OHSU Tram Run
The first year of this event, especially since the Portland Aerial Tram isn't even one year old! It wasn't a big race, but it was a fun one and fairly well-organized despite its newness. You start at the bottom of the hill, ride the tram up, and then race/walk down. The ride was beautiful, and Mike and I hung out on the backside terraces on OHSU campus enjoying the view (I think I might just take out-of-town visitors here). We eventually headed toward the race start and sped our way downhill to the base of the finish. If you're looking for a fast 5k time, I'd recommend this race.
Linked In & Facebook
I finally joined LinkedIn and Facebook. It took me awhile, despite my friends' many attempts to sign on. But here I am. Look me up, and be my friend/connection. The social impact of web and mobile technology never ceases to amaze me, and these types of sites reminds me of how easy it is to find people from your past. Without them, I'd still be just wondering where so-and-so is and what he/she is up to. Now, I can actually locate them and send a message to ask them myself!
User Experience Article
My friend Amy and I are always talking about usability in everyday products, especially software. She's a UX designer, but while our roles in creating user interfaces can traditionally be at odds now and then (the most usable-friendly feature is generally not the easiest to develop!), she and I share the same philosophy and appreciation for the process (including the same analogy of the symbiotic relationship of our professions), as well as our frustrations in where some companies, and individuals, lack in their understanding the importance of the user experience in a product development lifecycles. She has written a great article in Boxes and Arrows, expressing just how necessary her role is in developing a *good* product for the user. I especially recommend developers of UIs to read this article!
Eric’s Debut
Friends Albert and Julia recently welcomed Eric Lee-Fook into the world...another baby in the year of the Golden Pig! Congratulations on your adorable bundle of joy, guys! Love, Auntie Maggie 
Helvetia 10K
Every year in the springtime, I set out to train for the Helvetia half marathon, but every year, for one reason or another, I end up NOT running in it. This year, once again, I didn't run in the race, but I did, however, run in the 10k. Unlike the half course, the 10k is flat and fast. It was still beautiful, nonetheless, running in Hillsboro countryside, and as always, Mike kicked my ass. Still, I'm very happy with my time, which I hope to improve upon for Hood to Coast.
Baby announcements…not my own…
Usually, even if we already know, our friends send us announcements of their baby being born. I'm guessing this hold true for a lot of people. Our friend Simon, who lives on the other side of the country in Massachusetts, choose to tell us about his son by sending us an evite to his son's first birthday party. Clearly, we don't keep in close touch with Simon, but what's even funnier to me is that Mike didn't register it was our friend and almost deleted the invitation, thinking it was spam. I think his (mental) spam filter is set a little too high...
Since we aren't likely to attend the birthday party...Happy 1st Birthday, Sebastian! And while I'm at it, Happy 2nd Birthday, Nora! And since I'm surrounded by baby-mania...Congratulations are in order to the following expecting parents!
Albert and Julia
Dan and Stef
Mike and Julie