Lifelong criminal

In continuing with my environmental misdeeds I hate to admit that I may have committed another crime.

(I reiterate that I do my best to conserve and respect the environment where possible but compared to the ideal around here, I don't think I'm performing up to par.)

I find that Oregon's feel good efforts at environmental consciousness are everywhere. Case in point, in the bathroom of the Portland Airport today, I found this little instruction panel on the back of the stall door staring me in the face.


It may as well have said, "This is how you flush you water-waster". It is overkill. I appreciate the efforts, and I was impressed at first but then I thought, this is a bit much. Telling me how to flush my crap?

And really, I don't think the execution of this whole "re-invent the flush" campaign was done effectively. If you think about it, the natural flush motion is down. How many people will actually make the conscious effort to flush up for "1" and down for "2"? I would guess that most people go "1" more than they would "2" in a public bathroom and would just naturally flush down as is customary. To be most effective, the motions should be switched.

And to add, flushing up means rubbing the top of your shoe on the bottom of dingey handle and if you're wearing flip-flops, that's a no-go.

And why so mysterious? Why not just be straight up and to the point? 1? 2? and then a parenthetical explanation? Speak English folks. Just say it is like it is. If you're going to use allusions such as #1 and #2, may as well just say "pee" and "poop" because that's what they mean.




'Nuff said.

Breakin' the law

In this picture are Andrew Verner, Director of Graduate Programs and Anne Forrestel, Director of the Leadership Communications Center of the business school. Dr. Verner rides his bike to campus most of the year. Anne rides her bike to school year round. Do you realize how much it rains here? How cold it gets? How icy the roads get? The fact that it snows here? And they aren't the only ones around here who do that...Folks like these great people are one big reason I chose Oregon!

Today, I felt like I broke a law in Eugene.

I had just finished off an Odwalla drink and standing outside of the business building, I couldn't find a recycle bin anywhere and I was sweatin' it.

Though very recycle-conscious myself, coming to Eugene has been quite the eye-opener. I worry that the life of the garbage man is either non-existent or in danger of extinction!

So, my plight was to either dump the empty bottle in the trash or carry it around with me. But, we were all just starting to load into vans for a service project, so I actually really just needed to get rid of it. Argh. Since when are recycle bins sparse anywhere in Eugene? Not opting to do the latter, I chose to dump it and reluctantly, and almost secretly, I tossed it in the trash. Part of me felt guilty, but most of me worried that I would be ticketed or ambushed by green freaks for the improper disposal of a perfectly recyclable item. Turns out neither happened, though the guilt still kind of lingers...

I am continually impressed and amazed at the level of environmental consciousness here in Eugene. People ride their bikes, take the bus or walk more than I have ever seen in any city besides New York. It is truly impressive.

Now that I ride the bus everyday and pretty much recycle anything and everything thanks to convenience and accessibility, I figure all I need now is a compost bin and I should be all set!

Eugene Outing

Though school doesn't start until September 29 (welcome to the quarter system), I am confident in suggesting that my business program rename our two-week "Orientation" to "unofficial start of school."

In our first week, we have been deeply immersed in a crash course in the skills and attitudes that will help us throughout the next two years. I have been impressed with the instructors and the instruction we have received and have actually enjoyed the long days in the classroom. After a pretty intense week of eight-hour days (I thought I quit my job for a reason...) we finally got some time to explore.

(Thanks to all of you for donating to me the "hand in the air" pose for pictures. Despite all implications, it makes all the difference in me doing nothing or doing something in pics. For some reason, it just works.)

Just a short drive south of the University is a really big hill called Spencer's Butte. Yeah, it doesn't sound impressive, but it's a local favorite with great views of Eugene and challenging hikes.


On a clear day you can see all of Eugene from the top. On this particular day, a haze hung over Eugene. It seemed like smog, a marine layer or fog, but it was something else familiar to LA: forest fire smoke.


Eugene has been really nice, but I will admit, I am looking forward to seeing familiar faces and being with close friends next weekend when I take off for Arizona for Heather Feather's wedding...

Best Together

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are unbeatably funny together.

They starred in the movie, "Baby Mama" opposite each other and totally cracked me up!

On the season premiere of Saturday Night Live two weeks ago, they rocked the opening with their impressions of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton.



And in only one minute and twenty seconds, I am confidently stating that the pair stole the show on last night's Emmy Awards show.



These two are so great together!

Seattle and Dad

The weather in Seattle was in the high 80s and perfectly clear. Driving into town made me remember how beautiful my hometown can be. So, this time around I did something I don't usually do: be a tourist.

I have always wanted to go to the Ballard Locks which serves the purpose of moving boats from the fresh water level of Lake Washington and Lake Union to the sea water level of Puget Sound, and vice versa.

I had actually been through the Locks on a boat once in high school and I was totally entertained at the whole transaction. This time around, I wanted to see it from the outside-in.

This is the view going out to Puget Sound.


This is the sea level view on one side of Locks where the water level is much lower.


This is the fresh water level view of the other side of the Locks where the water is higher and the boats are waiting for the water to drain so as to enter into Puget Sound.


The boats are tied and waiting to be lowered.


After the drainage, you can see how low sea water level is! Isn't it exciting?! I think it's so cool!


Growing up, I remember drawing pictures and learning all about the salmon spawning cycle. It's crazy that it's still interesting to me! This is the fish ladder for salmon. So great!


Then I headed to my second favorite spot in Seattle where I think you get the best views. Gas Works Park is right off Lake Union and it is a prime spot for kite-flying, watching a regata, having a picnic or playing with the kids.


The park used to be the site of an old oil refinery in the early 1900s. It's at a beautiful location and is full of character.



You just can't beat the views.


In the Fremont area, if you turn up the wrong street, you might be startled to find this Troll staring you down. The Fremont Troll is a well-hidden piece of Seattle art. It's fun to look at.

He clutches an old VW bug and his eyeball is actually a VW bug hubcap. Super cool...


Then I went to my favorite place in Seattle. Greenlake. Where I grew up. Where I swam all through the summers and came to love as my favorite 3.1 mile run.


I swam at either two spots: here at the Bathhouse Theater, or on the other side of the lake at Evan's. The lake was gross and could give you good itches, but it was the best part of summer.


On the weekends, this kiddie pool is filled with about 1.5 feet of water. Every kid in Seattle has pee'd here.

After spending a good day by myself, I wanted to get out and share it with my dad. My mom has been in Korea for the last week and my dad has been kickin' it by his lonesome. On a trek to find a Seattle souvenir shop, which actually turned out to be quite a task, my dad and I ended up the Seattle Center and he was such a good sport in modeling for me!






I learned to love Seattle all over again. It's beautiful in the summers and I will admit, though the contstant moisture can be a nuisance, it is peaceful when it rains.

Mommy Oh and Cars

My parents have been contemplating buying a new car for the last little while. They have a Mazda now that they have been happy with and are considering replacing it with another Mazda.

My mom was talking to my sister about it and of all things, she has one requirement:

Mom: We want to buy car with handle because you know when you go parking lot all car looks same, but car with handle easy to find.

Rachel: Handle? What do you mean, 'handle'?

Mom: It's 'handle'. On back of car. Make easy to find.

Rachel: A handle? Do you mean a spoiler?

Mom: I don't know. Look like handle.

Apparently, my mom wants a car with a spoiler on the back. Who knew she would be so big pimpin'?! Gotta give her props. It definitely could pass for a handle...


I am not too surprised she called it a handle though. When my sister had her SAAB convertible, my mom told her, "Next time, you not buy this car. Car with "lid" is better."

Yes cars with lids are definitely better...oh mom...

Seattle time. Dad time.

My dad and I went to Wal-Mart.