It's Cold

Have I mentioned that it's really cold here, 2 degrees coming to work this morning. I think I saw a polar bear when I looked out the window this morning, but it might have just been a snow-covered bush.

I'm a Survivor

Well folks, I survived my first day of work. It's always brutal and my

mind is on severe overload, but I came back and I'm sitting in my friendly near-work coffee shop doing a little prep-work before day 2. Besides learning a whole new area, I also have a totally different computer system to learn, so that's always fun! I was totally brain-fuzzed last night when I left, so I got lost in the skywalk system downtown, (I'll post more on that very soon - it's a very cool second-story network to work your way through the city without going outside) then I got off the bus about ten blocks away from where I should have gotten off and had to take a long hike in the freezing cold. Oh well, these things will happen. When I left home this am, it was only 1 outside. That's one single degree! I now remember why I wanted to live somewhere non-wintry. But, we'll just keep plugging along. Cheers to all - 4 more days until weekend cocktailing!

Everything's Progressing

Just a quick update - I found a place to live, I did a test-run of the bus system to see how long it will take me to get to work, (only 20 minutes) and I am now sitting in a cafe downtown using their wireless. So, all is good! More later!

I'm Here!

Hi all! I am *so* happy to be in Minneapolis!!! This is the gorgeous view from my hotel in the downtown Hilton. I'm busy hunting for a place to live - I have a showing at 4 for a place I'm really hoping works out - only 2 miles from work and a great price! Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me! I went out last night, and I must admit, got sloppy loaded. I was so happy to see things haven't changed and people here are still friendly and fun. I had a great time! If I get this apartment I'm looking at I'll be celebrating big-time tonight. I also found a great coffee shop only 2 blocks from my new workplace that has free wifi! Life is good!

Final Hours

Well, these are my final hours in Portland. I still have a ton to do, but I just wanted to take one last deep breath, look out the window and say goodbye. This time tomorrow I'll be starting my new life in Minneapolis. So, goodbye Portland. Hello future.

Portland Reflections

Only two days left before I leave the West Coast and head back to the Midwest. When I moved here nearly three years ago, I certainly had a very different picture in my head about how it would all turn out. I moved here because I thought it would be a great step up in my career as a tv journalist. Instead, it turned out to be the most hostile and difficult work experience I have ever had. But, I can say I learned a lot about what never to do as a manager. I also learned I can tough things out when things are bad. For the first time in my life I was laid off from a job. Normally, I would have seen that as a big failure, but it was actually a very interesting experience. Of course, a nice severance package helped cushion the blow, and I was able to take a year off from work. That gave me an even greater appreciation of having a balance between work and life. When the end of your life comes, will you look back fondly on all the 12-16 hour days you worked, or will you remember all of the special moments you had away from work?

I had a one year relationship here in Portland. He really helped me through many of the difficult times at work. We had a lot of really great times together. I was very sad when it ended. But, for the first time, I am friends with my ex, and I know we will remain friends for the rest of our lives.

I am proud of myself for really putting myself out there and moving far away from where I grew up. I realized I really love traveling and seeing other parts of the world.

While I was here, I saw Oregon, Washington and California for the first times. I also took an incredible trip to Hawaii for my birthday--and had two great trips to Las Vegas. I also realized I don’t want to live so far away from my family and friends. When you are close to them, you sometimes get irritated when you have to arrange your schedule around birthday parties or holidays or other special occasions. But, when you’re far away and it’s not as easy to make it to those events you really miss it. My parents don’t live near a major airport, so it makes it hard to fly in to visit them. Now, I’ll be able to make a four hour drive to see them whenever I want.

I found out that I really love living downtown. Downtown Portland is beautiful, and I’ve enjoyed all of my wanderings and discoveries.

I’ve found out when things get tough, there are people you can really count on, and there are people who you just thought you can count on.

I bought a computer for the first time and I started this blog. It’s really been a great tool for me to get my thoughts out and just share things with people from all around the world. I found out that I really enjoy taking pictures and it’s a new hobby I plan to keep exploring.

I also realized that I like watching Regis and Kelly Starbucks is addictive.

In two days I will be heading back to the Midwest, to a job I’m very excited about in a city I love, Minneapolis. I’m sure there will be a whole new bunch of surprises, and this time I go into my move with more realistic expectations, but still with many hopes and dreams of what I’d like my life to be like. I hope I run into many old friends, and I can’t wait to make many new friends. Life is truly an adventure, and mine is just beginning. Cheers to all in Portland, it’s been a ride I’ll never forget.

Three Days Left

Well, just about everything's been packed up and put into storage. I only have about a carload of stuff left in the condo. It's sad to see it all empty. I hope I can find a place I like as much in Minneapolis. I can't believe one week from today I'll be starting my first day at my new job! I think just to tease me a bit, it was a beautiful day here today. Sunny and 50 degrees. So, I took a long walk this afternoon to say goodbye to some of my favorite haunts.

I spent most of my time along the riverwalk. The Willamette was very calm and provided some beautiful reflections. Ironic as I was spending plenty of time reflecting on my nearly 3 years in Portland.

My life in Oregon was quite a rollcoaster, and things did not turn out the way I was hoping. But, I certainly learned a lot about myself, and I had many adventures. I'm working on a "goodbye to Portland" post where I'll tell you all about it. For now, I must finish sorting through some papers and do a little cleaning around here. Later all.

Remember This One?

Movin' on Out

This was the big moving weekend. The condo is almost empty, just a few things left. I really don't have a lot of stuff, but boy is it sure a pain in the hind end to move it all. I think I need to go have a few bloody marys now to keep my muscles loose. More later!

Slush City

Welcome to Slush City, Oregon. The snow is melting. Now, it's not so pretty.

TR Knight on Ellen

TR responds to the f-word controversy. Go TR! Go Ellen!

No, It's Not Okay

Did anyone else watch the Grey's Anatomy story on Access Hollywood tonight? You remember that one of the actors on the show (I'm not using his name because I don't want to even say it) reportedly threw out the word f***ot during a fight with Patrick Dempsey last fall, apparently referring to co-star TR Knight. Well, during interviews after Grey's Golden Globe win for best TV drama last night, this actor blurted out, "No, I did not call TR a fa**ot. Never happened, never happened." The whole cast was there in front of dozens of reporters and cameras. Can you imagine how that would make you feel if you were TR Knight, standing there, on what should be an extremely happy night? Coming to TR's defense is co-star Katherine Heigl.



I loved her before, and I love her even more now. In regards to the outburst, Heigl said about her apparently homophobic co-star, "I'm going to be really honest right now, he needs to just not speak in public. Period. I'm sorry, that did not need to be said, I'm not okay with it," You can see more on the story here: http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah3543.shtml

Perhaps it's time we all start writing a few letters and emails to the folks at Grey's Anatomy to tell them we do not want to support a show that allows one of its stars to be gay-bashed.

Snow Day! - Part 2

Here are some more snow pictures. It's fun when you don't have to go to work and you can just enjoy the snow!

I've become a big fan of public transportation since living here. It's a good day to forget about driving and hop on the train!

There's a tv crew on that corner by the train. Two more weeks and I'll be back in that biz!

Here's another way to get around - wish I had my cross country skis right now!

Here's my favorite church steeple.

It looks like the snow has now stopped. There's a good 2-3 inches on the roof across from me. They say there may be one more band of snow coming through, we'll have to see.

Snow Day!

It took a few days, but the snow they predicted finally showed up. We're getting about 2-3 inches in downtown Portland, which is highly unusual here. Accidents abound and the tv stations believe the light-falling snow is a blinding blizzard.

They won't use salt on the roads out here because they're afraid it will ruin the environment, so instead there are dozens of accidents and the metro area shuts down. Personally, I think it's pretty, so here are some shots:

Seeking shelter from the storm.

One

Honest Abe

I Can't Wait to Move!!! Can I go Now? Please? This Town is So Dull!!!

Hottest QB?

What a weekend in the NFL! We're down to four teams, but forget about the Super Bowl. Let's talk about the most important issue - which team has the hottest quarterback?






Rex Grossman
Chicago Bears

Peyton Manning
Indianapolis Colts

Drew Brees
New Orleans Saints

Tom Brady

New England Patriots

Victory!

A big, sweaty cheer goes out to Andy Roddick, who beat Roger Federer this weekend for only the second time in his pro career. Andy won the Kooyong Classic, a tuneup to the Australian Open. Andy, I'll be in Minneapolis in two weeks. Look me up, I'll buy you a cocktail to celebrate! (photo courtesy: PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

Sleepy Saturday

Well, I didn't accomplish much of anything today. The ex took me out to dinner last night, and then we met a friend of his out for a couple of drinks after. I really didn't drink a lot and didn't even feel buzzed when I got home, but I felt really hungover today. Maybe it was just a random headache. Anyway, after I crawled out of bed I pretty much just layed on the couch watching football all day. It was cloudy and cold out anyway, so I didn't miss much. So, I'll show you some pictures I took Friday afternoon when it was cold and sunny.

I love a cold, crispy day. The river and sky were both sparkling blue.

I ran into a very talented dancing seagull. She was no Madonna, but not bad for a bird.

This fellow looked very thoughtful. I think I will crawl back into bed and wait for Jakey G's guest host appearance on Saturday Night Live. Hope you're all having a good weekend!

Naked Skier

Apparently, people like pictures of naked skiers. I've been getting a lot of hits from people searching for Austrian skier Rainer Schoenfelder (see "And You Think You're Cold) who lost a bet and took off down the slopes without any clothes. So, I did a little search and found this guy in Idaho (photo courtesy Hillary Mayberry) who likes to ski without any skivvies. Hmm, maybe I'll take up skiing!

Busy Busy...

It was a lovely, crisp, sunny day here in Portland, Oregon. I spent the day running a few errands and dealing with moving stuff. I should be outta here and in Minneapolis by the end of the month. Can't wait! Hope you all had a good day, here are a couple of more pics from my time in the sun:

I was still able to find a few tiny roses in Washington Park.