And now finally, all about PDX

I know it's now been a week since my Portland, Oregon adventure but it was a really long, distracting, wearying week and I will put it off no longer!

I think I had all these big ideas of how it would go, but in the end it was just a brief but effective trip.

I was really worried about getting on the flight I wanted but did. Then we found each other easily enough at the airport. The trip into the city was short and then there we were. I was able to check into my room-at-the-Marriott-paid-for-with-skymiles!!! and get my room right away.

I was in a bit of a daze and tired but determined to "go with the flow" and see where the day took me, took us.

It was raining but armed with an umbrella from the hotel, we walked through parts of downtown from the hotel to their apartment and that about killed me physically (but by god I did it!) Thankfully we made a couple of stops along the way, the first being a stop at the famous Powell's Bookstore (The largest bookstore in the world) where I got myself a little "souvenir", in the form of a new leather bound journal which I'll use during my travels around the globe (much easier to travel with than a laptop). We didn't spend a lot of time there because we were on a mission to make our way to their place to get the pictures taken for the mini-portrait.

(I'll have to be sure to go back and really experience that city for more than a day. Really spend some time there. The vibe there really is relaxed and Jenn had mentioned that it was a really laid back, casual kind of place. I can dig that.)

Then the other stop, for me to get some coffee (I do love me some Iced Mocha's this time of year!) at a place called the daily cafe and a bit more conversation about what the plan was...to take the photos and then go hang at one of their favorite hangout's...a place called Yur's.

They have a really cute apartment and I love her dog Riley. He was a cuddler once he got used to me. I felt a little disloyal to the current cuddly dog in my life but I've got enough love for both.

We talked a bit more and then finally it was time to take pictures. I had changed my mind about wearing something special so just had her take pics of me in a tank top and leggings. She sent me one of the ones that she found "delightful"... we're gonna stick with a mini-portrait of my body shape...

Then when the rain stopped we walked over to this great little neighborhood bar called Yurs. We had some drinks and I had the best burger EVER. It was the "Grinder Burger – Bacon, Ham, cheddar and a fried egg." I will fly my big beautiful ass in a too small of an airplane seat, in the back of the plane, with 5 crying infants again to have this burger again. Yup. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water.

After being stuffed on good food, it was a nice quick little ride on a streetcar back downtown and back to the hotel.

I guess I could have mustered up some energy to do something else, hit up another bar or something (I had a little money left thanks to the $20 B gave me the night before AND that they bought my drinks...) but honestly I was exhausted. So I just took a shower and just enjoyed some channel surfing from a very very comfortable bed. The next morning I just ate breakfast at the hotel (nothing special sad to say) and then it was back to the airport for me.

So in and out in 24 hours. Jenn gave me another really cool thing to remember the trip by...as we were getting closer to their apartment, the day before, she pointed out that rosemary grows wild everywhere and I mentioned my recent renewed interest in it having recently made a chicken salad using that and some tarragon, so when I got in the cab for my trip back to the airport, she had some tied up in string in a plastic bag for me. I was absolutely floored and touched that she did that. It's currently hanging up here in my room and it's probably dry now. I'd like to make sachets out of it or something.

I'm glad I went even if it was just a quick trip and left me exhausted. (Yes, that is enough to make me want to get in better shape physically ...) I think I had huge expectations and none at the same time. I guess I should try to explain what I mean by that but it's almost 2am. So maybe I'll just leave the full explanation out like I usually do. :P

She's going to draw some sketches up and email them to me and we'll see how this is gonna go.

I enjoyed getting to know her a bit better and am glad I decided to do this.

☯☯☮☮

So now it's the weekend and while it started off bumpy (no wireless connection!!!!) earlier today, so far, so so. I've got laundry starting me in the face and a full evening tomorrow...another dr. appt. to deal with some other issues that have come up (no need to share the details, suffice it to say just a couple of things that I will choose NOT to live with for a change) and then supposedly meeting up w/B. He's been out of town again himself the past week and when he gets back there are usually fires to put out...

I'm excited because finally the Sex and the City 2 movie is finally out tomorrow...I'll have to put the word out with my friends and see who wants to go see it with me.

OK, well, I am too tired to continue this post so I'll just close it here. I'm sure I'll have more to say another day.

So ciao for now.