Long time, no see. So long, in fact, I'd forgotten my password to log in here. Just wanted to drop by and say hello.

Not much news to report from me. In fact, middle age has settled in, and there's very little craziness in my life. I've witnessed more divorces this past year than ever before. I lost my sweet old lab Loon in February-- she was 17 years old and a champ the whole way. I waited a few months and then adopted THE CUTEST DOG ON THE PLANET from a shelter at the end of May. His name is Dodger, he will be 2 in September, and he is a very special boy. He's gotten me back out on the hiking trails regularly, and with all of our activity, I've dropped several pounds and am continuing to do so. Feeling really good about my health, knock on wood. The bike collection has grown to 4. I'm happy with the winners at Le Tour. I couldn't give a rip about the royal baby. Nearly lost my mind with the Zimmerman verdict, and continue to be disappointed in a great many things about our country.

I've been remiss in going to see live music. In fact, the last show I saw was in April, and it was Diamond Rings/OMD. Fun show! I've grown weary of trying to stay up til 11pm for headliners to start. I'd say that my appetite for new music has gone the same way. I try to stay apprised, but find most of it uninspired. Stuff I have been listening to lately:

Washed Out
Attic Lights
Capital Cities
Small Black
Telekinesis
Little Boots
Kurt Vile
Junip
Steve Mason
Janelle Monae
Whitehorse
Beach Day
Silver Seas
Savages
Palma Violets
Matt Costa
Foxygen
Alpine
China Rats
Desert Noises
Teen Daze
Leagues
Lips
the Tontons
Civil Twilight

I've seen a few obners the last year or so: Rads, Aural, beachy, toots, Charli and her Josh, Derek Phillips (can't remember his username here), Cap'n (the bike/beer obsession is true). Chrome has given me text message traffic advice. Had a near-meeting with mcaputo this past new year's, but the stars didn't align. I'm friends with a good many of you on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram-- forgot how to post url's here so just look up dthomaspdx if you want to reconnect.

Haven't been back to Atlanta in about 2 years, but I figure a visit will be coming up in 2014. My daddy is 87, so time is drawing near for meaningful interactions. About to head up to Alaska for the first time with my oldest sister, and really looking forward to that. I'm happy to report that my older sister finally ditched the asshole redneck she was married to for 19 years.

Anyways, just wanted to say hello. I hope all of you are happy and healthy, and enjoying the summer so far. Cheers!

High five, m'dear. Thanks again for the visit in Pertlund.

So... d is Kiev?

Good to see you, d!

Greetings, Todd. Rads, I don't even know who Kiev is so I can safely say DAT AIN'T ME. Kyle, likewise... enjoyed the photos immensely.

Surprised no one mentioned this here, but Faye Hunter of Let's Active died over the weekend from an apparent suicide.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/07/22/3048535/faye-hunter-from-iconic-80s-north.html

Great to hear from you, D!

Good to see you around, d. I haven't been to your neck of the woods for awhile. I keep in touch with Mel sporadically but not very recently.

I hope to be in the Portland area sometime in the next few months--I'll try to let you know if it happens.

Stay well.

Sorry about your good old dog. And, you know, endemic racism. But the rest sounds pretty allright! Howdy!

Bob, you are doing well, sir. I enjoy seeing your updates on fb.

Mike, I haven't seen Mel in a while myself. Talked with a mutual friend, and I think she's struggling a good bit. It makes me sad, but I'm glad she's got her folks close by to help her out. Yeah, keep me posted on your next pdx adventure.

Shelly, thank you. She was a good soul, and is very much missed.

sorry I missed you while I was in Portland...excuse me, Hipster Narnia.

I like seeing old obnerians resurface. I think it must be a sign of aging.

Best dog we ever had was a black lab named Loon... he was a perfect being. One reason we can never move from this house; Loon's buried right out there with his buddy Lobo.

I feel pretty updated being on Instagram but I"m sorry to hear about Loon but I'm sure she would approve of Dodger.

What kind of bikes do you have?

<--- in the market

Dave, I forgive you. I'm sure you were partying and spinning.

Harry, yes, my Loon was a black lab too. It's interesting to go from paying for acupuncture treatments for an old dog to paying for behavioral training for the new dog.

Ben, I'm sure Loon would approve, but Dodger has quite a few socialization issues to get over first. He's had a very rough start to his life, so we're working on it.

As for bikes, not sure any of them would be appealing to your needs but I have a 2002ish model Lemond Reno (the old reliable steed), a 2012 Cannondale Synapse with carbon frame (the sexy higher end road bike), a 2009 model Giant TranSend LX (the "beater/about town/ride to and from bars/not getting kitted out" bike), and an OLD Trek 8000 ZX mountain bike on perma-loan from a fellow cyclist in the cycling club I'm in. I hadn't mountain biked in forever, so I took it with me up to Vancouver over Memorial Day and got some trail riding in. I forgot how fun that is. Been thinking about selling the Giant only because I very rarely ride it, and it takes different tubes than the other bikes, so always an afterthought when I'm repairing a flat. The Giant is a sturdy reliable bike but it's HEAVY compared to the road bikes. I think I'm done buying bikes for a while.

Clubs should really think about starting shows earlier. I hate waiting until 11pm for headliners too!

Ha, Stu, too true. Hope things are well in TN.

Abe Simpson reminds me (because I forget stuff all the time now too)... I did see another show after OMD. It was Dan and Paul Kelly. The venue was tucked into a residential neighborhood, so the show started promptly at 7 and was over by 10. I was elated. I was not elated however by looking around the space and finding out that I was the youngest person in attendance. WTF? That never happens. Anyways, I went primarily to see Dan because I missed him last time he was in town. Everyone else was there for Paul, naturally, but Jesus, that was an assemblage of oldsters.

Oh shit, Dan Kelly is amazing. Jealous as hell.