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

Makin' Bacon

I had lunch with Mom and Dad at a place in Frisco that Mom had been to before. I don't think either of them noticed the naughty salt and pepper shakers on the table. OINK! Though now that I think about it, Mom did not salt her food as she normally does. Perhaps she did notice after-all.

By the way, it was a delicious lunch.

Cha-Ching!

I meet a local guy today and he took me to Central City, Colorado for some afternoon gambling.   Central City is an old mining town that went from boom in the 1870's to bust in the 1940's and then to boom again when gambling became legal in Colorado in the 1990's.

Central City circa 1880

Central City Circa 2009

We went to the Golden Mardi Gras Casino and I put $10 in a slot machine.   The result was two jackpots totaling $600!    I also got a free buffet dinner because I'm a "winner".   Normally I would turn my nose up at a buffet, but free is free. 

My jackpot!

Silverthorne, Colorado

I'm at my folks place for the month of June.    I wasn't expecting it to be snowy and only get up to 55 degrees on a good day!   I didn't pack well for this weather at all.   It's also been raining a lot.   I suppose this weather is just getting me conditioned for Fall in the Northwest

Everything is online for Portland.   I've scheduled to have my utilities turned on in July.   I'm just counting down the days now.

Mom and Dad's house in Colorado

View from their front porch

Moving Day

The house is all packed and ready for the movers in the morning.   It's been an exhausting few weeks getting everything lined up.    I am so glad it's almost over.   After the movers get everything in the morning, my new tenant is coming over at noon to pay rent for the month and pick up the keys.    Once that's done I'll hit the road and head for Colorado!    It's a 12 hour drive to my folks.    I've done it in a day before but have a feeling I'll probably stop in Utah to spend the night.

Next stop....new adventures! 

   

My New Home in Portland

It's called the Harrison Tower.   It was built in 1965 as Portland's first residential high-rise project by Skidmore Owings and Merrill, architects of the Sears Tower in Chicago.   None of the interior mid-century details remain, but it offers spectacular views and has been completely updated for modern living.    My one bedroom apartment is on the 17th floor and looks East towards the river and also North overlooking downtown.   After apartment hunting for 3 days, it was decided that this was certainly the best deal in town.   The unit won't be available until July, so I'll head to Colorado for the month of June and visit my folks.   Below are some photos of my future home and new beginning in the Pacific Northwest.