Much Needed Trip to Oregon

So coming down from the high of being given an interview at U Oregon, I am now planning my trip out to the land of euthanasia, granola, and good ole fashioned rain. I'm excited about getting to see a few of the folks who are dear to me who I haven't seen in a while: Leah, Gabe, Laney, and Shelley.

I'll be hollering at each of you to figure out what we can work out in the way of time together. I will be coming through Portland on Wednesday Jan 28 and Thursday the 29. Hopefull Laners, we can squeeze in a cup of coffee, bowl of soup, something during that time. Something.

Meems- I'll call you so we can make plans. 

Jens once told me that it takes about two weeks for the reality of any sort of decision or new change to fully sink in. Well, J-man, I think mine is closer to a week (maybe I'm just a bit more neurotic and frenetic than you). Today, I fully realized how necessary it is for me to have an outlet for this experience with my Grandparents here in Moscow.  As I mentioned before- there's a sort of ebb and flow to my complete annoyance with and unconditional love for my Grandparents and it's not like I can really share much of that with them. That is, I am learning to accept them on their terms. Everyday I will hear Grandma ask me if I'd like her to cut my hair. Everyday I'll have Grandpa ask me what I'd like to eat for dinner (knowing full well that he will end up making whatever he's found in the Betty Crocker Cookbook anyway). Everyday I'll witness Grandma bossing Grandpa around to pick up the nearest piece of lint or swat at the fly on the wall in the far corner of the living room that is probably already dead from the astronomical temperatures in the upstairs. I have to breathe. I have to breathe again. And then I have simply accept the situation for what it is. 

Could have been the big news yesterday. Could have been that working a retail schedule messes with your circadian rhythms. Whatever the case may be, I woke up today, drove to work, and as I was about to clock in, my immediate supervisor says, "Hey Dude, what are you doing here?" I'm like, "Uh, what you talkin' 'bout Willis?" And he's like, "Shit, you ain't gotta be here til noon man!" I'm all, "Damn, I thought it was Saturday!?" And we were both like, "Damn!!!" I don't know why I felt like my boss and I talk jive (we don't), but I think it adds to the story.

So I drive home kinda pissed that I got up when I did and strangely cheered by my now having three seemingly "extra" hours on my hands. As soon as I walk in the house, Grandma asks,"Ikey, if you want, Grandpa and I will help you to get your hair cut." Awesome."Grandma," I respond, "you don't have to worry about my hair, or what I am going to wear, or what I'm going to eat- despite my track record- I am twenty-seven years of age and am competely capable of making an appointment at SuperCuts and purchasing whatever Old Navy, cheesy shirt I may need for my Interview. " Again, some mornings, this would be cute and endearing, but today...annoying. 

So here I sit at my favorite place in Moscow- One World Cafe. It sits right on one of the main intersections downtown and has huge South-facing windows which I love. Music is pretty hit and miss; and the wanna-be-Portland-hipsters vibe is comical. But as I walked in this morning The Reverend AL Green was sermonizing and I've been digging on him these last 45 minutes. It really does feel nice to just sit, drink coffee, and write. Bradley- I'm starting to understand the simple magic of creating with words.

It'd be nice to close with something profound...but all I've got is that I love all of you very much, and at the risk of sounding, well, a bit delayed on reality realizations regarding friends (this particular reality delay is clearly longer than my typical one-week)- I realize how blessed I am to know all of the truly wonderful and good people I know. And I am looking forward to seeing some of you over in Oregonia.

Ike