each day and love all others around you..not just the ones you have good "feelings" for...but everyone you meet. You never know when you will run across someone you really needs to be reminded of the love that is inside of them...

I know that it is something I have forgotten a lot lately...but thankfully I live in Virginia now...the place for lovers. And me, well me...I am love, loving, and dang it I am pretty darn lovable!!

Vivir con miedo, es como vivir a medias...or Blog 100

2009-05-03T23:46:00.004-04:00

As the picture says it's been over a year now that I have been here in Virginia. My hair is longer than it has ever been in my memory. This year I am also playing a few more characters than I did last year. And all in all I would have to say the show is better than last year as well...however, there is one major piece still missing...ALL OF YOU!!!

So here's the deal, I am not trying to boost ticket sales by any means here...we actually are doing surprisingly well in that department for the most part this year. What I am trying to do is coax all those folks from my life who have still yet to visit me here in Virginia.

I have had some wonderful visits from some of my family and a few of my Hoffman friends...however, there are still a lot of you out there reading this right now that I would LOVE to see and have you come and visit me so I am going to let you all in on a little secret: if you come to visit, and my recommendation is to come on a Thursday and stay through at least Saturday, I can help you out with hotel and tickets...as I am alloted half off the daily rate for lodging for friends and family as well as admission tickets...yes, I know it is a long way to travel but I am dying to have people who know me outside of work here to come and see the show, visit, and hang out with me!!

If you come on a Thursday through Saturday you will have the opportunity to watch me portray all the characters I am assigned to over that period of time and for right now if you are in town on a Sunday or Monday you will also be able to hang out with me all day as those are currently my days off!

I miss you all and I really just want you all to come and join me in all the fun we are having here this year!

The Three Days Rule... Explained

2009-04-28T06:52:00.001-04:00

This Too Shall Pass...

2009-04-23T00:35:00.003-04:00

I seem to be telling myself that a lot lately...

No, I am not saying that to seek your pity or sympathy in anyway...just merely as an observation on the status of things in my world. I believe my mother said it best the other day...something to the effect that if it weren't for having bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all.

I don't think it has anything to do with good or bad luck...or even luck at all...I think that is just life. It happens to all of us...not just me or you. And on occasion it all just seems to pile up at that same time...or does it?

Is it perhaps we are too focused on all the "bad stuff" that we are unable to see the marvelous and beautiful forest through the trees? I know for me, on a lot of occasions (especially as of late) I have a hard time stepping back and looking at the whole picture, I see so much of the bad stuff in my life that I can't sort out or even see the good.

I like to think of myself as a strong and pretty tough guy...yet, when it comes down to it I really am pretty weak...the blows of life too quickly take the wind out of me. I try with all I have to turn and lean on God...for in reality that is where all my true strength, wisdom, and peace of any kind really comes from.

Too often though I allow myself to get in the way...my pride, my self-image (and sometimes lack there of), my worldview, my ideas, my attitude...

I get so bogged down in all the struggles and it starts to affect all areas of my life, only making those areas more difficult to deal with on a daily basis as well. It keeps me up at nights...gives me headaches...and it breaks my heart and will on a lot of occasions.

I have the tools to overcome all these things and I can identify my shortcomings for the most part...but sometimes using my tools and fighting through on my own is just...well, it's just plain frustrating...as it is for most people I would imagine.

I miss my home...being within a days driving distance of all my beloved family and friends...I miss horizons complete with sunrises and sunsets and the opportunity to hit a mountain trail after work...I miss my church and my small group who gathered to the Westside Bakery to be mentored in the faith as Elijah mentored Elisha....

I could go on but I won't cause focusing on what I miss won't make anything better...I have to find all those things here where I am at now. Sure it has been over a year now...but this too shall pass...it's hard being a grown up and moving to a new place...okay so it isn't easy for anyone no matter how old you are, but hey let's face it when you are a kid and your family moves to a new town all you have to do is wait it out until the end of the first few weeks of school before you have a whole new world of friends and activities open up to you.

I pray everyday that God will help me to truly make this my "home"...that I will find those valuable friendships and mentors in my life. I do love the work I am in, even with all the hardships, struggles, and stress that come from my job...when I am out on the streets talking and playing with guests there is nothing else I would rather be doing.

And I am sure I am not alone in my prayers to God for help in these financially trying times. I am still on the hunt for that second job that will enable me to have some stability so that for once in a long, long time I will not have to live from paycheck to paycheck...this too shall pass.

And as I pray for this season in my life to pass...I pray for all my friends and family that each of you will know that you are missed and loved on a daily basis. That no matter what your personal hardships or heartaches are, that I am praying for you that God will give us all peace, strength, and guidance as we continue on our walk here on this earth.

Hahahahaha!!! I'm in an actual commercial...

2009-04-02T23:26:00.002-04:00

So turns out this past summer what I thought was a foreign college student's film project was not a student film project at all....no, it was a professional shoot for Korean Air! Pay close attention at the 14 sec mark...I'm the colonial guy taking off his hat and paying courtesy in front of the Governor's Palace!!!

The Internet Can Be Fun...

2009-03-24T20:25:00.005-04:00

I must admit that it is kind of strange but surprisingly fun to do a search of photo sites such as Flickr.com from time to time to find tourist/visitor pictures that they have posted online...

It is a little wild when as you scroll through the photographs that you come across photos of yourself that complete (and often times anonymous) strangers have taken, such as the one seen here on the left taken by a tourist this last Saturday. This particular visitor took quite a few photos of our Revolutionary City® program and low and behold I made it into a few of those shots...

The Internet can be fun some days...

Come See Rev City...

2009-03-22T09:13:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity to portray a new character for me at work and I had a great time. If you get the chance to come visit let me know:

Rev City Season 4...

2009-03-16T13:54:00.003-04:00

Season 4 of Revolutionary City begins tomorrow...so start making your travel plans to come out and watch! We are after all now part of popular mainstream culture thanks to Saturday Night Live:

All the best to Flint...

2009-03-14T21:19:00.004-04:00

This last week one of the best rodeo entertainers/bullfighters Flint Rasmussen suffered a heart attack...fortunately for him and his family he is at home recovering now. So say a few prayers for him and his family tonight that he will continue to make a full recovery.

Here's a clip of Flint performing his Pendleton Round-up Song at the PBR Event in Pendleton, Oregon:

Snow Day 2009...

2009-03-02T22:29:00.003-05:00

Today was a great day...we had actual snow here in the 'Burg! Portia had a blast playing in the snow. Here's a few pics from our wonderful day in the snow:

Goodbye Beard 2009

2009-02-28T02:30:00.005-05:00

So with the new season at work quickly approaching it is necessary for me to fade out the beard for this year...he is a picture of how it looked today and as you note from the attached video today's look was inspired by my childhood!

So it's been awhile...

2009-02-23T14:11:00.002-05:00

I have done a terrible job of keeping up with my blog...sorry about that.

I realize now that it has almost been a month since I last posted something on here. I have been in the process of moving to a new place here in the 'Burg. I am pretty much moved...now it's just a matter of finding somewhere to put all my stuff at my new place.

If you note the picture to the left here you will see Mom and I standing in front of the new place...no, I didn't buy a house or anything like that I am just renting one of the upstairs rooms from the owner. Portia has settled right in already and now is pretty much the Queen of the house if you will.

Well I am off to finish unpacking and then go to try and do some memorizing as we start rehearsals for Rev City tomorrow...for all those who haven't made it out to watch yet start planning your trips now...Rev City will open up on St. Patrick's Day for the 2009 Season so start planning your trips now!!

BornAgainAmerican.org

2009-01-30T20:18:00.004-05:00

video platform video management video solutions free video player

Waning Confidence...

2009-01-26T15:21:00.002-05:00

That is the reality of my situation...I really don't know any other way to put what I am feeling as of late into words. I know that I need to continue to lean on and trust God in all things right now. But my belief in myself to get things done is diminishing everyday. For the most part I enjoy my job, but I do feel less and less prepared and equiped to do my job in every way physically, emotionally, and mentally. I am trying with everything I am to not take this job at any more value than just that: a job...it's not personal I tell myself. However, this is something I am passionate about...telling stories of the past...so that the present and future may truly learn from their past. So how can you not take something that is a passion for you as something personal? Honestly, I don't know the answer to that. I miss my friends, my family, and I really miss the mountains and wide open landscape...it is hard living where you don't feel like you have people near by whom you can truly trust and lean on when needed. I realize it is stressful for everyone during the current crisis that we all find ourselves in everyday and I am not trying to whine or complain or even sound like I am depressed. I suppose the best way to describe it: I am just feeling pretty beat down and beat up. I still don't know where I am going to live...I have now been denied by every available apartment complex that has places for rent...through no ones fault other than my own, I shouldn't have taken out student loans and I should have found ways to pay them back quicker since I did...so that is my fault and I will take full responsibility for that. I just don't understand how when I have proof of a good rental history for the past 10 years and I am also employed by one of the largest and most reputable companies in the area...all I can do at this point is turn to and lean on God, His word, and the power of prayer. Something good will come out of all of this...

However for now my confidence in my abilities to do all things and any things (not a spelling error) is waning....

The 44 Presidents of the United States...All 43 of them...

2009-01-21T18:44:00.000-05:00

Crazy Times...

2009-01-18T00:56:00.005-05:00

Life has been crazy as of late...still it has had its moments. Tonight I got to go with a few co-workers down to Norfolk, VA to watch another Admirals hockey game. The Norfolk Admirals are the AHL Affiliate of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tonight was the 2nd Annual Pink in the Rink, Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure Event. We all had a lot of fun, even though the Admirals managed to blow a 5-1 1st period lead by losing 5-6 in sudden death over time to the Worcester (Mass.) Sharks -- you guessed it the farm team of the current NHL leaders, the San Jose Sharks...
The craziest part of this whole event was the pink ice hockey arena...I swear to you that the picture you see in the upper left of this blog that the ice is actually pink! I took the picture with my cell phone so it didn't turn out quite as nice as I would have liked but trust me the ice is pink.

Well, it's getting late and I have to be at church early in the morning as I will be performing a duo theatrical piece during the service....I still am searching for either a roommate or a new place to live as things are very tough here, I feel blessed to even get an night away and enjoy myself instead of worrying how I am going to pay bills and how to not end up homeless for a change...Good night everybody!

The Odd Couple...

2009-01-13T22:08:00.000-05:00

Watch CBS Videos Online

J-Mac, "Hot As A Pistol" Gets His Shot...

2009-01-09T20:20:00.002-05:00

Talk about making the most of your opportunities...how incredible is it that in in the final 4 and a half minutes of the game, this kid who had never played a game in high school, became the high scorer for the game, 7 for 13, 6 of 10 from three point range...just imagine if they had used him the previous 3 years as player as opposed to the manager! Wow!

Christmastide 2008 Night #9-13...Twelfth Night it is...

2009-01-05T22:46:00.002-05:00

Okay so I have been terrible lately at keeping up the Christmastide blogs...sorry. I have had some minor issues with internet connectivity...I have however made sure that I kept up with my Christmastide schedule. I have had a great time watching these old Christmas classics.

I was able to spend the evening with some co-workers on New Year's Eve watching the ball drop in NYC...it was interesting to me that this year was the first time I have ever seen the ball drop live on TV...growing up on the West Coast all I ever got to watch was the three hour tape delayed version.

This morning I got to spend sometime with another Hoffman graduate and classmate who was in town with her family...it was really nice to re-connect with her. This afternoon I had a job interview...I am trying to find a second job so that I might be able to find a way to continue to live and work here. I would honestly prefer to just work my one job but it has become clear that there is no way I can make it here on my single income...I have had no luck replacing my roommate and I continue to get denied at apartments all around town for one reason or another...all I can do at this point is just pray and pray some more that things might turn around soon...cause at this point I am pretty stressed and defeated if I sit back and look at my situation...so praying at least helps me get away from that...

Hopefully everyone has had a wonderful Christmas season...I know it has been a struggle for me and hasn't exactly gone as planned but it has had its moments and honestly wasn't at all bad...plus the movies have been great.

Christmastide 2008 Night #8....

2009-01-01T01:39:00.009-05:00

First I must say GO BEAVS!!

That's right, the Oregon State Beavers won the Sun Bowl this evening...not a terribly exciting game as had been expected, but the 3-0 finish was enough to give the Beavers the win and to keep the PAC-10 Conference undefeated in the 2008-09 Bowl Season.

After getting home and seeing that OSU had won the game I went to work prepping and cooking up some Hop 'n' John...this is a traditional meal made on New Year's, it is supposed to bring good luck in the New Year. And as I could definitely use some good luck to come my way I said what the hey and gave it a shot. There are many recipes out there for this dish and according to my sister who has the new Rachel Ray Cookbook there is even a 30 minute easy version of Hop 'n' John. I, however, chose to go old school and make mine from scratch. I soaked some black eyed peas overnight...then tonight, I boiled up some ham hocks until I could remove all the meat from the hocks so that I could brown them up with some bacon that I had sliced up into bite sized pieces...while this was all going on I prepared some white rice and when it was all ready to go I mixed all the ingredients up. Added some salt and pepper to taste and threw in some pepper ketchup (that's the hop, part)...as I ended up taking this dish to some friends house later in the night I chose not to add too much pepper ketchup (that's hot sauce for all those still wondering) and took the peppper ketchup with me so everyone could add the hop to their own liking...it turned out really well and even if it doesn't bring good luck it sure tasted good! Here's the finished product:

After finishing the Hop 'n' John, I watched tonight's double feature of A Muppet Family Christmas and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I had a wonderful evening of singing along to all the Christmas carols with all of Jim Henson's Muppets and then enjoyed the misadventures of the Griswold family.

When the movies were over I then went over to a friends house to watch the ball drop in New York City, live on tv...I must admit tonight was the first time I had ever watched the ball drop live on tv, growing up out West you only ever saw the tape delayed version so it was pretty cool to say I saw the ball drop live. I made sure to call a few people back home to let them know I got to see something they still have to wait hours yet to see!

I hope that everyone has a bit of luck of their own in this New Year and that we all will find some time to meet up for some quality time...I miss and love you all!

Christmastide 2008 Night #7...

2008-12-30T21:29:00.005-05:00

Whew, what a day...there's a few lines from tonight's Christmastide movie that sums this day up pretty well:

There's magic in the air this evening Magic in the air The world is at her best, you know When people love and care The promise of excitement is one the night will keep There's something in the wind today That's good for everyone Yes, faith is in our hearts today We're shining like the sun And everyone can feel it, the feeling's running deep

My roommate got married this morning...one of the caterers said it best when he said: "We do a lot of weddings and this one was by far the most sincere that I have ever seen." It really was an incredible ceremony from start to finish! The above words from One More Sleep 'Til Christmas are a perfect way to describe the infectious spirit that was present to all before, during, and after this wedding.

I also must admit it was nice to have the extra vacation day from work so that I could take time away to enjoy the wedding and be there to support my friends and not have to worry about how poor I currently am...due to losing a roommate to marriage! With everything going on tonight it was most fitting that tonight's movie should be The Muppet Christmas Carol...

I know I will step on a few toes by saying this, but of all the Christmas Carol movies this one is far and above my favorite...Jim Henson really was a genius and this movie was an excellent tribute made by his son Brian following Jim's death.

I think my feelings, thoughts, prayers, and any other words I might have are pretty much summed up in this clip from the movie:

Christmastide 2008 Night #6...

2008-12-29T20:03:00.003-05:00

Well it is the officially the Fifth Day of Christmas...although, unfortunately I did not have the pleasure of waking up to five golden rings waiting for me!

No, today consisted mostly of searching out a second job and a new roommate. For you see, tomorrow on the Sixth Day of Christmas my work buddy and former roommate, Jeffrey and his lovely fiance will be wed. This leaves me now with a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo that I cannot afford on my current salary...well, I mean I am paid up through January already but I have no money to my name because of that. Turns out my lease doesn't end like I thought it did...apparently in the fine print it says you must give 60 days notice before the lease is up otherwise it automatically renews itself. Which is probably a good thing since I am getting denied housing left and right all over town here. So, today I re-posted some ads with some roommate services and whatnot online as well as applied for a couple more evening customer service positions. Overall, not really an exciting day.

I did keep up my new tradition however by watching movie #9 of Christmastide 2008: The Nightmare Before Christmas. What an amazing feat of a film...from concept to finished product. True it isn't a story that would pop out to you as a Christmas tale on the first pitch of the idea...but it is a great story.

A story of staying true to yourself and who you are and meant to be. It is also a story of being content in the very place you are...the lessons of this story are exactly what I have been struggling with the most. I sometimes fail to appreciate where I currently am in life: physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc, because I want more. However, by always wanting more or something else...I lose the ability to fully appreciate today and right now.

I am not going to lie, in almost a year I have still yet to adjust to the place I am now. Most days I would give anything to go back to Bend, go back to my old church, my old friends, and my old job. Hey, sure I wasn't always happy in that place, but it sure felt a lot happier there. But a part of me also knows that were I to leave this place and go somewhere else I would probably be looking back saying I wish I was back here for some reason. Although at this present moment I am not sure what that reason would be.

I just have to continue to trust God that there is a reason why He has me here now...a reason I may never know and must be okay with...and while I want more out of life and relationships with others, like a previous times in my life...I must remind myself...just like Jack the Pumpkin King...I must find ways to be content in the place I am in and not seek out some mythical "better place, somewhere out there"

First step...enjoy each day I am given to its fullest potential no matter where I am at. And tomorrow I plan on fully enjoying being present for Jeff and Alli's nuptials...oh, and rumor has it Alli's best friend has been living in Portland, Oregon this past year so if nothing else I will have someone from the PNW to talk to tomorrow, guaranteed!

Christmastide 2008 Nights #3-5....

2008-12-29T00:32:00.007-05:00

I feel like I have some 'splaining to do...I got a little off track with the whole Christmastide routine and keeping these posts up, so here we go....

Friday was St. Stephen's Day and the Second Day of Christmas, after work instead of coming straight home to celebrate I met up with a fellow Hoffman Institute classmate/graduate and her three lovely daughters (two of which are also Hoffman grads). We all enjoyed an entertaining night at both Campbell's and Chowning's Taverns...after which I did come home to watch Bad Santa.

Okay, so Bad Santa isn't necessarily one of the greatest movies or anything, but it was fun to see my hometown Pendleton, Oregon's own Sherriff John Bunnell and the late greats Bernie Mac and John Ritter in action.

Plus it is always entertaining watching some lovable loser find a way to redeem himself. Once the movie was over I was pretty much spent for the day and decided to go to bed without watching the planned second feature of the night.

Saturday was St. John's Day...it was a long full day of work, it was fun having my classmate and all three of her daughters during the day to see a portion of our Revolutionary City program...then that night I was scheduled to work an evening program. One of the daughters had to return home, so my four person fan club was reduced to a three person fan club for the evening show and three hours later I was finally done working for the day. We decided to have our own little pizza party back at the hotel and after some delicious pizza and much laughter I decided to call it a night without watching any movies.

Today marked the Fourth Day of Christmas. I spent the morning at church and then the park with Portia. After which I met up with my fan club for lunch before they all had to leave town. It was sad to see them go, and I felt bad that I hadn't had more time to spend with them, but it was great having them here all the same.

Portia and I came home and I decided to try and get back on track with Christmastide 2008, so I popped in Love Actually. I honestly had forgotten how much I liked this movie. It was a great reminder that no matter how bad things get in the world we need look no further than the important people in our lives for hope and inspiration. Which I think is something we can all afford to be reminded of from time to time.

I followed up this movie with a showing of Elf which was absolutely hilarious! I mean how can you not get into the Christmas spirit when Buddy the elf is around! "I like smiling, its my favorite!"

I think this movie could fill any old Scrooge up with Christmas spirit!

During the movie I had a friend here in the neighborhood get a hold of me and wanted to watch a movie, so I went over and took Serendipity with me for us to watch. I know that for some people considering Serendipity a Christmas movie is a stretch...but for me I have always considered this movie as such.

It is a wonderful movie about living your life to the fullest. My favorite moment in the movie comes when Dean, the obituary writer for the NY Times says to his friend Jonathan (the main character): "You know the Greeks didn't write obituaries. They only asked one question after a man died: "Did he have passion?""

I know that I personally hope that when my life is over the answer to that question, should anyone ask, would be "Absolutely!"

It was a refreshing reminder of how I should be and want to live my life...plus it was really nice watching it with a good friend who could appreciate the movie as much as I do!

I returned home after the movie to play around with Portia. I decided to finish the night as I had originally intended on spending this Fourth Day of Christmas by watching Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

Yes, yes I know...it's not as good as the original cartoon version and that most people complain that it has Jim Carrey in it. I personally like this version and it contains what I maintain is a great Christmas time song Where Are You Christmas?, of course, I personally prefer the Faith Hill rendition of this song that is included at the end as the credits rollout.

So now I am back on track with my Christmastide 2008 schedule...it only took a minor detour was all! Tomorrow (yes I know the timestamp says it is the 29th already but I haven't gone to bed yet so it's still tomorrow as far as I am concerned) marks the Fifth Day of Christmas and the second to the last day of the year 2008.

It is amazing to me how far I have come in one year's time for very nearly a year I have been here in Viriginia, a world away from my true home of Oregon and all my dear friends and family still out in the Pacific Northwest. I must say I know you all are sick of the snow but I would gladly trade you my 60-70 degree weather for some snow to snowboard in or build an igloo or have a snowball fight in...seriously if it weren't for the movies I have been watching this week I would have never known it was Christmas cause it surely doesn't feel like it around here!

Christmastide 2008 Night #2...

2008-12-26T00:33:00.002-05:00

Tonight was evening number two of my Christmastide 2008 venture, however, today marks the traditional First Day of Christmas as well. After work and walk with Portia I came home and had a quick meal of leftover Krab Salad and crackers...Eventually, I was able to get around to watching movie #3 Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) this 2005 foreign film was inspired by the Christmas Eve 1914 front-line soldiers of the German, French, and English lines who met in "No Man's Land" on the battlefield and observed a Christmas ceasefire that was only observed by those soldiers in those locations...unbeknownst to their superiors, who would eventually come down very hard on these soldiers once their actions became known....

I must admit that I am not usually a big fan of foreign films, but this movie is incredible...truly. There is very little I can say about it other than that. If you have not seen it...go find a copy and watch it as soon as you can. This is an excellent movie for all seasons, but especially on Christmas Day. It has been hard for me these last few days to be so far from friends and family, spending the holidays working, making memories on my own...but watching this film tonight was a real blessing to me if for no other it showed you can make your own holiday in any condition and enviroment and it included an amazing song, Hymne des Fraternises. What an incredibly powerful song. I have decided to end tonight's blog by posted the words as well as a video of this song:

"I hear the mountain birds
The sound of rivers singing
A song I've often heard
It flows through me now
So clear and so loud
I stand where I am
And forever I'm dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home

It's carried in the air
The breeze of early morning
I see the land so fair
My heart opens wide
There's sadness inside
I stand where I am
And forever I'm dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home

This is no foreign sky
I see no foreign light
But far away am I
From some peaceful land
I'm longing to stand
A hand in my hand
...forever I'm dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home"

Christmastide 2008 Night #1...

2008-12-24T22:48:00.015-05:00

Tonight was the kickoff for my inaugural Christmastide Tradition...and although tonight was a very busy night it was a lot of fun too. Here's the recap....

After work and attending the candlelight ceremony at church, I came home to walk Portia and kickoff the Christmastide Season. While I am no Chef Ramsey or Bourdain, I did my best to make a delicious traditional seafood Christmas Eve meal that included a Krab (yes used the fake stuff) Salad and a Salmon and rice dinner (as pictured)...traditionally I found out that Christmas Eve is known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes...maybe when I have more bellies than mine and Portia's I will cook a seven fish dinner!

Dinner was followed by the first movie of the Christmastide Season A Colbert Christmas. Must say that this ridiculous and humorous Christmas special was a perfect way to enjoy the evening as I prepared my sugar cookie dough and icing for use later in the night. Stephen had guest such as Toby Keith, John Legend, Jon Stewart, and Elvis Costello. Once I had finished preparing the dough for the cookies I popped it into the freezer and started putting together my Christmas Wreath.

Another tradtion that I have learned about these past few weeks is that the Christmas Wreath would be put together on Christmas Eve and then hung that night for the remainder of the Christmastide Season. Over the last couple nights I took the time to prepare a couple things to add to my wreath...

My Attempt at the Heart In Oregon Logo

Classic Oregon State University Mascot, Benny The Beaver

1970's Boston Red Sox Logo

And before A Colbert Christmas was over I had my 2008 Christmastide Wreath completed...I even used holly from the holly tree outside my condo. Here's what the finish product looks like hanging on my front door....

Once the wreath was hung, I took the time to roll out, bake, and decorate the sugar cookies...thank you to my sisters who helped in figuring out the best icing recipes to use!

Then came time for the second movie of tonight's double feature...Fred Claus...I even got Portia to pose for a couple pictures with me during the movie, I decided to post the picture where it looks like she is laughing (actually I think I just caught her in mid-yawn is all)...I must admit though watching this movie it did bring back some memories from last year's holiday season as my father took me to see this movie last year. I definitely miss my family and friends back home in Oregon...and not too mention all the snow they are enjoying for their White Christmas.

I had a lot of fun tonight...it will be nice to have Christmas cookies around the house over the Christmastide Season and as I opted not to do the whole Christmas Tree thing this year it will also be nice to come home to the wreath on the front door. I am honestly looking forward to the rest of this Christmastide venture I have set out on. I think overall it will be a nice tradition to keep up for myself.

So as it is getting late here and I really should head off to bed as I do have to work tomorrow allow me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year...to all my friends and family out there I love and miss each and every one of you very dearly...Portia and I wish and hope to spend some quality holiday time with you all soon....

Oh, and before I go let me send a special thank you and I love you shout out to Ashley and Zack, Sarah and Daren, and Mark...thanks to you all I get to rip into all this tomorrow morning...

Christmastide 2008 So Far (Or The Scheduled Shows & Showtimes)...

2008-12-21T21:58:00.007-05:00

I am still sorting out the dinner plans for my Christmastide 2008 inaugural grown-up Christmas time tradition...but what I have completed is the official list of movies and nights they are to be watched.

I have chosen some of my personal favorite Christmas time movies and then arranged them according to their original theatrical (or TV in some cases) release dates. This year I have chosen to watch the movies in reverse chronological order so that I will go back in time over the Christmastide season...the first movie will be from 2008 and the last movie will be from 1942.

Here is the schedule for my Christmastide 2008 Movie Nights...each movie will be proceeded by that night's meal that are still in the works:

Day 1December 24th

A Colbert Christmas – November 23, 2008

Fred Claus – November 9, 2007

Day 2 December 25th 1^st Day of Christmas

Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) – November 9, 2005

Day 3 December 26th 2^nd Day of Christmas

Badder Santa – November 26, 2003

Love Actually – November 14, 2003

Day 4 December 27th 3^rd Day of Christmas

Elf – November 7, 2003

Serendipity – October 5, 2001

Day 5 December 28th 4^th Day of Christmas

Dr. Suess How the Grinch Stole Christmas – November 17, 2000

Day 6 December 29th 5^th Day of Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas – October 29, 1993

Day 7 December 30th 6^th Day of Christmas

The Muppet Christmas Carol – December 11, 1992

Day 8 December 31st7th Day of Christmas

A Muppet Family Christmas – December 25, 1989

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – December 1, 1989

Day 9 January 1st 8th Day of Christmas

A Christmas Story – November 18, 1983

Day 10 January 2nd9^th Day of Christmas

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas – 1977

Charlie Brown Christmas – December 9, 1965

Day 11 January 3rd10^th Day of Christmas

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – October 14, 1954

Day 12 January 4th 11^th Day of Christmas

Miracle on 34^th Street – May 2, 1947

Day 13 January 5th 12^th Day of Christmas

It’s A Wonderful Life – December 20, 1946

Day 14 January 6th

Holiday Inn – August 4, 1942

If you end up anywhere near me on these nights and care to join in the Christmastide 2008 Inaugural Tradition just let me know!!

Treading Water...

2008-12-21T01:55:00.002-05:00

It's probably a phase or something...maybe it's the holidays...maybe it's the fact that I have had a killer cold/headache for the past three days...who knows. But I am honestly having a hard time lately. I am struggling living so far away from all the people that truly care about me, the people I want to be surround by and spend quality time with. It's hard for me to live in a place where I feel so isolated...I haven't always been this way...as a matter of fact a little more than a year ago I would have been just fine living a life holed up in my bedroom somewhere away from it all, completely isolated. Last winter I went through an extremely hard time in my life and then right through an amazing time shortly thereafter...long story and I may tell it to you one day if you don't already know...don't feel much like getting into all that tonight. I just had to put it out there that I really feel like I am treading water out in the middle of the ocean with crashing waves and waterspouts all around me. Oh sure I know I will get through all this...I mean I always do somehow...but do I have to pretend that I'm not struggling to get through it? I think not. I love my job...but I really hate my job environment...I really love and miss all my close friends and family, but most of them are 3000 miles away enjoying the snow right now (or not enjoying it in some cases to which I would gladly trade them places so they can have the rain here right now and Portia and I will take full advantage of the snow!!) The trouble is it comes down to what makes you happy and who can you trust...right now, in this moment, I am not happy with the way things are going and I don't have anyone around me I can trust....save for the people on the opposite side of the country from me. I am trying not to bitch here...it's just the way it is right now....things will change...I know that...the only constant in life is change....well that's all for now...like I said, just putting it out there...get it off my chest so to speak....a little venting via blog...

I Am Second...

2008-12-16T20:54:00.007-05:00

Have you seen this new campaign yet? These testimonies are pretty incredible...people from every walk of life all with One thing in common...

(If you click on the picture above it will take you to the website)

The Christmastide Conundrum...

2008-12-15T23:11:00.003-05:00

So my job maybe affecting him more than I would like to admit, or it may be that with this post I will be revealing my geekside just a little too much...but I have a bit of a problem I am wrestling with currently...starting my own Christmas tradition.

For a good portion of my life, at least the adult portion, I have worked on the holidays and this year is no exception as my place of work prides itself on the fact that we are open every single day of the year. Well, I started thinking that I would like to start a tradition of celebrating the holiday season in a way that would allow me to celebrate despite my work schedule every year.

Now for the geek part: I am now toying with the idea of celebrating the season in the traditional 18th Century manner known as Christmastide...some of you may know it as the 12 Days of Christmas or the Twelfth Night Traditions. Contrary to the modern custom, Christmastide begins on Christmas Eve and ends 12 nights later on January 5th, the eve before the day of Epiphany...although some celebrate it from Christmas Day to January 6th (day of Epiphany).

Traditional a wreath would be prepared and made on Christmas Eve and then would be hung on the door of your home until after the Feast of Epiphany on January 6th. Over the course of the 12 nights there would be feasts each night, of course these feasts would vary dependent upon the income and wealth of the homes that were celebrating. On the final day of Christmas tide there would be a meal followed by the King Cake, a cake made famous by the French and our fellow Americans in Louisiana.

Anyway, my trouble now is trying to decide how to observe this tradition on such short notice and on a limited budget...of course, the true problem is figuring out what to make each day for that evening's feast. Aside from the tradition of serving some sort of seafood on Christmas Eve and then finishing with a King Cake on January 6th I am coming up short with ideas for the meals in between.

My idea is to have 12 mini-feasts over the course of Christmastide, invite a small group of people over each night to celebrate with a meal and perhaps a Christmas movie as I have quite a few of those. So what I need from you all are ideas for dinners...not major meals, just simple one/two course holiday meal ideas that I can break down into 12 different days...so fire away and I'll let you all know what I end up doing...and maybe one year we can all get together and celebrate!

Merry Christmas To The United States Armed Forces...

2008-12-13T23:50:00.002-05:00

Let's all be sure to say an extra prayer for all the members of the United States Armed Forces and their families this holiday season no matter where in the world they are stationed right now...may you all have a blessed Christmas this year and may each of you make it home soon!

Fighting The War On Christmas...

2008-12-12T23:26:00.000-05:00

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

A Colbert Christmas: Toby Keith Sings

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview