2010 - A new Year

Christmas is over, and it's nice to get back into routine.   I started running after work last week.    It's no marathon, only about a half out on the treadmill at the gym where I work.    I figured rather than sit in traffic on my way home, I would get a little cardio in while the traffic thins out.   It's been working out well so far.

Below are some random pics I took when Dad and I went for a drive around town during Christmas.  

Downtown Portland

Mount Hood

Mount St Helens

The Portland Train Station

Walking towards the Train Station

Ceiling of the waiting room inside the Train Station

On a side note, I saw Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest at the Living Room Theater last night.       What a great movie!    Mystery, sexual innuendoes, and violence, what more could you want?   I'm not ashamed to admit that I jumped in my seat and grabbed my companions arm several times during the film.   Very enjoyable indeed.

Lobby of the Living Room Theater

Oh gee, oh gosh, I'm chilly all the time!

Brrrrr....it's cold!    The temperature dropped suddenly into the low 30's and 20's.     It's suppose to be 16 tonight.    I hope this doesn't last all winter!   Below are more random pics from today.

The view from my dinning room window of the top of Mount Adams.

Going across the Burnside Bridge.   The Made in Oregon sign always makes me smile.

Some paperwhites I planted for the holidays.

Week in review

Thanksgiving was last Thursday.   There was a time during the coffeehouse days that I would cook a big dinner for friends and customers that had no place to go.   This year I was one of those people that had no place to go.   I don't know many people here and certainly didn't want to cook dinner for myself.   A few coworkers mentioned going out to eat as sort of an "anti-Thanksgiving" dinner.   As I mentioned in a previous post, we went to the Doug Fir.   Surprisingly, all our dinners were DELICIOUS!    I had the crunchy trout (my logic was fish would be the total opposite from turkey).   Anyhow, it was a memorable meal and I will certainly be going back.   Below is a pic from dinner.    

Also this week, Portland issued a "BOIL WATER ALERT".    Thats right, our water supply was contaminated with the E-coli virus.   It was said that the virus was found in the Washington Park reservoir and was most likely caused from fecal matter.    Supposedly we could use the shower, but were warned not to get the water in our eyes or mouth.   You haven't lived until you've showered in contaminated poop water.

Fortunately the situation only lasted 24 hours and then they issued a statement that it was safe again to drink.   That being said, I still haven't had a glass of water yet.

This month is the anniversary of Wiley's passing.    I still miss her an awful lot.    I have been thinking more and more that it might be time to get another pet.     I've been looking at cats, but always catch myself looking for a cat that looks like her or comparing the other cats to her.    Perhaps I should get a small dog.    I've been considering a pug or an Italian greyhound.   Any feedback would be appreciated.

R.I.P Wiley Kat

I put the Christmas tree up today.   I was going to buy a real one, but I found a fake pre-lit tree for the same price as a live tree and couldn't resist.   I've been getting the apartment ready for the holidays and my cocktail party next week.   I heard there is a Christmas Ship Parade on the river and thought it would be fun to have some people over to watch them float by, plus it gives me a reason to make a slippery nog!     Mmmmm.....tastey.

The Slippery Nog

Glass to Use Highball glass Drink Colour: Brown

Ingredients 3/4 oz.Irish Cream(Bailey's) 3/4 oz.Schnapps, butterscotch Fill withEggnog Mixing Instructions Combine ingredients in a highball glass. Stir well before serving.

I woke up to more fog and a beautiful sunrise this morning.

Just some shenanigans

Below are photos from recent outings in Portland...

Another beautiful Fall day in Portland Mount Hood has plenty of snow already and the ski slopes are open! The weather has been pleasant overall. Yes we get rain, but the temperatures are decent; 50's during the day and 40's at night.

My co-worker Adam and I took Sarah out on the town for her last night in Portland. She left the following morning to Seattle, Washington for the take-over of three more properties added to the Mark-Taylor portfolio.

Mom and I went to the Portland City Grill for dinner and drinks while she was in town. It's on the 30th floor of a high-rise downtown and has awesome views, however it was dark and cloudy outside by the time we arrived. The happy hour prices were great, and so were my drinks.

Mom and I taking a rest after a busy day of shopping along NW 23rd St.

I will be heading to the Doug Fir for Thanksgiving dinner with some co-workers. The food is good....and they have an awesome lounge. There is also a popular venue for indie rock located in the basement.

The Japanese Maple on my patio turned a bright orange this year.

Where has Jeffrey been?

It has been over 4 months since my last post. So much has happened, it's hard to know where to begin. First of all, I should say that I absolutely love Portland. It's great to live in a real city again. I walk everywhere, or I take the streetcar (which is free downtown). It's been such a pleasure to see the change of seasons. I haven't really experienced it in about 20 years I think. Below is a photo from my balcony.

As well as the color change of Fall, foggy mornings seems to be the norm here. Each morning brings a whole new landscape out my window. Sometimes it's so thick that I can't see the buildings next to me. It's really quite amazing.

Though I am glad to be here, it's been a rough 4 months searching for employment. I had a breakthrough recently thanks to my friend Adam and now find myself employed by Mark-Taylor Residential. I'm an assistant manager at an apartment complex in Hillsboro, which is about a 45 minute drive from my house. After a few weeks, I should be changing properties to Beaverton, which should only be about a 30 minute drive. Regardless, it's nice to be employed again.

So that is a brief update of events here in the Northwest. I'll have more to fill in later. For now though, here are some random pics of the past few months:

On the road again

My four weeks in Colorado are up, it's time to head to my destination. The time has gone by much quicker than I expected. It's been nice to spend so much time with my folks, but I'm ready to get myself settled into my new home. It 's a 19 hour drive to Portland. I don't actually have to be there until July 2nd, so I'll take my time and enjoy the scenery.

Below are some random photos taken in the last week or two.

Mmmmm....delicious! Who could resist a White Trash Special?

Downtown - Frisco, CO

Coming out of a great dive bar in Dillon, CO - The Pub Down Under

Downtown - South Park, CO

South Park, CO (yes, that is Mr. Hanky under the beads sign)

Camping in South Park, CO