Owls Aren't Really that Cute

What a difference a week makes.

Last week I worked 67 hours. Count 'em... sixty-seven. That's a lot. Especially when you're salaried. 30 or 67 hours - you get paid the same. Ugh.

But now, with a major (and might I say quite successful) presentation to a huge corporate exec behind me, the rest of the week is a bit of a coast down a big hill. Some work, lunches with friends I haven't seen in many months, and off on a jet plane to Sonoma for a girls weekend away. The mini-vacation couldn't have been timed better. I wrap up my first project as a consultant, have my first success under my belt in a new career and then am whisked off to drink wine and catch up with girlfriends from grad school. Perfection.

We have managed to fit in some good times over the past six weeks of my new employed state. A fabulous weekend camping on Whidbey Island with thirty of our closest friends, and some family. The TMF and I discovered this site in February while exploring the island and when I called the reserve the next weekend available was mid-October. I paid up and wished for sunshine because October is not historically the sunniest of months here in the Pacific Northwest. We ended up with an amazing weekend. Blue skies, sunshine and lots of great memories.

Friday night I made pork carnitas in our dutch oven for about 12 people and Saturday night we managed to consume 8 dozen oysters from a local shellfish farm. Even those who came underprepared didn't starve. We defintely came home brainstorming ways to make next year even easier considering it's a lot of work to coordinate so many people in such a primitive setting.

Some of my favorite quotes of the weekend:

~ "Not that I hated what you just did, BUT..."

~ "I'm going to go fly the shit out of this kite."

~ "Those lyrics are from two different songs!!!" (this was mostly hysterical because it was Jay screaming at the top of his lungs around the campfire as about 20 people failed miserably while attempting to sing just one song from beginning to end.)

The other memorable moment was being attacked by an owl that was hanging out at our campsite. Apparently he was feeling frisky or territorial because anytime we walked under its tree (which was right in the middle of the site and nearly impossible to avoid) it would swoop down at our head. Owls are big yo. It was scary as hell!

Check out all the photos here.

Comments

[Jules]

So adventuresome.....I think the NW ended up to suit you perfectly!!!

[JessD]

That schroom was not edible or at least that was the determination therefore it was punted off the bluff. The remnants can be seen on the boot photo. Tom and I did recently score a few pounds of chanterelles recently though on a hike. I'll have to figure out where our photos of them went.

[Mom]

Whoa, Uncle Jeff was up early this morning. I can't say the same for us "retired" people.
A weekend in wine country sounds awesome. And, sounds like your consulting firm made a very wise move when they hired you. Of course, I already knew that! Guess I'll check out the pics and the "shrooms".

[Jeff Didion]

Hey Jess,
I'm happy to hear (and see) that things are going so well! Looked like a great trip. I take it the shroom was not edible!!
Cheers,
Uncle J