Happy Zombie

The day after the big loss. I’m still in shock and sadness that Germany lost. But… I love the sport so much that I’m happy for Italy and it’s fans… but I’m still soooo sad. What an exciting match that was and I think it will be remembered for decades.

My current observations about The Cup:

I think Germany’s David Odonkor is Tony Parker’s German cousin… Tony Parker is David Odonkor’s French cousin.

Why does 98% of the Brazilian team have only one name? Cafu, Kaká, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo? And then you have the guy with the longest “one” name… Juninho Pernambucano.

Puma… are they on crack? What awful uniforms! They look like they’re the results of “Pimp My Adidas”.

Speaking of Adidas… I can’t get enough of Pedro and Jose (and “The Impossible Team”)! “Jose…LA CASA” really gets stuck in my head and I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Eanie Meanie song by Jim Noir!

I had an epiphany! I realized why so many American’s would rather follow boring sports like baseball and American football… it’s all about the food. Mind you, I’ve never turned down a meal and I enjoy “sporting foods” as much as the next guy. With football (soccer) you have 90+ minutes of non stop action… leaving no time to run for Garlic Fries. With baseball or American football there’s far more inaction then action… plenty of opportunities to peruse the plethora of epicurean delights in our stadiums and arenas.

I could totally go off on baseball… but I’m trying to be positive. But… when a sport has to be stopped because “oh my gosh, it’s starting to sprinkle”. Quick, cover the field, protect the pitcher’s mound, get the players their jackets so they stay warm… oh paahleeze!

Me… I’ll take The World Cup in a heartbeat. What a beautiful sport and global event! I’ll just stuff my face before and after the game, thank you very much. It truly saddens me that so many American’s are missing the boat on this mega huge world event and beautiful sport.

I planned my entire week around the first World Cup match this morning (9am PST). My #2 team, Germany… is kicking things off. So anyhoo, like I said… I planned my entire week so I’d be ready to go in front of the tube at 9am. One thing leads to another (as it ALWAYS does) and I’m running late. Last on my week’s to-do list is to be downtown at the printer no later then 8:30. Well… 8:40 is not too bad (I ended up missing the first 6 minutes of the opening game). I do my business and head back to my car. Ahh… I can almost feel the sofa under my ass already!

I pass a few walkerby’s, say “good morning” with a smile… I’m 10 feet from my car… “Good Morning, isn’t it beautiful today!” I hear from a lady behind me. I turn to greet this stranger with a quick hello and attempt to get in the car and haul ass up the hill to the waiting TV. Once I saw the smile on this woman’s face I forgot all about the sofa, the TV, Germany, the World Cup and a fresh cup of coffee. Just to point out… today is overcast and chilly. Next thing I know, I’m in this full on conversation with Happy Lady about the weather and how the weather has been over the last week. How we both like overcast days as much as sunny days! A stranger might have thought we were old friends chatting on the sidewalk.

My life lesson of the day: stop and talk to people who want to listen to you… stop and talk to people who want to be listened to. Thank you Happy Lady.

I don’t know if there is such a thing as a “flock” of chickens… but it worked for the title of this! Here are the chickens when they are about 3 or 4 weeks old (they were born on March 9, 2006). DS2 is taking them outside for some fresh Oregon air. We kept them in the garage under a heat lamp until they were old enough to be outside 24/7. As of today, they have been outside for about a week now and they love it! Yes… Omelet’s name is misspelled in the photo. Not really misspelled… I changed the name of her spelling since that photo was taken.

Inside the chickies play yard. When we first bought our house there was a tree fort in our side yard. Kind of cool… but it was small and looked like Sergeant Schultz was up there keeping an eye on us. So… DH and DS2 tore down the tree house and built it into one big deck. The underside of the deck became a catchall for all kinds of lumber, the lawn mower, etc. So we had this big idea of enclosing it and making it the play yard for the chickies. Liberty strikes a pose for the camera (er, ah, the phone I guess).

Madison saying hello in her own special way! As the chickens were getting bigger and bigger by the day, we were running out of time to build them a coop. I didn’t just want a box for them… I wanted something that was cute too. After all… it was going to be a part of our landscape. By off chance we had heard that the farm store in Battleground sold coops. Perfect! So on our way to Portland one day, we take a side trip to Battleground and voila… this is our coop! I painted it to match the house. DH and DS2 butted it up to the play yard so the chickens can go in and out as they please (during the day). DS2 rigged the sliding door into a kind of draw bridge (he’s such a McGiver), so it’s easy in… easy out! The coop still needs a little more work, as DS2 is adding shingles to the roof of the coop. I love to reuse and recycle… the shingles were part of a set from the movie “The Ring 2″. Hopefully the coop won’t be haunted.

Omelet and Poppy come to the fence to greet me. I let myself believe it’s because they love me… but it’s really because they hope I have some sort of treat for them. Omelet also likes my wedding ring. Oooh… sparkly… shiny… must peck at it. Omelet is Queen of the Coop. She really runs the show here. The other chickens protest her bossiness, but they always follow her rules in the end. Omelet is also fearless and thinks she’s running the show for the dogs too!

Omelet is not shy either, as she is intrigued by the camera. Poppy and Snowball sit on a perch, way too A-list to have their photos taken. These photos make the play yard appear small… but it’s actually quite a large space for them. I’d say it’s about 10′ x 12′, with a large overhead space so they can fly a little. I have no doubt that in the chicken world, this is a 5 star lodging establishment! Conde Nest??? The play yard is also hilly, with big roots sicking out for perching and climbing, shady areas, sunny areas, nooks and crannies… a real fun place for them!

OK, nothing to do with chickens. In fact… life does not evolve around my chickies… but they are so darn cute! Anyhoo… last Saturday we FINALLY went to the Rebuilding Center in Portland. What a cool place! Not only do they sell salvage… the building itself is a piece of art… all from salvage! If my dad lived up here I bet he’d be visiting the center every weekend! Oh the treasures to be found here!

Walls of windows… made from windows! Walls of walls… made from walls! This is a Recycling Nazi’s utopia! So anyhoo… we finally make the visit to the center. DH had an appointment at OHSU on a SATURDAY, so we pack up the car (snacks, drinks, quilting) and go with him. After the appointment, we search for the center. Not only do we find it with ease (ahem, I was driving)… we discover this cool neighborhood it’s in! The Portland neighborhood known as the Mississippi District. Kind of a mini Berekely! Very ARTSY… Sans the FARTSY!!! Countless outdoor cafes (my fave) and cool little shops. DH was less enthused… but what can I say… he’s a Washatonian!
BTW… photos were taken with my phone. Not bad, eh. I swear (shit, damn, bitch), my phone takes better photos then my camera!

I sew.
I quilt.
I craft.
I laugh.
I misbehave.
I am inappropriate.
I embarrass my family and friends.
I am the girl your mom didn’t want you to play with.
I like to write meaningless sentences to form a curvy swoosh.

Flickr: flickr.com/photos/thehappyzombie
Twitter: twitter.com/happy_zombie
Facebook: facebook.com/happyzombie