New Life, New Coast.: April 2006

To market, to market.

We had a great day yesterday with some new friends, Travis and Heidi (from Ohio), who were nice enough to invite us out for breakfast and some Portland sightseeing.

We started at the J&M Cafe, right across the Burnside Bridge in SE Portland where we gorged on organic eggs, bacon and home fries. Portland residents are just so COOL -- it's hard to explain, but every time I visit an established hangout like J&M I find myself wishing I had more piercings and some Keen sandals.

We then trekked to the Portland Farmer's Market on the Portland State University campus, and then took the streetcar, and then the MAX train over to where the real action was: the Saturday Market.

Part flea market, part craft fair, and part freak show, the Saturday market amused us as we wove our way through the booths selling everything from kitschy jewelry, to lovely purses (my purchase of the day) to bongs. Yes, bongs. Certainly an experience we won't forget -- from the colorful clientele to the man juggling fire to the poor little dog with her hair died pink. Only in Portland!

The Lucky Lab

Ben and I have a favorite new spot -- the Lucky Lab Public House, just about two blocks from our house. They serve pizza and beer -- that's it -- and we love it for its simplicity. On a gorgeous evening like tonight, eating outdoors at one of their picnic tables, it's hard to imagine life getting much better. Except, of course, if we had family and friends to share the experience with.

On a completely separate note, we received the horrific news about four Taylor University students today. Though we didn't know any of the students, we mourn with the community we were once a part of. Our thoughts and prayers are with the students' families and the entire Taylor community.

Home.

We've been in our new house a few weeks now and love it. Tonight we took a long walk and found our way to Gabriel Park, just a few blocks down the way. We took a trail that meandered through the park -- passing through a community garden, little league game, tennis courts, and countless happy dogs fetching frisbees. All this, and in the distance were mountains. Gorgeous!

Here's our new house...

And here's some of our unique flowers...

And by the way, we miss these folks in Minneapolis so much it makes my heart hurt!

Mocha Chocalata Ya Ya (Oh Yea)

People in the Pacific Northwest love their coffee. Every neighborhood in Portland has at least one locally owned coffee shop in addition to a large number of Starbucks sprinkled throughout the metro area. There are also a large number of coffee huts/stands. They look like storage sheds with drive-thru windows. They are fully functioning coffee shops offering any sort of coffee related beverage you could desire, except there is no seating. You either drive-thru or walk up.

Well, I went to Home Depot this morning, and right next to the front door is one of these coffee stands. There was a line made up of rough looking men with dirty clothes. They looked like your typical construction workers. The biggest, meanest looking one ordered a grande vanilla soy latte with an extra shot of espresso. Since when do construction workers order soy lattes at Home Depot? And more importantly, is it possible to be a coffee snob in a city where even the blue collar workers order specialty coffee drinks from a coffee stand in front of a hardware store?

I'm not sure if it's beautiful or disturbing.

What happens in Vegas...

Many of you know that Ben and I traveled to Vegas last week -- I attended a trade show on behalf of my client, and Ben hung out (and gambled a whopping $5 on nickel slots). I've always had these dreamy visions of Vegas -- the lights, gondola rides, the "Eiffel Tower," mountains in the distance -- but this trip affirmed that there's nothing truly dreamy about Vegas; it's only an illusion.

One of the funniest things we encountered was the area of our hotel called the "Canal Shoppes." It's made to look like a quaint Italian village...complete with a Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and Panda Express! It's also decorated to look like it's always daylight -- most of Vegas is like that, we found. The hotels don't want you to know what time it is so you'll keep spending money! One redeeming quality -- Canolini, a fabulous gelato stand.

The Canal Shoppes in the Venetian...it's just like a real Italian village with the sky painted on! Oh yeah, and singing street performers, and Sephora, and a plethora of shoe stores. :)

One other trip highlight -- an awesome party hosted by my client and Billboard Magazine at the VooDoo Lounge, located high atop the Rio. Ben and I just marveled at the DJ, the hipper-than-hip atmosphere, the view, and Chuck D! Yes, Chuck D from Public Enemy was there.

All in all, a good trip, glad to have "experienced" Vegas, but don't think we'll be vacationing there any time soon.

Wow. As hollow as Vegas seems, there's no doubt it's beautiful, especially from the 50th floor of the Rio. It was incredible to have a birds-eye view of the city...I had to call my sister to gush.

Proof we're here!

We're moving into our house today! We've unpacked ourselves so many times now, but it never gets easier. We'll be living in chaos for at least the next week or so.

We also just developed our first roll of "Portland pics" and thought we'd share a few...