What a fast week! I raced through the flat and dry land of Wyoming, through the storm of bugs in Idaho and into the lush state of Oregon. It was a long ride, but I made it safely into Portland. We ended up staying on the riverfront in downtown Portland, which was lovely. We could walk to the event site. I did the site check, and then had the next day to catch up on work and relax a little. I had the best massage I’ve ever had at AG massage. The massage therapist knew exactly what to do for me, and I walked out of there feeling calm and delicious. I walked to and from the massage beside the river, Portland really is a lovely little place.

A few hours later, we started set up. Our labor didn’t show, so it was just the 5 of us setting up in the dark. When we finally got to moving the trucks, the event coordinator had already gone home and couldn’t show us where to park. So, we ended up being told over the phone where to go – not the best directions I’ve ever gotten. Jason and I drove to the lot we used last year, and I sent the 3 girls in the branded truck, we call Brandy, to the grass, by two other trucks. They had to go under a bridge, which ended up being too low and they hit it. Oh, dear. Everyone was safe, if not a little shaken up. But I think we all handled the situation as best we could. Kerri and I got her in the shop early in the AM and we opened our tents to a very slow event. I was able to run around faxing accident reports in to the office, make phone calls about the situation and buy water and ice for the event. Our temp staff wasn't so hot either, but we kept a happy face. Gosh, everything seemed to be going in the wrong direction. So, we as a group subconsciously, made the decision that the best thing we could do was get some good sleep and make it through the weekend with a smile on our face. It worked out well, and we made it all in one piece, and ended up having a lot of fun at the Portland event. Dave (Kashi guy) and I borrowed a two person bike and rode around throwing free Kashi samples to people on the side walk, summoning them to come over to our tents. It was hysterical. I hadn't laughed that hard in weeks.

Kerri is hanging in Portland for the week, to wait on Brandy to be fixed and ready to go. Her Mom is coming to be with her in Portland. Giovanna and I are headed straight to San Fran to meet friends and family. And Jason and Lexi are headed to Crater Lake to do some back country backpacking and camping in the snow (crazy!). So, we ended on a good note, went our separate ways, ready for a few days off and a new week. We’ve been working without a day off for since Mountain View (2 weeks), and we’re all ready to take a breather.

I think this week just reminded us all that we are working and how important it is to keep a positive attitude. And, as my grandmother says, “this too shall pass.” We got through a hard week and are still in one piece, living and working together as a group content with where and who we are and ready to keep going. Our attitudes may have shifted a little about our job, but only by bonding us together a little more. And the fact that everyone was able to get through this situation with a smile on his/her face says a lot about the Kashi crew. In the end, it was a “good” week and proved what good team we have.