In addition to the camera phone pics I uploaded here, Kathryn has uploaded some of our disposable camera pics to flickr (the ones that came out, at least).

If you've never done a cross country drive, and ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend it. It seems we Americans romanticize exploring Europe, but never our own back yard. There's lots of cool stuff out there.

This past Saturday night, at California Grill, I asked my girlfriend Kathryn to marry me.

California Grill was the right place to do it for few reasons. One, she just moved from California to Orlando, so there's that. It also looks out directly on the castle at Magic Kingdom and is the best place to watch fireworks anywhere in town. Because of that, it's where we went to watch the fireworks when I first brought her to Orlando two years ago. It seemed like the perfect place to conclude the last couple weeks of traveling and moving.

They brought out the ring on a desert plate with "Will you Marry Me?" written in chocolate. She said yes to a thundering applause from the entire restaurant, perfectly timed with the start of the 9 o'clock firework display.

I can't say enough about how perfect the entire evening was, about the wonderful staff at California Grill who I seriously need to thank via a written letter (gotta get those raises!), Gavin and his parents without whom I would have never been able to pull it off (his Mom was able to call some folks to get me the last second reservation, Gavin ran errands and delivered the ring to the restaurant for me), and our wonderful families for blessing/accepting us both as we start this new chapter.

I haven't gotten the chance to call/e-mail many people yet, so I figured I'd write a blog post and get the word out quickly and efficiently. Please don't take offense if I haven't actually spoken with you yet. Funny enough, someone already edited my wikipedia page with the date. Gotta love the Internet.

I'm heading out to Portland, Oregon for a little while to spend thanksgiving with Kathryn and some of her family. I have a brutal head cold and the thought of spending the next 12 hours on planes and in airports is bit much, but it'll be worth it :) Should be a good time. It's the precursor to our cross country drive back to Florida.

Music for the Plane:

• Band of Horses: They've got that We-should-be-on-a-Zach-Braff-soundtrack sound going on, and I dig it. Gavin passed it along my way, which I find amusing because we all know what he thinks of people who like Horses.
• The Hush Sound: Take the ben folds sound, through in an additional chick singer, and add the snappy-ness of a Panic! cd. I just got this album last night, and can already tell it will be a favorite

Book for the Plane:

• Audacity of Hope: I read the first half on the way to Baltimore two weeks ago, figure I'll polish it off today. His writing style is just as strong as his speaking ability. Fun read.