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Published: April 14th 2008
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So I'm at Kells in downtown Portland on Friday night. I sit down to talk to these girls. We get to talking about where we are from (nobody in Portland is from Portland... sort of like Atlanta in that aspect) anyway the one girl says she is from Atlanta now but Indiana actually. (interesting) For some reason I respond with “Go Hoosiers.” To which I find out that she is a Boilermaker fan. She continues to tell me that she went to “Rose.” I find it interesting that she just says “Rose.” I find myself saying the full name most of the time because nobody knows the school so it makes more sense. Anyway I just smiled at her and sang the fight song... just pure randomness.
So yes, I'm now living in Portland, OR. I have an address and everything. I've been here about two weeks. I am slowly adjusting to life here, very slow. Last week I freaked out quite a bit. First I had to pay first and last months rent. Not really a big deal until I started thinking, I just agreed to be in this one location for 2 months. I haven't paid for 2
months lodging up front in well, several years. It was pretty much overwhelming. Then I went to the grocery store to stock up on food and supplies... time for freak out #2. I did alright buying cereal and milk for breakfast. Bread, peanut butter, jelly, cheese, and lunch meat for lunches. This I handled fine. But dinner food became an ordeal. I couldn't think straight really. I was in a funk from the rent and couldn't figure out what I wanted for dinner. I figured I should buy some jars of spaghetti sauce and maybe some other jars and cans of things, noodles and rice. I couldn't get past that I didn't know when I would eat these things. I mean, if I'm not going to have it for dinner tonight or tomorrow well then I'll just have to move it and pack it when I go. I couldn't bring myself to buy the big bottle of laundry detergent either... too much nesting. I never settled on dinner for that night. Later I went back to the store and bought a steak for the Big Green Egg, mmmm.
So this week I found a desk and a bed. I
also registered to vote in Oregon. Now I'm really settling. I can't really tell you much about Portland yet. I'm slowly meeting new people and working on finding friends. The town is nice, lots of parks and counter culture want-a-bes. I will say that was strange in the room finding. Oh yeah, not renting my own place. I answered an ad (well several) on craigslist of people looking for roommates. But I was shocked at how many ads I read that said something like “Don't have a TV, don't want one” or “Don't want someone watching TV” or “Vegetarian only.” For claiming to be progressive and open minded many people are very militant that their open minded belief is the correct one. Gives me a laugh.
Oh yeah the other thing I find interesting is the traffic round-a-bouts. Yup, they have round-a-bouts. I like round-a-bouts. I think they do a nice job of guaranteeing traffic flow. However, in Portland all of the round-a-bouts come with a stop sign. This is silly, it should be a yield sign. How silly.
Weather wise well I'm still adjusting. Mostly to the temperature. The last couple of days have been amazing, sunny
and 60-70. Most of the time I've been here the highs have been in the 50s with clouds and some mist/rain. The rain doesn't bother me too much, just I'm not used to the cold yet. I want 70 all the time.
Oh, if you want my new address feel contact me and I'll send it. Though don't expect it to be too permanent. I might be at this house 6 months tops, but who knows. 6 months is a long time.
Go West Young Man, Go West
So after watching LSU dismantle Ohio State in the BCS I loaded up the ole Ranger and did just that. I spent about 3 weeks to get from ATL to SEA. It was a great time. I visited old friends, new friends, and my sister. I went snowshoeing for the first time. I didn't ski as much as I thought because well, that is really, really damn expensive in CO.
I also spent loads of solitary time in the truck just looking at this beautiful country. One my reasons why Americans don't travel as well is because we have scenic beauty here. On this trip I was thoroughly reminded
of that. There were plains, and mountains, snow and deserts. One of the coolest sites for me was driving through Monument Valley in southern Utah. I actually saw the location and rock formations and road that the picture on my travel card is from. That was cool. I tried to take a similar picture but it didn't really turn out as expected. Oh yes and it was snowing in Death Valley, strange and beautiful indeed. It really just serves to remind me that there is so much in this country and world to see and experience.
The trip was really more fun than I just summarized but I don't know what else to say. If you have never driven cross country, take some time and do it. You will be amazed.
Seattle
So what did I do in Seattle for two months. Good times, good times. Mostly I did school work. I realized after several weeks that I was 80-90%!l(MISSING)ikely to move to Portland instead of Seattle. So I just mooched off my sis for awhile longer and cranked out my coursework. I did earn my keep some by walking the dog around the lake on occasion.
Oh for those that don't know, I'm currently a full time student. I am enrolled at Western Governors University. It is an online program. I am working towards my teaching license. Going to teach high school math and science, maybe, hopefully, we will see. This time next year I should be a licensed teacher. I hope to find some short-term or temp work in the meantime.
One of the strangest things I did was go to a bluegrass festival. Now that doesn't sound all that strange in and of itself. The festival was in Tacoma.. still now really strange. In March, wow that is a cold time of year... oh, it is inside... now we are getting strange. I mean bluegrass is outside in the grass, but in March, inside is good. Well it was in the Marriott. It is not normal to be watching bluegrass being played in one of the conference rooms of a Marriott type hotel. I'm sure on Monday there was a Optometrists convention in that same room (I don't really know). The other strange part is well, we were talking and dancing and having fun.. as you do.
We got shushed and looked at
strange but the others in the room.
One of my last nights in Seattle we went on a donut tasting expedition. It turns out the Seattle has Krispy Kreme in stores. You know... “Fresh, Hot, NOW.” “Ummmm dooonuuts 😊 “ Anyway, after sushi we decided to try donuts for desert at all kinds of independent donut shops. Turns out Krispy Kreme was the best.
Why did I move to Portland from Seattle? I get this question a lot, especially since I didn't go down and visit Portland before moving there. Really, it isn't easy to just pick a place on a map that you want to live and go there. Really, think about it, is mind boggling the amount of things you have to factor into that decision. And to be honest I figured a short visit of driving around the town isn't going to tell you want to know. You really have to live there for several months/years what what. Anyway, Seattle is nice, there is/was no reason to leave, but I did. What I could figure: a) Portland has a lower cost of living, b) They pay teachers more c) Portland is smaller (I left ATL to get away from Traffic, Seattle is just as bad) d) I think there is more whitewater in Portland. So I packed up and moved to Beverly. Always sad to leave behind friends though and that was the downside to moving to Portland. I had/have a good group of people here in Seattle. Of course that is ATL as well and I left there. So there ya go.
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Little Sis
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Donuts
Krispy Kreme rocks, but you keep forgetting that you didn't go to any of the really good places like your sis advised.