Gelato Magic
I've had a fairly productive day so far.
I walked over to the post office and mailed some stuff.
I walked over to Powell's and did some research.
I bought tracing paper which I'd forgotten on my previous visits to the art store.
I ate at Cha Cha Cha--3 little tacos that were delicious. While I was sitting in the back of the small restaurant waiting for my food, this guy walked in and stood in line for a while before ordering 2 burritos. It was weird because I kept glancing at him, and several times, he was looking right at me. At first I was just like, "nah couldn't be" but then I realized that it totally was him. I mean, he does live in Portland, so I guess it's not that crazy. It's just funny because he's the first famous person I've ever seen in public who was just out and about living life.
Is he even considered famous though? Did you know that his name was Art Alexakis? I didn't until I looked him up. I did know the band was called Everclear, but I didn't go up to him and say, "hey are you that dude from Everclear?" because I figured he'd rather just eat his burrito with his girlfriend or wife and their baby in peace.
Last night I went out to a bar with my house mates and saw the blonde dude from the band Spoon. I would not have recognized him, but my roommate did, and when I looked up photos on line, it was definitely him.
I took the bus back with Theo (the guy who lives in the studio apartment downstairs) and my roommate. We were going to take the 20 which goes right down Burnside, but it wasn't coming for 20 minutes, so when the 12 came along, we hopped on it and then transferred to the MAX (light rail) which stops in front of PGE park which is right by my house.
On the walk from the station to our house, we saw this strung out dude filled with rage take off his shirt and run/stumble across the street as though he wanted to fight with these other guys that were in a parking lot. Then when the other guys "bit back" the shirtless guy totally cooled off and tried to play it off like it was a joke. We proceeded with caution as he was retreating in the other direction.
Earlier that day I actually took the bus for the first time.
I researched the schedules online and planned my route. I took the 15 down Belmont and then walked a few blocks to get to Hawthorne. I bought a bathing suit and sat at an outdoor table at the Bagdad Theater, one of the many McMenamins in town. There I had a Ruby beer and some tater tots. While I sat there enjoying my afternoon snack, a woman sat at the table in front of me and started smoking. The wind was blowing right in my direction. I decided to not get annoyed, but to focus on the good. The beautiful day, the sun shining, the delicious beer and tots, my awesome new bathing suit. I'm not sure why, but I sent out a silent thought to no one in particular, "thanks for this smoke-free environment." The instant that thought was thunk, the woman dropped her cigarette, at least half of which was still smokeable, and stamped it out. I was amazed, and then I truly did enjoy my smoke-free environment.
My transfer was still valid when I headed back, so I made the whole trip for $2. I love the bus.
When I made it back to the house after picking up some gouache at the art store, I wanted to do some more painting, but I was also tired and felt like taking a nap. Instead I decided to go for a walk. I really needed a little container for painting water, and I thought I might be able to find something cheap at the thrift store nearby, or at this other place that has pretty cheap stuff. Unfortunately both stores were closed, so instead I just kept walking for a while. After walking by the second closed shop, I vaguely thought, "I really would like a little pot or container; nothing fancy, but I'd like to walk home with it this evening."
So I just walked around. I went into Paper Source and looked at all the pretty and over-priced papers. I peered through the windows of more shops that were already closed. I browsed through a gift shop that's closing it's doors at the end of the month. Everything was 30% off, but I wasn't even tempted by a single thing in there. Not even the bacon band-aids. No wonder they are closing.
As I walked by Alotto Gelato, I suddenly veered into the store. I hadn't thought about getting a gelato, and I was a little surprised that I went in, but I went with the flow and tried the Stumptown Espresso with Stratciatella. I decided to stay and eat my gelato in the shop since they recycle their spoons and cups. I was almost done with my gelato when it hit me: here is the perfect little cup for your water color water! I had exactly what I was looking for only I didn't know it at the time. I was so excited. Before leaving, I picked up a "frequent gelato buyers card" since now that I live in the neighborhood, I imagine I'll be stopping in from time to time. The guy gave me an extra stamp to welcome me to Portland. The whole walk home, I kept looking at my cup and enjoyed the serendipity of the moment. I knew there was a reason I love gelato.
I didn't end up painting last night since I went out with my housemates for a drink, but I have an idea I want to try out, hopefully tonight.
I walked over to the post office and mailed some stuff.
I walked over to Powell's and did some research.
I bought tracing paper which I'd forgotten on my previous visits to the art store.
I ate at Cha Cha Cha--3 little tacos that were delicious. While I was sitting in the back of the small restaurant waiting for my food, this guy walked in and stood in line for a while before ordering 2 burritos. It was weird because I kept glancing at him, and several times, he was looking right at me. At first I was just like, "nah couldn't be" but then I realized that it totally was him. I mean, he does live in Portland, so I guess it's not that crazy. It's just funny because he's the first famous person I've ever seen in public who was just out and about living life.
Is he even considered famous though? Did you know that his name was Art Alexakis? I didn't until I looked him up. I did know the band was called Everclear, but I didn't go up to him and say, "hey are you that dude from Everclear?" because I figured he'd rather just eat his burrito with his girlfriend or wife and their baby in peace.
Last night I went out to a bar with my house mates and saw the blonde dude from the band Spoon. I would not have recognized him, but my roommate did, and when I looked up photos on line, it was definitely him.
I took the bus back with Theo (the guy who lives in the studio apartment downstairs) and my roommate. We were going to take the 20 which goes right down Burnside, but it wasn't coming for 20 minutes, so when the 12 came along, we hopped on it and then transferred to the MAX (light rail) which stops in front of PGE park which is right by my house.
On the walk from the station to our house, we saw this strung out dude filled with rage take off his shirt and run/stumble across the street as though he wanted to fight with these other guys that were in a parking lot. Then when the other guys "bit back" the shirtless guy totally cooled off and tried to play it off like it was a joke. We proceeded with caution as he was retreating in the other direction.
Earlier that day I actually took the bus for the first time.
I researched the schedules online and planned my route. I took the 15 down Belmont and then walked a few blocks to get to Hawthorne. I bought a bathing suit and sat at an outdoor table at the Bagdad Theater, one of the many McMenamins in town. There I had a Ruby beer and some tater tots. While I sat there enjoying my afternoon snack, a woman sat at the table in front of me and started smoking. The wind was blowing right in my direction. I decided to not get annoyed, but to focus on the good. The beautiful day, the sun shining, the delicious beer and tots, my awesome new bathing suit. I'm not sure why, but I sent out a silent thought to no one in particular, "thanks for this smoke-free environment." The instant that thought was thunk, the woman dropped her cigarette, at least half of which was still smokeable, and stamped it out. I was amazed, and then I truly did enjoy my smoke-free environment.
My transfer was still valid when I headed back, so I made the whole trip for $2. I love the bus.
When I made it back to the house after picking up some gouache at the art store, I wanted to do some more painting, but I was also tired and felt like taking a nap. Instead I decided to go for a walk. I really needed a little container for painting water, and I thought I might be able to find something cheap at the thrift store nearby, or at this other place that has pretty cheap stuff. Unfortunately both stores were closed, so instead I just kept walking for a while. After walking by the second closed shop, I vaguely thought, "I really would like a little pot or container; nothing fancy, but I'd like to walk home with it this evening."
So I just walked around. I went into Paper Source and looked at all the pretty and over-priced papers. I peered through the windows of more shops that were already closed. I browsed through a gift shop that's closing it's doors at the end of the month. Everything was 30% off, but I wasn't even tempted by a single thing in there. Not even the bacon band-aids. No wonder they are closing.
As I walked by Alotto Gelato, I suddenly veered into the store. I hadn't thought about getting a gelato, and I was a little surprised that I went in, but I went with the flow and tried the Stumptown Espresso with Stratciatella. I decided to stay and eat my gelato in the shop since they recycle their spoons and cups. I was almost done with my gelato when it hit me: here is the perfect little cup for your water color water! I had exactly what I was looking for only I didn't know it at the time. I was so excited. Before leaving, I picked up a "frequent gelato buyers card" since now that I live in the neighborhood, I imagine I'll be stopping in from time to time. The guy gave me an extra stamp to welcome me to Portland. The whole walk home, I kept looking at my cup and enjoyed the serendipity of the moment. I knew there was a reason I love gelato.
I didn't end up painting last night since I went out with my housemates for a drink, but I have an idea I want to try out, hopefully tonight.