tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85965201159269239472024-03-12T17:54:09.074-07:00Shocktype Productions - The Blog!Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-82127167357769092702015-05-26T22:02:00.004-07:002015-05-26T22:02:59.772-07:00For the Sake of the MaskNo, I haven't forgotten about this blog.<br />
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We all do things that we know aren't necessarily good for us, but nor do they necessarily harm us. We're not sure why we do them, we just know they help us along.<br />
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We also put on masks. We don't suppose the world at large, or the select few we share space with, could handle all our shit in its raw form. Or maybe the thought is that we couldn't handle ourselves that raw. Maybe we're faking it until we make it. Maybe we want the security that comes from being behind something.<br />
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I had a thought coming out of the shower that the two phenomena are related. Some of our masks get so familiar, so essential to our daily lives, that we can forget we're putting them on. We stop feeling the mental motions we go through to quiet our facial ticks, reign in that urge to speak our true minds, and otherwise present someone that the world won't ostracize. <br /><br />Whether that mask is made of silk or cast iron, putting it on takes work no matter what. It's still a chore that we do, and eventually what was once a tantrum-inducer becomes muscle memory. A little thing you don't notice until one day you noticed that you stopped noticing, but it still takes effort.<br />
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Where do we get the energy to do something we forget we're doing? Maybe it's from the little indulgences that aren't problems until they become problems.<br />
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Seems like the two share some things. That's all.Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-31386986202585790562015-03-30T14:16:00.001-07:002015-03-30T14:26:00.178-07:00Armistice <p dir="ltr">I haven't posted war updates in a while. This isn't because there haven't been any, but because they've just been a little too complicated to articulate. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Wars have a lot of stages. One of the best is when the parties remember that they have more things in common than different and begin the process of negotiations. </p>
<p dir="ltr">There are things that've happened that led me to believe the universe worked against me. Time may be that I believe that again. Today I'm remembering that I 'm part of the universe, and that I carry a piece of it in me. This doesn't let it off the hook, but perhaps we can work together more on setting things right. </p>
Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-39871030563368993472015-03-01T08:09:00.002-08:002015-03-01T08:09:33.010-08:00White dungeon from the skyIt's snowing a lot. It makes getting out of the house much less of an option. I'm undecided how I feel about that.<br />
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I'm back onto my normal work schedule since the fall, which is good. I am NOT back to my previous stamina, which is not good. It means an average day at work exhausts me, and an average week pretty much destroys me. It makes my weekends more focused on basic recovery than anything.<br />
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This hurts my creative projects because they're what I do after I've taken care of everything else, and by that time I have pretty much nothing left in the tank. It's been almost two months of this. It's frustrating.Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-41506172111952907572015-02-17T04:44:00.003-08:002015-02-17T04:44:30.700-08:00Non-ChangesIn some ways, breaking my arm has altered my life in permanent ways. I've got a wicked scar. Wearing short sleeves shirts will not be enough to keep a passerby from noticing and from that point on, no matter what I've done with my life, for some people I'm always and only going to be "that guy with the arm scar". Even when I get my strength back, I'll probably always be cautious of what I do with it.<br /><br />But there are a lot of things about me that have not changed, and likely won't ever. For instance, sleeping on my stomach still appeals to me, but trying it just sets my arm on fire. And while on the subject, I still don't sleep well. Since I wasn't sleeping last night I tried meditating, and it worked to a point. Instead of feeling wearing and unmovable, I can move around fine but am sporting a wicked headache. I'm also not going to every be bodybuilding champion of the world, but honestly I let that dream die a while back.<br />
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There are crepes in my near future, which makes me happy. Fat Tuesday's fun no matter how you celebrate it, but depending on how this turns out I may start a movement to bring the pancake tradition to my corner of the States. I can think of many people that would have no problem with this at all.<br />
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There's also a bar with hundreds of styles of gin on tap promised for tonight. Thinking about it, I think these "vacation" dealies might catch on.Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-87871756583837997722015-02-15T03:01:00.003-08:002015-02-15T03:01:40.065-08:00VacationWhile there's no such thing as gentle travelling, especially over oceans and continents, I have to admit so far this isn't so bad.<br />
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CONTEXT: My dad flew me out to visit him in England for a little while, see the sights and the accommodations he's getting used to. They're pretty swank.<br />
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Lugging luggage (band name trademarked) with one arm is less fun than it sounds. I put my sling back on mostly to remind myself not to do anything stupid like try to lift anything, but also to play up some sympathy with the airline staff. Officially there's little they can do, but I did find myself alone in my row of seats, which is just about the next best thing to First Class. I liked it!<br />
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Dad and I have been roaming the area a lot. The day I got here we walked through Grantham to pick up the essentials, Thursday we went to Melton Mowbray and toured St. Mary's and the Anne of Cleves Pub. Neither one had the souvenier Dad really wanted (his missing glasses), but both were fun. Saturday we just barely made it into York, seeing as half the country was going in that direction, but we had a good time. The York Minster is one of the most spectacular churches there is, I challenge anyone to walk the Viking wall and NOT want the Visigoths to invade just so you can fight them off, and the rest of the city is lovely (though crowded).<br />
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But there's also the grand estate that is my dad's home and place of business this semester. It's like a vacation home planted in the 1850's - all the settings of a romanticised aristocratic lifestyle without sacrificing modern amenities. Today's goal is pictures. Lots of pictures.<br />
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And getting to London. But other than that!<br />
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It's been difficult to feel relaxed with so many trips to go on, but it's a different kind of stress and I haven't thought about my normal kind in a while. My right arm is much more flexible to, able to reach almost as far as my left again. I suppose I'll be spending this week getting the last 1-2% of mobility back, because next week is when the doctor tells me how to start rebuilding strength. It's pretty exciting!Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-54746981585325480762015-01-30T15:00:00.001-08:002015-01-30T15:00:23.081-08:00SuperpowersYeah, it's been a while. In my defense, I'm having to relearn how to type with the right side of my body, which isn't fun.<br />
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The staples are out and I've transitioned to the phase of my recovery where I'm working the arm to restore its mobility. I about three weeks, I should have that down to the point where I can start rebuilding functional strength.<br />
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It hasn't stopped hurting, but it's to the point where I can feel the weight of the plate inside my arm. It's stiff, unyielding, and right now it interferes with moving the arm around. It's a bit creepy.<br />
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But on the other hand, this should be a temporary thing. And when it's all said and done, I'm going to have a titanium-reinforced skeleton! I will be a living union of man and machine!!<br />
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...<br />
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...Okay, so just one bone has the plating, and the machine parts are as simple as they come, but for as big a fan of comics as I am this is still kind of cool.Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-54267846943549490782015-01-21T18:10:00.000-08:002015-01-21T18:10:00.565-08:00Still SwingingPosts about deep personal reflection and the value of life lived versus the life unlived seems like low-hanging fruit, still. So in an effort to avoid being maudlin, here's a fictional couplet:<br />
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Here I sit, broken arm-ed,<br />
Thought to fart, but rather sharted.Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-4964813238527836452015-01-16T20:17:00.002-08:002015-01-16T20:17:45.193-08:00Unused Munitions?It occurs to me that one of my best counter-offensives in fighting the universe, which has levelled some genius volleys in my direction recently, is one that the medium of blogs was more or less designed for. Tonally, it may seem out of place, but hell, it's not like much has been IN place lately.<br />
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So here it goes. The highlight of my day:<br />
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I pooped A LOT! Like, in a toilet. Bunch of times, too!<br />
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Thatt genuinely makes me feel better. Ah, the internet. Where were we as a society without you?Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-54651143153924964832015-01-15T11:06:00.005-08:002015-01-15T11:06:47.451-08:00What's the Word?I have the sense that I want to do something (not just be able to move my right arm), but I also have the sense that I want to do nothing. Or maybe I want to do some particular kind of nothing.<br />
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Some language or another has to have a word for that? Right?Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-25690549435877239822015-01-13T18:27:00.003-08:002015-01-13T18:27:31.171-08:00Broken CyclesGot off track for a few days, didn't I? My excuse? I broke my right arm Friday night, and didn't get out of the hospital until Sunday.<br />
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Alright, *I* didn't break my arm. The fall did, from the roof I was on trying to fix a leak.<br />
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So I'm going to be much less efficient for the next week or two. Typing with my left hand is annoying.<br />
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On the one hand (see what I did there?), I want to applaud the universe for delivering such a mighty blow. On the other hand, it's unsettling to think about how easily the universe could've finished me off right then.<br />
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Ugh, the next few weeks are going to crawl so slow! Anyone want to take dictation for me for the next month?Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-48313729722440805522015-01-07T14:27:00.002-08:002015-01-07T14:27:37.094-08:00FillerI've heard a few people say that it's important to write in a project every day, even if it's just a couple of words, to keep the momentum up. <br />
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This is one of those days when I try that euphemism out.Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-17075571059701717402015-01-06T12:50:00.001-08:002015-01-06T12:50:44.561-08:00Good DaysEvery so often, the universe doesn't fight me so much. I have a good day.<br />
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Today's felt pretty good. I woke up pretty positive, and got a lot done at work already. There's plenty of the day left to go, but there's nothing in particular I'm feeling anxious about.<br />
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To reward this good turn of fortune, I'm pulling out a gif about the dark side of mattress testing. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-10673649258596511362015-01-05T06:02:00.001-08:002015-01-05T15:42:43.121-08:00SkippageI managed to not write anything in this blog yesterday. Instead of declaring the experiment (and by proxy, myself) a failure, I'm gonna let that little blip happen and move on.<br />
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Lots of aspects of the human condition work on a scale, not the binary systems that are easier to wrap a head around. Sexuality is one, self-perception another, and I'm ready to add sleep cycles to the list.<br />
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I'm a weird kind of insomniac. I'm not a morning person, but I'm not much of a night person either. Usually I'll hit a wall sometime around midnight where I just know I'm not going to do anything until I get some sleep, but then I'll sit in bed for hours not sleeping.<br />
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If I get up and try to do something with my sleeplessness, about all I can manage is watching the wall paint age. It's not nearly as rewarding as watching wine or cheese age, in fact it's pretty thankless, but it's got to be done and dammit I am stepping up! I am the fucking master of watching paint age, and all y'all better recognize!<br />
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But as skills go, yeah, this is kind of a lame one.<br />
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And I'm not the sort of person that can get by with just a few hours sleep, either. Too many nights like the one above and the fatigue I feel (spending my days generally fighting off the relentless onslaught of the universe's forces) makes it a lot harder to get my head together.<br />
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So a few years back a doctor prescribed ambien. I don't take it every night because it doesn't work if you try to use it every night, and I don't want to be the kind of person that needs something every night to sleep. And even if I space it out, there's the occasional night where it takes a few hours to kick in versus the less-than-an-hour it's supposed to. But when it works? Glorious.<br />
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In order to achieve a similar night's sleep without it, I'd have to push myself through two workouts involving heavy cardio, spend two hours in deep creative work, and have something with alcohol in it. And not have slept for a few days beforehand.<br />
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Well played, universe.Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-32931570356211975802015-01-03T15:26:00.000-08:002015-01-03T15:26:08.017-08:00Days OffI often feel like I should be doing something "constructive", If I'm not, something inside my head chides me for sloth, it doesn't matter what I've already done on a given day. That makes trying to sleep fun.<br /><br />So on days when I don't already have something scheduled and I know I need to rest, actually resting feels... icky.<br />
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So today I'm binge-watching The Walking Dead and awaiting a delivered pizza. Let's see how that goes.Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-64930617819753477682015-01-02T14:56:00.001-08:002015-01-02T15:42:11.661-08:00Reprieves<p dir="ltr">I don't have a medical regimen per second to aide me in my struggle with the universe. Maybe I should, but for now I manage without. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I am developing a series of habits that give me intermissions, chunks of my waking day that don't feel like I'm fighting through the day. They include:<br>
-Meditation. Regulated breathing in a position between relaxed and controlled, not interacting with reality but vaguely aware of it.<br>
    This is like a diplomatic summit where we negotiate,a cease-fire. It doesn't last, but it is refreshing. <br>
-Yoga. A semi-aggresive program that forces me to use most of my body in a taxing way all at once. I like this a lot better than weights because it feels like I'm working out whole muscle systems instead of one group at a time.<br>
    This serves two purposes. 1) I train for the next volley the universe throws at me, and 2) this helps my body feel as worn-out as my brain by the end of the day, which makes me feel a bit more balanced at least. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Now I've got this blog. This blog reminds me that I am fighting. Sometimes it feels like I'm just getting beaten, so it's nice to have something that proves it's not a one-way fight. </p>
Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-83335009181003494012015-01-01T09:42:00.001-08:002015-01-01T13:52:39.644-08:00Parties<p dir="ltr">"Social anxiety" as a term bugs me,only because I don't understand how some people seem to not have it. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Any time I'm with a group of people, part of me takes the scene in and checks a few things out. <br>
1) There are more people here than me, and the consensus is probably that I should keep my pants on. <br>
2) I probably don't know these people as well as I think I do, and most wouldn't want to hear talk of pants. <br>
3) They are human, just like me, and each have their own unique relationship with the universe. </p>
<p dir="ltr">At this point, I figure everyone is on the same page, but there's still plenty of room for variation. Trying to figure out who in a given room is willing to talk about how much pants is a universal source of anxiety. If a person isn't anxious about it before striking up a conversation, they usually are after. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But with people that deal with "social anxiety", there's at least one more criterion. Some variation of<br>
4) The universe probably likes these people more than me. </p>
<p dir="ltr">And when one considers how many entities are in the room or the world or the universe, that's a real concern. Or it seems that way to me. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So if it's real, why should anyone be anxious about it? And if it isn't real, how do so many notice it in the first place? </p>
Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-48989670922009158992014-12-31T18:18:00.001-08:002014-12-31T18:18:10.898-08:00New Year's Entry<p dir="ltr">I came up with the idea to restart this blog yesterday, though I've wanted to bring it back for much longer. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It might've been keeping with tradition to wait until tomorrow, the first day of the new year, to start something new. But if I hinge the changes I want to make on a chart designed by people dead for centuries set on an arbitrary position in relation to the sun, I feel like I'm surrendering my motivation to the cause. </p>
<p dir="ltr">No surrender. </p>
Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-63097222451518907672014-12-30T13:30:00.001-08:002014-12-30T14:42:58.678-08:00Repurposing<p dir="ltr">A blog writer stopped updating his blog. Then he dusted it off. Now onto something more closely resembling a topic...</p>
<p dir="ltr">It has become unavoidably apparent to me that I have some kind of grudge with the cosmos (despite the natural charm and refined wit of Neil DeGrasse Tyson). Details such as which party offended first, who drew battle lines where, these are unknown, and for the time-being immaterial.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I have allowed this grudge to become the status quo. I dressed it up pretty, made excuses, convinced myself and others that our attitudes toward each other were acceptable.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This is no longer the case.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So with this post I announce a new stance. I seek not the destruction of my enemy, in part because it has cleverly insinuated itself into my stuff. What I'm going to fight for is a new relationship with this adversary. It seems at this moment unlikely that we will be friends, but maybe we can work something out to the point that we both get more out of being neighbors.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This blog will chronicle said struggle. I could just start a new blog, but that doesn't seem necessary. This fight relates in some ways to my efforts to develop as a writer, which was the original purpose for this blog way back in the day.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If this entry seems cryptic and nonsensical, please deal with it. Releasing too many details all at once about my resources and strategies would only serve the cause of the enemy, as Sun Tzu would explain. that and I need to keep these entries short or else I'll never keep updating this thing.</p>
Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-80443876213808584162013-05-09T09:31:00.003-07:002013-05-15T10:57:59.621-07:00Days 29-31: End of an Era!My body held out until I arrived at Rapid City's Grand Gateway hotel, where I immediately went to bed hoping for some recovery. It worked, because the next day I was up to visit Mt. Rushmore!<br />
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I crushed it.</div>
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Thing about Mt. Rushmore is that aside from the big guys, there's not a whole lot to do. It wasn't a long visit, even if it took a while to find the place. Right before the park itself, there's an active town that would seem to get all its revenue from visitors to the park. Since I was there before the heavy tourist season, I saw a lot of places closed, lock, and being rebuilt in anticipation. </div>
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I left the next day heading for Omaha, NE, with a stop at Badlands National Park on the way. There are a few more things for a person to do there, and I opted for the Notch Trail, which is about a mile hike over rough terrain: just about perfect for my purposes.</div>
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Climbing up this ladder was intimidating. Climbing down it was... worse.</div>
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Sometimes, signs tell you useful things.</div>
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The end of the trail was pretty easy to figure out. A sheer cliff and a killer view make for decent clues.</div>
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Having survived the hike, I drove to Omaha to visit Darcy and the other residents of the "Cunt Castle". I took no pictures to respect privacy but here's the closest thing I found to a town center.</div>
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I spent a couple of days just chilling there, taking in the local music scene, and watching the premiere of Game of Thrones. It was a marvelous time! From there I went to Des Moines, IA, where I met up with a fellow Ryan and together we conquered Zombie Burger!</div>
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Des Moines is mostly generic fare, but when they decide to be interesting, they kill at it.</div>
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And that concludes the picture portion of my travel blog! Entries from this point on aren't going to have the visual attractions, but they'll follow my journey through life as always. I had a great time and owe everyone involved for making it happen. </div>
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See you soon!</div>
Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-3215331763408282262013-05-02T07:08:00.004-07:002013-05-02T07:08:44.979-07:00Day 28 - Devil's Tower!When I woke up the next morning, things weren't right. All my stuff was where'd I'd left it in the room, but contents had shifted in my stomach overnight. Around my second trip to the toilet was when I mused over the wisdom of trying to consume one's body weight in cinnamon roll in a 24-hour period. Nothing was concluded except that I wouldn't be making the best time on the road that day.<br />
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And if you can believe it, I didn't take any pictures to commemorate THAT part of my journey.<br />
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The drive was lazy, which worked out because I wasn't in the mood to navigate anymore wildernesses. Wildernessi? Gathering of wilderness? I don't know, I just wasn't up for it. I just wanted to get to Devil's Tower in time to do a walkaround in daylight. And so I did! Here it is from afar...<br />
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Getting closer...<br />
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Some literature on the site...</div>
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A giant rock, as seen by J. J Abrams.</div>
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It may seem odd that this nub of the planet gets so much attention, but I think everyone feels that way. How many other places can say there's a chunk of rock that just shoots out of the ground for hundreds of feet? It is odd. That's why people like it.</div>
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After all that, I needed some refreshment, so I picked up a gumdrop. </div>
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It tasted dry.</div>
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I think the next update will be my last for the travel blog, but it's going out with a bang - Mt. Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and a restaurant that caters to the undead!</div>
Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-81570082810182351142013-04-26T08:46:00.000-07:002013-04-26T08:46:02.763-07:00Days 26-27 - Nope, Not Done Yet!After a lovely, regenerative week in Seattle, I set off for Glacier National Park in Montana. To make that happen, drove until I reached Couer d'Alene, ID.<br />
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It's a stop my brother recommended for its small size, simple beauty, and for <a href="http://jimmysdownthestreet.com/" target="_blank">Jimmy's Down the Street</a>, home of delicious cinnamon buns the size of a horse's head.<br />
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I needed the calories, because from there is was a good five hours' drive to Glacier National Park, a pristine forest area that's also home to the only actual glacier in the continental Unites States, which according to scientific estimates will <a href="http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/glacier_model.htm" target="_blank">melt by 2030</a>.<br />
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The place was closed for the season. A normal person would have been perturbed by this. A huge investment in time and gas money, not to mention the mental anticipation of getting to hike around a mountain made entirely out of frozen water, only to be snatched away at the last minute because some administrator decided it's too cold to experience ice? Yeah. I wanted to punch something. Like reality. I wanted to go Earth-2 Superman on this park's butt and shatter time and space into something where I could get into the gift shop and pick up a cheap souvenior pin.<br />
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But I didn't. Instead I got out of the car and struck up a conversation with the other car full of people waiting outside the closed and locked gate. Two of them were local fixtures of the community: one ran a hospice and the other was the "chairman"? of the local chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association. They were nice enough to take my picture.<br />
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Then they took it right.<br />
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They were keeping company of a third man, a young ranger investigating the death of a goose. This ranger was walking along the river investigating a specimen whose neck had broken. He came back up to the gate to pet his dog and make sure it was secure in the car, then resolved to walk down the river to see if there was any clue as to what killed the goose. And he took us all along!<br />
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I don't know if it counts as a clue, but we did find another dead goose. This one didn't have a broken neck, though, it had a hole straight through it. Obviously, I'm not posting pictures because, as far as I know, the investigation is still ongoing and to release evidence would cripple the process.<br />
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While in the area, we also found an abandoned bear den. There were no bears in it, but there was a collection of bones ranging from very small to large rodent. Bears: the comic nerds of the animal kingdom.<br />
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The area we were in had burned down in 2001.<br />
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Life is returning.<br />
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And there were other views like these...<br />
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By the time I'd made it through all the dirt roads and barely navigable paths to get this far, my car had war paint and a twinkle in its eye.<br />
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So I didn't get to go on my controlled hike or get my commemorative survey pin. What I got instead was conversations with some colorful local characters, a guided tour of some natural wilderness, and civilian involvement in a multiple murder mystery. And I didn't even have to pay admission!<br />
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Next stop, Devil's Tower!Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-24307984465891672362013-04-13T13:19:00.001-07:002013-04-13T13:19:20.891-07:00Days 23-25 - Tastes and TreatsMarch 23rd me and a couple of the cousins took the dogs for a walk. It was just bout the perfect day for it, with clear skies and an almost empty beach.<br />
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That night, we had a party for some relatives that were moving down south. Dinner was deep fried turkey wrapped in bacon. As good as it sounds, it tasted even better.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xrL7hlRLUI/UWmxTCXFZ_I/AAAAAAAAAaM/xNf0hDIhRAA/s1600/2013-03-23_18-31-01_782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xrL7hlRLUI/UWmxTCXFZ_I/AAAAAAAAAaM/xNf0hDIhRAA/s320/2013-03-23_18-31-01_782.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Several of us sat by an iron stove outdoors made to look like a fish. The fire got hot enough that the belly started glowing red. Between the flame, the time of night, and the lack of flash, I'm very happy with the way the photo came out.<br />
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On the 25th, I took a day trip to Vancouver, Canada. It was my first time visiting the country, and the border patrol on both sides took a curious interest in my Indiana license plate. It's like not many people from the Midwest drive all the way there to eat a bowl of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine" target="_blank">poutine</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1tRRFK98H4/UWm2G2SIJXI/AAAAAAAAAak/honRYS3b7Xs/s1600/2013-03-25_13-24-12_892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1tRRFK98H4/UWm2G2SIJXI/AAAAAAAAAak/honRYS3b7Xs/s320/2013-03-25_13-24-12_892.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Yeah, okay, that wasn't my ONLY reason to go there. But it was tasty. I went to the <a href="http://www.thewallflowermoderndiner.com/" target="_blank">Wallflower </a>purely because it happened to be close and yelp gave it a good review or two. Here's my own attempt at restaurant review:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I’m starting with a pale ale. The drive combined with the
lost walk gave me quite a thirst, and the crash my computer only just recovered
from punctuated the need. Pale ales can be over hoppy, but this one’s smooth
and clean. It’s got a bit of punch to it that’s hitting me in the temples and
knees (for some reason) in a soothing way. Paintings cover the walls by a local
artist named Mishelle Cuttler, who’s pretty good. The “Girl with Glasses” in
particular catches my eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The poutine came out pretty fast, but considering it’s
supposed to be an appetizer, I shouldn’t be surprised. For those who don’t
know, poutine is basically French fries covered with gravy and cheese curds,
the Canadian version of Welsh Rarebit, almost. The curds here were plain stuff,
looking fairly solid at first, but gooed well with the heat – actual cheese!
The gravy was chicken and pretty flavorful, meaty and salty. The fries were
alright, not the best I’ve ever had, but the best would get lost under all the
gravy, so they didn’t have to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Now that I’ve had a bowl of poutine (it came in
a real life bowl), I can say that they’re nothing special. They tasted great,
don’t get me wrong, but they were tasty in a way that’s easily done anywhere.
I’ve no idea why they seem to be a specialty of Canada’s, or why the internet
developed such a jones-ing for them. I do have a full belly, though, and maybe
a new point of cholesterol, but a good experience all around.</span></span><br />
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After lunch, I went for a walk around the bay area known as Yaletown. I know that because I read signage.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qBwhnf6YcE/UWm5NIlxbvI/AAAAAAAAAas/lsAjL5YEkfc/s1600/2013-03-25_14-51-52_938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qBwhnf6YcE/UWm5NIlxbvI/AAAAAAAAAas/lsAjL5YEkfc/s320/2013-03-25_14-51-52_938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The wind bit, which is to be expected in Canada mid-March, but otherwise the weather was flawless. My panorama skills got put to good use.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FbQ5EK-tJ4U/UWm6ZMV2IrI/AAAAAAAAAa0/PG6sKD2nQ0Q/s1600/2013-03-25_14-54-52_417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FbQ5EK-tJ4U/UWm6ZMV2IrI/AAAAAAAAAa0/PG6sKD2nQ0Q/s320/2013-03-25_14-54-52_417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Most of the art installations looked like small space vessels. Is it an expression of the idealism for future times, or alien escape pods hidden in plain sight? I knew I should've paid attention in art interpretation.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIk_Z4bW-WM/UWm7VHsckhI/AAAAAAAAAa8/xZM4l1eburE/s1600/2013-03-25_14-57-18_45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIk_Z4bW-WM/UWm7VHsckhI/AAAAAAAAAa8/xZM4l1eburE/s320/2013-03-25_14-57-18_45.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't know if there's a structural purpose to building a highrise wobbly like this, but it looks interesting.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GbBygPMTv7o/UWm8IeXfHqI/AAAAAAAAAbE/v26d5dDNxSk/s1600/2013-03-25_15-01-12_176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GbBygPMTv7o/UWm8IeXfHqI/AAAAAAAAAbE/v26d5dDNxSk/s320/2013-03-25_15-01-12_176.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Nice little pedestrian park. I was going to ask a local what ancient rite took place when you lit the surrounding lanterns that lead into the central platform, but that seemed rude.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDRdE_DpGXk/UWm9R_1iVyI/AAAAAAAAAbM/tHn0-dBdVDQ/s1600/2013-03-25_15-08-06_946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDRdE_DpGXk/UWm9R_1iVyI/AAAAAAAAAbM/tHn0-dBdVDQ/s320/2013-03-25_15-08-06_946.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Vancouver also has a stargate. Try as I might, I couldn't turn it on, to say nothing of linking it to the one in Arizona. Can't win them all, I guess.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zgaTtoGuatw/UWm9mmJQADI/AAAAAAAAAbU/FsZ-oHancrY/s1600/2013-03-25_15-36-04_706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zgaTtoGuatw/UWm9mmJQADI/AAAAAAAAAbU/FsZ-oHancrY/s320/2013-03-25_15-36-04_706.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Next update will take me away from Washington and to Glacier Nation Park! Well, almost...<br />
Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-59911796023462645682013-04-10T17:46:00.001-07:002013-04-10T17:48:56.944-07:00Days 17-20 (REALLY?!) - Port Townsend From my sister's place in Eugene, OR, I went up to visit my brother and his fiance in Washington state. Specifically, an itty bitty town called Norland. They live in an apartment above a garage. This is their backyard.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeTw3Rj6POU/UWYAbF9kxxI/AAAAAAAAAX0/WM4kbL7tTh8/s1600/2013-03-16_18-03-15_416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeTw3Rj6POU/UWYAbF9kxxI/AAAAAAAAAX0/WM4kbL7tTh8/s320/2013-03-16_18-03-15_416.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A short drive away is a public fort, complete with decommissioned gun emplacements. I didn't mind that they chose not to fire it to commemorate my arrival.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DR-e3uW95W0/UWYA98g8vzI/AAAAAAAAAX8/-43TJCe47lg/s1600/2013-03-16_19-17-32_750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DR-e3uW95W0/UWYA98g8vzI/AAAAAAAAAX8/-43TJCe47lg/s320/2013-03-16_19-17-32_750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That night we had cupcakes. My sister made them for us, and they were yummy.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkvAbnK5ZIs/UWYBIbWg99I/AAAAAAAAAYE/68_yKlUnGcA/s1600/2013-03-16_19-56-20_111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkvAbnK5ZIs/UWYBIbWg99I/AAAAAAAAAYE/68_yKlUnGcA/s320/2013-03-16_19-56-20_111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We spent St. Patrick's Day on the road, starting with breakfast at the Blue Moose Cafe for corned beef hash.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omxdgiwYFyA/UWYBgRxKWqI/AAAAAAAAAYM/mX3rWZ49J-c/s1600/2013-03-17_11-06-53_173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omxdgiwYFyA/UWYBgRxKWqI/AAAAAAAAAYM/mX3rWZ49J-c/s320/2013-03-17_11-06-53_173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We toured around the commercial district of Port Townsend for <span style="font-family: inherit;">a bit. I got to visit </span><span style="background-color: #fbf8de;"><a href="http://www.writersworkshoppe.com/home" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">The Writers' Workshoppe</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, where I picked up a sweet t-shirt. There was also </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bergstroms-Antique-Classic-Autos/154843521218343" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Bergstrom's Auto</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, the place for antique car parts and </span>memorabilia<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Beth, go get Gary right now and show this to him. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vwixlVju9JI/UWYC_SSwF0I/AAAAAAAAAYY/7W8Pjf-4Se8/s1600/2013-03-17_12-50-39_247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vwixlVju9JI/UWYC_SSwF0I/AAAAAAAAAYY/7W8Pjf-4Se8/s320/2013-03-17_12-50-39_247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fbf8de;">Everyone else, as you were.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fbf8de;">It was easy to escape civilization and see some natural wonders. For instance, Olympic National Rainforest.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_0d3xQBbnk/UWYDVVFTTgI/AAAAAAAAAYg/S4WdJHa-nrg/s1600/2013-03-17_15-53-34_184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_0d3xQBbnk/UWYDVVFTTgI/AAAAAAAAAYg/S4WdJHa-nrg/s320/2013-03-17_15-53-34_184.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fbf8de;">It's terrible to pick and choose which pictures to throw onto the web, because honestly so many were good, but none truly capture the total, almost choking amount of life that inhabited the area. I'll try anyway.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AriiI2baKLI/UWYEZFliUZI/AAAAAAAAAYw/M04BmLQGP4Y/s1600/2013-03-17_16-07-20_474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AriiI2baKLI/UWYEZFliUZI/AAAAAAAAAYw/M04BmLQGP4Y/s320/2013-03-17_16-07-20_474.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3_HznT21sU/UWYEbrjv6DI/AAAAAAAAAY4/m-eJn4wnsdk/s1600/2013-03-17_16-16-15_963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3_HznT21sU/UWYEbrjv6DI/AAAAAAAAAY4/m-eJn4wnsdk/s320/2013-03-17_16-16-15_963.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a silly shot of the happy couple, not to scale. OR IS IT?!?!?!?!?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RDe9j3m4HY8/UWYEdPEy51I/AAAAAAAAAZA/GZAdLpWyVbc/s1600/2013-03-17_16-08-37_787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RDe9j3m4HY8/UWYEdPEy51I/AAAAAAAAAZA/GZAdLpWyVbc/s320/2013-03-17_16-08-37_787.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQ0w3_8mkJ8/UWYFlsbx7nI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/DALZhi3rNZM/s1600/2013-03-17_16-18-30_350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQ0w3_8mkJ8/UWYFlsbx7nI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/DALZhi3rNZM/s320/2013-03-17_16-18-30_350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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From there, we visited Ruby Beach, home or at least vacation spot of a pair of bald eagles. While there, I decided to conquer the driftwood from Hell.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lBd0dB5P3BA/UWYF-DecLFI/AAAAAAAAAZY/m3DTpT0sgXw/s1600/2013-03-17_18-06-11_377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lBd0dB5P3BA/UWYF-DecLFI/AAAAAAAAAZY/m3DTpT0sgXw/s320/2013-03-17_18-06-11_377.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyNe6CRSDvg/UWYGUQXRtaI/AAAAAAAAAZk/s7_r8lW9Vxg/s1600/2013-03-17_18-35-31_804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyNe6CRSDvg/UWYGUQXRtaI/AAAAAAAAAZk/s7_r8lW9Vxg/s320/2013-03-17_18-35-31_804.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKw8W0Yr_UU/UWYGfAFWtVI/AAAAAAAAAZs/qSlaVURRF_A/s1600/2013-03-17_18-43-22_223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKw8W0Yr_UU/UWYGfAFWtVI/AAAAAAAAAZs/qSlaVURRF_A/s320/2013-03-17_18-43-22_223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next day, we had lunch at my brother's school, the <a href="http://www.nwboatschool.org/" target="_blank">NorthWest School of Wooden Boatbuilding</a>. I left then and took a ferry to Seattle, where my aunt and her family live.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ev5IR2mHjc/UWYHTdz6GxI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/H-hmmfbdDv4/s1600/2013-03-18_15-03-39_457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ev5IR2mHjc/UWYHTdz6GxI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/H-hmmfbdDv4/s320/2013-03-18_15-03-39_457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I covered a good chunk of the Seattle visit already. My next update will fill in gaps and include shots from the USA to our Mexico: Canada!</div>
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EDIT: Wow. Forgot that I covered a bunch of this already. Not everything, but most. Meh, plenty of new shots, I'll leave this up anyway.</div>
Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-81644795209119768552013-04-08T07:14:00.001-07:002013-04-08T07:14:01.182-07:00Days 14-16 - Los Osos and Eugene!The weird thing about living someplace other than hotel rooms is that the only personal responsible for cleaning up the place is me. It can get in the way, but the alternatives are worse. Anyway, here are pictures!<br />
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By the time I arrived in Los Osos, CA to meet my uncle John for the first time, the sun was setting and a thick wave of fog was flooding in. It was difficult to take pictures. Not impossible.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRubA_AWlNs/UWLHz88QXXI/AAAAAAAAAWE/-fbUTug59I4/s1600/2013-03-13_17-46-02_565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRubA_AWlNs/UWLHz88QXXI/AAAAAAAAAWE/-fbUTug59I4/s320/2013-03-13_17-46-02_565.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was a bird on the beach that looked like the stereotypical noir snitch, only without the alley or streetlamp.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9eTSwLYLsG4/UWLIKAlUOuI/AAAAAAAAAWM/RLvShy-vV9k/s1600/2013-03-13_17-44-03_863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9eTSwLYLsG4/UWLIKAlUOuI/AAAAAAAAAWM/RLvShy-vV9k/s320/2013-03-13_17-44-03_863.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I tried getting a picture of the fog as it was cresting over new territory. This is as close as I could get it.</div>
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Uncle John is a man of many trades. He taught English across Asia for years, does massage therapy part-time, and also dabbles in botanical design. Did I say "dabble"? Because I meant "his entire property is pretty much a collection of plants".</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2GUUgk8hJa8/UWLJwoXMVaI/AAAAAAAAAWg/3tj0Wady990/s1600/2013-03-14_07-40-09_683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="46" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2GUUgk8hJa8/UWLJwoXMVaI/AAAAAAAAAWg/3tj0Wady990/s320/2013-03-14_07-40-09_683.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mountain! I believe this is Mt. Shasta. I have already made every joke possible, and don't feel the need to repeat them here.</div>
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My next destination was Eugene, OR, setting of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IZOMBIE">IZombie</a>, close to the real-life inspiration for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_(The_Simpsons)">Springfield, Simpsonverse</a>, and oh yeah, my sister's place!</div>
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Her landlord has a flock of chickens, which she helps maintain. There's one that's hers. She hasn't paid for eggs in I don't know how long. </div>
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Eugene's either a very big town or a very small city, either way it has more natural landmarks than manmade ones. For instance, it has a 150+ year old cherry tree.</div>
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Its river is more of a river than Indy's White River.</div>
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Eugene's idea of graffiti is interesting. </div>
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Climbing up Skinner Butte, we saw the Creeping Columns, demanding to be sat upon.</div>
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The top of Skinner Butte gave us a great aerial shot of Eugene as a whole. Observe!</div>
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Next update: Washington!</div>
Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596520115926923947.post-2362677700394067252013-04-04T14:12:00.002-07:002013-04-04T14:12:34.956-07:00All Good Things...Saturday night, when I arrived in Omaha, Darcy called me downtown with her housemates and what seemed like every other 19-30 year-old resident of the area to drink, listen to live music, and just socialize. It was a great night.<br />
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The next day, everyone was wiped out. We functioned. I walked a dog and wrote a bunch. Then we watched the season premiere of Game of Thrones. It was my kind of Sunday.<br />
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I set out Monday morning from Omaha, feeling good and ready to meet road and rubber. I arrived in Des Moines just in time to meet my friend Ryan for lunch at <a href="http://www.zombieburgerdm.com/">Zombie Burger</a>, which is the classiest and tastiest theme restaurant I've ever seen.<br />
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A tiny bit pricier than I'm used to, but the money was well spent. Afterward, we took a driving tour that sent us back and forth around the city a number of times. We stopped at <a href="http://www.courtavebrew.com/">Court Avenue Restaurant</a> for some root beer. I explained that I was interested in trying local beers from the beginning of this trip, and while root beer's not exactly the same thing, I was driving so this worked out. It was the tastiest root beer I've ever had. Des Moines's not especially big, and most things there are generic that I saw, but when they want to make something special, they do it.<br />
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Seven hours later, I was back home again. In Indiana.<br />
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I've felt pretty exhausted since I've rediscovered my own bed, and yet I feel like I've gotten a lot done. I jumped right back into my duties at the <a href="http://comiccarnival.com/blog/">Comic Carnival</a>, and it's about as much fun as I remember. We came up with the most epic Skype phone tree ever. I also jumped back into my D&D gaming group, and we caught up on a lot of dice rolls, innuendo, and horribly inappropriate jokes. Made up a lot of lost ground.<br />
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I also found the data-ready phone cable, so I'll be able to get the rest of the photos online very soon! Maybe not today, but soon! Tonight, Mom comes back from her own interstate trip, so the house will be full again. I'd say all Walshes would be at their homes at this point, but I just learned my sister is in Honolulu right now. So she's a jerk.<br />
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Prepare yourselves for the pic wave!Ryan Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004308499124957193noreply@blogger.com0