04.25.07
Playing Catsup
heh.
There’s a point in blogging where there is so much to say, acknowledge, share, ponder, muddle through etc. that it becomes a fearsome task, something huge and intimidating…and maybe a little tedious, since it means rehashing and rephrasing events that maybe you’ve felt you’ve dwelt enough on.
So little by little, I might catch up, I might get to what I’ve meant to say, but maybe not.
But right now I want to just say this:
I am going to Black Sheep Gathering!
Woo-hoo! I have wanted to go to Black Sheep since we lived in Oakland, lo so many years ago (okay so maybe just four have come and gone without me that I’ve pined for), but it’s just always snuck up, the time hasn’t been right, money’s been tight, I’ve always put it on the wishlist for “next year,” and this year…well, I should put it on the wishlist for next year.
I should, and I’m not going to. One of the lessons of this year so far has certainly been Don’t Put Things Off, so even though I know the timing won’t be right, and I really shouldn’t spend the money, I’m going to go anyway.
Say it with me, and say it loud: Damn the Man!
Yeah, right, anyway.
So, I’m working out travel arrangements–I will probably fly in and out of Portland, for several reasons:
- My cousin lives there. I like her.
- Powell’s lives there. I like them.
- The train from PDX to EUG is under three hours and about $25. Pure crafty time.
- I want to be where the Wild Things are and ride the exciting Airport light rail to downtown.
- It’s such a cool fun city, the little bit of time I had there before was just not enough. I loved Oregon. Except for a few minor points.
So I’m looking into when I should go to Portland, when I should go down to Eugene, what to do in Eugene–beside the BSG(!!!) and all of that.
I think I’ll be camping at the fairgrounds, both for the experience and the moolah preservation, but the rest of it is up in the air. I’ll have to decide what to do with the shop (close it for the time, or run it from the road with Nick as conscripted minion?) Is it practical to rent a bike to jam around on, or have enough Californians moved to Oregon I’ll need a rental car?
elizabeth said,
April 26, 2007 at 6:13 am
Yay you! I’ve never been to Oregon but it’s high on the list. I’m already looking forward to the closest fiber fest to us…in OCTOBER!!! So far away!!!
Heidi said,
April 26, 2007 at 1:42 pm
A little bit jealous. Just a little bit. Please take lots and lots of photos. And do get the airport on time. Ahem.
Brooke said,
April 26, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Hey. Even though it looks like we won’t be vendors there I am fairly sure that Connie (my business partner) and I will be going. You could fly to the bay area and drive up with us. Let me know if you are interested. Even if Connie decides not to go I, like you, have decided that this is the year that I will go come hell or high water. So let me know. Could be a fun little road trip!
Michelle said,
April 26, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Sounds muy fun! It is on my list of possible places to move if I end up getting run out of this town on a rail. Hoping for pics…:-)
vj said,
May 12, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Ooooh! Black Sheep! I’m in Portland, but I’ve never made it down for Black Sheep. Maybe I should this year. If you need any Portland suggestions, holler. I dunno about bikes in Eugene. You should be able to rent them, and they have decent bike laneage there. There’s bike rentals in Portland too, but I would think it would be cheaper in Eugene.
ALP said,
May 18, 2007 at 9:25 am
My family lives in Eugene, and my nearly 70 yr old dad bikes nearly everywhere…I say biking Eugene is very doable. Don’t forget that it is a college town, so lots of students are on the roads biking.
I’ll be doing Black Sheep for the first time myself, driving down from Seattle. YEAH!!!
terrri said,
May 26, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Ok, as a Black Sheep fan myself, may I suggest that camping in the parking lot is not as romantic as it sounds. There isn’t much shade, and it really is just a parking lot without ammenities. Spring for a cheap motel room, there’s plenty in town. Hope I”ll get to see you there!
Martha said,
May 31, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I’m a Eugenian, and a train and bike rider. There is a bike shop about 3 blocks from the Amtrak station: Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life, and they rent bikes. Yes, Eugene is bikeable, especially around the fairgrounds and downtown.
Don’t take the Coast Starlight, it’s always hours late. Take the Cascades.
email if you have more questions! I’ll be in the middle of remodel hell or I’d even offer you a room. Actually, if you’re willing to camp, we’re about a mile from the BSG…