Mt Hood

From our drive this weekend through Hood River to Mt. Hood National Park. It looks good from every angle.

My Day as an Extra on the TV Show Portlandia

Getting my makeup done.

 When the television show Portlandia had a call out for extras I never thought I would be called for it when I signed up. I had done extra work before in Los Angeles for the West Wing and Gilmore Girls but they involved boring 12 hour days of sitting around. I literally was a prop. But I thought Portlandia would be fun. When I showed up to set I was quickly called to go to wardrobe to change into a bridal dress. Another girl and I were changing into the two bridal dresses they had but neither of us fit into the dresses because we were too small. The costume department decided to put us in brides maid dresses and asked another extra to wear the bridal dress. Then I got my hair and makeup done!

Village Ball Room

Next we went to set at the Village Ballroom. We were told by the director that we were going to do a spoof of this You Tube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0 (starts around the 30 second mark).

We were going to dance down the aisle! I can't dance very well or cute. But the director just told us to let loose and have fun with it. After what seemed like 20 takes all of our feet were hurting and we were forgetting to smile as we danced down the aisle. Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein were in the scene as well and seemed to kind of play themselves. They stop the wedding in progress. I didn't get to meet them but they seemed friendly and were really funny to watch. I can't wait for the Outlaw Gay Wedding scene to premiere in January 2013. So long to wait. I hope I make the cut.

I also was a part of the Battle of the Gentle Bands scene as an audience member. By this point I was really hungry and really tired and it was only 2pm. They had no food there except some trail mix bars and candy. I was happy when they released us so I could get food.

Battle of the Gentle Bands (that is Fred Armisen on stage)

What a fun day!

The Willamette River

The past few weeks I have been running again. I can't promise how long it will last but I am so much more likely to do it when it is sunny out at 6 or 7 at night and there is a light breeze. I run down to the Willamette River as it flows by downtown Portland and the Hawthorne Bridge. I snapped these from my phone on two different days.

Pretty in way only a city can be.

July

Summer finally came to the Northwest this month. Daily temperatures of 80F make me excited to get up in the morning. It's nice not to get rained on for once!


The past couple weeks I have been blueberry and raspberry picking at Sauvie Island (and feeding some berries to this sweet adorable pig names Matilda).

Blueberries and Raspberries

Matilda

Blueberry

And then studying coastal plants while waiting for my boyfriend to fish. I am learning so much about ethnobotany (how people interact with plants). Native Americans survived on these Saskatoon Berries. They reminded me of bluberries but not as sweet.

Saskatoon Berries

Saskatoon Berries

They also boiled and ate these Red Elderberries as well. Note: Do not eat these raw and never eat the stem, leaves, or any other part of the plant. I like to think I could survive out here if I had to because I know more about the plants and their medicinal uses.

Red Elderberry

I am such a nerd. :)

Beautiful Fourth of July

I had a wonderful 4th of July off of work...I watched fireworks in downtown Portland but decided to not take photos and be present in the moment. However, other photos were taken at the coast...can't stay away from my favorite spots! And when I figure out the exact names of all these flowers I will edit this post. I hope to go to Sauvie Island this weekend and lay in the sun and wander the coast. Two more days until Saturday.

I am pondering a new career (again) because I want to enjoy the other five days in the week. I feel like a paper pusher especially in the Summer when I realize How Much I don't want to be in an office!

Wish I Could Stay Here in This Moment Always

The feeling of standing here, taking these photos of this place. Free, vast, beautiful. I want to have that feeling when I took this photo always.