I'm a fan of gapingvoid.com. Even more so now that he moved and is blogging/drawing from West Texas.
I feel the need to print and hang this in my cube so I can stare aimlessly and ponder when i'm having one of those stress/chaos/panic! moments. It sums things up quite nicely...
On November 13, 2008, baby Evan Alexander Athre was born. 6 lbs, 15 oz. On that day, our family forever changed. We joined together to celebrate the newest addition. The first grandchild. A little bundle of joy. My very first nephew. I can't wait to meet him!!
I feel that Harry Connick, Jr. said it best:
Now my heart is music.
Such a simple song
Sing it again, the notes never end
This is where I belong
Just the sound of your voice
The light in your eyes
We're so far away from yesterday
Together with a wink and a smile
We go together like a wink and a smile
- "with a wink and a smile"
All day Thursday I was distracted by texts, phone calls, IMs, all updating me on the status of the birth of my first nephew.
After 14 hours of labor, Evan Alexander Athre was born by c section.
We're so super excited to welcome him to the family. I can't WAIT to get to Texas for Thanksgiving and meet him. I'm taking my camera - so photos are coming soon.
Welcome to the world Evan Alexander. You're going to LOVE it here.
My friends Jonathan and Crystal are getting married next weekend at the Hollywood Schoolhouse in Woodinville, WA. They're super awesome friends and have a whirlwind romance - completely and totally inspired and led by God.
Last weekend they let me tag along during some wedding planning and I had a chance to poke around the Schoolhouse. As I'm shooting their wedding next weekend, I wanted to see what we had to work with. I'm so excited! The location is just as awesome as they are.
More to come...
i haven't done so yet, but i'm soon heading to my polling place.
i will soon cast my vote on all things federal, state, judicial, etc. that are up for election.
it's crazy to think that tonight will end the seemingly neverending string of campaign ads that have plagued the mainstream media lately.
tonight it will be decided:
an agent for change, or a maverick.
we will soon find out.
Our housewarming BBQ this weekend was a big success. Much of which can be attributed to the last minute installation of a diy firepit in our backyard.
It brought up a lot of questions; however, about the legality of a firepit within the city limits of Bellevue, WA. Here's the official word from the City of Bellevue, I've bolded and italicized the relevant part (and italicized my comments):
Can I burn outdoors?heck yeah you can. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency regulates indoor and outdoor burning in the urban areas of King County. The Bellevue Fire Department works closely with PSCAA to help enforce regulations specifically concerning outdoor burning. Small, recreational fires are allowed with restrictions. Open burning is prohibited in Bellevue.
Open Burning Defined
The burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares, smudgepots or similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses. A chamber is considered enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open. Open burning is prohibited at all times within the city limits and other areas served by the Bellevue Fire Department.
Recreational Fires Defined
A small outdoor fire made for pleasure, warmth, cooking or for religious, ceremonial or similar purposes, burning materials other than rubbish, where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height. Fires lit in chimneys, fire pits, fire bowls or similar free-standing devices are also considered “recreational” and should use only charcoal, dried firewood or manufactured logs.
Outside of a PSCAA regulated burn ban, a small "recreational fire" is allowed, without a permit, with the following restrictions: most of which we followed.
1. Shall not be within 25 feet of a structure or any combustible material(s). true.
2. Conditions which would cause a fire to potentially spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to igniting the fire. done and done.
The burning of yard debris, construction materials or trash is not allowed at any time. The Garbage and Recycling Services web page tells you how debris can be picked up through normal disposal. For more information on indoor and outdoor burning restrictions, call PSCAA at (206) 343-8800.
i recycle.
i also drive a hybrid.
Further, according to trendcentral's latest News You Need to Know, Seattle, following in the footsteps of countries such as China and Russia, is one of several US cities including San Francisco and LA that has announced plans to fight the plastic bag issue.
Starting on January 1st, 2009, Seattle residents will have to pay a fee of 20 cents for paper or plastic bags. LA also has plans to ban plastic bags by July of 2010, offering consumers a paper or biodegradable bag for 25 cents. Hopefully, this will encourage consumers to bring their own reusable bags, drastically cutting down on both the amount of non-biodegradable wastes and the amount of oil used to produce them.
get out there people. do your part.
I took my friend Bethany's engagement photos this week.
She and her fiance Scott were truly a joy to be around. They kissed and laughed and loved each other so vibrantly in front of my camera. I can only imagine that their life together will hold much of the same - vibrant love and infectious laughter. 
Congratulations you too. I wish you all the best from the bottom of my heart.
it's the third week of July and i just now changed my calendar.
man, time flies when you're having fun.
or when you're just out of your mind crazy busy...
