Tag Archives: Tacos

Oct27

Some quick adventures in Dublin

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Late August, early September, 2024


I love Dublin.

I mean, I’ve enjoyed most cities when I first move to them – but with Dublin, the adoration keeps growing over time. I’m feeling good, I’m meshing with the culture, and I absolutely appreciate just how incredibly friendly everyone seems to be here. If a shopkeeper doesn’t have something I’ve asked for, half the time they’ll point out a nearby shop that does… and then often they’ll actually walk me over to introduce me.

Seriously, it’s ridiculous and amazing. I feel like I’m coming out of a coma, or being un-brainwashed, with how communal and helpful people are here.

Anyways, here’s a few quick and fun pictures from my recent adventures:

  • I found tacos! They’re not quite as good as Oregonian tacos, but… you know what? I’m not complaining.
  • I found art! It’s pretty.
  • I made my Grandma’s spaghetti and meatballs! Finding wheat germ was tough, but I’m so glad I did. My house is now a home.
  • Trinity University is beautiful!

Jul12

Bri’s Birthday Bonanza (of climbing)

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Wednesday, 31-May-2023


I took a half-day from work today.

See, that’s the joy of working a white-collar job as an engineer – I have vacation time, and I can use it for strange things. Like, say, helping my friend climb 36 routes in a day before her 37th birthday!

Yep, Bri’s turning 37.

I fully supported her goal of climbing one route per year on Earth – I left work around 2pm, and headed over to the gym. Bri and Lea had been climbing for an hour or two by then, and were optimistic about how long the climbing would take… I was a bit more cautiously optimistic, since I know how much fatigue can begin to wear on a climber, but I came prepared.

Snacks, protein shakes, drinks, and the promise of glorious tacos for dinner came with me.



Routes were climbed.

Hours ticked by, and numbers increased. Climbing slowed, but didn’t stop. We persisted, through energy and fatigue, we persisted.

22 routes were climbed by yours truly.
– 3x 5.9 routes, 3 on Lead
– 16x 5.10 routes, 8 on Lead
– 3x 5.11 routes, 2 on Lead


By the end, we were absolutely spent.

But you know what that means? It meant we got extra dinner. Just… so much dinner. Tacos, nachos, quesadilla, chips, and water. So much water.

110% worth it.

May10

Wilsonville flowers and spring adventures

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March and April, 2023


Man… I swear, if these trees were in Massachusetts, there’d be a whole event around them flowering.


I almost take it for granted, this team of year, just how beautiful the flowering trees of Oregon are. I have to make a point to step back and appreciate the blooms, enjoying the color and symmetry and… well, just everything about them.

I always remember back to the line from “The Last Samurai”: “The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.”


I haven’t dedicated my life to finding the perfect blossom… but I’ll keep it as a hobby, and continue my search.



And, since this is Portland after all, I won’t complain if I find some delicious tacos, crazy spray art, or near little yard ornamentation in the process.