Are You An Island Jerk?

Green. Ecotopian. Progressive. Liberal.  The left coast. Tree Huggers. Laid back. Educated. Hipster. organic cuisine, Bohemian street life, cutting-edge cafes. Wacky public art, indy music, ubiquitous left-leaning bumper stickers, streetcars, light rail, and neolithic house prices. Screaming "sustainability!!!" from its green rooftops. population influx. Anything goes. Naked cycling races.  Medical Marijuana.  Bicycle city. Insular. Proud. Rude.  Too many homeless.  Meth Problem. Best public transit system in the country.  Beautiful.  Terrible grey skies.  Lovely mild weather. Hypersensitive to criticism. Proud.  Etc. etc. etc

The above words and phrases are used to describe the west coast, and Portland in particular verbally, in print, on the internet, and every which way in-between.  I’ve been here a year and 9 months.  I find most labels to be true about this city.  Except for Meth problem (maybe it’s the people I choose to hang around with that I don’t see this….duh) and Rude.  After living in New York (upstate), Michigan and New Mexico, my humble  opinion is THIS PLACE IS PRETTY DAMN WONDERFUL.  I have a couple gripes – no place is perfect.  So let’s get those out of the way.

The grey skies in winter – yes THEY SUCK.  Maybe I wouldn’t notice so much if I hadn’t spent some time in the land of sunshine (Albuquerque) prior to moving here; lord knows upstate NY has its share of grey skies in the winter.  I don’t really dig on the low cloud cover and 3 days  in a row without more than 10 minutes of sunshine in the winter.  And the drizzle (contrary to popular belief, the major precipitation here is drizzle; we rarely get a downpour of RAIN) gets annoying.  But I ask you, would you rather shovel through mountains of snow everyday to get your car out of the driveway and freeze your ass off in 5 degree weather during the winter underneath the occasional sunny day, or invest in some hooded, waterproof windbreakers and an umbrella for the winter under the grey sky??????.  My ice scraper has been in my trunk since I arrived here in 2006.  and guess what – precipitation = GREEN trees, lawns, mountains, trees, ALL YEAR LONG.  Okay, so I hate the grey skies, but obviously I can deal with it or I wouldn’t find the positive……

The cost of living – yes its high.  At least compared to where I’ve lived.  Of course it’s nowhere near NYC, South Florida, Hawaii, or most cities in Cali (if Cali cost what Portland cost, I’d LIVE THERE).  I make a pretty good living – twice as much as I made back east, and I’m not working myself to death everyday like I was back there.  But I’m still finding the prospect of buying a decent house with a little land out of my reach.  Groceries, gas, all more expensive. 

However, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.  No wonder it costs a pretty penny.  This place is damn unique with a lot to offer.

What is it about PDX that makes almost everyone on the street you make eye contact with smile at you and say hi? Are they all that happy?  It took me a good year to get used to this, and I must admit I’m still suspicious when this happens to me – I immediately think "what do they want from me" (yup, I told you I’m from NY).  But they don’t want anything!!!! They are truly that polite and/or content.  What is it about PDX that makes the drivers here so damn polite? I can merge into traffic, no one honks at you when you are at a red light and it turns green….and I don’t have to be scared of getting run over when I cross at a crosswalk (or jaywalk – they stop for you!!!)  Is this place really that respectful of others, the environment, or is it all BULLSHIT???  I think of myself as someone who can see through someone’s or something’s bullshit, even if it takes me a while.  And let me tell you, it’s been a while.  And I don’t believe its all bullshit.  Some of it is.  Some people are.  But not most.  Not here.  

Me being the restless soul that I am, I’ve been considering yet another relocation.  However, every time someone smiles at me on the street when I’m running (or walking, or standing, or sitting), every time I hear about all the live music acts going on each weekend, every time I go snowboarding at Mt. Hood, every time I drive to the coast, every time I get on the MAX and someone moves over so I can sit down, every time I walk downtown near the river, up in the NW hills, in the Pearl, on Hawthorne and see how CLEAN the city is, how vibrant and full of life the streets are, how cool all the bridges look spanning the Willamette, every time I look at my paycheck, every time I go into a coffee shop and see that dogs are sleeping under the tables where their owner is sitting (this place is so damn animal friendly!!!! ), every time I see Mt. Hood gleaming in the sunshine watching over the city as I drive east in the morning – I wonder why I’m considering moving again.  I quite possibly will move on again, because it seems I can never sit still for too long.  But this place, and the west coast in general, is as close to perfect for this girl as it can get (in this country at least.)

12:11 PM - 2 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Portland Marathon - Run Guava Run!!!!

I ran my first race since high school - no, I didn't do the whole marathon, I did the 5-miler, and placed 7 out of 574 in my division. Not too shabby.

Though I frequently run five miles (and more) a couple times a week - i wanted to race.  And I'm damn proud of myself.  Wasn't much of a challenge though - but it was a rush.

My challenge is coming in April for the half-marathon - then perhaps on to San Diego for the full 26.2 miles!!!! 

..> ..> ..>..>

WOMEN - F 30-34

..> ..> ..>..>

1

Trina Marmarelli

Portland OR

33

37:36

OAll:  66

7:32

..> ..> ..>..>

2

Jen Radovich

Tualatin OR

30

37:47

OAll:  73

7:34

..> ..> ..>..>

3

Noelle Welk

Tigard OR

34

38:09

OAll:  81

7:38

..> ..> ..>..>

4

Norah Verbout

Vancouver WA

30

41:53

OAll:  155

8:23

..> ..> ..>..>

5

Cheryl Chapman

Veneta OR

34

42:11

OAll:  164

8:27

..> ..> ..>..>

6

Kay Koestler

Portland OR

34

42:32

OAll:  171

8:31

..> ..> ..>..>

7

Rebecca Tuccio

Beaverton OR

32

42:34

OAll:  174

8:31

..> ..> ..>..>

8

Lisa Noland

Spokane WA

33

43:44

OAll:  202

8:45

..> ..> ..>..>

9

Julie Gongliewski

Edmonds WA

32

45:11

OAll:  241

9:03

..> ..> ..>..>

10

Tonya Roe

Portland OR

34

45:13

OAll:  243

9:03

12:33 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Breezing Up.
Current mood: curious

I'm so full.  My head is the Tilt a Whirl. The time to push the STOP button, step on the ground and move towards what I want is long overdue.  If all I'm doing is moving away from things I don't want, I'm actually not going anywhere.  I'm sitting. On it. All.

 The truth is I'm still young.

I want to be the girl that
changed everything.
The girl that made a mark,
the girl that gave you stories to tell.

I bet you didn`t know that I`m terrified of the dark. I bet you don`t know that I hate thunderstorms, but love dancing in the rain. or how much I laugh with my friends and at myself & how much I truly enjoy being happy.  I bet you don't know how excited I get about a new idea. How frightened I am of making the wrong decision.  And how sometimes I can't make one at all. 

I bet you would never imagine how nasty I am when I first wake up in the morning. But how a silly pet antic, a joke at my expense or the sunshine gleaming through my window fizzles it into the abyss.

I bet you didn't know how selfish I can be at times when I really believe in something.  How truly giving of myself I am to all the people in my life.  Even when most of them don't deserve it.

There will always be people be people in my life that just make my day no matter the miles. i know all about distance ; i`ve been fighting it all my life

When you stop fighting, you stop living.  

People would kill to have what I have. 

1:47 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Forever Galavanting

Three moves in four years. (Never mind the past ten years of my life-I don't even want to go there, I can't remember them all) Two across the country.  Rochester, NY to Albuquerque, NM, circa October 2004.  Hired Movers. Phew. Long trip in a small car with two other brave souls and three drugged up kitties.  Our "can't live without them" possessions arrived a week later; we did very well without them, thank you. The land of enchantment with gorgeous sunshine, miles of sky…then, well, you all know why I left.  Not my thing.  No Water!!!!!!!! No Green!!!! No ocean!!!! Amongst some other things. However, I don't regret my experience of life in the southwest! Another quintessential seasoning of adventure added to my carafe.

Albuquerque, NM to Portland, OR circa July, 2006.  One BIG 26 foot BITCH of a truck, diesel fuel and airbrakes.  Little 5 ft girl behind the wheel, her trusty Bunchkin kitty on the seat next to her. (Daisy drove on the hills in the dark in Idaho; I braved the city traffic) Two brave souls in separate cars in front of me.  One brave soul falls asleep at the wheel 5am, Bum-F*ck Idaho; goes off the road.  Detour to Boise.  Fix the tires.  Time to sleep? 30 hours on the road, 10+ Starbucks double shots, almost damaged Gregors & Ramona – yes I THINK SO!

Arrival in the emerald city (we should get this title, not Seattle!!).  The BEAUTY.  THE MOUNTAINS. THE OCEAN.  The downtown!!!!

Circa, this weekend, 3 miles up the road.  A lot less stress.   A lot less newness.  (I'm staying in the same city, can anyone believe it???!!!)Loft style fab.  Waterfalls and fountains outside my window.  Easier to chuck some furniture and buy new stuff.  The burdens of material crap.

I'm now quite an expert packer, driver and hauler of essential household goods (who says they are essential anyway – give me a backpack and an island any day).  I can advertise on Craigslist as a professional mover – Charge: One surfboard, surfing apparel, and one ticket to an island of my choice. 

Or just some drinks and sushi.
 

Next move – my very own house.  Where?  One can only guess when it comes to me and my wanderlust!!!!!

12:54 PM - 4 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Go where you will Go.
Current mood: indescribable

12:39 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Gravel
Current mood: thirsty
Category: News and Politics

Another year
enhanced fear
the tips of colorless glint
Lips
Gouged wounds
Shorn scabs
Salt is only a myth
The mounts ahead
Bled
Its all the rage
doesn't cost a dime
But its mine
And I saw those on the lane
insane
We change
Spatter the paint
My seams are snapping
Whos strapping?
Straggling light
Don't tell me the flaggers are ahead
you are not dead.
Thread once and forget
For me
I'm not drawn anymore
Knaw on my edges if it soothes you
I won't fool you
I see it soliciting me.

8:13 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Its The Gouda
Current mood: quixotic
Category: School, College, Greek

8:08 PM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Call it whatever you want
Category: Life

Well here's how your supposed to play 10 Things: Once you've been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random things, facts or habits about yourself. At the end you choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them to be tagged. Don't forget to leave them a comment "Tag, You're It!" and to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you!

1.  I have to put lotion on my hands and feet before I go to sleep every night, no matter what climate I live in- what does this mean? (Mom??)

2.  I like my shoes and car clean - I don't really get that anal about anything else.

3.  I would be a great FBI profiler; too bad my uncorrected eyesight isn't up to snuff.

4.  I answered a personal ad once and hooked up with two people - and they kept coming back for more.

5.  I pluck my eyebrows (too frequently) and twirl my hair when I'm stressed.

6.  I was walking to my car one day this past month, and a child in elementary school called to me "School is cancelled"- he/she thought I was elementary too (I'm SUCH a short bitch)

7.  I have a pink cowboy hat thing. (only two of you know what I mean)

9.  I have NO maternal instinct, except when it comes to animals.

10.  I will retire on the coast of Australia, buy a boat, and sail to all my favorite South Pacific Islands for vacation.  This is NOT negotiable.

Ten people to respond: How about Six>>>>>

JO: Because she is my aussie girl and its been way too long.

STEPH:  Because she is coming to see me in two WEEKS!!!!

Laurie:  Because she is the berry girl, not berry b.

Jade:  Because she is my adventure girl.

Bethany, because I remember her fondly from rochacha.

Cainin:  Because he never tells his secrets.

7:32 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Smoke em if you got em!
Current mood: Stoned. No, not really. ;)

"Collisions are not accidents in Beaverton.  REALLY!"

"....his marijuana wins prizes at the annual Oregon Medical Cannabis awards...he is part of a whole new class of Oregon farmer....a bill just introduced in the Legislature would pave the way for a state-run experimental garden.....As soon as the place is full, the front doors are locked and an inferno of joints and pipes erupts...On a cold January afternoon, the Mount Tabor Theater is a DEA agent's vision of hell."

-snippets of an article in the Willamette Week, describing how weed-friendly Oregon is

"Red means STOP in Beaverton"

$500 fine if you are caught throwing a cigarette butt out of your car window.

These, among many things in this wonderful city of Portland, both make me laugh, and love my liberal city.

5:51 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

HARD CANDY
Current mood: uncomfortable

RENT THIS MOVIE.  Or don't.  You will probably feel disgusted and triumphant all at the same time.  ITS TWISTED.

Then come talk to me.  Its still stuck in my teeth.

6:15 PM - 6 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment