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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Goodbye Red Shoes



At a little after 7:00am this morning, Ibanez puked all over my beloved Red Chuck Taylor's. These lo-tops took me to Japan, to Portland for the first time, and generally anywhere I have been in the past three and a half years.

What's this? Simon Pegg without Nick Frost?

Back into a full swing of doing nothing. Well, that is not true. I did go outside.

Woke up, got out of bed, grabbed volume two of Scott Pilgrim, went back to bed and finished it. It was really hard to get out of bed this morning. I was so relaxed. I'm looking forward to going back into it in a few minutes. Mmmm.

Scott Pilgrim has really sucked me in. It moves so fast. Okay it introduces a lot of characters but they fit nicely in a strange way. I wish I didn't breeze through the volumes so fast, but they are cheap so it's all good.

I went to Starbucks because I had to write out some things. And read in a different, distraction free place. It was nice. Had my standard coffee shop drink (a tall caramel steamer).

It hailed lightly this morning.

Sort of killed time with the rest of the day. Lindsay and I went out to eat at West Cafe. We both had the meatloaf meal. It was a little dry. Then we went to see Run Fatboy Run, the new Simon Pegg movie. It was a cute flick. I don't think I will see it again though. Mom will probably rent it in the future. It had a nice ending, not to perfect. The kid was adorable.

There was a weird man yelling in the park when we walked back from Fox Tower.

Lindsay went out to her regular club tonight (her friend is painting live along with a light show). Just me and the cat and Project Runway.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

fun times

Tuesday Night:

Llyw and I did end up going to the Roxy after he arrived. Had a nice little late snack. Nicole was there as well, the first of many people we ran into that showed just how popular I actually am. It was raining a fair amount during our walk back to my place but if we let the rain keep us in, then we would not have had any fun this weekend. We went home, dried off, set up the spare mattress, hung about and chatted and caught up. My bookshelf matched up to his in more ways than just me reading what he has suggested to me (going way back when to Neil Gaiman). We both had the Kurosagi something something manga in Japanese and The Stars My Destination (I had to read it for Politics and Literature).

Wednesday (Yesterday):

We woke up to a gray day. Or maybe it was sunny, but it later became gray and wet. Anyway, it was a day of mixed weather but we still went out. After a delicious breakfast of french toast (that Llyw made, what a guy!) we departed out into downtown Portland. There was mostly just a plan of going to Powell's and then going to PNCA and decided where to go from there once we got done with those things.

We caught the streetcar down to Powell's. Such an easy way to travel.

Powell's was Powell's. Huge but not so crowded. Decent selection in some areas, better in others. I took note of what comics to buy at Floating World instead(I get a discount there). The science fiction section had William Gibson's Neuromancer for only a couple bucks so I took the chance on the paper back. We ran into Rachel(painting class Rachel, not one of the printing Rachel's) at the store, who had lost her mother to the Powell's bookshelves (her mother was being shown around during Spring Break as well). Llyw found a few good deals on a philosophy hardcover and a comic. Departing the store we were happy to find that the rain had stopped.

The PNCA tour was short. Some of the art was off the walls due to painting. The alphabet show looked only about 1/6 of the way done. Sort of a bummer that a great deal of the gallery space did appear to be in a transition stage between shows. Robin was in the computer lab and she came out to say Hi and give me a hug.

After PNCA we went to Tea Zone for tea and scones. Quite tasty. I love that place, such a nice vibe to it. And my spot is always open. Just need to become a regular and stake it out now. For a little time, Llyw showed me his XO laptop which is quite awesome. It is one of those "buy one for charity, have the chance to buy one for yourself" laptops, where it is designed for the children of lesser developed nations. So it is small and durable, solar powered with great wifi detection, and just generally cool for hanging around in tea shops typing away and checking your email. And you know, being generous.

Next up was to show off my lovely little comic shop, Floating World Comics. No new issues were in for me but I just had to pick up the second volume of Scott Pilgrim (have to admit, I got into it in the last few chapters even though the character designs are annoying) and the sixth volume of the Invisibles (also addictive and Chris Weston is in this volume drawing so that rocks).

Oh wait, we went to Compound Gallery before Floating World Comics. Yeah. Llyw spied some prints by Kana Ohtsuki that we more than reasonably priced. He and the gallery manager got to talking about Osaka. That conversation went a little over me but Craig and his (also in town visiting) friend Avi showed up and we chatted a little. Gave Craig the "what I have been reading/watching" list and we talked about the show at Elizabeth Leech. Wandered around the gallery revisiting the Alice in Wonderland themed show. And THEN we went to Floating World Comics. Yeah, that is how it happened.

We backtracked a little and caught the max back. As it was the yellow line we left it in Pioneer Place and meandered back, stopping every now and then to marvel at the architecture. I knew Portland had a nice design to it but all the OOOOing and AHHHing from Llyw brought it into a new light. When we were walking to FWC I pointed out the 511 building that PNCA now has and that was the first major OOOOHHH that lead to more photo taking of the local scenery. Churches, apartments, some houses...all had their photos taken. I was in a few shots as well, so it wasn't all about the pediments and keystones.

It was nice and dry for the rest of the day after the Tea Zone (excluding a short time at night). We dropped our stuff down at home, snacked, relaxed, and unwound. The daylight and clear skies were still with us so we opted to walk around some more, but this time mostly in my neighborhood and not down town.

It was pretty much the same walk that Karen and I did about a month ago, but this time with a little more light. Revisited the great and fancy houses. Sat on the swings. Looked out on the overlook bridge at the city. It started to sprinkle so we went back. Didn't come down too much, so that was fortunate. The four story apartment complex shoved into the hillside was beautiful at night with the light inside illuminating the stained glass. Lovely!

Robin stopped by to say another brief hello. The rest of the night was spent inside. We had omelets for dinner (not made by me or Lindsay).

Part of my final for painting is a series of portraits and Llyw was very willing to sit and be painted. He held his pose extremely well(some of the PNCA models could learn something). Last night I just got the sketch done, with the intention of painting it tomorrow (instead of going out). The sketch didn't look like how I see him but it has a decent amount of resemblance and accuracy when it comes to form and fabric. Finished drawing, we put on our jammies, chatted a little, then went to sleep.

Thursday (Today):

Llyw made yet another meal, but this time it came from a can. Tasty and delicious cinnamon buns with orange icing. Mmmm. We woke a little early so that I could get a jump on painting (I wasn't about to paint him sleeping, that's creepy). After breakfast and the morning routines, the rest of his short visit was spent with him being painted. I'm not done but most of things left are parts like fabric and I can invent that easier than I can the skin tone. Right now it looks like him a lot more than the sketch did. I can't wait to finish it. I would like to say I am getting faster at painting but it still takes me a really long time. He was very good and didn't complain. The time passed all too quickly and before I knew it, it was time to go to catch a train to catch a train.

On the max were some ticket checkers but they were not talking to people. That still was very close. We arrived right as people were getting seat assignments. Excellent timing. We hugged and said our goodbyes and then he was on his way back to Seattle.

These days went by so fast and were oh so fun.

I took a leisurely stroll back to my place and about 10 minutes after I got home the fire alarm went off. The loudest noise I have ever heard! It was just horrible and painful and auuughhhh. Had to stuff Ibanez in his cat carrier and leave the building. Got down to the lobby to find that it was just a glitch with the system and the alarm would be off shortly. Still waited around downstairs, away from the brute of the noise, petting poor Ibanez.

The fire alarm, yeah oh so not fun.

Now I guess I'll go read comics. Mom, Dad, & Co. are not coming down so it is just me kicking back for the next three days. THREE DAYS! WHAT? Dang. Well, it has been a great break. Fun time with a friend and days to sleep in and rejuvenate.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

visitor from the North

Yay! Soon, very soon, I am going to Union Station to see Llyw! He is visiting till Thursday.

Because of his visit I spent the day cleaning up my place and getting things in order. Didn't take that long really but it is such a big difference. My room has room. The kitchen doesn't have dished filling the sink. The bathroom doesn't have cat hair over everything. Really amazing!

Did a quick grocery and bank run. The lady at Fred Meyer's was really nice about bagging my things so they would work with my bike baskets. The people at Safeway suck at bagging. They have no clue and just stuff things together. Boooo Safeway! Go nice girl at Fred Meyer's. You rock!

Finished off my meat for dinner. It cooked up nicely and I did it all by myself.

Life on Mars is a very interesting show thus far. It is a little extreme with how bad the 70's police are but still funny.

So yeah, going to meet Llyw at the station at 9. Might take him to the Roxy after for some grub. Or come back here and watch the light show. Don't know. Don't have any real plans for what to do in the next couple days...we will just wander around and I'll pretend I know what I'm doing and where I am taking him. Ha.

Wow it got dark quick.

Monday, March 24, 2008

there goes my face

A day to do nothing. What a wonderful day! Okay I've been doing a great deal of nothing but this is the 3rd day off. It isn't just a weekend any more! Yayy, whoo!

Lindsay painting on her backdrop. I slept in. I watched Project Runway and Little Children. I was vastly mistaken as to what I thought Little Children was about. I'm glad it wasn't about what I thought it was but the real plot, once I knew it wasn't that, unfolded a very little originality. Characters sought redemption, they figured out where they needed to be, found truth, stopped the lies...and so on and so forth. The only thing that really made the movie was the casting and the narration. Kate Winslet was pretty and subtle, Patrick Wilson was also pretty and subtle (so happy that he is cast as Night Owl), and everyone else did a great job. It required subtle performances and it got that, the script just wasn't worth the casts talent.

Munched on food throughout the day. Food included a salad! Wow!

Ended the night with Lindsay testing out the light show. The lights and color started to melt my face off in a very psychedelic way.

Now I am watching Life On Mars. British cop show with John Simms (the Master in the new series of Doctor Who). It has time travel.

a date? really? well, I'm not so sure myself...

When it comes to Jim and Michael, it is almost odd how I always see one and then the other within 24 hours of each other. They are just free to hang with me at the same times during the week and weekend it would seem.

Just got back from what is a long bike ride for me. Came from around SE Morrison & 20th, crossed the Hawthorne Bridge, and rode up the not so fun hill to SW Clay & 16th. But it didn't seem like that long. Half of it was downhill and it was an amazing night. Totally clear and peaceful. I love the view that happens when you come over the bridge at night. I rarely see it so fully (I am normally on the max when I cross the bridge).

When crossing the bridge I saw Modou and stopped and said hello.

So I went on a date with Jim. Well I think it counted as a date. He paid. Guy paying = date right? And I think we talked about going on a date. Hmm. Uh. Well I'm counting it as a date. My....second one in Portland? Including the blind date. Uh yeah.

Anyway, so we went out. Dinner and a movie. Pizza and In Bruges. We were going to meet at the theatre but right across Hawthorne Bridge I rode past him before he got to his bus stop and we walked the rest of the distance together. I parked my bike at Cinemagic and we grabbed some pizza and drinks at a near by place (the only place open so late on a Sunday). Chatted and nibbled on food. Only the pizza slices in that place were affordable. And not that great. I miss Seabeck Pizza. Then we went to see In Bruges.

Just as great, moving, amazing, beautiful, tragic, and perfect as the first time I saw it. If not moreso.

Then I walked Jim home, said our goodbyes, and I peddaled off into the night.

Last night as Michael's was fun. Made some more of the nest things, looked at photos and art books, chatted, and ate the nest things. It was late but we decided to still watch Serenity. We both sort of dozed off while watching it and because of that I ended up spending the night as opposed to riding home in a half awake state (I think mom would prefer I didn't do that). Michael moved to the Nob(tee hee) Hill area of Portland. Lots of cute houses and apartment complexes near to Trader Joe's and fashionable boutiques. I would love to live in that area. It looks so quiet and colorful.

Riding home was nice. A little moist but still enjoyable. I went past all the Easter church goers in their fine clothes.

Spent the rest of the day relaxing, eating a cucumber, petting Ibanez, and watching House and Project Runway. Need more House, probably should take a break from Project Runway.

I can't wait till the weather picks up. I really want to spend a day riding my bike around Portland.