Functioning Apartment / First Hosted Party / Jaci Visit?
My apartment is finally truly coming together! I've collected just about everything I need to really properly function here. I've got all the furniture I need and all the little gizmos that make it work. Several of the rooms are also what I consider complete and furnished. My independence is becoming more and more permanent by the day. For those of you who would like to see what my apartment looks like, here are four photos that'll give you a taste of this place. Click each link to see it pop up in a new window.
Living room with patio deck door
Dining room with 4-foot-round granite table
Kitchen with Laundry behind doors
Bedroom with all the junk I tossed in there to hide while I had company over
The only real struggle I have left is filling up the walls with my posters and artwork. It's more about being satisfied with where I hang things rather than an issue of lack of stuff to hang. I think the thing about this apartment that I'm most satisfied with is the real granite table in the dining room. I snagged it off Craigslist for a little over $100 from a guy who runs a showroom storefront in North Portland selling office furniture from liquidated companies. Why any business here in town had such a formal table was a mystery to both of us. The chairs were part of the deal too and together the set is gorgeous. The only problem is that there are several long scratches in the center of the top of the table that I'll need to figure out how to buff out. I've been told to start with super-fine steel wool but I'm simply not an expert. More research will need to be done. Overall, I'm excited and pleased and thrilled with how this bachelor pad is turning out!
Part of that excitement stems from hosting my very first game night party here earlier this week. Every few weeks, some of my college buddies, Ian, Matt, and Cassandra, and I get together for an evening of food, conversation and board games. In the past half-decade of these game nights, I think I've only ever hosted one because it's awkward to throw a party when you're closing out your 20's living with your parents. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed by them, it's always been that I disliked bringing attention to the fact that I lived with my parents so long into my life. Plus, the game nights were my one chance to get away from home life. Now that my apartment is comfortable enough to do these kinds of things successfully, game nights will begin happening here! This week was the big first trial of this place. Sure, I've had people over here before, but these game night parties are more than just a casual happening, they're organized rituals with some of my favorite friends. Thankfully, everything went really well and it looks like we'll be back here for another party soon enough!
I very briefly mentioned in my last entry that my workplace is seriously considering another two week shutdown in March. The new rumor is that they're going to split that up into a week in February and a week in March. February is pretty much here, so this could be happening right quick. I've got no plans for a February shutdown, but as for the one in March, Jacalyn and I are seriously considering getting her out here from South Dakota for one of the weekends involved. This will be her first visit to Oregon since Garhan and Torri's wedding in May of 2007. It's been too long! Stay tuned!
Living room with patio deck door
Dining room with 4-foot-round granite table
Kitchen with Laundry behind doors
Bedroom with all the junk I tossed in there to hide while I had company over
The only real struggle I have left is filling up the walls with my posters and artwork. It's more about being satisfied with where I hang things rather than an issue of lack of stuff to hang. I think the thing about this apartment that I'm most satisfied with is the real granite table in the dining room. I snagged it off Craigslist for a little over $100 from a guy who runs a showroom storefront in North Portland selling office furniture from liquidated companies. Why any business here in town had such a formal table was a mystery to both of us. The chairs were part of the deal too and together the set is gorgeous. The only problem is that there are several long scratches in the center of the top of the table that I'll need to figure out how to buff out. I've been told to start with super-fine steel wool but I'm simply not an expert. More research will need to be done. Overall, I'm excited and pleased and thrilled with how this bachelor pad is turning out!
Part of that excitement stems from hosting my very first game night party here earlier this week. Every few weeks, some of my college buddies, Ian, Matt, and Cassandra, and I get together for an evening of food, conversation and board games. In the past half-decade of these game nights, I think I've only ever hosted one because it's awkward to throw a party when you're closing out your 20's living with your parents. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed by them, it's always been that I disliked bringing attention to the fact that I lived with my parents so long into my life. Plus, the game nights were my one chance to get away from home life. Now that my apartment is comfortable enough to do these kinds of things successfully, game nights will begin happening here! This week was the big first trial of this place. Sure, I've had people over here before, but these game night parties are more than just a casual happening, they're organized rituals with some of my favorite friends. Thankfully, everything went really well and it looks like we'll be back here for another party soon enough!
I very briefly mentioned in my last entry that my workplace is seriously considering another two week shutdown in March. The new rumor is that they're going to split that up into a week in February and a week in March. February is pretty much here, so this could be happening right quick. I've got no plans for a February shutdown, but as for the one in March, Jacalyn and I are seriously considering getting her out here from South Dakota for one of the weekends involved. This will be her first visit to Oregon since Garhan and Torri's wedding in May of 2007. It's been too long! Stay tuned!