New Job

For those of you that don't know, I've been working on getting a job at REI since we got to Eugene. It is easily the most drawn out and intense application and interview process I've ever been through. However, yesterday I got a call back from them and they've hired me for a cashier position. It's is seasonal, lasting until July, but I'm told they rarely let go of their seasonal employees at the end of the season. I've met a number of their employees now and everyone seems really nice and most of them have been with REI for a really long time. I'm looking forward to working with people that share so many of my interests.

On another note, we were walking around Skinner Butte the other day and saw this.

These are the Skinner Butte Columns and they're a natural formation and a super popular rock climbing location. They're also only about 1/4 mile from REI and maybe 3 miles from our house. Apparently Eugene also has a lot of climbing gyms and REI employees get discounts on fees. This could work out really well for me.

After I got the call about the job Mandi and I went out to celebrate. This is from the patio of a local brewpub called McMenamin's which is right on the river. Both sides of the river are basically one giant park that runs almost the length of the town and that sidewalk you can see goes the whole way. Every mile or so has a footbridge that crosses the river and it's an amazing place to go walk or ride a bike. It's called Alton Baker Park if anyone wants to check it out online. 

I hope all is well with all of you. Enjoy the rest of the week and the weekend too. I'll try to get another post up next week. 

Weekend Fun

Ronnie kindly pointed out to me that it had been awhile since I posted and lucky for him I've got some pictures from a few weekends ago. This was the first sunny

Saturday we'd had followed by a more typical Sunday. In no particular order, this is the hike we took to the top of Spencer Butte.

The fella down below Mandi in this picture is Shawn, our next door neighbor. He's kindly been showing us around since we got here.

The prettiest boy around.
As you can see Spencer Butte is the highest point nearby so

you can see a large chunk of the area from the top of it.

The forest on the way back down.

Here's a video from the top. It's not very good but that's Shawn doing yoga (I guess) and behind him down in the valley is Eugene.

The next day we went to the beach. It was about an hour an

d a half drive and unfortunately it rained the whole time. I only got a couple of pictures since we didn't want to get the camera wet.

It's hard to tell but it really was rainy and windy. I did find a whole sand dollar though, so that was cool.

We haven't been able to do a whole lot since this trip. The movers did finally get here and it seems our stuff did make it here unscathed. I've been unpacking while Mandi's working. It's going slowly. I kinda feel like most of our stuff is useless junk. It seemed important when we were packing it but now I'm not so sure.

I got a call from REI two days ago and they asked me to come in for an interview a week from Saturday. Hopefully I can convince them to hire me. On the other hand Mandi got her first paycheck last week so I'm not super worried about it. The house has still not sold so we're about to drop the price and see what that does. Renting it out is starting to look more attractive, but I'm not there yet.

Everything seems to be going well. We haven't run out of money yet and the weather seems to be improving. Everything is starting to bloom. Luke has been here for the past week and a half so we've had some company which has been nice.

I think that's it for this post. I gotta get back to unpacking before the boss gets home to find me slacking. I assure you there will be more later even if it takes me awhile. I get distracted easy.

-This post dedicated to Mr. Patillo.