Portland to Tacoma to Seattle to Portland
I had a really fantastic weekend with my friend Laura. She's up in Tacoma. I talked to her on Friday morning. I threw a few things in a bag and headed up there that same afternoon.
I arrived and we had a few beers. Eventually we settled down a bit and started talking, catching up, sharing stories. We had crackers and cheese. We watched a couple episodes of the Ali G. Show which is pretty hilarious. We pumped up an air mattress for me. I had my very own room to stay in.
Saturday we went to the glass museum in downtown Tacoma. They have a "hot shop" where they demonstrate glassblowing. The exhibits were really cool too. There's not too much to look at, which I think is great. I like going to museums, but I'm often overwhelmed if they are too big, and I start to fade after an hour or so of looking at stuff.
After the museum we went to "Hello Cupcake". They have a limited offering of maybe 10 varieties at the most. I got the red velvet with cream cheese icing. It was heavenly. Honestly, it was one of the best cupcakes I've had, and I can tell you, I've had some cupcakes in my life.
To add more delight to my day, Gonzalo, Laura's boyfriend and I bonded as we talked about Mexico City where he spent some time growing up. Of course the topic of food came up, and I lamented the fact that I hadn't been able to find "Tacos al Pastor" up here. Without missing a beat he casually mentioned, "oh, we have those up here." I was stunned. Stunned with the possibility of having an amazing cupcake and an amazing taco in the same day. We all agreed that tacos were in order, so we headed over to this little Mexican place nearby. It was in the building of some now defunct fast food joint and there was a big sign at the entrance that said, "NO PUBLIC BATHROOMS" and that did not mean that they had bathrooms only for customers. No, there were NO BATHROOMS! But that was ok because the tacos were freaking amazing.
I was full and happy when we headed back to the house.
At the house they had a surprise welcome home party for her roommate's friend's boyfriend who has been in Hawaii for 5 months. I talked to a few cool people, but wasn't really in the mood for the loud crowd that had gathered. Neither were Laura and Gonzalo so we snuck off and watched the Da Vinci Code which I had never seen. It really wasn't what I was expecting at all, but then I wasn't expecting much, so I found it entertaining, if not rather intense at certain points.
Sunday we headed over to Salt Water State Park. Laura was getting baptized and she invited me to come along. There was a big picnic before everyone headed down to the beach. Those getting baptized waded out into the water with those doing the baptizin'. Laura said it was very cold. I'm not Christian, and not very religious, but it was pretty cool to be able to be there for something that was obviously very important to her.
Afterward we headed to West Seattle where Laura's sister-in-law has a little place. Laura showered, and then we headed over to Pike's Market. We walked around and looked at all the markety stuff. I even stopped into the original Starbuck's, but only for a second because it was so crowded. It was kind of ugly and unremarkable on the inside.
We ate at the Pike Brew House and then headed back towards Tacoma. I just paused at Laura's place long enough to pack my bags and hit the road back to Portland. I got back pretty late. Steph was in the bed so I crashed on the couch.
I kind of feel a little off today, but I really hope I'm not getting sick.
It was a lazy long morning, but eventually I headed into town to a cafe I like. They have cheap iced tea. I even had a decent sandwich here today too (ham & brie). I found several likely ads. A few of them want me to just call, so I'm planning to do that when I'm done with all my computer stuff. I also found an interesting sounding job post so I sent off my resume today.
I heard back from one of the emails I sent out on Friday. I think it sounds like a cool situation, though they won't be able to "interview" me until later this week and I wouldn't be able to move in until the 22nd. We'll see.
I arrived and we had a few beers. Eventually we settled down a bit and started talking, catching up, sharing stories. We had crackers and cheese. We watched a couple episodes of the Ali G. Show which is pretty hilarious. We pumped up an air mattress for me. I had my very own room to stay in.
Saturday we went to the glass museum in downtown Tacoma. They have a "hot shop" where they demonstrate glassblowing. The exhibits were really cool too. There's not too much to look at, which I think is great. I like going to museums, but I'm often overwhelmed if they are too big, and I start to fade after an hour or so of looking at stuff.
After the museum we went to "Hello Cupcake". They have a limited offering of maybe 10 varieties at the most. I got the red velvet with cream cheese icing. It was heavenly. Honestly, it was one of the best cupcakes I've had, and I can tell you, I've had some cupcakes in my life.
To add more delight to my day, Gonzalo, Laura's boyfriend and I bonded as we talked about Mexico City where he spent some time growing up. Of course the topic of food came up, and I lamented the fact that I hadn't been able to find "Tacos al Pastor" up here. Without missing a beat he casually mentioned, "oh, we have those up here." I was stunned. Stunned with the possibility of having an amazing cupcake and an amazing taco in the same day. We all agreed that tacos were in order, so we headed over to this little Mexican place nearby. It was in the building of some now defunct fast food joint and there was a big sign at the entrance that said, "NO PUBLIC BATHROOMS" and that did not mean that they had bathrooms only for customers. No, there were NO BATHROOMS! But that was ok because the tacos were freaking amazing.
I was full and happy when we headed back to the house.
At the house they had a surprise welcome home party for her roommate's friend's boyfriend who has been in Hawaii for 5 months. I talked to a few cool people, but wasn't really in the mood for the loud crowd that had gathered. Neither were Laura and Gonzalo so we snuck off and watched the Da Vinci Code which I had never seen. It really wasn't what I was expecting at all, but then I wasn't expecting much, so I found it entertaining, if not rather intense at certain points.
Sunday we headed over to Salt Water State Park. Laura was getting baptized and she invited me to come along. There was a big picnic before everyone headed down to the beach. Those getting baptized waded out into the water with those doing the baptizin'. Laura said it was very cold. I'm not Christian, and not very religious, but it was pretty cool to be able to be there for something that was obviously very important to her.
Afterward we headed to West Seattle where Laura's sister-in-law has a little place. Laura showered, and then we headed over to Pike's Market. We walked around and looked at all the markety stuff. I even stopped into the original Starbuck's, but only for a second because it was so crowded. It was kind of ugly and unremarkable on the inside.
We ate at the Pike Brew House and then headed back towards Tacoma. I just paused at Laura's place long enough to pack my bags and hit the road back to Portland. I got back pretty late. Steph was in the bed so I crashed on the couch.
I kind of feel a little off today, but I really hope I'm not getting sick.
It was a lazy long morning, but eventually I headed into town to a cafe I like. They have cheap iced tea. I even had a decent sandwich here today too (ham & brie). I found several likely ads. A few of them want me to just call, so I'm planning to do that when I'm done with all my computer stuff. I also found an interesting sounding job post so I sent off my resume today.
I heard back from one of the emails I sent out on Friday. I think it sounds like a cool situation, though they won't be able to "interview" me until later this week and I wouldn't be able to move in until the 22nd. We'll see.