A good weekend, followed by a hot, frustrating day...

Hi everybody!

I had a very social weekend, saw lots of people and threw my first ever party at the condo. Well, Franz and I threw it. Mostly Franz. It was kind of a Franz-centric thing. Here is how the last few days went down...

We went to go see the Timbers soccer game on the 8th, as planned. It was really interesting. I am afraid I don't understand the rules much better than I did before, but it was all very exciting to watch. And besides, as long as you know which goal is your teams, you can always tell when to cheer. Anyway, they have a man dressed like a lumberjack (hence the "Tiiim-berrrrs") who runs up and down the field getting people to spell out the word T-I-M-B-E-R-S. And when the team makes a goal, he goes over to a large log with a chainsaw and cuts a slice off. Then he carries the slice around so the audience can touch it, presumably for good luck in attempting the next goal. He also goes up into the rafters of the stadium and hangs down from a rope revving his chainsaw over the heads of the fans. It is exciting if you aren't sitting directly below him. I imagine it is scary if you are. He's no spring chicken. But the Timbers beat Edmunton 6-1 I think it was, so everyone was happy.

On the 9th, I was walking Buddy over to the dog area outside the condo when a silver Subaru pulled up with a guy hanging out of the side window. "Hey, Sherry! It's Christian!" Christian and Sean had arrived. Amazingly, they didn't look half bad for having driven 10 hours the day (and most of the night) before. We went out with them and a large group of people that night. Everyone had a bunch of drinks and food. I myself had 5 Cosmopolitans... which I was not aware of until the bill came. I thought I was at about number 3!! Needless to say, I spent most of the next day recuperating. We had a lot of fun talking over old TV shows that we all used to love, though... like the A-Team, Misfits of Science, Knight Rider, Wonder Woman, etc. In case you were wondering, the B.A. in B.A. Baracus (of "I pity the fool" fame) stands for "Bad Attitude". Just a little bit of Moon and Sixpence Restaurant trivia for you!

On the 10th, in the afternoon (thankfully), we went to a Foursquare tournament at Franz's friend's house. Her name is Carrie, but everyone just calls her Coleman. She was very nice and threw a great party. I was drinking water in an effort to banish the ickiness of that morning. I watched folks play foursquare, then had a weird fit of antisocialism. I just felt like being alone. I went and sat on the couch inside the house for a bit. After Franz had played foursquare for a while, he came and joined me. Which was nice. Then, amazingly enough, the party moved into the house. Franz and I ended up being surrounded by his friends (both new and old) on the comfy couches and talking for hours about their times in college together. It was really nice to hear all these old friends talking about their lives then and their lives now. People who have gotten married, had kids, adopted dogs, gotten jobs and bought their first homes. It was all beautiful. I wish there was a way to publish a book about every person's life. They are all truly fascinating.

The 11th was the party at the condo. It started out as a few couples coming to the condo for a potluck lunch. It ended up being a party for 11 and two very young children. Needless to say, Buddy spent most of the party tucked safely away in our bedroom!! We had cold cut sandwiches, tons of chips and salsa, two types of salad, wonderful brownies and ice cream. With lots of beer and soda to wash it all down with. Amazingly, I wasn't stressed at all. People brought most of the fixings themselves. And even helped clean up! A good time was had by all, and there was still more catching up with old friends.

Later that night we went to see the Finn Brothers, from Crowded House, play in concert at the Crystal Ballroom. It was wonderful. I can't say enough good about it, so I won't even try. I know now what the voices of angels must sound like. I loved it.

Yesterday it was hot. Very hot. 93 degrees hot. Buddy and I went out for a walk at noon and after about a minute and a half outside he just laid down in the grass and stopped. It was as if he was saying, "Screw this walking crap, it's too hot out here." I had to rub his tummy and head for a few minutes before he got up the strength to go on. Spoiled rotten doggie, that one.

I worked out again yesterday. I am not quite as sore as usual today, so I am happy about that. I can feel that my body is getting stronger, and I have officially lost four whole pounds so far. Woo hoo! Later, I had lunch with Franz and then went to the library. I managed to find a new water bottle to replace the one he accidentally lost at the soccer center. And the man at Copeland's was nice enough to let me have the caribbeaner (sp?) for free! That was the nicest part of my day. The rest of the time was spent wandering around aimlessly in the heat, thinking of all the things I need to do. Get a printer cartridge for the printer, make up more resumes, send them out, get more stamps, etc. I am trying hard not to get discouraged, but it is frustrating when you don't get even one phone call on the resumes you have already sent out.

Today I went and got Buddy some new food. He was completely out... there is nothing like waiting until the last minute. I am washing dishes and laundry right now. It's still hot outside, but not as bad as yesterday. I think I am going to finish up the other Al Franken book today and maybe start on "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk. And, of course, send out more resumes. Wish me luck!

Love to all,

Sherry