Summer, condensed

I'm actualy writing this from Argentina, and would rather write about interesting things like wrestling Guanacos but I feel like I should give the summer some closure:

It has been six months since I last left the United States of West Coast & Canada. A long six months of attempting to work and save money - did not happen, learn spanish - did not happen, and learn how to cook - also did not happen - It seems there is a pattern in my life of none of my plans being carried to fruition, this may indicate a problem.

This was my first summer in seattle as a legal adult (the past two I have been out of the country) and it exceeded my expectations by probably being just about the best place ever, besides Haad Rhin on New Years smashing buckets. Growing up on Bainbridge you don't really see much of Seattle other than the occasional shopping trip or dinner. Going out in Seattle is hard to wrangle because you either need to have a place to stay in Seattle or have the coherence to catch the 1:35 home, a rare feat of mental collection after too much belgian ale at Brouwers.

If I choose to go to law school in seattle (UW or SU), I would definitely move into the city, for sheeezy. After spending a summer here I can honestly say this is where I think I would like to be, at least for the next four or five years, but none of my plans seem to work out that well...

What I learned this summer about Seattle:

- Seattle is the best city in the entire world.

- The ballroom is a meat market that Charles From Party frequents

- Everything is more fun when you wear a turban

- Dicks is worth leaving the bar early for

- Mr. Tyler Bradley-Hewitt has very comfortable couches and should probably charge me rent

- We are incredibly lucky to live near such good coffee.

- Hiking / Camping is awesome and I am going to marry an REI man

- Skeet Skeet is interchangeable with the word skedadle

- The name of the burger place in forks is Sullies, this is a good thing to bet about

- Seafair is somehow impossible for me to make it to no matter how hard I try

About life:

- Going back to school might actually not completely excruciating, hence law school

- Be careful who you hook up with in Vegas, they might work for the DEA

- Don't sleep on doorsteps or your friends will kick you thinking you are a bum

- I am "impossible" .... I don't even know, but its funny

- Nannying is hard work... imagine if they were actually yours ... holy hell

- Sunroofs on cars periodically shatter, stay calm and don't touch any of the glass

-I am someone who needs a home, traveling forever is not going to be it for me

Ok.... now that I am done with that we can start talking about rounding up Guanacos!

Pictures:
Vegas with the Big Donz and Amir

Klehane Ridge hike with Natface and Corrine

Explaining a shotgun - I feel like most people have figured this out freshman year of college

Bay-Rut

Beach out at the ocean

Klehane Ridge Trail - Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center

Little trees in the Hoh Rainforest

Marmot Pass trail

Beach Salmon Bake

Prideaux Haven, BC

Wear it Chief

In the last 24 hours I:

1. Spent an hour trying to decode the pictograms on the Ranier caps, a legit drinking activity

2. Rear ended a taxi

3. Made delicious mexican at 3 am and did not burn anything down

5. Shot two consecutive bulls eyes while simultaneously playing pool

6. Laughed at Teebs trying to hit on his supervisor

7. Wore it

8. Left my boots on the bus, then ran after the bus yelling till it stopped causing a scene

9. Spent the equivalent of four hours of wages on cheese at pike place

10. Got a job

11. Applied to teach in spain for a year

Sincerely,

Mundtface

For clarification... I didn't rear end the car, Derek did

Justification for going home for xmas

I said that I was not going home for xmas... but my desire for in-n-out overcame my desire to lounge on a beach in thailand. I'm kidding, I'm not completely heartless, seeing my family is really my number one reason for coming home. Here are some others in no particular order:

1. In-n-out
2. Blackbird Toast / Soup
3. Clean ocean air
4. The water
5. Mattress that is not a box spring (it actually bruises my ribs, no joke)
6. FRIENDS
7. Jalepeno Poppers from San Carlos
8. Ferry
9. Double Tall Nonfat Latte w Irish Cream
10. Gordo & Slink
11. Seattle / Browers Fries
12. Ovens / Dishwashers / Driers
13. T&C lunch breaks with the dancers that turn into all day and night adventures
14. The Pub
15. Hot tubbing with Gardiner & Anna
16. Having a selection of non-asian men to choose from at midnight on New Years Eve.

I am very excited for all of the above.

Right now my plan is: Thailand 18-23, stopover in Seoul for 10 hours (i'm really excited to explore), Seatown 24-30, SF 31-4. If you are going to be in any of those places any of those times lets get loooosthee.. I need to stop talking like an aussie. I think their slang might be better than ours though - Especially the blanket kangaroo noise of Yeeeeooooooww, which can be used in every situation; there is also an accompanying dance.

Fun site of the day: Getmooh.com
this site is awesome, I am going to use it next time i need to get off work early or something... ooops sorry Ray, but adam has burned down our apt, I have to go.

Other useful knowledge of the day, more for people from BI since we all actually do outdoorsy things, between campaigning for Obama and shopping at Whole Foods: The Ten Essentials. I've heard many different lists over the years, but I did some digging around today and this is I think the most pertinent to the PNW. I think you many be able to substitute sunscreen for space blanket since we have no sun, unless you are going snow climbing, then its pretty important and you should also bring an ice axe.

Ten Essentials:

1. Water / Treatment device (there is always so much water around that a treatment device is probably the best call)
2. Map
3. Compass
4. First aid kit
5. Knife w multiple functions / blades (preferably one with a corkscrew for opening your end of hike wine and beer)
6. Light / extra batteries
7. Fire starter / matches
8. Extra clothes, especialy a hat and gloves / Space blanket
9. Sun protection
10. RAIN GEAR / poncho / tarp

I've already told Nat that we are hiking in the snow to the hot springs out on the olympic peninsula..... i'm pretty stoked, but I think it will be a hike on which all the ten essentials are actually essential since A. we have bad luck, B. people from Seattle are not used to the snow and anything could go wrong, and C. it is winter in WA, you never know, I don't really want to die. We are also going to bring the 11th essential: beer since it will be cold out... forget the fire.