I've spent most of the morning sitting at my computer trying to get motivated to look for jobs, but I just can't do it today. I've given up for the time being but I'll try again a little later.

( Blah blah blah )

So that's my report from the home front. I'll try not to be such a stranger. But don't hold your breath.

It's time once again, for the blog post I eventually get around to writing.

This week, I made my monthly pilgrimage to my "blond boyfriend" and had him cut my hair. The NW 23rd area of Portland is not an easy place to find a parking spot so I often have to park many blocks away and walk to my appointments. I take pictures of the houses and anything else I find along the way. This week I took a picture of the trees and the fall colors.



After my appointment, I did not want to buy groceries or do any of the domestic chores on my list, so I drove up to the International Rose Test Garden and took some pictures and enjoyed the quiet.

My first stop was this fountain in Washington Park. No one was around and the air was heavy with fog. It was quite lovely.



Then Sacajawea posed for me before I drove to the roses.



There weren't many people there and parking was easy for once.





The amphitheater had someone sitting and meditating. I wanted to join her but it was too wet.



Portland even posed for me.



I have a list of stuff to get done this week including meeting with the NEW chair of our neighborhood association and showing her the ropes. We're having new friends over for dinner this weekend and the house needs a good scrubbing.

The wind and rain took up residence in the Pacific NW yesterday and along with it, the crud invaded my body. Luckily, I caught it early and if I go to bed tonight around oh.. 7, I should have it beat.

Last Tuesday was our 9th wedding anniversary and we celebrated by going out to McMenamins On the River for dinner. Most would find it unromantic but it has history with us, especially about 20 minutes after we got married. It was a gorgeous night and we watched the sailboats and toasted each other.






Enjoy the intermission with this random picture of Grendel:


On Sunday I attended the first of many plays for the 2009-10 series at Portland Center Stage. A couple of months ago a pushy sales person from PCS called me at work and quoted me a nice price on season tickets. I was weak so I bought them. I go on Sunday nights and that's fine because it means PARKING. I saw Ragtime and enjoyed the production. The set design was sparse and gorgeous. They used moving panels and chairs to make their points and the costumes were fabulous. I went up to the lobby balcony during intermission and took this picture:



Next week I get to see Ben Franklin: Unplugged. Can't wait!

In a couple of days I throw in my tiara as neighborhood leader and hopefully someone else will catch it and take up the reins. If not, then that's fine. My work here is done.

I can see the end of my vacation drawing near. I have important matters of state to attend to and no desire to do anything but slack. I have a long overdue neighborhood newsletter to write and dates to change for our meeting and people to notify. I am having much more fun sitting in my backyard reading and taking an occasional break to check e-mail and blog. Ian has left me to go see Star Trek at the Kennedy School. I told him I would weep until he got back. I don't think he believed me.

Yesterday I wandered around downtown Portland for a few hours to avoid doing any sort of domestic chores.

( I took pictures! )

So, it was a good day. But then any day that ends with cupcakes is fine with me!

We had an unintentionally busy weekend full of concerts and parades. I like those weekends.

We spent Saturday evening with the Portland Gay Men's Chorus. My co-worker (he was playing in the orchestra) got me comp tickets to the season finale and they brought out Susannah Mars to sing a few Broadway tunes. We enjoyed hearing the menfolk sing There's Nothing Like A Dame. After the show we hit the Kennedy School for drinks and came home and crashed. We stayed up way past our bedtime.

( Click for Pride pictures! One NSFW )

So, that was my adventure. I hope you enjoyed yourself. I did.

Yesterday I was feeling ambitious and ran a few hills during my 40-minute run. Today I am sore. I swam this morning and my muscles creaked. The jacuzzi helped a little but it'll be interesting when I run this afternoon. If you hear the sound of aching muscles coming by way of the Pacific NW, it'll be me.

Last week blew by like the squall that blew through town Thursday night. I took a couple of pictures of misc. things. ( You know you like Misc. Things )

That's all I have to report. I read another good book last week and it really made me think. If I get ambitious, I'll write a book report.

I haven't been a very good blogger as of late. I would love to tell you I was off slaying dragons and writing the great American Novel, but alas, I was not. I've just been busy flitting off here and there and taking side trips.

Last weekend my plan was not to do much except to lounge around the house and enjoy the 3-day weekend. I did a little lounging but not as much as I would have liked. I did have a good weekend, though.

( Clikenzie!! )

The clouds are moving in and the wind is picking up. I'd say the temperature has dropped about 10 degrees in the past hour. It's a nice end to a busy weekend.

( Haircuts, flowers, exciting small Oregon towns )

So, the network here at work is down which means we can't get anything done which means I'm pretending to work and updating my blog.

It was a good week here in the river city. My office is being remodeled and we have temporary digs until the job is done. It's nice to be able to look at the river and boats instead of a parking lot but it's not nice living out of a box. Not a big deal, really, I'm looking forward to the "new" office.

I tasted some lovely new pinot noirs at Cork last week. They had a good selction to taste from the inexpensive to the not expensive but out of my budget range. They were quite tasty and I can't wait to buy some.

We spent Sunday afternoon at my co-worker's house celebrating he and his partner's 20th anniversary. It's a good thing they can't get married because such a long relationship is sure to destroy my marriage. At any time. *rolls eyes* We had way too much fun and I got to bond with my hairdresser. Someone at the party convinced him to give me a break on a cut and highlights so next week I'll hopefully have high-lit hair. Woot! I'll take pictures.

I ran and swam yesterday and the run was easier than last week so that was good. The swim is still kinda difficult but I'm getting there.

I have no pictures to share this week. I could take a picture of my "new office" view but it's not that exciting.

I have been trying not to spend so much time on the interwebs while I'm at work and actually, you know, try to work. Heretical, I know, but things are getting busy now and I have focus. There have been some changes at work that shook us up a bit. Not sure if they're good or bad, I guess I just have to wait and see.

( Moar )

I was too busy at work to do any Saturday Blathering so I'll do a blog update while I wait for 8 p.m. to arrive. We're going to watch Nature on PBS. Yeah, geeks.

It was a busy week here in the River City. I was by myself all week because my co-worker is playing with the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra and will be tomorrow as well, which means I get a short weekend. That's OK because I'm not working next Saturday for a change so I get to jet off to The City of Brotherly Lurve and hang with all the cool kids. I have a list of things to get done before that, though. Ugh. This weather is not conducive to making lists and being busy. I just want to sleep and read.

I will only have a couple of days after I get back before Lyn the Mom arrives. That's another list I haven't made yet. Hopefully Vancouver will have enough Diet Coke to support her habit. We might have to go into Portland to get more.

We went to Penzey's today and stocked up on kosher salt and bay leaves. Ian found some interesting mixes to put in his hot chocolate and coffee. It's hard for me not to spend a lot of money in that store.

Tomorrow the lad and I will celebrate 8 years of wedded bliss. We ordered Indian "carry out" to celebrate early and I made chocolate chip cookies. Good cookies, Mom. No "stackums". I probably shouldn't tease her like that. NoDak does have nuke-u-lar weapons.

I started reading Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and so far so good. He usually doesn't fail to deliver, however, I didn't care for his last book of short stories.

OK. Here's a short meme stolen from dryad271 because it's not quite 8 o'clock yet.

( Cut for those whose eyes bleed from reading memes )