Jesse update

Portland!

(visit number two)

Hi everyone!  I’m house/dog-sitting, in Oregon, at the moment.  3/13-4/9, actually.  The two dogs are the frenchy, Poutine, and the new puppy, Banh Mi.   BM and P, lol.  I walk them 3 times a day, feed them, twice.  No one needs meds (well, maybe me).  I walk for 15 or 20 minutes, in the morning and evening, with both - and once in the afternoon with just BM for 45 minutes to an hour, because he has a lot of energy.  Sara, Pierre, and Augustus are in Vietnam, expected back 4/7 I think.  They went to LA first, where Pierre has family.  I think they said the flight to Vietnam was 17 hours.  The time there is (add 2 hours, switch the am/pm).  We’ve been texting, and FaceTiming a couple times, and Sara has an Instagram account with photo and video, keeping everyone posted.  They look like they’re having fun.  

I’m having fun, myself.  I bought my first banh mi sandwich today.   I had a choice of chicken or pork.  I chose pork.  It was delicious, and only $4 (and wasn’t on the menu; I went to Pho Hung, on Powell).  I also went and got a slice of pizza from Atlas, nearby.  It was sunny today, so I went out and explored, riding Pierre’s bicycle.  I made sure they bought a u-lock and switched out the quick-release hubs on his bike for skewers.   I don’t want the bike stolen!  I rode my/the/his bike over the Tillikum bridge, and checked out the Central library.  I love libraries, but this one is amazing.  And the librarian at the desk allowed me to turn in a book that got chewed up by the puppy without charge, which was nice.  I was planning on going to Powell’s books and buying a new one.  

I got my own library card, and checked out 7 books (1.God, by Reza Aslan; 2.God Got a Dog, by Cynthia Rylant; 3.The Road to Little Dribbling, by Bill Bryson; 4.The War that Saved my Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley; 5.The Witch’s Vacuum Cleaner, by Terry Pratchett.  I’ve read these 5.  One Came Home, by Timberlake was the book that got chewed and returned (unread).  The book I’m working on now is 7.The Year’s Best Science Fiction and Fantasy 2016, edited by Richard Horton (an anthology of short stories).  I also read 2 books that I brought with me: Superbetter, by Jane McGonigal, and Authentic Happiness, by Martin Seligman.  Sara left a book by the bed in the guest bedroom (where I’m staying) called Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch, which I really enjoyed.  So I’ve read 8 books (so far)!   

I went to the Reed library a couple times.   It’s open 7 days a week, and it only takes 15-20 minutes on bike to get there.  Non-students are welcome, and can use the wi-fi, but can’t check books out.  It’s lovely, quiet, and maybe even a little fun.   There’s a space devoted to ‘zines, for example, and an art space by the entrance.  I read the NY Times, and some CS Monitor.  They have Foreign Affairs and the Economist, as well.  The librarian kindly showed me where the newspapers were located.  I walked around and familiarized myself with the place, the bathrooms, the hidden nooks, a few books I might like to get to in the future….  

I also went to the two nearby branch libraries (Multnomah county: Woodstock, and Belmont).  There’s a 7-11 around the corner, and a hardware store, a few restaurants (I tried Little Big Burger last time I was here).  I bought a cheeseburger at Primal Burger.  I went to Kim Jong Grillin’ twice.  There’s a lot to see.  I haven’t been to Powell’s books, yet (supposedly the biggest (or best?) independent bookstore).   I enjoy the walks, because there’s so much to take in.   There’s so much moss, for example (!).  Lots of different trees, plants, ferns, flowers.  There are rings that are embedded in the curbs.  There are water fountains that are constantly bubbling.  There are stickers on every street sign, fire hydrant, and automobile.  Gardens have unique and interesting features, like swings, buddhas, deer and hindu statues, chimes and windmills, labelled trees, political and sports signs… a thousand details, really.  I’ll try not to bore you!  But I like it.   

The people have been both friendly and rude.  A neighbor took exception to my letting a dog walk in their yard.   A librarian insinuated I was stupid for bringing a list of Newbery books with me, when I could have reserved books online.  A woman was helpful when I inquired what a “growler” was.  I saw some women sunbathing on their yard.  I was planning on going to one of the (6, by my count) local churches.  But my books and sleeping-in took precedence.  It was sunny today (glorious, actually; I wore shorts), but it rained yesterday.  It rains a lot, here, but not heavily, usually.  There are lots of bikes, and electric bikes, and adults in racing gear and helmets and bright clothing.  Everybody is trying to be weird.  There are at least 7 kinds of Portland license plates.  There’s long hair, colored hair, weirdly stylized hair, all-black attire, friendly kids starting up conversations, the occasional loud shouting in the street.  I may be imagining it, but there’s something distinct about every single property I walk by, and it’s fun to be mindful and take note (For me, anyway).  Banh Mi has been recognized by at least 3 groups of other dog-walkers, which was kind of fun, too.  There are a lot of trucks and awd vehicles.   

I’ve been eating mostly the food left behind in the fridge and the pantry, supplemented with korean (twice), vietnamese, pizza.  I’m considering making it a rule to never go inside the 7-11 again, ever.  I mean, it’s mostly shit.  I bought and orange juice and an apple fritter one morning, which was tasty, but probably a recipe for diabetes.  I went to a pie place last time, but haven’t revisited (yet!!).  I learned how to use the coffee bean grinder, and their quirky coffee machine, so I haven’t done the Starbucks thing.  

I’ve been to 4 libraries and 1 used book store (which had boxes of playboys and penthouse, by the door, btw).   Reed, Belmont, Woodstock, Central.   I worked up a sweat today on the bike, which is nice.  I’ve been trying to do 10 planks a day, which I read is good for (reducing) my gut.  I take my shoes off in the house.  I watered the one houseplant today, as well as the front garden.  The dogs sleep with me.  Poutine is a noisy breather, but I’m used to it.  Banh is a holy terror, and I’m trying to train him not to bark at everything (or nothing) outside, so much.  He brought in a chunk of soft wood, and chewed it into bits in the living room, while I was out.  So I had to vacuum and sweep.  There’s heating, but I’ve used it sparingly.  Sara showed me the architectural plans they were given, regarding the remodel of the basement, should I move.  It would give me 2 rooms, plus a bathroom.  Bigger space than Berkeley, cheaper, with longtime friends, and in a new and exciting city.   I love Berkeley, but Portland is fun, too.   It’s win-win.  I could flip a coin! (but I won’t).   As of now, I think I’m going to live in (and love) Portland!