Tuesday Truths

Here are some more of my “truths” or opinions or whatever you want to call them. You didn’t ask for them, but I’m providing them anyway.

• Being cold is better than being hot. Always. I’d rather have to add layers than be miserable and sweaty.

• Freshly ground coffee is better than any other form of coffee.

• I love the sound of a vinyl being played, but the whole concept is just pretentious and snobby now.

• Mornings along a river in Montana are superior.

• Earl Grey is the superior caffeinated tea.

• iPhones are no longer innovative and are now just a money grab. (and that’s coming from ME “mr. new phone every year”)

• Being overly cautious seems as dangerous as not being overly cautious - you just have more anxiety.

• Children do not belong at breweries, distilleries, or bars. I was raised in a bar, I would know.

• The outdoor places are overrun by snobby assholes who can’t say “on your left” when biking past you. Prove me wrong, I dare you!

Thursday Thoughts - Adventure Time!

I live in Oregon now, and so I must set up a quest to see all of the state parks. Various websites say that Oregon has over 250 state parks, which is a lot. Upon closer inspection, there are about 50 parks classified as state parks and the rest are waysides, recreation areas, or historical sites.

I have my spreadsheet all set up, and divided by type of recreation area. Each recreation area can then be filtered by region.

So far, I’ve visited 2 of Oregon’s state parks over the years. Let’s go visit our public lands!

Tuesday Truths - We're Back!

Here’s some more information and opinions you didn’t ask for!

• I feel guilty when I have to be indoors on a beautiful, sunny day. I know this isn’t a revolutionary truth, but it is mine.

• I truly believe 2024 will “be my year” and I’m working along with hoping for that reality.

• If you drop someone like they don’t exist, you don’t get to have any opinions about them or anything they do ever again.

• I LOVE Mt. Rainier (Tahoma), but when it’s clear in Portland and I can see Mt. Hood (Wy'east) and Mt. St. Helens (Lawetlat'la) it’s objectively better for my mental health than living in Olympia.

• Burgers taste better when someone else grills them and sandwiches taste better when someone else makes them.

• Electric vehicles are not better for the environment. They appear better, but they are not. Before we fight about this, consider these questions: Where does current energy come from? Where and how do we get the materials to make cars and batteries?

• The best feature of an electric vehicle, other than how cool the design is on some, is that you don’t have to stand out and pump gas.

• When you stop worrying you’re too much or not enough, you’re just right for the people that matter. Read it again, adjust, and thank me later.

• Urban sprawl is a disease.

• You can love both Beyonce and Taylor Swift in the same universe. It’s okay, they don’t do the same things and they’re not competing with one another but actually lift each other up.

Thursday Thoughts - Water

When I sit next to a body of water, I relax. The noise is calming, the smells are often refreshing, and the sky is soothing. Enjoy some photos from California in 2016 as I watched the sun set on my way back from Oregon Caves National Monument. (stay tuned for a post about that place tomorrow!)

Does the water bring you peace? If not the water, where do you go outside for peace and relaxation? Growing up on the Great Lakes, I was never far from soothing sights. Enjoy!

Tuesday Truth

I was falling victim to other people’s bullshit. I found myself getting cranky, anxious, and kind of sad because the people I was interacting with in that moment were all of those things. I had to fight my way out of those feelings and make a conscious effort to put myself in a better place. It is not their fault, and I love to be an ear and help friends get through moments or periods of time like this. I also know that I have my moments, and they will be inevitable.

I started thinking what kind of energy I’m putting out there. What was I conveying on socials? What was I conveying in texts and phone calls? How was I coming off? Not that I’m concerned what people think of me, per se, but I was concerned what I was putting out in the world. Was I being unnecessarily argumentative? Was I being negative for no good reason? Was it more than just complaining or having a moment? The answer was kind of a yes.

I want people to feel good and calm during and after interacting with me. I want to put good energy out there and brighten the days of people around me. I took this moment as a little rest stop in life to check myself. I will always be real, but I want to make sure I’m not just layering my shit on everyone else. It’s about a balance, and I want to be more conscious of that balance.

I hope you have a great week. If you need me, you know where to find me.

In a moment of pure joy, along the Oregon coast in the rain

Thursday Thoughts - Doing Nothing

I always have these talks with my buddy John about doing nothing and what that means. To him, it means doing actually nothing. To me, it is a bit more complicated. I can do nothing if it’s not planned, but if I plan it, I’ll always fail.

“Doing Nothing” to me is really what a low-impact “something” activity is to others. Examples include: watching TV with friends, going for a walk, or FaceTime with friends. “Doing Nothing” can also mean, to me anyway, doing things by myself without anyone else weighing in or adding expectations. Some examples include a long drive with my phone on “do not disturb” or going for a walk in the woods with no goals or itinerary.

I don’t do well with actually doing NOTHING. I certainly do not plan to do nothing, but I will let it just happen. There are days I’m a total lump and watch movies and ignore my phone. Other days, my nothing will include some Taco Bell and a day trek without expectations or showering.

I love to fill my time and I don’t really know how to stop sometimes. I want to see all the things, try all the foods/beverages, and see all the people. This desire to go will catch me, occasionally, and then I’ll be overwhelmed or down for the count. I’m never down for long, but when I am, it’s usually being sick or run down from not sleeping enough. Balance is something I’m trying to learn, I swear.

I have lived alone, again, for a year now. In that year, I spent many evenings doing nothing but watching TV by myself. I don’t love that for me, but I surely didn’t hate it in the moment. I aspire to do more, be more, and enjoy life a bit more but I’m learning those nights are important. Sitting with your thoughts, processing them alone, and moving through them can require some true “do-nothing” plans.

However you classify “nothing” to you is your business, but you should tell me about it because I’m a nosy fucker. Happy almost weekend and enjoy your relaxing plans.

At home, now.

The move, physically, is complete. Everything I own is in Oregon, now. I have a huge storage unit for my camping gear, kayaks, and overstock items that don’t seem to fit in my new, streamlined one-bedroom. Moving from a three-bedroom townhome with a huge garage to a large, one-bedroom apartment is a magic trick gone wrong. I am letting go of some things while storing other things until figure out what I want to do with them. I’m so grateful for Josh, Stanley, and Sam for helping me move and clean. Absolute Dreamboats.

Downsizing can be a big adjustment, and it is overwhelming, but I’m coming out of it with a more positive outlook on life. I managed to find a home for my grandmother’s China and other dishes I have, so that made me the happiest. The rest, whatever, it was given away or put into storage.

People in Portland have been welcoming, and that has me optimistic as well. I have some established friends here such as my childhood bestie and my sunrise hiking buddy which is exciting. I have several other friends around Oregon, and it’s been great to be closer to them as well. I’m making new friends, and working to create a network of people who want to hang out and adventure with me semi-regularly.

It was a rough start to 2024, but it’s turning around. I’ve made friends I never (in a million years) expected to make, I feel liberated as a human again, and am getting used to the sounds of the city once more. I’m taking lessons learned and hardships experienced as a means to grow and develop while looking at the year ahead with an open mind and an adventurous spirit.

There’s trivia nights, public transit to breweries, plenty of good coffee, so many bridges to walk across, and an amazing path along the river that I know Chewy will love. I’m also pumped to be in a city that has so many hiking trails nearby which makes me excited to put some of my guidebooks to use. 52 Hikes With Me, Mike, will be back in action! I’m going to kayak at Trillium Lake, and many other lakes and rivers, and I’m going to see all the sights. Time to do the damn thing - happy trails.

Thursday Thoughts

I’m back and the website is back up and running. Sure, I should be packing my house up, but I had to take a break and welcome February into my life. Some life updates include:

• I’ve accepted a new job in Portland, OR

• I’ve been slowly moving into my new apartment, in Portland, and I’ll be doing a big push this coming weekend thanks to some friends

• I’m downsizing from a huge townhome to a small apartment with a storage unit, it’s stressful but also helping me figure out what’s really important

• My dog has been with his other dad in Texas since Thanksgiving and will be coming home in March!

• I’m uploading a “Photo A Day” and a “Daily Selfi” so I can look back at the year. Find them here!

I’m hoping to get caught up on my hikes for 2024 and hoping to dive deep into exploring Oregon. Olympia was a great location, and I’ll still explore all over the PNW, but I’m excited to be a bit further south so I can get down to the Redwoods a bit easier and out to some of my favorite spots on the coast.

I look forward to being closer to some friends of mine in Portland and building a new network of people. My new office has views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens and that makes the days I have to go in less terrible.

I hope February brings you great things. See you on the trails!

Tuesday Truths

Welcome to the weekly blog post that offers information you didn’t ask for and a photo of me. I’m not sure why I keep doing this, but here we go!

• Autobiographies are the only books I enjoy in audio book form.

• When looking at the bed, I prefer the left side. I tried sleeping on the right side, but I always end up on the left by morning.

• I no longer like road trips longer than 7-8 hours and I think flights are better. I will not be taking any questions.

• Utah is one of the most scenic states in this country.

• Buying things at full price is ridiculous.

• I believe in love at first sight.

• There’s always room for dessert.

Tuesday Truths

Welcome to the weekly blog post that offers information you didn’t ask for about me and my views on the world. Enjoy a selfie at the end, too, because why not.

• Fear is just an illusion we create to avoid doing the things we’re meant to do (sometimes)

• Portland is better than Seattle. (Yes, I said it)

• Roasting a turkey is super easy but unfulfilling for me

• SNL was way funnier in the late 90s

• Working remotely should be the norm with on-site as necessary for most office jobs

• McDonalds has the best fast food fries

• Stargazing is better on a beach, at night

• Watermelons are the least exciting of the melons

Tuesday Truths

Welcome to the weekly series where you learn more about me, even if you didn’t ask for it. This week, enjoy some facts and a photos, like always.

• Free meals are the best meals.

• Soup season is all year. I will not argue this one.

• Real Xmas trees are superior to artificial. I get it, though, not everyone can have a real one. If you can, you should.

• Thanksgiving food is good all year and should be enjoyed more than once in November.

• I have a metal cup addiction. Give me the Yeti, the HydroFlask, the RTIC, the off-brand. I just love a metal cup. The only time I use glass anymore is for wine or maybe a cocktail.

• Michael Bublé’s Christmas album is superior to most others and in my house his version of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is better than Mariah’s. Yeah, I said it…

• I miss Walmart being open 24 hours. Thanks Covid.

• Blue Christmas (especially when Elvis sings it) is the worst holiday song ever.

• I think dogs can be as big of a burden as kids. I love my dog, though.

Tuesday Truths

It’s Tuesday, so you get some more info you didn’t ask for! Some of this may be common knowledge, but to those who are new, hello and welcome to the shit show. Also, gratuitous photos of myself at the end because I can. This is quickly devolving into just Tuesday Thoughts and I’m not mad at that.

• Minivans are cool. I said it. They’re great for camping, road trips, and general comfort.

• The lazy river should be open to adults only after 6 pm. This is specific to a resort I just visited, but could easily apply anywhere.

• Jeep Gladiator “trucks” are stupid and I will not be taking comments on this.

• Swimming in the ocean is worth the sand in the ca - especially if it’s a rental car.

• Toyota Tacoma trucks are fine, but they’re not the end-all-be-all. (neither are 4Runners)

• I may have said this one before, but Jeans are the worst pants in the world.

• 1989 Taylor’s Version is not as good as the original, I said it. I LOVE IT, when listening independently and the versions of Wildest Dreams, This Love, Clean, Wonderland, and New Romantics are better. The Vault Songs save the whole thing.

• Hazy IPA is always better than regular IPA.

Tuesday Truths

Clearwater Falls - Umpqua National Forest - Oregon

It’s Tuesday, so you get some more info you didn’t ask for! Some of this may be common knowledge, but to those who are new, hello and welcome to the shit show. Also, gratuitous photos of myself at the end because I can. This is quickly devolving into just Tuesday Thoughts and I’m not mad at that.

• Pearl Jam is not my jam. I don’t think they deserve a whole channel on Sirius XM. If I hear “Better Man” I will do everything I can to stop/change it to something else.

• Not a fan of practical jokes. Sensory overload. I’m a fan of humor, joking, and watching people pull jokes on others though, haha.

• Soccer is not my sport. I’ve tried. I just don’t like watching and I don’t like playing. I’m not here to yuck your yum, because I know it’s popular worldwide, so enjoy!

• I hate pants. I will wear shorts and hoodies/jackets until I just can’t anymore.

• The Great British Bake Off is the most soothing show on television.

• I think I like Oregon more than Washington. (Gasp, don’t come for me)

• I’m not going to be the guy who wears a costume or creates a look for an event - that’s just not my thing.

• Thrill seeking is not my thing. I will likely try things, but I’m not constantly seeking the thrill. Things I would probably try: skydiving, bungee jumping, Angel’s landing, jumping off of a cliff into deep water, para-sailing, etc.

• Snapchat is just not for me. It is annoying at best, but I have it for some friends who just like to use it. It’s mediocre app, and that’s generous, and I’d rather just text, call, or FaceTime. Send me a video you recorded instead.

• I’ve decided I’m not going to try running anymore. Never say never, but it’s just off the table for now.

• My ideal pizza: supreme (mushrooms, pepperoni, ham, green peppers, banana peppers, onions, maybe sausage, maybe black olives). The saucier, the better.

• Eating Italian food at a non-Italian restaurant is usually a scam to me because they charge so much for something I could make for next to nothing.

Tuesday Truths

A wild iris along the Tahquamenon River, between upper and lower falls

It’s Tuesday, so you get some more info you didn’t ask for! Well, one of you keeps asking for it, so I guess that’s all I need for motivation. Some of this may be common knowledge, but to those who are new, hello and welcome to the shit show. Also, gratuitous photos of myself at the end because I can. This is quickly devolving into just Tuesday Thoughts and I’m not mad at that.

• Green is my favorite color. Not just “green” but the varying shades of green for the most part. I will gravitate towards green followed closely by purple and orange.

• I think if more people read these, I’d have a lot less bullshit in my life. (LOL)

• Halloween may not be my favorite holiday, but I love the original two movies and the newer three movies.

• I don’t necessarily hate the Beatles, but I definitely don’t seek them out when playing music

• Taffy is a terrible type of candy - along with other super chewy things like it

• Sleeping bags make me feel so confined, so I prefer to layer an unzipped sleeping bag and/or other quilts instead while camping.

• Tree identification is a passion of mine and I will learn the trees of a region so I can then impress my friends (who usually don’t care haha)

• Lilacs and wild irises are my favorite kinds of flowersl

An iris along the Tahquamenon River

Me, in northern New Mexico during fall

Thursday Thoughts

I remember one of my favorite point and shoot cameras of all time - my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX3. The camera was 6 megapixels and 3x optical zoom. This point and shoot was lovely, until it glitched one time. BUT, before that, it felt like it was the best damn thing. It had a special long exposure mode called Starry Sky - up to a minute - and I would go around taking night photos for shit and giggles. I love setting the camera down and seeing what it can do when it brings in all the light.

I actually shared a little about this once here: GVSU Overexposed

Nowadays, I have an iPhone 14 Pro Max with night mode and a Google Pixel 7a with Google’s famous night mode. I love taking night photos or long exposure photos. I have a DSLR I need to learn how to use - would love to start taking pictures of the night sky.

Looking back to find photos for this post, I’m thinking about life before good camera phones. I have so many weird selfies and mirror selfies as well as just hundreds of useless photos. Nothing has changed, except I probably have thousands of useless photos now. It’s fun to sit here and look back life before camera phones. I would take my little Panasonic Lumix everywhere with me - I think I eventually just kept it in the center console of my car.

I love that I have a super camera with machine learning/AI in my pocket now. I can take photos to remember everything. I’m a huge fan of sharing life with everyone, an early adopter of social media before it was monetized. I love sharing what it looks like for me, real life, lightly adjusted if necessary to look as real to my eye.

Here are some photos from my Panasonic point and shoot over the years. Go do what makes you happy and take pictures of everything.

Tuesday Truths (Thoughts?)

On Tuesdays, I’m going to probably overshare a little more about me. Some of this may be common knowledge, but to those who are new, hello and welcome to the shit show. Also, gratuitous photos of myself at the end because I can. This is quickly devolving into just Tuesday Thoughts and I’m not mad at that.

• I can be an out and proud gay man without attending certain gay events. Full stop.

• Concerts in bars, small venues, or outside venues are my favorite kind of concerts to attend. I’ll go to a stadium show, but smaller venues are way better in my opinion.

• Beyonce is talented, but I don’t gravitate towards her music like I do other big voices like Kelly Clarkson or Kylie Minogue.

• I must live close to water. New Mexico was kind of rough, but there was a man made lake I guess.

• The older I get, the less I like grapes unless they’re wine. I always buy them with good intentions, but ya know…

• I’m more likely to save for and invest in something of higher quality (such as a certain laptop or article of clothing or boots) instead of replacing them more frequently.

• Vegas is only fun for about 3 days

• Standard bathtubs are shit. Give me a shower stall any day of the week. (a shower stall and giant tub would be ideal, but I ain’t rich)

**This was not a lake, but it was pretty cool

Tuesday Truths

Sunrise chasing.

On Tuesdays, I’m going to probably overshare a little more about me. Some of this may be common knowledge, but to those who are new, hello and welcome to the shit show. Also, gratuitous photos of myself at the end because I can.

• I never care if people visit my website - I just care if they are moved by something I write. I write for myself and if it reaches someone, I’m happy. I just like to write, even if it’s not written well.

• I love when a group of work friends all bring a little something different to the chat. A good variety of crazy is a healthy balance. Shoutout to my girlies from Vine O&G. #poopselfie

• I’ll almost always take a cool, cloudy, rainy day of a sunny and hot one. The relentless sun of Texas (ten years) ruined me and I just can’t summer anymore. I need shade, clouds, or a cool body of water anymore.

• My default is to watch old, familiar shows that I’ve probably watched many times over watching new shows. Current obsession: Home Improvement (I’ve powered through 4 seasons in a week)

• Lake Superior is the best Great Lake - it’s literally in the name. BUT, it is also the coolest and freshest. Just sayin.

• Breakfast food is the best food and is good all day. French toast? Pancakes or waffles? Bacon? Sausage? YES. Just yes. All day.

• Moose are cooler than elk. No further comments.

• If I have to pick a sport to watch, I’ll pick hockey. If there is no hockey, I don’t mind having baseball on in the background. I don’t love sports, but I could go to either of those live games.

• Pineapple is okay on my pizza. The yellow delight is good with ham or bacon.

Tuesday Truths

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View from the family cottage as the sun sets

• I’m usually late. I know, it can feel disrespectful, but I mean no harm. I’m bad at time-management and most of the time I think there is more than enough minutes to get there.

• I despise corn on the cob. SORRY NOT SORRY. Fresh corn, if it’s off the cob, is just fine.

• I’ll never choose traditional chicken wings - give me adult chicken nuggets or nothing

• Night drives will always hold a special place in my heart. They were therapy, they were a means to an end, and they got me through truly boring stretches of road much easier and seemingly faster.

• I always knew, even despite wanting to be in the PNW so badly, that I’d end up back in the Great Lakes region eventually. Eventually is sooner than I could have imagined.

• Olympic National Park will forever be my favorite and that belief has only been reinforced living an hour or so from many parts of it.

• I don’t love deep water. I will swim in water over my head, but sometimes it freaks me out and I need a floatation device.

• Chili should have beans and that’s final.

• I will drink about 10x as much water if I have a container with a straw. It’s just science.

• Great Lakes get ready, there will be a big boy in a speedo next summer gracing your beaches.

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Tuesday Truths

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On Tuesdays, I’m going to probably overshare a little more about me. Some of this may be common knowledge, but to those who are new, hello and welcome to the shit show. Also, gratuitous photos of myself at the end because I can.

• If I’m getting coffee, it’s more than likely going to be iced. The time of year and outdoor temperature rarely matter in this choice. I am impatient and do not like waiting for scalding hot coffee to cool down.

• Halloween is fine, but I’m more of a “fall guy” than a “Halloween guy” but I love watching scary movies. Winter/Xmas is more my jam and I’ll Griswold the shit out of my house, too.

• I’m a morning person - I like to get up early and get going on stuff for the day. I get more work done, more writing, and more household tasks done before noon.

• Sunrises are superior for me. I’ll say yes to a sunset, don’t get me wrong, but I’ll be more excited about a sunrise.

• Saying yes more than no doesn’t mean I’m a yes man - I’m still making informed decisions out here. I want to experience more things and meet more people, so saying yes opens those doors. Is it always a great choice? NO. Do I learn from the questionable choices? ALSO NO. (kidding, of course I do)

• If it’s between a road trip and a flight, I’ll probably drive. Now, there are exceptions to the rule, but I find driving more convenient most of the time. Stopping along the way or taking a scenic route isn’t an option when flying, so I do enjoy car travel more.

• Revisiting somewhere I love is my travel guilty pleasure. Many of my visits are brief, so I enjoy going back and taking more in a second, third, or fourth time. Along with this, if I can take someone to a magical place for the first time and I’ve already been there, I’m so in.

• My job is not who I am. I am not one of those people who IS their job or their job IS them. It is simply something I do every weekday to make money and survive. I like it, I like my coworkers, I like the subject matter, and I am lucky.

• If I’m the driver, I like to stop to take pictures in front of signs or I crane my neck to look at the sights. I love to see what’s going on and I’m always looking out the window on a road trip - safely, most of the time.

Cha-cha-changes!

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Where to begin? Life is always changing, flowing like a river. I’m currently in the river, flowing down stream and seemingly swirling at the moment but headed to a dry spot. Sometimes the river flows fast and other times it’s just a trickle, and you swirl down the stream, but the point is to flow along with it no matter what. I’m sure there are great poems or essays about being like the water and flowing, or something, but if you’re reading this you get my version.

I’ve moved to Washington, found myself single, lost my grandmother, met some new friends, and have a new car all in six months. A LOT of life changes happened and that river was raging. This is all after a whirlwind year or so of realizing I haven’t been my best self while questioning how and why I got to where I am. Glacial melt, flowing with force, ice cold and speeding down the mountain.

Fast forward to the summertime, and the beginning of the mass visits. I’ve had more unique visitors since March than I did in my entirety of living in Texas which was 10 times longer. I have a few more on the books through October. Pair that with trips of my own doing, and I’m a busy guy. I’m welcoming the swirls as my raging river has turned into a summer trickle.

Sometimes the river dries up. Have you ever got everything you wanted, or what you think you wanted, and it not feel quite right? Living in the Pacific Northwest was always a goal for me, and that started way back in 2008. I now live in the Pacific Northwest - positioned outside of my favorite national park and forest as well as hours from so many others. It felt right at first, but slowly started to feel off.

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I’ll be honest, maybe it’s just not the right time to be here. That sucks, and the reality of it seems to go against all I’ve fantasized about for over a decade. The reality is, I inherited part of a family cottage in Michigan. My dearest friends, who are essentially family, live in Minnesota. I have many great friends all over the Great Lakes region, and a ton of family too. I need to be near the cottage to help with and to enjoy it, and I want to be nearer to the friends and family who’ve always supported and loved me unconditionally.

This spring, I’ll be making the trek east and moving to Duluth, Minnesota. I’m not sure of the details right now, I just know this will be a good place for me both physically and mentally. I’m positioned within a day’s drive of the family cottage and the family who lives near it, I’ll be near the most Superior Great Lake and my friends who are family, and as close as I am now to a major airport hub. It’s not a hard decision, and it surely isn’t a new idea. I’ve loved Duluth since I first visited in 2004. I can’t wait to hike, camp, cross-country ski, and road trip all over Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. There’s so much life to be had, no matter where I am.

Flow down the river and see where it takes you - it may just be the Great Lakes. HA. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you outside. - Mike

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