Bad Irish

I tried to sleep-in on my last morning in my nice river side hotel room, but it was no use. Two weeks of getting up early and doing stuff did not allow it. At least I may be able to get up early for work on Friday. I spent as much time in and around the hotel complex as I could, with a noon check out, I left at 11:59 and 59 seconds. I walked the two miles to Union Station in Portland stopping at a few spots along the way to have a pint. I hit up Kells - Portland and found out they have session dancing on Sundays. Why can't our Kells be so culturally aware? I got my sleeper car assignment on the Coast Starlight headed home. Waterside once again... That's three for ... read more

So I had not heard from Fly since he left me in peace in the Zenhut. I was wondering, how I would do the key exchange with a 6:30 AM train out of Canada, which included a customs visit. I was about to message him, when I got a note from him. He was training a new boat chief and if I wanted a 5 hour tour around the surrounding Vancouver waters, I could hop on the boat. One catch, I had to pretend like I was part of the crew. Unfortunately, I had to jump on my train and had no opportunity to sink Fly's charter with my incompetence. By the way, I am considering a name like the Zenhut for my own personal lodgings. Brohut isn't quite right, but it is certainly in the ... read more

I awoke at the Zenhut three hours later feeling refreshed and slightly less grouchy. A word on the Zenhut. This place is crazy. I am attaching a photo of the room in which I napped; how can you not relax in here? Also, Fly must buy votive candles by the truck load. There are just drawers and drawers of them here. At present, I am in the garden surrounded by candles. They are relaxing but I also feel it is my duty to burn some so Fly can have some room for other household items. Anyway, when I woke up I decided I needed to check out a new neighborhood. The West End is cool, but its very bohemian. It kind of reminds me of The Haight and I only go there for Cha Cha Cha. ... read more

Man. They did not want to let me into Canada. In their defense, I think it was my fault. Scruffy and traveling alone with a single small bag was bad enough, but I did not help myself. My first mistake was taking our friendly/allies relationship with Canada for granted. The second problem was that my border agent was a very attractive woman who looked really good in her uniform. The first girl I talk to across the border and she is grilling me on my plans in her country. Next thing I know there is another woman, just as attractive, I swear she came out of nowhere! They are battering me with question after question. (It did not help that I am staying in an Airbnb known as the Zenhut with a host named Fly!) Mercifully, ... read more

I had actually forgotten about Paul Allen's Experience Music Project (EMP) until a lady at the baseball game suggested it as a good activity. I am glad that she did, because so far it was one of the highlights of the trip. The idea behind the museum is to learn about music history in a very open, interactive environment. Plus, the EMP had additional exhibits of horror, fantasy, Sci-Fi and of course Star Wars... They charge you extra for the Star Wars stuff. (Paul is a pretty smart guy.) It was mostly worth the extra few bucks. It was costumes from all six films, but in my opinion it leaned too much on the later, more elaborate (and not nearly as good) films. Highlights included Princess Leia in the gold bikini and an eight-foot Chewbacca. All ... read more