Tonight was the Rose Parade in Portland. This is a huge parade (which is currently going on outside my window (at 10:10pm). We grabbed dinner at the Deschuetes Pub, and then headed over to S.W Park to catch the warm up of the parade. As the even got underway, we realized that we were about a block too far West, and decided to migrate East a bit so that we wouldn’t miss all the marching bands. The marching bands were especially important because just yesterday Ruby was telling us that she wanted one… at her birthday party. Staying up until 10pm and watching them out on the street seemed to be an acceptable consolation for her (thank goodness). Unfortunately, Miles doesn’t deal well with over stimulation and sleep deprivation, so its looking like another long bedtime for him and Vick.

We’re packing up for Portland now. We’ll be there through Monday. I’ll be attending the RailsConf and the family will be wandering around Portland looking for fun and excitement. Expected side trips (for them at least) include the Zoo, the Children’s Museum, and at least a few local coffee houses. More, I’m sure, as the trip unfolds.

I think I've finally got this work life balance nailed down. I have a job that I like most of the time, love some of the time, and intensely dislike less often than ever before. I had a 12 day vacation last week (thanks Tom) and have scheduled Thurs-Friday of next week off to combine with Martin Luther King Day for a fantastic 5 day weekend. If I can keep this [long weekend every 2-3 weeks] up, and still manage to take 4 weeks this summer, I think I will have found myself a pretty perfect situation. Wish me luck.