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Monthly Moments

June 2020

June 2020: starting to figure out a quarantine pod in order to better survive the duration of these times. Also, I’ve been thinking a lot about some influential people in my life who happen to have black skin (my high school soccer coach Bobby Clark, my high school band teacher Greg McKelvey, some friends I’ve played music with, as well as some famous people who’ve inspired me). Praying for hearts to soften toward their fellow humans, for courage where it is needed, and for humility and respect to grow the future generations up to be better than the ones before.

A few memories from life at home these past months:

My 10 yr old, in conversation with Daddy at lunch, found out he had a Zoom social with co-workers, to which she responded in all seriousness, “I thought they seemed exceptionally chatty for work.”

My 8 yr old, when I told him to be quiet for the nth time so K could do her math test: “Mute. Mute-mute-mute-mute-mute…” (Wiggle wiggle in his seat).

My 12 yr old, giggling when I go to kiss her goodnight and find not her face on her pillow but her feet!

Finishing the final 3 books in the Harry Potter series. Finally! Freedom to talk spoilers galore!

Editing and watching through all the Marvel movies!

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HisTube

The Perfect Father’s Day

I’ve heard of wives who let their husbands have a day to themselves, but Jenni flipped the idea for Father’s Day. She organized a family bike ride and a gaming party with my kids.

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Clearing the Cache

I Love You Three Thousand

One of my favorite lines from Avengers Endgame. It adds a specificity to how much Tony Stark and his daughter, Morgan, love each other. And so, Iā€™ll list a few reasons (of three thousand) why I love my kids.

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Clearing the Cache

Biking Q&A

I recently participated in a virtual panel about biking with my coworkers for the Bike More Challenge. I suggested the idea to host a panel to encourage people to bike for fitness and for transportation.

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Clearing the Cache

Faster than Light is Gaming with Grit

Gaming with grit is how I would describe Faster than Light after playing over forty hours to reach the end. An end.

There are other games that has taken me that long, or longer, to reach the conclusion, but this game took over forty hours through repeated playthroughs. Every time I lost, I started over from the beginning. And each attempt was randomized so I couldn’t recreate the same strategy.

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Monthly Moments

May 2020

May 2020: It’s been a challenge to maintain physical and emotional health, but there’s still joy to find or to create each day. For example, rather than stay depressed about the rats eating all the vegetables and berries in my backyard, it’s time to make a flower garden with fairy houses!

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HisTube

Bike and Run Sellwood and Tilikum

I can’t remember the last time I saw my brother in person. It was probably back in February since his schedule is often full. Sure, we’ve Zoomed, Facetimed, Google Hangout, and Housepartied during the shelter in place, but it’s not the same as being with a person in person.

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Clearing the Cache

“Camping” During COVID

I love Jenni’s imaginative solutions to life’s curveballs. For as long as I’ve known her, she doesn’t let things hold her down from living. It’s one of her traits that I admire the most.

We daydreamed about what to do for Memorial Day weekend to keep the kids active and motivated. With recommendations to stay at home still active in our county, we took the approach to “camp” at home. And it had several advantages over real camping, namely, being able to sleep well in our own beds.

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HisTube

Mother’s Day Merriment

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Picture This

LEGO Wakanda

We riffed off our friends, the Ences, on their LEGO challenge idea of dream vacation. I couldn’t think of somewhere I wanted to go, so Jenni asked which Marvel location I’d want to visit. Without much hesitation, I answered, “Wakanda.”