Heads Up, Oh Lovely Readers!

As some of you are aware, I am working on my Master's Degree at Western Oregon University. I'm taking a class on blogging, so I'll probably be posting some things that are slightly off topic, but that I hope you find interesting. I'll also be posting some of it over here on another blog I use for school stuff. That is where you will find my post for today about social media.

A Year and a Half of Blogging in Salem

I just realized that I started this, my very first blog, 1 1/2 years ago. A year and a half and 122 posts later I wonder what I have learned about blogging. How has it affected my life? What are my views on blogging now?

I started this blog to learn about blogging and that has definitely happened. I had no idea how blogging would change my life. Okay, I know that sounds corny. And it really hasn't changed all that much. My family is still my family, although now when they haven't seen me for awhile they can check my blog to see what's keeping me busy. My job is still the same although I now use blogging with my students on a daily basis to teach writing literacy skills. My friends are still the same, except for the great new group of blogging friends that I have happy hour with on a weekly basis. My home is still the same except now I don't have TV because I spend most of my allotted time for TV dramas online reading dramatic blogs. I'm still working on my Master's, but since I got interested in blogging I decided to do a degree in Information Technology.

Really, blogging has barely touched my life.

I thought blogging would be a fun little summer project that would give me the info I needed to teach it to my students. What I didn't realize is that blogging is a community like any other. You can either be actively involved in the community, or you can stand on the sidelines. Being involved means creating and regularly updating a blog that has meaning to you and others. It means creating content that will give your readers information, food for thought, or just plain entertain them. It means that you will have some influence, however minor, in the path that your blogging community takes as it morphs with time.

Standing on the sidelines might not sound important, but in blogging it means everything. No blogger wants to fling their words out into the world and just to have them sit there...unread. It's a fate worse than death. The point of blogging is communication. Every blogger wants readers. And ultimately, comments. Which is where the "sidelines" gets a little complicated. As a reader, you can comment and get involved in the blogging world, without ever having a blog of your own. It becomes a conversation among a group of people that care about the same things. And even in our digital, technologized (Yes, I just made that up. I'm a blogger. I can do that if I want!) world, what we all really want is to connect with other human beings.

Blogging is just another way to connect with people outside your normal environment. Blogging is like the Elks Club of the 21st century.

Salem Traffic

So, apparently I am spoiled. I live and work downtown within about a three block area and so I usually walk to work. Once in awhile if I have to be somewhere for a meeting or appointment right after work, I drive to work and leave straight from there. That's what happened yesterday and it reminded me of how much I hate rush hour traffic.

I headed from downtown over to Lancaster at about 3:30, so traffic wasn't too bad. I made it in plenty of time even with a stop at Taco Time (which I hadn't been to in YEARS and forgot how totally unhealthy, but absolutely delicious their options were!). Oh, but the traffic at 5:15 when I finished my meeting?? Not good. Not fun. Not in any way.

I had to head to Keizer after the meeting and I think it took me a good half hour. I ended up taking some back roads through residential areas because the traffic was really backed up on the main streets. Good thing I've done a lot of walking and house-hunting in the back streets of Salem so I didn't get lost!

The moral of this story is that commuting sucks. I'm sorry for all of you who have to do it. I'm really happy that I don't usually. I definitely believe in living within walking distance of your workplace. Amen.

Sundays in Downtown Salem

Sundays in Salem are pretty slow in the downtown core. Coffee shops are mostly open and a few shops open their doors, such as SLAB soap in the Reed Opera House and The Book Bin, but the rest of the town is pretty sadly closed up on Sundays. And it's really too bad because a lot of people end up downtown for coffee and a Sunday paper and I bet many, many of them would like to eat a nice meal for lunch, or do a little shopping.

The one restaurant that is open for sure is La Perla Tapatia on the mezzanine of the Reed Opera House. Now, I didn't really feel like tacos yesterday particularly, but since it was my only choice I went in and had a perfectly fine meal. And was it ever busy! It was more packed than I think I have ever seen it and I stop by quite often.

So restauranteurs in downtown Salem, just a heads up to you all. I would love some more dining options on Sundays. And it doesn't look like I'm the only one downtown who would. Open on Sundays and they will come!

...And More Lights

These two are on Park between Market and D Streets. It looked like there might be a competition going on on this street. These two won for most decorated.

Yes, that's Santa on a motorcycle. Over to the side there was a snowman on a motorcycle as well.

I should have taken a picture of the side of this house too. The display continued on around the side yard with all kinds of lighted blow-up...things.

Lights...

Here are a few more light displays to light up your Christmas Day! Merry Christmas!

This one is on a little street just off 17th between Center and State. There's even a story about how this extreme light show came to be on a plaque near the garage. Check it out.
A close up of the impressive display. There were not as many blow-up displays, but there were many, many little lighted...things...all over. Quite the collection.

Lights Galore in Salem, OR

So here is the latest installment of Christmas lights gone wild:

This is on Commercial St. south, just south of where Liberty and Commercial reconverge. The lights on the law office in the middle of that "V" are pretty wild too. This one though...I mean, a bunny??

And here's another one. Thanks for all the tips on this D St. house. This thing deserves some kind of award!

Oh, and that's just the side yard...

Here's the front, although it was difficult to get it all because there is just so much.

And a little close up of some of the delights in this yard. Sorry I didn't get a close up of the defunct snow globe, but you can get a glimpse of it in the side yard picture.

The First Christmas Light Contestant Is...

...dedicated to Stephanie. Sorry you won't be able to sleep for all the lights shining in your windows, but thanks for the tips on where to find some "Ah-mazing" displays!


On 24th St. in Salem. There are many other similar displays along this street as well.

Update: Christmas Lights and Other Salem Happenings

I have begun the delightful journey of immortalizing the Christmas light extravaganzas throughout our fine city. I see that people are eager to help out and so I have some great tips. I already have some of the pictures, but I can't upload them until tonight, so you'll have to check back. Don't worry, it'll be worth it! :)

In other Christmasy news: I'm heading out to the White Christmas sing-along at the Grand Theater on High Street in downtown Salem tomorrow night. Yes!! I love musicals. I may even qualify as a musical geek. I don't know them all, I haven't seen nearly all the famous ones, but I just can't help loving them. I love the fact that people break into song and dance at the oddest moments and everyone acts like its normal. I wish more people in my life were like the audiences at musicals. When I break into song and dance people look at me funny and probably question my sanity. But I do it anyway. Because life should be more like the musicals! So there.

Christmas Light Explosion

Okay, so here's the deal. I am going to take pictures of some of the craziest, most...uh...abundant Christmas light displays that I see around town and post them up here on my blog. I cannot believe some of the stuff I see out there. Let me know if there is an extreme Christmas light display somewhere around town that I just can't miss.

Now, I'm not going for the tasteful, well lit yard with a few decorations. I am looking for the most explosive of decor. The kind that looks like the Christmas decor aisle at Lowe's AND Home Depot exploded on the house or business, because yes, I've seen some doozies at businesses as well.

So keep your eye out for the pics as I post them this week!

The Holidays in Salem

It's that time of year. Time for bundling up and getting in the Christmas spirit. I must admit. I haven't been doing very well at either one.

Usually I have a Christmas tree by now, but with master's classes, family emergencies, and the general busyness of life, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I did put a red bow with some bells on my front door handle yesterday, thanks to a friend who donated the decor that leftover from a project. That may be about as Christmasy as I get this year.

As for the bundling up...well, I think I finally got into the spirit of that. I mean, I had to right, or I would be an ice cube by now (insert in your mind a cartoon image of me completely surrounded by a block of ice)! I don't really love winter clothes so it always takes me a while to find things I'm comfortable with and get into the layering mode.

I actually really like this time of year. I like the festive decorations. I love it when the wreaths go up on the lightposts downtown. I like to see Christmas trees lit up in stores and in people's windows. I love that people get out and go to parties, go shopping, and get together with family. I like Christmas goodies like fudge and sugar cookies. I don't really understand when people talk about the holiday blues, or the stress of the season. I generally feel pretty good about the holidays, the weather, and the end of the year.

But just wait until January. Now there's a depressing month.

In the meantime, I'll try to keep you all posted on the exciting happenings around Salem during the holidays!

The Grand Old Theaters of Salem

Salem is blessed with some very beautiful old theaters. In downtown Salem we have both the Grand Theater and the Elsinore Theatre. They are both wonderful places to spend a few hours immersed in the culture of Salem.

The Elsinore has a Classic Film Series which shows on Wednesdays for $5. If you haven't been to one of these films yet, I suggest you get right out and get in line for the next one. The films have been remastered and are shown on the big screen. They even have silent films with organ music in the background! They also have an array of other events on their schedule.

The Grand Theater is home to the Progressive Film Series as well as concerts and other events. Their newest addition to the schedule is a monthly musical film sing-along. I am super excited about this. I know that sounds a little corny, but I can't wait to sing along to my favorite musicals and not have people try to shush me! :)

So, if you're looking for a little culture, or maybe just a little entertainment, in downtown Salem, check out the website schedules for these two cool, old theaters and great events they have going on.

The Land of Sun and Snow

I went over the mountain to Central Oregon for Thanksgiving. My family rented a place at Eagle Crest and enjoyed a little (or a lot) of turkey and stuffing while relaxing in the cold, sunny weather.

On Wednesday it was so warm and sunny that I was laying out sunbathing on the deck. I felt like a lizard soaking up rays of sun to get me through the cold times. Every morning we would wake up to frosty grass and snowy mountaintops peeking through the trees. Every day at lunchtime we would sit out on the deck enjoying the warm sun. And every night we curled up next to the fire or sat around the table playing board games. I loved knowing that the sun would be back the next day and that I could walk out into the bright sunlight every morning for my morning walk.

I think I'm going to have to make some more treks over the mountain this winter. I don't really mind the rain, but every once in awhile I just need to soak up some bright, snowy sunlight!

Downtown People Watching

One of my favorite activities in the whole world is people watching. Airports are great places for this, but since there isn't one close by, I usually get my fix downtown. Sunday afternoon I spent a few hours eating lunch, chatting with friends, getting a coffee, browsing the Book Bin, and people watching. And let me tell you, there are people to be watched around here.

One of my favorite places to people watch is at La Perla Tapatia in the Reed Opera House. It is up above the sidewalk level so you get a great view of all the people walking by below, plus you get a view out over the four corners of Liberty and Court Streets. Another great spot is the small Starbucks on the corner of Liberty and Court or the Beanery on Liberty. They both have bar seating that faces the window so you can watch the world go by.

Here are some of the highlights of my people watching on a lazy Sunday afternoon in downtown Salem:

• A woman walking two large dogs that looked like they had dreadlocks
• A young man hitting on every woman who walked in even though they were clearly out of his league
• Three different couples on what looked like first dates
• A couple with a baby spending 15 minutes deciding which stroller to use to go to the mall (they ended up carrying the baby).
• My old neighbor entering the Book Bin (is this considered stalking if it happens accidentally while people watching??)
• A very manly looking man who was walking a teeny-tiny dog wearing a sweater.
• An older couple going out to lunch. She was in a wheelchair and he was so sweet and caring I wanted to cry.

Location, location, location

You know what they say about real estate? It's all about the location. And I guess if that's true then Salem, Oregon is about the best real estate you could buy. Just think about this location.

We are one hour from the Pacific Ocean, sand dunes, beach walking, surfing, storm-watching, whale-watching, clam chowder, fresh fish, and all the rest that goes with the rugged Northwest coastal experience.

We are one hour from the mountains - meaning skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing and cabins with fireplaces in the winter. And meaning hiking, camping, mushroom hunting, boating, and all the rest of the mountain activities in the summer.

We are one hour from Portland and Eugene which are both big enough cities to have all the amenities you might need, basically at your fingertips, but without the high cost of living and the traffic problems.

We have access to national forests and state parks. We have a valley overflowing in vineyards and wineries. We have local beer, wine, and cider makers. We have fresh, local produce available nearly year round.

Okay, so we have a little rain. But, that's a small price to pay for a good location. :)