V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

Highlights:
- M is not a fan of Lompoc, a bar that brews their own beers and has a Tuesday drink special that Brian and Ben partake in weekly. She is a fan of Prost, a German bar that reminds me of Dallas. It's loud and sardine-like, but has the Spaten Optimator and offers the beer boot. There was also a group of people looking very authentic German in their Lederhosen and Dirndls.
- Jiffy Lube on Hawthorne has rude mechanics. And ruined our three birds with one stone scheme (explanation: Bird 1- need an oil change so papa bear will stop growling at me, Bird 2- it was located on Hawthorne street, the very street we were aching to frolic, Bird 3- have free, easy-to-find parking). We waited in the lobby for half an hour and watched Jerry Springer's "Is your mother fat and wearing too little clothing?" while Bowser was being worked on. I did not get to utilize the parking lot and had to fight Hawthorne for a parking spot.
- Elevated Coffee offers the smallest Chai Tea Latte. It's for the two-sip-drinkers.
- The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a trifecta: Heath Ledger, Jude Law AND Johnny Depp. Or, if you're into Collin Farrel, a fourfecta?
- M bowled the highest scoring game of her life: 130. She doubled my score.
- Thai food goes great with The Simpsons. Also, M has now seen more than two episodes and might pursue a path of becoming a Simpsons aficionado. A high gravitas task.
- "Grilled Cheeses should always be eaten on a school bus." Also, Trivial Pursuit is the Portland game. You can find that game at any restaurant/bar in the area.
- "I'm glad I live in Dallas. I would go broke if I lived someplace cool." ---This is M's sentiment about Portland after browsing the fabric store and the comic book store. Did I say browsing?? Actually, I meant after buying out the house.
- Blend Coffee Lounge is our new favorite place. It is owned by this tiny woman who makes good coffee and plays Elliot Smith and Built to Spill all day long. I read Volume 10 of The Walking Dead while M drew a few Portland houses.
- Portland has the lowest rider. In the world. No joke, step right up ladies and gentleman. For $1.00 you can view the one and only, the lowest low rider!!
- I am not a fan of frog legs. However, Montage is a great restaurant. It's this cajun style place that has absurd waiter/resses that scream orders into the kitchen and wrap your left overs in tin foil. I received a sword, Ben got a hammer and Melinda got the flower (she requested a raccoon, so you can imagine the dissatisfaction). Michael was a little piggie and ate his entire meal. So no tin foil swan for him.
- I am a sad duck with Melinda not in Portland with me. Come back? Please??