As 2013 draws to a close, Mae and I thought a quick year-in-review post would be a great way to get the blog rolling again before baby Carlson arrives in February. It has been a full year, and we have a lot to be grateful for as we prepare for 2014.
Our nephew, Guy Owen, was born in late February. Mae traveled to Richmond, VA to help out and meet the baby for the first time in March.
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| Baby Guy |
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| Guy and Gran |
In early April, I spent a weekend at CCRMA for the annual Modulations concert. It was wonderful to see old friends and soak in the beautiful Bay Area weather for couple days.
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| Having a beer at the Knoll |
Once the weather picked up in the spring, we enjoyed visiting Sauvie Island, a beautiful natural space just outside of Portland.
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| Goofin with Clint Snow on the Columbia River beach |
Mae and I both celebrated our 30th birthdays this year. For my 30th in May, we hosted a little get together with some good friends and tons of food.
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| Maxing out the candle real estate |
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| This is how I party. |
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| Mae gave me a grill, which we put to use immediately! |
Our friends, Seth and Sarah, spent a weekend with us in late May. The only photo I could find from their visit is this nice shot that Seth took of us at Sauvie Island. Note Mt. St. Helens in the background!
About a week after my birthday, I received an invitation to perform with Borderlands at the Sonar Festival in Barcelona. I had about 3 weeks to update the app and prepare a 45 minute set, but it all came together!
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| Getting ready to melt some faces. |
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| Feelin' good, feelin' great. |
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| Plaça d'Espanya, near the festival grounds. |
After I returned from Spain, summer was in full swing in Portland.
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| "The Old Church" - Alela Diane's album release show. This is also where our church meets each week. |
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| Grillin' in the backyard. |
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| Perfect summer evening. |
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We had a swarm of bees take over a tree in our front yard. Fortunately, it's Portland, and
our neighbor is good friends with a bee keeper. |
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| Mae had to travel for the fourth of July, but that didn't keep us from celebratin' 'merica! |
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| So patriotic. |
We flew back to Virginia in July to celebrate Mae's birthday with her family.
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| Meeting my nephew for the first time. |
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| Out for a birthday walk around Lake Anne |
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| Mae's sisters threw a beautiful garden party |
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| Guy had his first cold that weekend and was pretty miserable, but that didn't stop him from being stinkin' cute! |
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What better to do on a Monday morning in 95 degree heat than watch Pacific Rim with your
brother-in-law in an nicely chilled, totally empty iMax theater? |
In September, I spent a few days in Linz, Austria for the Ars Electronica festival. Borderlands, was honored with an "Award of Distinction" in Digital Musics and Sound Art, and I was invited to give a talk and perform.
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| Linz |
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| Cyberarts exhibition selfie. |
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| Stage setup for the Ars Electronica Music Day. |
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| Speaking at the Prix Ars Electronica Forum on Digital Music and Sound Art |
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I spent a couple days in Berlin toward the end of my trip and was grateful for the chance to
see my friends Tarik, Lea, Nick, and Anselm. |
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| Berlin |
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| On my last day in Europe, I wandered around Vienna. Pictured here: Belvedere Palace |
In late September, Mae's sister, Glynis, came out for a visit and threw us a shower.
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| Getting crazy at Radar |
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| Cute things abound. |
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| Not sure if this will fit, but I like the stripes. |
My parents visited Portland for the first time for a week in October.
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| At Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood |
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| Mount Hood |
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| Lavender farm near Hood River |
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| Multnomah Falls |
Thanksgiving was a treat this year. Our dear friends, Kevin and Leslie, drove up the coast from San Francisco and stayed with us for a few days. My sister, Hope, also joined us from San Diego. We cooked all of the classics and had a few friends from church come over for dinner as well.
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| Getting ready to cook some creamed corn |
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| Almost dinnertime! |
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After Thanksgiving, Kevin kindly shared his photography skills and took
some beautiful maternity shots. |
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| Photo credit: Kevin Cathey |
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| Photo credit: Kevin Cathey |
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| Flights of hot chocolate in NW Portland with my sister, Hope! |
We marked the start of the Christmas season by cutting our own tree at the Sauvie Island tree farm. Portland received a rare snowfall the day before, so the scenery was extra beautiful this year!
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| D.F.C. V. |
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| White Christmas by the tree. #filter |
Mae and I are looking forward to a quiet Christmas at home before our next adventure starts in Feburary. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
