16 posts tagged “pdx”

3 years ago today* I arrived for the first time ever in Portland, Oregon.

I still remember that day sooo well.  Fuck I was scared.

Chris and I got off the train, got a cab to take us to our apartment.  What a shit-hole that was.  Though I didn't realize it until right before we moved out.  Then we showered and headed out to explore the city.  I remember bits of that, what I remember the most was when we got to Pioneer Square.  It was during rush hour and the sidewalks for the max were crammed with people.  I remember thinking I would never be able to function here alone.  Now, three years later, it's become my home of choice.  I didn't have to come back to Portland, I WANTED to come back here.  I've met a great boy whom though I thought things would never pass the point of fuck buddy/pseudo boyfriend, they have and I couldn't be happier.

There are some aspects of my life that I would like to change but over all I'm really happy with the way things are and I kind of feel like I owe Chris a "Thank You" for it.  Without him I don't think I would have ever left Maine.  If he and I never started dating I seriously think I'd still be in Maine, probably barefoot, pregnant and miserable beyond belief. 
I never would have gone to Hawaii, I never would have seen Portland, I never would have driven cross country (alone).  I never would have met the Terrorist, I never would have developed the improved (not yet perfect but definitely improved) sense of self that I have.  It's kind of crazy how one thing can, with enough time, totally effect your whole life.

I miss Chris.  I've been thinking about him a lot lately, not really sure why, but he's been on my mind.  It could be because this whole Portland-versary thing has been coming up, or it just could be because I haven't talked to him (REALLY talked to him) in months.  I'm not really sure what's going on in his life but I know things have been better (at least that's what I gathered the last time we chatted) so I can understand if he's not wanting to talk to people.  But that doesn't mean I don't miss him. 

I don't really know where I'm going with this.  I'm just rambling stuff that's been swimming around my head for the past few days.  Hopefully now it's out it'll stop swimming around my brain. 

* I think it was on the 3rd but I cant really remember... I know it was right around the 3rd.

What's your definition of home?
Submitted by NayNay72

I've developed an amazing ability to make myself at home where ever I am.  (Ask anyone I may have stayed with over the past year or two.)  I blame it on the semipermanent state of couch surfing I was in for about a year to a year and a half. 

Having said that, I am a strong believer that home is where the heart is.  Home is the place where you want to go when everything is all fucked up.  It's where you feel safe. 

It seems like more and more everyday my home is becoming Oregon. 

I love it here.

It kind of cracks me up how my blog went from being filled with stories of my sexcapades to being filled with stories of what I did with the kid.

I'm okay with it, though.

Especially since Little T is going over to Grandpa T's house on Friday night and Big T and I are going to catch up on the sex we haven't been having. 
Yay!

My head hurts.  I woke up with a mild headache and though it hasn't gotten worse, it hasn't gotten any better either. 

Today, is a nice day.  We're gonna go to the library today and maybe the park.  Maybe a picnic in the park, nah, that sounds a bit over ambitious.  Oooh, and I need to go deposit my check and check my po box.  A friend of mine from back home was supposed to send me a heating pad that her mom made me (she made me one years ago but I lost it last summer) and I just got an email from her saying she sent it about 3 weeks ago.  I hope, I hope, I hope it's here!!

Okay, time to stop being a lazy ass and hop to it.

Ps.  I talked to my mom the other day and apparently her and the aunts (at least 2 of the aunts maybe all 3) are going to come out here next summer.  Plus I talked to Nathan and apparently he and the clan (Kathrine and Byron) are all planning on coming out here (moving out) next fall-ish.  I guess the plan is that they're going to get a place in Portland and stay for the lease then at the end of it they'll be moving out here.  (That's what the plan is, I'll believe it when I see it.)
Speaking of moving... the Terrorist kind of threw me a curve ball last night.  Mentioned something about living together.  It was only a mild surprise because last week when Nate was here he mentioned something about having "dibs" if Lesley moved out (I was joking that she'd be moving in with the boy I haven't given a nickname to yet.)  Which as he said.. It would make life a lot easier.  I would see him a whole hell of a lot more and I'd get the morning cuddle time that I now miss, plus I wouldn't have to get up at the ass-crack of dawn to shower and get up here by 8am* and though I'm not completely opposed to the idea I don't think convenience is a good reason to move in with someone.   

* Ass-crack of dawn being 7-730a and "up here" being 5 blocks from my house... but still.  :-)  

Vacation is over. 
Nate is sitting over in the C concourse waiting for his boarding time. 
I'm sitting here at Coffee People waiting for the Terrorist to get out of work... or for me to get bored, whichever comes first.
It's different with Nate leaving.  Generally I'm the one to leave and though I am sad that I'm leaving my friends/family I'm also excited to leave Maine/go where ever it is that I'm going that I don't really get all that sad.  That's not the case today. 
Today it's just fucking sad.

We went shopping today which was fun. 
Got a pretty new dress.  Yay!
Even got a compliment from my coworker when I swung by here to get a drink.  (And use the free wifi.)

Just got a call from the Terrorist.  He's going to be here a lot sooner than planned so I'm going to end this.

If I don't procrastinate to much then pictures of the vacation will be up at some point.

Here are a few things that I learned while Nathan was here on vacation.  (He's still here... leaving tomorrow unless I can convince him to miss his flight.)

• Working while your best friend is in town is just stupid.  Even if it is only one night.  You will hate it with every fiber of your being.
• Taco night is a great thing no matter what coast you're on but when with new people its best to get a variety of bean types.
• Monopalova is yummy.  Especially with Sprite and Sunny D.
• It is not a good idea to go to Multnomah Falls the day after (somewhat) intensive drinking.  Because Nathan will suggest going to the top and neither of you will be wearing the proper foot gear or be hydrated enough.  It WILL suck and it's not even really worth it.  (It's even worse if it's the first day of your period.)
• The Mount Hood Loop is kind of really fucking boring.
• What the fuck is a snow park?  (And why are the majority of the Snow Parks spelt "Sno Park"?)
• As much as going to a clothing optional beach sounds like a great super way to rid yourself of tan lines, it's best to not do it when seriously intensive cramps are present.  And if going with someone who burns even in the shade, it's best to bring at least two sheets to lay on or someones going to be not satisfied with the logistics.

I think that's it for now.  I need to go take a shower and get ready to go to the coast.   

Today we had planned to go downtown, wander around, see downtown stuff, eat at Maya's and other stuff.
It didn't happened.  It was hot today and I was tired and uninspired and tired of being admired.  (I'm kind of drunk on tiredness... or something)

Instead we went to the Rose Garden and the Japanese Gardens. (Maya's too)

The Rose garden sucks.  I don't get its appeal.  Yeah it's cool there are so many freakin' roses in one spot but it just kind of makes me wanna sneeze.

The Japanese Gardens are AWESOME.

Many photo's were taken some of which will be uploaded at a later point...
... instead I leave you with our three videos...

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This is the first one... there's a bird.  I say something at the end that we can't really figure out what it is. 
Very exciting.

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This is the second one.  I don't really remember what it's about.

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This is the final one.  It looks like we're laying down, but we're not.  Really, I swear!  I forget that I can't hold the camera on the side because I'm not slick enough with the computer stuff to turn it like I can pictures.  Oh well, tilt your head to the left before you watch it.






That's all for now.  More to come later. 

I should be sleeping.  But instead I'm going to fill out a questionnaire thingy I stole from gunderson bee.  Then maybe I'll nap.  Or maybe not.

1) What were you doing ten years ago?
Just got done my Junior year of high-school.  I can't remember if I worked for Hershey's Ice Cream that summer or not.  Either way I was probably dicking around with friends, staying up waaaaaaaay to late and generally doing teen-aged things. 

2) Five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today
Maybe get in a quick nap at some point, pluck my eyebrows, do dishes, put laundry away, lay out in the sun. 

3) Snacks I enjoy
Cherries, Ice cream, French Baguette and Jam, chocolate and other stuff.

 
4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire
Pay my mom everything I owe her, plus find someone to take care of her house so she doesn't have to deal with it anymore and find her either a MUCH smaller house or apartment to move into when she's ready.  Move Nathan to Oregon.  Pay off my sisters debt and get her the fuck out of the trailer park,  Do something (not sure what) for my dad,  Give the Terrorist school money, Go to Disney World with Nathan.  Take a bunch of random spontaneous vacations.  Quit being a Coffee Wench.  Possibly open a Cafe/Bar/Restaurant if not that look into some type of business ownership,  buy a real bed, give the TSA lady who's always so sweet to us some money because she's a sweetheart and said she'd remember us if she ever wins the lottery and I really think she would. 

5) Places I have lived
Whitefield, Maine
Chelsea, Maine
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Portland, Maine
Westbrook, Maine
Portland, Oregon
Piney Point, Maryland
M/S Pride of Aloha, Waters off the coast of Hawaii

6) Jobs I have had
Bagger
Cashier
Ice Cream Order Taker
CSR (for Various Companys)
Retail Slave
Server
Bartender
Coffee Wench
General Wage Slave

7) Peeps I want to know more about
Everyone! 

I love Jill Scott. 
I want her to be my friend.

Today, well actually, the past 3 days have been completely useless.  I did nothing on Friday because I was lazy and hating my life so instead of being productive and doing job finding things I got pho with Les, took a cat nap in my closet then went and hung out with the Terrorist.  He introduced me to NightTrain.

NightTrain is the devil.  It's this “wine” which will... well, to put it simply... Fuck you up.  Guns 'n Roses did a song about it.  You can read up on it at www.bumwines.com.  It was... an experience.  And it tastes like slightly watered down turpentine (with a dash of fruit punch for coloring.)  Aside from being my first NightTrain experience it was also my first drunken sex experience (surprisingly) and well... it was pretty great. 

The problem with NightTrain, (one of the many) is the fact that it gives you a helluva delayed hangover.  Meaning, you wake up feeling great, maybe a slight headache then three hours later... you WANT TO DIE!!  (At least that's the experience I had with it, but apparently it's because I didn't hydrate properly)  Live and learn I guess.

Hung out with Chris a bit.  Actually just got off the phone with him.  Found out that “the ex” is now “the girlfriend” again.  I'm trying not to be judgmental... but I can't help it.  She kind of fucked over my friend, and, well, I'm fiercely loyal to my friends.  Oh well, no one said I have to be her friend, but then again knowing Chris I probably wont see much of him without her.  I could be wrong though.  Things change, people change.  I'm helping him move tomorrow (he got evicted because of the girlfriend, which is part of the reason why I'm not her number one fan).  Not really sure where to yet.  Could be a new place, could be my living room, we find out tomorrow.

My soul feels like it's dying.  Everything about me hurts right now.  My back is killing me, my throat is killing me, my neck is sore, I have swollen and painful glands.  I think I am actually dying, my hair even fucking hurts.  I woke up with a sore throat yesterday.  It progressed to basically near death.  I was immobilized on the couch for 4 or so hours.  With chills and all that shit.  Then I finally had the energy to crawl into bed where I stayed for another hour or two then my fever finally broke so I showered and went back to bed.  Woke up to a text response from the Terrorist at 4.20a (awesome), got up, unlocked the door, went back to bed.  Watched a movie with him (I watched, he slept) until 7.30a or so.  Then I slept for two hours and was up again.  Why am I not tired right now?  Seriously.

Lesley got a new bed!  Yay!  She went and got it early this morning.  The Terrorist and I helped her carry it in this morning (and by helped I mean we did it... [I love you Lesley!])  Then we set it up in the living room and all laid on it.  It was fabulous!!!  Then we went to Ikea and got bed accessories, came home, made the bed then laid in it.  For 2 hours.  Yes 2 hours.  We did nothing but lay in bed and talk (and tell ghost stories.. to prove to Lesley that my eyes water so much it looks like I'm crying when I talk about ghosts)  I knew I was good at killing time with useless shit.  I've always known this.  But even that surprised (and kind of impressed) me.

She's out with the boy I haven't given a nickname to yet.  They're getting food.  Having a non-alcohol related experience.  Which is good.  But he's fucking crazy if he thinks he gets to sleep in that bed tonight.  I carried that fucker in.  I'm sleeping in it!  That thing is fucking comfortable!!!   Lesley can stay at the boy I haven't given a nickname to yet's house, I'll call the Terrorist and he can come crash out with me on the comfy bed. 

Yes, I know I'm insane. 

I'm going to have to get a real bed.  I love hers to much.  It's high and off the ground and not a twin bed and not made of metal and big and cozy.  I need an adult bed.  I'm almost 30.  I think it's time.  It's such a commitment though. 

Again; yes, I know I'm insane.

I watched Knocked Up tonight.  Hilarious movie.  Made me kinda sad though.  Well, it made my biological clock sad.  It makes me want babies and husbands and stuff.  Everyone looked so fucking happy at the end.  Granted, I know its supposed to be like that because that's Hollywood's job, to make everything end all rosy and cheery.  They do a good job... bastards. 

My throat is so fucking swollen.  It hurts to swallow.  Anything.  Water, even.  Ugh.  I think I'm gonna go pull the Tv into Lesley's room and watch a movie. 

That sounds good.

Or maybe I'll just pass the fuck out.

That sounds good too.

------------------EDIT--------------

It's 1.30p on the 27th of march.  I'm at the library posting this shit I wrote the otherday.  EVERYONE is flocking to the windows.  Why?  Because it's fucking snowing!!  Fuck. 

2 things. 

1.  It's just fucking snow people!!! Jesus!

2.  WHAT THE FUCK?!?!  Why is it snowing in PDX when it's almost April?!?!

I've been here for 6 days.

I'm finally getting into the PDX groove again and I don't feel quite so much like a stranger in a strange land.  Having a car makes things very different.  As does living on the East side.  I like the east side though.

Haven't found an apartment yet.  I've got two viewings set up for tomorrow.  And I've called the OG but I can't seem to call when the General Manager is available.  Tomorrow.  The viewing's are early so I'll call in-between them.  And I'll also try my best to stop whining like a little bitch every-time I mention the place.  (Key word... TRY... I really hate that place!!)

I finally hung out with the Terrorist. 

It went well.  Better than I thought it would actually.  After chatting with someone for that long there are a lot of expectations and nerves and other icky stuff built up.  And in the past when that sort of thing has happened to me it always turns out bad.  This time... it didn't. 

He cooked.  (Awesome)  Found a wine that I actually liked.  (Even better) ... even though I'm pretty sure the persistent headache I had this morning might have had something to do with said bottle of wine.  We watched a movie and chilled, made out in the kitchen, which is always hot.  First time I've slept (naked) with someone in a LONG TIME.  Which was nice.  So yeah... I'm very happy with how things turned out.

I was all excited about getting books about Cocker Spaniels but I found out that I have a $32 fine on my library card.  That sucks!  A lot.  I think I'm gonna ask Chris if I can use his account.  (... ya mind?  ;-)

Okay I think I'm going to go look at job postings.  And maybe if I'm feeling motivated enough I'll update my resume.

Okay... so I don't at all but Ps.I love you was taken and....  And I don't know.