first off, i must say that allergies suck. sore throat, runny nose, sneezing. i've never been this bad before, but this year i feel like i'm allergic to the world. i'm even taking a generic claritin pill each morning, but it doesn't last all day like it says it should.

Tiring weekend, but a great one. Manual labor just feels so good, so fulfilling. Spent numerous hours clearing dead sagebrush and limbing ponderosa pine and juniper near sisters in central oregon. clearing a 20' perimeter fireline (8' up all trees) on a 6 acre parcel in 102 degree weather = tired muscles and red skin. At the end of the day I had SALT CRYSTALS on my face under my eyes and on my forehead. Usually, I just get a slight powder of dried sweat, but this time it was 3d crystals. crazy cool and weird. i've never seen that before. also head to toe covered in dirt. more precisely, fine volcanic soil/dust stuck to sweaty skin. Feels great to take a shower, and also to get that messy!

tomorrow is the world cup final match, and i'll be joining the portland crowd at pioneer courthouse square to watch. i don't really care who wins though (although i have a slight preference for italy for no apparent reason), i just like watching soccer. go teams go.