Geo: 48.5394, -121.745I've never been to Burning Man and was planning on making this year my first trip. A friend that goes every year told me not to worry about getting a ticket - that I could just get one when I get back to town. As the entire world knows, it sold out. Drats. I've been keeping a loose eye out for tickets, and one of my last days in Seattle decided to check the craigslist up there, and found the following post:Not scalping 2 second Level Burning Man Tickets (Rites of Passage), but not going to take a loss on them either. Total cost 502.50, that is 240.00 each plus 22.50 for shipping and fees, I have the receipt. But there "IS A CATCH", I expect that I will be getting a lot requests ... read more

Geo: 49.2605, -123.114My generous Seattle hosts both had to work in the morning. I was out of bed in time to see them off. After some more preparations, a shower (the last for who knew how long), a latte at an awesome coffee shop called El Diablo, and a quick trip to pick up my guitar where I forgot it the night before (how could I?), I was on the road again, to the Great White North.I was planning on taking the ferry from Mukilteo, north of Seattle, up to Whidbey Island, but by the time I got there the ferry line was at least a mile long. No thanks. Instead I drove down to the Diamond Knot Brewery for a meal, beer, and the coolest urinal I've ever seen!It was already afternoon, and I was ... read more

Geo: 47.6353, -122.302The contract work I do is an example of document assembly. It's like the online programs you can use to do your taxes, where you type in your name and address and all of the information from your W2s and other tax forms, and then it spits out the 1040 for you. But instead of tax forms, I create court forms. For people needing a divorce, protection order, court fee waiver form, and many others, I create online interviews that people can walk through and enter all of the necessary information, and it will create Word forms for them that they can simply print and file in court. This helps guarantee that the forms are up to date, complete, and done properly, and save the person the need to learn the associated law or ... read more

Geo: 47.6353, -122.302Highway 84 runs alongside the Columbia River like a race dog chasing a fake rabbit. At Biggs Junction, where I originally crossed on my way to Granger, the surrounding landscape was dry and empty. Heading west toward the Pacific, the landscape almost changes by the minute, getting greener and greener, lush, thickly vegetated, to the point where, as you approach Portland, you almost feel as if you're in Jurassic Park. I was told to check out Multnomah Falls. I knew ahead of time that it is a tourist destination and would likely be crowded, but was still shocked at the mess of vehicles and people when I arrived. I did one lap around the paring island, no spot to be found, took a quick look at the graceful waterfall pouring over the mountain, thought ... read more

Geo: 46.3422, -120.186Earl was that uncle. Everybody has one. The wacky, fun, crazy, beer-drinking, drag-racing, trouble-making uncle. Growing up, I rarely got to see him since he lived in Washington. I only had a few memories of him. I remember him doing a back flip into a swimming pool with a beer in each hand. We all cheered when he actually landed it without spilling the beer. I was the ring bearer at his wedding. I do not recall the wedding at all, but I do remember going back to grandma and grandpa's house and not wanting to take off my tux and cumberbun cause I liked them so much. When I finally agreed to change out of the tux into my normal clothes, I remember a young uncle Earl spinning my siblings and I around ... read more