Northwestern Life... (so far)

So far, so GREAT. It's only been 1 day but, it has been a damn good day that has surely irreversibly changed us. Matt and I have doubtfully ever been more bonded or excited.

As we see it, so many people live out their lives in the place they were born, regardless of what type of place it is. We recognize how lucky we are to be in a position (financially, emotionally, etc) to choose to do otherwise. So, instead of melting away in Florida forever more, we decided to find an atmosphere more conducive to the type of lifestyle we'd like to pursue living.

What we've found in Portland has fit like a glove. Matt wanted fresh ingredients to cook with, he's found grass fed beef and fresh fish. I wanted fresh pasta and found Pastaworks on NW 21st. Matt wanted mountains so he could go skiing, he can now see Mt.Hood on a clear day. I wanted a car-free lifestyle, I've now plenty of places to go without a glorified horse & carriage.

Our neighborhood has come complete with all the amenities we were seeking. First of all, we can walk (Yes, walk!) to all sorts of amazing shops, markets, micro-brew pubs, and cafes. And if our feet grow tired or we want to venture further, the public transportation system is strong. The buses in Orlando carried scary people that looked homeless or drugged out of their minds. In Portland, the people look "normal". I feel so much safer.

The walk up the hill to our adorable little apartment is a steep one, but well worth it for the view (and calf muscles that can't be too far off in our future!). Inside, we have a big comfortable bed and simple modern furnishings. Finding a place via the internet from across the country wasn't easy so, I'm really pleased with the way things turned out.

Oregon is the most green place I've ever been in both senses. Some of the trees in the city skyline are taller then the biggest high-rise buildings! But, what's really impressive is the eco-friendliness. We've been to 5 different grocery store/meat markets today and the cashiers didn't just PUT everything straight into a plastic bag the way they do in Orlando. Instead, they understood my big purse was intended to carry my purchases. Sitting outside the grocery store, you don't see people walking out with carts full of plastic bags to be loaded into their SUVs. Instead, people walk, use bikes, and keep away from plastic.

We had the most fabulous cheap burrito lunch, and instead of giving us our drinks in styrofoam we were served regular plastic glassware. When we went to throw out our trash and return the basket and glass there was even a recycling bin for the aluminum our burrito had been wrapped in! How COOL?!?

The attitude of the people is so different too. In a full year at Calibre Bend we never knew a neighbor. Within a day here, we've had an extensive conversation with our new next door neighbor about the best parks, restaurants, and internet service provider.

We simply feel more at home here then we ever did in Orlando. The vibe created by all the trees and smiling strangers is something I'm happy to get used to. I can't wait to see what treats the next two months will unfold for us.

Pistol Pete helping Matt and I move out

Smatt on move out day in Orlando amazed we got everything in the car!

Our new apartment!!!

Matt before walking down our STEEP street

Yes, that's a futon we have: Come visit us!

OUR VIEW!!!

Out of the bend, onto the plane.

Consolidating a two bedroom two bath apartment into two suitcases and two carry-ons in two days was nearly more then I could handle. Moving is always a pain but, I usually have somewhere to move TO. This time, everything had to be sold, trashed, or given away; from big things like furniture, to small things like my fish. Letting go wasn't so bad, as I knew it was for my own good, but the stress of a tight schedule became a heavy burden. We never would have made it without such great friends.

So, to keep from flipping out, the past 48 hours of my life I have been focused on one thing: making it onto the plane to Portland. Now that our Calibre Bend apartment's keys have been turned in (complete with vacuum lines in the carpet and a shining kitchen sink) I am feeling true relief. Tomorrow we will take our tightly packed bags of the things we couldn't bear to part with and embark on a journey for the summer. I couldn't be more goddamn excited.

Oregon Trail

After countless blogs about feeling trapped in the sunshine state, I'm finally making my move! I'm embarking on the classic 'American Adventure', to go out west in search of a better life. Really, it's not even a better life that I'm seeking, but rather a fresh one. Florida tastes stale.

We have a couple months without weddings, and it's the same couple months after our lease expires. If that's not a bright sign from the stars aligning, I don't know what is. And, the stars seem to point northwest.

Portland still seems a bit like a random choice, but what's wrong with random? It's the one place that seems to combine my need for a city life with great public transportation, and Matt's needs for mountains. The Incredible food, beautiful parks, microbreweries, and hippy-artsy culture works in favor for both of us. Now that we've made our decision the hard part is waiting; we're READY TO GO!

Mrs.A-Z

"Hi.
My name is Samantha Yeakle. That's right, Jason Mraz's girlfriend. Yes, our non-fictional relationship came together quite easily when he spotted me on the streets of New York last March and said, "I love your style." I knew immediately he had class. I let him take me home in his pocket that evening. A guy with a home style haircut like that you simply can't let get away.

Since then we've nestled together at his home, a 20,000 acre ranch outside of Barcelona where we raise soy chickens and other non-animal based meat products for all the musicians and models that come and visit us between busy shows and shoots. It’s a tough job for Jason, being both a farmer and a sugar daddy to so many underfed lingerie victims, but I photograph the models when he's not busy hand feeding them personally, and we really do make a pretty good team.

This weekend we’re triple dating with Angelina Jolie and Edward Norton in an effort to reconnect Brad Pitt with Jennifer and adopt us along the way. It’s going to be a busy weekend. But not to worry, Fiona Apple and David Blaine are babysitting the soy chickens. They have the year off."

It's an old post in honor of the fabulousness that is the new J Mraz album- We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. (I steal this blog post) If you want to be floored by musical bliss, this is where to find it. He's fresh, he's funky, and he makes me happy. Maybe too happy, as this song didn't make it on the album which I was really looking forward to a full version of. Oh well, enjoy the bit we were given. :)

Get me Out of Here & Into the Wild

I want to ski to the magic bus 142 in Alaska.
I want to hike to Machu Picchu at sunrise in Peru.
I want to swim with whale sharks in Mexico.
I want to order a chocolate croissant in French in Paris.
I want to go to an art show in San Diego.

I will never do these things if I never leave this place.

I want to walk the streets of Barcelona.
I want to take fashion photographs in New York City.
I want to dive with sharks in the Bahamas.
I want to see a concert in Washington.
I want learn to surf in Hawaii.


I didn't take these photos, credit out to those who did, but one day I hope to photograph all of these things for myself in my own right.

I seem to keep thinking I need money to get out of here,
but it's not true. I just need spirit. I need to believe.
I HAVE TO let go of the material things that hold me here,
because in the end, they mean nothing.
Why is that so hard to remember?

As I get older, and collect more, it only becomes harder.
If I don't go soon, I'm afraid I never will.
I want too much from my experience of life then to sit here and wait.
It's time I planned my great escape.

Prom is the bomb

Strawberry picking was wonderful but for the big 2-5 quarter century mark I wanted to go LOUDER. As I thought back on the past 25 years I realized I had done quite a bit and felt little regret for even the most rash of my life decisions. One such decision was to drop out of high school the beginning of my junior year. While this was likely one of my better choices there was one thing I had sacrificed in doing so...Prom.

Well, better late then never. Chet was kind of enough to offer up a big VIP section at the Red Coconut Club so I bought a vintage dress on eBay and invited a few friends to my 80's prom! To keep things authentic, I built a photo backdrop and asked an old friend from photography class to be my prom photographer. Because what's a prom without prom photos?





With exception of some girl named after a hurricane who made quite the ass of herself falling over breaking things, the night went smoothly! Even our sketchy van service showed to pick us up! All in all, I couldn't have imagined a better night. Special thanks to Chet, ErinDuke.com, and everyone who dressed to impress and made it so super! :)

Strawberry Fields Forever

For my birthday yesterday Matt took me out to Pappy's Strawberry field in Oviedo.

First there was a bit of driving. When we finally found Pappy's Strawberry field, Matt opened the car door and *BLAM*! I thought a gun had gone off. After exchanging quizzical looks I opened my door and *BLAM*! What kind of place was this? *BLAM*! I wanted strawberries but it certainly wasn't worth getting shot over. Matt said the sound was more like a pressure gun then a shot gun, maybe it was a pile driver past the field somewhere. *BLAM*BLAM* We walked up to greet Pappy and get a container for our future berry collection. *BLAM* The shots were too irregular to be a pile driver. Pappy tells us which parts of the field have berries and we're off to hunt for our little red jewels.


Beyond a small family in the back of the field and a random dude over yonder, we had the field to ourselves *BLAM*. No one in the field flinches. Are we the only ones hearing this craziness? We dig into the plants and begin the careful process of choosing our fruit. *BLAM*BLAM* And Matt figures it out, pointing to the edge of the field he shows me what looks like a potato gun attached to a propane tank. *BLAM* There are two of them set to go off at irregular intervals and I realize it must be to keep critters from eating all the deliciousness scattered through the field.


In a world where we've left the source and production of our food to conglomerate companies, it's refreshing to pick something fresh. And at $2/lb. Pappy packs a pretty SWEET deal.