Quote of the week

"Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires."

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

(I just loved this image. So pretty.)

PDX Highrise Highlife

Thursday was my last night in Portland so I tried to make the most of it. I waned a proper way to bid this wonderful city adieu. After work I went out with the ladies from work to VQ. I had the seafood stew and fries and they were both to die for. After dinner I met up with some climbing friends. We hit up my friend Ray's high rise and had some drinks at a local pub in the Alphabet district. We rode the street car (which I hadn't done yet) and strolled home through the remnants of First Thursday. Then we ended the night with some hilarious YouTube videos and a good round of laughs. It was a wonderful way to say "see ya later" to a place that has become like a second home! PDX, I'm gonna miss you!

I heart Music: Mumford and Sons

Mumford and Sons: Little Lion Man

Album: Sigh No More

Weep for yourself, my man, You'll never be what is in your heart

Weep little lion man, You're not as brave as you were at the start

Rate yourself and rape yourself, Take all the courage you have left

Wasted on fixing all the problems that you made in your own head

But it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn't I, my dear?

Tremble for yourself, my man, You know that you have seen this all before

Tremble little lion man, You'll never settle any of your score

Your grace is wasted in your face, Your boldness stands alone among the wreck

Learn from your mother or else spend your days biting your own neck

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time
Didn't I, my dear?

Silversun Birthday

Happy Birthday Kyle! For your birthday we did some really fun things:

1. Ate at Mua, the brussel sprouts were so tasty and the tofu was cooked to perfection.

2. Opened presents: a nice button down from All Saints to snaz up your closet.

3. An evening at the Fox with Silversun Pickups and Against Me.

You are quite an amazing fellow! Thank you for being born!

Sending you lot's of Birthday Love!!!!

Alex's Birthday Dance-a-thon!

This Sunday we celebrated Alex's birthday at Somar! Alex is a lady full of life and always up for anything and that was evident when she managed to turn a Sunday night gathering into non-stop dance party! What a Sunday! Talk about a seriously good time that was totally worth the rough Monday morning! Happy Birthday Alex!

Ross & Jess get hitched

This weekend my dear friends Ross and Jess tied the knot. I have known this amazing couple for 10+ years and I was so honored to share this special occasion with them. The wedding was lovely. It was the first wedding that I've been to that actually felt like a celebration of love, a celebration not only between two people, but also between a greater group of friends, who all totally support each other. I am so thankful for the amazing friends I have in my life!

PDX-I heart you

Oh, Portland, how I have come to love you over the past few months. You have become a home away from home. Here are just a few reasons why I love you:

1. The Ace Hotel

2. Clyde Common

3. Stumptown Coffee

4. Lumberjack hipsters

5. Carver bouldering

6. Portland Rock Gym

7. The Circuit (minus the shitty bouldering pads)

8. Food Carts

9. Serratto

10. The Portland Outdoor store

Santi Tortilla's BBQ Birthday

This weekend we celebrated my friend and climbing partner, Santi Portilla's birthday. We BBQed at La Loma Park in Berkeley. His mom made some kick ass food and the weather was amazing. It was a great time being lazy with friends. Happy Birthday my Tortilla! XO!

WORD

FAMILY

I opened my emails this morning and to my surprise received a few photos from my great uncle in France. The first one is of my grandma and my great, great Aunt Jany, who I visited in Vence last month. The second one is my momma and my grandma on my mom's first birthday! So sweet! And the last photo is of my grandma with my Aunt Reisha when she was a baby. My grandma was always so stylish, I wish I could have shopped her closet back then!

Style Inspiration-Utilitarian Chic

*images from FFFFound.com, JJJJound.com, and Lookbook.nu

V8! Not just juice (and quote of the week)

"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally."

David Frost

The last couple days have been really important climbing days for me. On Monday I taught my bouldering basics class at Bridges and we had the biggest turn out yet with about 15 people. It was a really fun challenge to teach that many beginners at once. It was also a great reward to see the smiles on their faces as I helped them work through their roadblocks and fears. The class was so big I didn't really get to climb at all, but seeing them get excited made me want to climb more than ever.

So the following day I hit up the gym and climbed my little heart out. And to my great surprise and elation I was able to finish my first V8! I'm particularly excited about this, because I haven't even tried a V8 since I injured my tendon in my left hand. I thought it would be a lot longer before I was able to climb as hard as I had been before the injury. I am physched!

Turtle Rock

Last weekend I was sad that I couldn't take a road trip to climb so my amazing friends joined me for a quick day session at Marin's Turtle Rock. I worked on my project there (some V6-V8 traverse, not sure) and finished all the moves and I actually think I might be able to put it together in the very near future-just need a tad more endurance.

The day was a blast. We got in some good climbing, some sun, wonderful views, a whole lot of silliness and even had dinner at the Pelican Inn.

It was good fun. It felt great to be outside and be in the company of lovely friends. Yay for friends, sunshine, climbing outside, and yummy food!