Mid-week BBQ

Today was a rough one at work. My team of two (that’s including me) is in a pinch to meet a deadline in the midst of both of us going on vacation. The client is going to be in town briefly tomorrow to see what we’ve been working on. A rep today was majorly uncooperative to the point of being unprofessional. My darling mother-in-law is flying in tomorrow and the house isn’t quite up to speed. I have a side project that needs to go out the door, like, yesterday.

And, most profoundly, summer still hasn’t quite reached the Pacific NW. I know, it’s difficult to complain when the rest of the country seems to be stuck in a stifling heat wave. But heck, Ryan & I are so pale from nine to ten months of overcast skies we look sickly. Jimeny Crickets give us some sun!

Tonight we went to a BBQ despite the unseasonably cool dank weather. On our drive over to Christian & Matt’s the sun came out. I happened to have my camera on hand, which was just my luck because I was able to capture some typical Portland moments.

Christian and Matt are long-time roommates and very dear old friends of ours. John, Ryan’s brother, was a third-wheel to this duo for years. I love going over there because it’s just dudes hanging out. Eating meat with their hands. Tending to the fire. Tossing the ball for the dogs. Reminiscing about the good old days, camping trips we’ve all taken, girlfriends long gone (theirs, not mine). Crazy family members that just don’t quit being crazy.

For a few hours tonight I got some sun. I got some quality time with the boys and Ruby, the community wonder dog. Alice the cat sat in my lap for once. Ryan was his old happy and relaxed self, allowing the past few trying semesters to slide off his shoulders. I forgot about my day because the evening was so just right. We parted tonight with promises to go camping together at least once this summer. I love the old crew. They are the keepers.