gridlore: Doug looking off camera with a grin (Default)
Douglas Berry ([personal profile] gridlore) wrote2002-07-24 10:26 am

(no subject)

Finally, I have access to a machine that I can read my LJ on without tearing my hair out. Realizing that I last updated this two weeks ago means that we have a lot to cover, so hold on tight foks!



OK, forgive me, if this is a little disjointed, and I know I will forget things, but hey, I'm playing catch-up here.

Portland Annex

I had a great time at [livejournal.com profile] eleri's place in Oregon. She's a wonderful hostess, her house is amazing and set in a beautiful rural setting, and the people were great. We flew up on Thursday morning, and piled into the Pull-Me-Over red Grand Am that [livejournal.com profile] dafydd rented and headed for the hotel. Nice place with an indoor pool. Most of the day consisted of hanging out at the hotel, trying to coordinate with new arrivals, and waiting for Eleri too arrive. When she did, she had Miri in tow. That kid is a complete, shameless flirt. Takes after her Mommy. After dinner, I decided to travel back to Eleri's place to allow [livejournal.com profile] dafydd and [livejournal.com profile] kshandra some privacy.

It was well after dark when we got there, and I was directed to look up. Oh, my God. I had forgotten who many stars you can see in a dark sky. The Big Dipper blazed in the northern sky, and I could easily have stood there for hours just picking out stars and planets. Luckily, I was taken inside to sleep. I had difficulty getting to sleep though; it was too quiet! I'm used to traffic noise! Eventually exhaustion won out, and I crashed, hard. Woke up early the next day and went exploring. Pity I wasn't in better shape, because the roads went on forever.

A couple of things I couldn't get over.. everything was so green! I'm used to California foliage which is brown by this time of year. And all the water! It seems that there was a creek or river every half mile or so.

Friday was spent hanging out, for the most part. We did caravan to a fantastic Mongolian BBQ place (if you've never done it, go now.) Went back to the hotel for hot-tubbing and swimming.

Saturday was the pilgrimage to Powell's Books. While driving up, I finally got to see Mt. St. Helens. Holy crap, somebody too a hacksaw to that mountain! I must see it up close next time! Downtown Portland is a nice place, lots of nice shops and, for a San Franciscan, remarkably clean. Powell's is heaven. A bookstore that requires a map to get around in! I could spend an entire day in there.

We had originally planned to go to a farmer's market, but the day was oppressively hot and muggy, so things changed and we headed back to the hotel area for a little food and rest. That night, we had a great BBQ at El's, with much merry-making.

Sunday was taken up with packing, goodbyes and many hugs. I must go back there. It is my destiny.

Job Search

Yesterday, I had an oral board with the City of Pacifica. I was so fucking sick that I boloed the entire damn thing. I should have canceled and explained that I was too ill to attend, but instead I went in and made a fool of myself. Oh well.. call it a learning experience and move on.

South San Francisco has lost my application, so I need to go and drop off a new one. This is what we call "aggravating," children.

In Other News

Life continues apace.. my health (other than the bug I had over the weekend) is good, the Niners have begun training camp, and the Giants are toying with my emotions. Outrim Void is finally at Steve Jackson Games, I should be getting a check soon.

[identity profile] eleri.livejournal.com 2002-07-24 11:37 am (UTC)(link)
I must go back there. It is my destiny.

Yup. When we can take a day to go to the beach, and then a day to vedge, and then a day to hit St. Helens, and a day to veg, and a day to go to the gorge, and a day to veg, and so on and so forth.

How does the OryCon stuff go? My brain's been percolating with ideas. Would SJG send you extras to sign at the con? Wrigley Cross books is a major player at Orycon, I bet they'd be willing to carry them... hmmm...

Oh, and there's a suite at the hotel that almost never gets used...has a hottub and sauna in the room. heh heh heh :)