welcome.
crazyknee.com is:
a personal Web page launched Nov. 1, 2000,
the day Leanne had ACL/meniscus repair performed
on her right leg. Hence the "crazy knee."
This page will be updated in some weekly way.

11 august 2003 . 07:41 pm PT
Since we last spoke (yesterday's update not included), many things have come to pass. I conquered the tsunami hazards on the coast of Oregon,

but only after safely crossing California's gateway to the Redwoods. Willits, California, is so exhausting we were forced to spend that night in a fluorescent green bed.

Luckily, during the drive north, John and I had a chance to commune with fellow blue hens (go UD, Fighting Blue Hens!) at an amazing little diner in Florence, Oregon. Thank the cocks, we needed those biscuits and gravy.

Our goal was Portland, Oregon. Oh the hippies we had to face to get there, the sand dunes, the highway food ... and those 640 miles weren't made any easier by the unpredictable behavior of car headlights (both were blown out by the time darkness fell. Luckily, John used duct tape to dim the high beams, how crafty!).

We were heading to Portland because Kim Fenn, former roommate and forever friend, was in town to train on psychological equipment (hmm, I do not understand the grad student speak). She brought two companions, Lauren and Nick, along for the ride. The three make a remarkable team.

Portland also lays temporary claim to the good king Contois, who drinks beer. Contois and his charming lady friend Karen decided to help our intrepid group in our next quest,

scaling Washington's hazy Mount St Helens. It's true what they say, the lingering ash occasionally causes uncontrollable jazz hands. We had to halt our climb several times and just wave, wave, wave hands (and, uh, pose for pictures).

We never once strayed from our path.

After all that, there was still time to smell Portland's roses (in the world's largest international rose test garden!),

test the night flash with Nationwide insurance,

steady our bikes, and watch fat-free milk spin.

Oh, and we must not forget Portlandia, Portland's "Queen Kong." Kim asked a jesus-lover where the statue lived and thank goodness he knew of what we spoke (many city residents, you see, did not KNOW that she is the world's 2nd largest copper statue after Lady Liberty. I kid you not! The Knee tells no lies!)

Then there was the drive south, after tearful goodbyes and many aluminum foil crabs.

Is that enough? Do you want MORE? How about my belief that this California recall madness (noooooooooooo! please, not Ahnold in office!) is a travesty.

Other than that, there is not time. I'm boarding an eastbound plane in four hours. Gotta lounge around the Delaware shore with the family, and check out the latest fashions on the streets of New Yawk. Sample some buffalo wings, perhaps? Not.

10 august 2003 . 10:40 pm PT
I am, I promise I am, working on a huge update with lots of amazing pictures and hilarious anecdotes. Ahem. Of course, I am also trying to land a job, entertain visitors, answer email, read poetry, edit fiction manuscripts, and pack for a trip to the other side of this great country. But a photo journal of the recent trip north will be in the space sometime tomorrow.

Until then, here's an ages-old photo that I finally entered in the Mirror Project. I feel like a weight has lifted, now that I'm finally part of that site. I belong.