I Gave Tourists Directions

Portland is weird without Ben, Bryan and Lizzy. They are in Dallas sweating it out for a wedding. I'm in Portland where the weather is soggy and I carry my umbrella with me daily. I also have a strong desire to watch Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds sing and dance. I've decided I don't enjoy riding the bus when it's raining. Everyone is grouchy and snappy and with the extra layers of clothing and rain protection devices the bus is more dense and dripping. The other day I got booted out of my seat by this pugnacious middle-aged woman. My prince defended me though. The two of them had this quarrelsome battle about the necessity of her usurping my seat. "Are you disabled? Are you a senior citizen? Hmm? Do you get the senior discount when you go to IHOP?? Are you pregnant?" "MM, nahhh! But I'm older than her." I stood awkwardly and tried to act like the argument had nothing to do with me. I also did not win back my seat.

I got a key to the office. Does this mean it's official? That I'm wearing the big girl pants, aka dress slacks, and working the full time job? I hope so! I'm starting to get into the swing of things at work. I've been sitting in the conference room during my lunch hour with all the other frugals who don't want to buy food. It's fleet week in Portland and my coworkers spent an hour discussing the suggestive details of the navy staying at lonely ladies' homes in euphemisms. By the end of the conversation I was completely confused. Maybe I should start going out for lunch.

I've spent the majority of the weekend slumming around with Dane. I taught him how to play Mah Jongg over wine and Bob Dylan. The boy has a knack for the game and pretty soon he's going to be unbeatable. We went on a mini-road trip to Yelm, Washington to look at a Toyota Tacoma he found on Craigslist. The guy selling the truck had a shaved head and the two of them bonded over their hairlessness and now Dane is the proud owner of a vehicle! He goes back next week to pick it up. We took back roads on the way back that were windy and offered a great view of Mt. Rainier. We packed a lunch and I had my first PB&J---dislike. When we got back to Portland we celebrated with Lebanese food. Anyone who comes to visit me will now be taken to Nicholas Restaurant! I hope you like kabobs and hummus.