The latest...

Yesterday was my unofficial last day from work. Technically, it's next Tuesday after I spend two days training the new hire, but for the sake of letting the community know, we've called it yesterday. It felt really odd carrying my things out of the building. After all that time, my desk was full of personal effects, inspiration, and senseless stuff that has followed me around from job to job such as my ugly Mickey Mouse business card holder. I was able to sneak out of the building without having to face any goodbyes. Next Tuesday will be harder, but I hope to do the same. I'm terrible at goodbyes, just terrible. My boss was conflicted about a proper goodbye party as he didn't know what I would prefer and something like a cake in the break room may have been insufficient, he felt. I told him, just let me quietly walk out the back door...but then again, dinner with a few close co-workers would be nice. We figured we'd do it in a couple weeks so that we can all catch up after things settle back down for everyone.

I was torn on feelings as it's so odd to think that after next week, I won't be going back to that desk and the life I've know of 'work' all these years. At the same time, there are stirrings of greatness, and a whole new exciting future everywhere I look. The writers block that has plagued me for a week finally hit the road and I spent one full day this week with words flowing from my brain to my keyboard as fast as water over the falls. It was pure magic and reading it back I amazed myself at how nicely it all came together. I'm learning how writing is a mood-inspired career and when you are on- you are 'on'! I have my check in with the editor on the 23rd and want to make sure my ducks are all quacking nicely in their perfect row. Speaking of which, I received my first official check from my publisher, which places the hat of authorship firmly on my noggin.

In other news, spring is only a few days away and the monsoon season has arrived. It's been pouring rain, simply pouring. I've decided that North Bend must be an ancient indian term meaning "Water from Sky". Last week the sun popped out for a few minutes and I could hardly believe my eyes- it had been raining for days and I figured before long we'd all be trading in our cars for canoes. "Finally, a break," I thought as I tied up my shoe laces to hit the ledge. I wanted to celebrate my writers block with a short hike to the vista for more inspiration. Not far off was a giant black cloud and I figured I could outrun it. No sooner had I hit the top when I felt rain drops starting. By the time I started down, it was raining so hard that I was sprinting as fast as possible to get to the car before I disintegrated into mulch. I had a souvenir of mud streaked up the back of my jacket, and my pants were stuck to my legs like a second skin. It took turning the windshield wipers on full speed just to make my way home. It's been raining ever since.

But spring is coming and the bear cam is getting really fun to watch. The babies are getting bigger and Mom and Hope are venturing out of their den now. They suspect they'll leave the den within two weeks. The researchers had a contest to name the babies and the names are "Jason" for the boy cub (named after one of their helpers that risked his life to go out in -45 degrees on a snowmobile and fix the camera)...and "Faith", which fit nicely with her big sister's name. Here is yesterdays' Youtube of the den action. Those cubs are so cute it makes me misty and always brightens my day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT2uk1F6Zbc