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At the last minute, we decided to host a small party this new year’s eve.

The party was interesting. The power went out at 11:42 PM and stayed out for almost three hours - the longest power outage we’ve seen in the 11 years we’ve been in the loft! The party became much quieter and more intimate. It was lovely. We ushered in 2007 by candlelight.

For those who couldn’t make it to our little party, (and to those who did) we wish you all a peaceful, prosperous 2007!

The usual suspects in all the usual places.

View the rest of the photos here.

Oh that is SO CUTE!!
–Tres

2 funny
–Grant

Very nice card - how long did it take you to put it together?
–Dawn
(About two hours.)

The e-card is your funniest yet!
–Todd

OH MY GERSH….I just about blew ice water out of my nose!!!!!! You are a nut!!!!! LOL
–Wendy

One of the bestest cards I’ve seen this Christmas!
–Sandy

My goodness, that’s wonderful. And kind of disturbing.
–Hugh

Yes, Gualala again. Then our usual day trip to Mendocino. This time with Grant, Sandy and Chris. We just can’t seem to get enough of this place.

Goofy shot of Chris and Jim by Grant Goya.

I finally made it to Portland this weekend for the very first time! I have been putting this trip off forever it seems, but forces finally converged and I made it. I attended a book launch/award ceremony at Mark Downey’s Lucid Images Gallery, and had an excellent dinner with my dear friends Ali and Neil at Gino’s.

My friends also gave me the full tour of the city - from the Japanese Garden to the Pearl District and through more than a dozen cool neighborhoods. (By the way, the Japanese Garden was beautiful in winter, but I’d really love to see it when it looks like this or this!) Overall, Portland looks like a great place to live. My friends who live there love it. The numerous inviting neighborhoods each have their own mini main street and unique personality, real estate is attainable, coffee shops abound, there is no sales tax, and I must have heard ten times how “nice the people are”. Kelly and I will be returning as soon as possible to scope it out again!

The funny thing is I took almost no pictures of the actual city. I guess that’s because I was too busy shooting pictures of Mark’s gorgeous 5-year-old daughter Malaya. Oh well, I guess I have to go back! ;)