Real talk.

Does anyone else get gassy when they work out?

.... no?

Okay forget I said anything.

Come on big money big money.

This past Saturday around 6:30 pm, Todd and I decided our day off kinda sucked so we decided to make the best of the remainder of the evening and took a little road trip out to Spirit Mountain Casino. Talk about the middle of nowhere!Its on an Indian reservation so theres really nothing around it for miles. I had never been to a casino before, but uponarrival it was pretty much what I had expected- lots of hillbilly people who probably shouldnt be gambling their money based on looking at them, lots of cigarette smoke, lots of noise, and lots of slot machines. But oh what fun we had! We had a set amount of money we were okay with spending and possibley not getting back, found our way to the non-smoking section, and off to the slot machines we went. We played for a few hours, wasted almost all of the money we had taken out, and then within 5 minutes of each other both won a substantial amount and won back almost all of the money we had spent. Content with our lucky streak, we called it a night. In all honesty it was probably one of the more exciting things we have done since we got here.

Speaking of being here... I dont think we plan on being in Portland for too long. While he loves his job, Todd isnt happy here. And we ALL know Im not happy here (haha)! Todd said if he would have visited out here first, he probably would never have moved. "I liked Virginia Beach better than I like it here" he once said. Daaaaaaaamn. Once he has the company where it needs to be, everything is running smoothly, and he feels as though he can once again work remotely, we plan to move back to the Big Apple. So its not a question of if anymore, just when. (Please let it be by the time our lease is up next August!)

So I got my flights booked home for December. Im going in a couple of weeks actually. 2 weeks from this coming Sunday. I wanted to use my Jet Blue credits before they expired (on December 1st), so I figured an early December flight home was the way to go. That way I can still see my family in the Christmas season, but not have to pay 600 dollars. I think with the credit I ended up paying 200 for the flight. Not bad at all. Im planning on spending 4 full days in Richmond, then taking the Chinatown bus up to spend a couple of days with my brother since I have no idea when I will get to see him again, and he couldnt make it down the week Im going to be home. As much as Id like it to be a longer trip and get to see all my NYC friends, I dont know what I will have time. Its kind of stressful to think about all of the family in different areas I have to squeeze in such a small amount of time, and I dont know that its going to be the most relaxing trip home, but I am so super excited to see everyone. Once I come back I plan to get a tree put up for Todd and I and look forward to my measly two days off of work (I KNOW, RIGHT) for Christmas to spend with my sweet man.

In other news, Ive gotten way too addicted to Big Love and look forward to watching an episode every night. At this rate I will definitely be done with all of the previous seasons in time for the new season to starts in January. My love for Dexter has basically completely diminished after this current season however. I dont even look forward to watching it anymore, although I do just to see what happens (or doesnt so it seems). Unless I get left with a huge cliff hanger at the end of this season, I probably wont watch it anymore. Sorry Dexter, youre real cute and all but I think its over between us.

And just so I end with a photo....

And I wonder, still I wonder....

The rainy season of Portland had started to fall upon us. Sunny days are coming fewer and further between. Its only a matter of time until we are house ridden. Summer weather here was amazing. I think it only rained once or twice that I can remember. 80 degrees, bright, sunny, and no humidity every single day. Thats how the weather is here though. Beautiful summers and grim winters. So which is worse- a subzero winter or a rainy winter? I guess Ill be able to make that call by spring. For now Ill assume both suck just as bad.

Todd and I saw Where the Wild Things are on Saturday. We loved it. Visually its a kids movie, but the emotions and situations are a little too deep for kids to understand, which made it appeal more for adults. I loved that there were no CGI effects used in creating the creatures so everything looked so tangible and real, and aesthetically made the movie look more believable. I loved the book as a kid and Im glad Spike Jonze and co. were able to it keep its magic as a movie.

One more day off and then back to work. Im already starting to look for a new job because unfortunately 4 weeks into this one, and Im beginning to notice control-freak-micro-management Ive dealt with at previous jobs that I refuse to put up with again. Not going to make the same mistakes as before and deal with it forever- proactivity is my new middle name.

Drinking coffee and staying inside on the rest of this drizzly day. Organic beef stew simmering, ready for Todd when he gets home from work. Time to go hang out with Biscuit.

True love.

Well well well.

Months have gone by and so much has changed. Im on the opposite coast. Away from all of my family, all of my friends, away from all things familiar. In a few weeks it will mark 4 months since Todd and I arrived here in Portland.

Leaving New York felt great at first. The last few months there were filled with one slap in the face after another. Its something that had to happen. We simply couldnt afford to live there anymore and we were so ready for something different.

Now, nearly 4 months later, Im having deep feelings of regret. The whole time I lived there, I loved to hate on it. I kick myself for the fact that I didnt let myself enjoy it more, and utilize the city for all that its worth. Maybe it took me coming to a less exciting city to wake up and realize what I had was great, or maybe I knew it all along but I was too bullheaded to realize it. Portland is a great city, dont get me wrong. Its beautiful, its clean, the people here are the friendliest people Ive ever met. But what it lacks, is everything that made me most happy in New York. Music, culture, art, fashion, friends, closeness to family. Living here has made me feel so utterly disconnected from these things.

Had I come here directly from Richmond, maybe it would feel a little more exciting to me. But trying to order a pizza (which by the way is the only food in the whole city that delivers) at 8:05, and being told that they stop delivering at 8 is just ridiculous. True story, by the way. I miss the feeling of a city being alive at all hours of the night- walking out my door at 11 pm to walk Biscuit around the block, and hearing more than a train humming off in the distance.

I am thankful though, that being here has allowed me to get back in touch with nature. Todd and I have had a nice time exploring the gorgeous undeveloped areas in Oregon, and Im pretty positive Biscuit has enjoyed that as well. We have gone to the coast a couple of times (which is way prettier than the beaches on the East Coast), explored some streams in the mountains, driven up to Mount St Helens and Mount Hood, visited the numerous waterfalls in the area, enjoyed the scenic drive through the Columbia River Gorge...

From here on out I am going to try to think more positive. Maybe I can try to look at this as a very long vacation. I dont think its forever. I should just try to enjoy what Portland does have to offer. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, enjoy Stumptown coffee, enjoy our ridiculously nice apartment, because one day who knows, we may just decide return to that city Ive been holding so close to my heart- NY.

Where did the time go!?

My birthday was nice this year. I worked all day on my actual birthday, so I celebrated it the following weekend by hanging out with Todd and my brother and later going out for some dinner. Before we at, we chilled at Clarkes, where he made us some bro-made cappucinos and snacked on some pre-dinner birthday cake. Can I say that it was the best birthday cake I think I have ever had. Chocolate almond buttercream icing on vanilla cake. Holy moly, besides the little pieces Todd and Clarke had, I scarfed the entire thing little by little over the course of 3 days. Yes, I have a terrible, terrible sweet tooth. After hanging and listening to music, we strolled to Lucali's, which was a pleaser as always. For those who dont know, Lucali's has the best pizza in New York in my opinion. Not only is the pizza absolutely jizzworthy, but the atmosphere is lovely (not your average pizza place by any means)- dark, candlelit, intimate, and bring your own wine! Of course Clarke used his wine expertise and brought a couple of bottles that perfectly paired with dinner. We had a great time, and I am so thankful for having such amazing people to spend my birthday with.






I didnt get any photos from dinner, because my camera takes really horrible pictures in super dim lighting. Boooo...

- - - - -

Anyway, Todd and I got super weak on Biscuit the other night, because we looked under our bed and saw this poking out... "They'll never find me here!!!"



Yes, our dog is ridiculous.

One more day of work before I leave to go on my trip! Time for much needed sunlight and warm weather.

Yawn.

I cant believe that in 2 weeks Im going to be gearing up to leave for the Bahamas. The thought of having to put a swimsuit on is making me terrified. Last time I wore one was a few years ago when I was still an avid bike rider and in really good shape. Looks like Im going to be spending my vacation in a wetsuit if something doesnt change!

Nothing really to update on. This past weekend Kurt and Heidi had us over for dinner. Heidi made delicious creamy cauliflower and potato soup (vegan to boot!), and yummy polenta with mushrooms and spinach. I really wish I enjoyed cooking but I just dont, especially because the thought of cooking after being at work for 10 hours isnt very appealing.

Speaking of work, my schedule has been really great lately. I work Wednesday through Saturday for 10 hours each day, then have 3 days off in a row. Granted I am thoroughly exhausted by the time Saturday night rolls around, but busting my ass for a few extra hours each day in order to have an extra day off is worth it to me. I know the schedule isnt permanent, but for now its pretty sweet.

So the other day I overheard something that kind of irked me while picking up some groceries in Union Market. (For those that dont know, Union Market is a really small grocery store chain based only in Brooklyn that sells organic and all natural foods, free range meats, etc.). A woman was dragging her kid all around the store, and then stormed her way to the exit loudly mumbling "I dont like stores like this, you cant find anything normal!". Normal? What did she mean by normal? Just because the store sells only foods that contain no weird fillers, no preservatives, no weird hormones in the meats etc, certainly doesnt mean the food is not "normal". If anything, its the most normal food you can get being that its all natural. It just bugged me because I know a lot people dont want to stray away from the trusted brands you can find in any grocery store, but if people would just be open minded to trying these foods out, they would realize that they not only taste just as good, but benefit your health in the long run.

Tomorrow is my birthday. Im celebrating it by working. Ha. At least my boss is letting me leave a few hours early though.

Took the words out of my mouth!

Dont forget the weather, too...




But on a lighter note, I must say, I was absolutely delighted when I looked to my left on the couch the other night and saw Rick James had taken a seat beside me!...



Todd and I spent the two days prior to todays snowstorm walking around outside because the weather was actually really nice for February. We aimlessly walked around in the city on Sunday, mostly in search of the movie 'Control'. We shockingly struck out everywhere we went, however we later found it at the mom and pop video store near our house, so the mission was accomplished. Loved the flick by the way, made me want to listen to Unknown Pleasures (on dark red vinyl!) as soon as it was over. Monday was spent walking around Williamsburg and drooling at modern furniture in unique little shops, flipping through records at Academy, and eating a cheap late lunch at San Loco. Good days off.

The weatherman said that this weekend is going to be in the 50's!!! Consider me (and Biscuits chilly little feet) amped.

Its official...

This is the time of year where I start hating New York weather. I dont so much mind the snow as Ive always been a fan, but when the high of the day is in the teens I have a real problem. And to make matters worse when its really cold, its usually really windy. Crappy conditions on their own, but worse when combined. Its okay though, because Im fine with being in hibernation mode. I do miss going on walks with Todd and Biscuit in the park and going into the city to aimlessly walk around, but I suppose those days arent too too far off. Besides, I cant complain too much- I get to escape to the Bahamas for a week in a little over a month. Dad and Kathys wedding celebration with the kids is fast approaching, and soon I will be chillin on a private rented boat (which will be our living quarters for the week!) that will charter us to different islands where I get to snorkel, hike, and swim in crystal clear waters. Yes, thats me bragging. The only thing that would make the trip better was if Todd was going. Major bummer because when I experience fun and interesting things, I like Todd to be with me to experience them as well.


So after painting our living room 3 times, we finally have the perfect colored wall. First we painted the walls a green color, which immediately made us feel stressed out and sick to look at. Then we painted them a tan color, which ended up looking horrible and midwestern and had us hating it so much that we went back to the paint store (and repainted) in the same day. We decided to just paint an accent wall with a chocolately brown that we had in the basement (and know we love), and paint the other wall back to its original cream color. All the money spent on paint, and we ended up using a color we already had. OF COURSE. Looks super nice though, I feel like with every little thing we do with our place it becomes more and more comfortable which explains I love spending so much time at home.

Inauguration is tomorrow. Out with the old and idiotic, in with the new and refreshing. Its about time.

Im real far behind.

My week spent back home was lovely. I could get all sentimental and bummy about how much I miss my family and miss sitting on my moms deck with a hot cup of coffee in her beautiful 33 acres of woods with delicious fresh air, but Im going to keep this post positive and just simply say that I had a wonderful visit. Not a single day was spent sitting on my ass, as I had people from 4 different families to visit (mine and Todds), and a couple of friends who really wanted to see me. I even managed to squeeze in a dental appointment to repair a chipped front tooth, and I must say, the repaired tooth looks even better than it did before the chip.

Last night was New Years. We spent it having a delicious italian dinner with Kurt and Heidi at Cannonau, and later relaxing at their apartment. Walking to the train on the way home made me realize how much I dont like New Years. Or maybe it made me realize how much I loathe wasted people. The streets were littered with obnoxious douchebags, very unclassy ladies stumbling around in their mini skirts in 18 degree weather with 0 degree windchills, vomiting... I could go on. I recall 2 different instances of shitfaced girls in the middle of the street getting mad at a car driving by and yelling profanities and punching on their windows. I secretly hoped they would trip and fall. The thought of how many people woke us this morning in bed with someone they dont know, or woke up with their face in the toilet with crusty throw up mouth reminds me of why Ive never really liked drinking.

Lazy day today. I changed out of my pajamas for about 30 minutes, just long enough to go pick up some groceries. Todd and I finally watched The Dark Knight tonight and I must say, I did rather enjoy it.