avoiding the office water cooler

When I had my annual work review this year, one of the things I had to do was revisit the previous year's personal goals that I had self-identified.  "Refrain from participating in office gossip" was one of those goals.  I never participate in spreading the gossip but my former coworker friend (who lost her job to the bottle) used to always tell me what she heard.  I knew her stories were mostly second hand and I doubted the source if I couldn't verify it.  Plus, most of the time, I just don't care.  Since that co-worker stopped working for the company early last fall, I have had little contact with the office rumor mill and I like it that way.

Today, a co-worker planned a happy hour outing at Produce Row with a bunch of other people around the office.  Since we can't talk about clients in public (due to confidentiality), the conversation is usually bound to turn to office gossip because that's the only other thing we all have in common.  However, I found out that one of the people that was going out has also not been leaving bar conversations at the bar.  That made me hesitant to go but I want to build team unity and part of that comes from getting to personally know your team.  That way they have more of an investment and are less likely to walk away.  I really like some of these people and I would hate to see them leave, plus I would like to know them better so I went out.  I just watched what I said. Really, I think I work with cool enough people right now that we can talk about interesting things that we have in common without having to resort to office gossip.  It's good to know that I can be social with them...but I'm still going to be on my best behavior.

What else?
Produce Row was pretty nice.  The beer selection was great and they did awesome parings of beer and whiskey.  I got the Buffalo Trale which is Hales Cream Ale with Buffalo Trace Whiskey.  They also have a great patio with a plastic covering so it's functional throughout the whole Portland year.

goodbye sophomore year

I had my last day of class today.  It's the first in a set of lasts that will signal that summer is coming for me.  To end the class, we all did our group presentations on talking about the different aspects of the problem of commercially sexually exploited children.  Really I learned a lot about this topic both through this day of presentation and throughout the rest of the class time spend discussing it.  I spent most of this past week preparing this presentation (which included the Bill video pictured above from Schoolhouse Rock).  I even took it upon myself to make nice color handouts, explaining all of the different pieces of Oregon legislation around the issue.  I was pretty confident before we began our presentation.  I was only further assured when the instructor announced that she all felt we as a class had gone above and beyond for this assignment and would all be getting a letter grade above our first assignment so I'm getting an A.

At the end of class, I was kind of surprised by how unemotional I was with not seeing any of my classmates again.  I may have some classes with them next quarter but I think all of them will be taking Advanced Generalist Practice II while I will only be taking electives.  I didn't bond with this class like I did with my classes my first and second quarter last year and I was with these people all year round.  At the end of the class, the instructor gave us each a sheet of colored paper.  We were to put our name on it and then pass it to the person to our right.  They would write something that they will remember us by on it and pass it to their right and so on until your paper gets back to you.  While doing it, I was reminded of yearbook signing at the end of high school.  I hardly knew some of the people in class and I had to even count back to find out whose paper I had to try to match a face with the name.  I jokingly said that I was going to write, "Have a nice summer" on some but I mostly said, "I admire your passion."  Some people I actually really liked in class and others I truly respected.  Most of them remain strangers to me though.  It's sad but it's okay.  I'll have a lot of goodbyes coming up soon enough with moving and leaving my internship.  I'm okay with easy goodbyes right now.

drink to the rapture

Sophia and I haven't gotten around to our food blog yet.  We haven't had a food of the month for several months now too.  One of our foods is going to be biscuits and gravy though so I decided I can justify ordering it whenever possible.  You know, for research.  I went to City State Diner today for the first time and had what I think may be the top contender for vegetarian B&G here in town.  At first I thought they served me meat because it was mighty tasty but nope, it was veggie.  I also had a drink called the Rapture.  It was most likely a carryover from yesterday but I'll drink to the dream that there's no religion.

the last supper

We are gathered here today to celebrate the 13 year anniversary of our friends Ashes and Victory and to say farewell to those good Christians that will be called up to heaven as our meal begins.  You may think that the rapture may have an influence on our party plans but none of us at this table are in danger of getting suddenly called up to heaven.

Seriously though, I am very thankful to have two friends who demonstrate such love, commitment, patience, understanding and sincerity towards one another.  It's inspiring and rare these days.

What else?
Yesterday, Casey Neil mentioned that the rapture is supposed to happen on Saturday (today).  His bandmate said, "Wow, imagine what Portland would look like post-rapture."  Casey remarked, "Portland won't be any different. Damned heathen town."  Funny and true.  I hope the rest of the world is still cool as well.

casey neil and the lawn monster

Today I saw Casey Neil for the first time at the Secret Society for the first time.  I've been so preoccupied with school and work and moving lately that I really haven't had so many good, relaxing moments with friends.  Therefore, I made myself getaway from it all and go to a show with Ashes and Victory for the evening.  Seeing more live music is definitely a goal of mine for this summer.  Casey is normally a musician that performs at the Country Fair.  I don't know why I haven't gone to one of his shows there but I don't think he's going to make it this year (from the tour info that he gave tonight) so I'm glad I got to see him today.

What else?
I tackled our lawnbeast today.  It was a hideous battle that I fought valiantly but to no avail.  I wasn't able to win the battle but I beat the beast back around to the back of the house.  Tomorrow, we will face off again, after the weed eater battery recharges.  After that, I will conclude my war on the yard and turn over the mower to Ashes to carry on the good fight.

trading amanda

Today's new thing was simple and fun and I need to do it more often.  My co-worker and I were talking about the musical artists that we're into right now.  I told her about Amanda Palmer and she told me that she's into Animal Prufrock (formerly of Bitch and Animal).  We swapped IPhones so we could listen to each other's ITunes.  I'm going to bring her 'Who Killed Amanda Palmer' on a flash drive tomorrow and she's going to bring me Animal's record.  I love not only working with someone who has such similar tastes in music but also getting a sample of her musical library so easily.

What else?
I had my fourth (I think) date with Andrew.  Things are nice and easy without any pressures.  I can dig this.

Happy birthday, Dad.  It'd difficult to think of my Dad as being old as the calendar says he is.  He still seems much more youthful.  Hopefully those good genes will see me to a relatively healthy older age.

gimme shelter

 

My world was expanded a little today as I got a different viewpoint on local resources for homeless youth today.  First, my supervisor and Iattended the coaltion to end homelessness.  I don't think that they actually believe that they're going to end homelessness though.  It should be called the coalition to reduce homelessness but that doesn't sound as ambitious.  However, it is more practical as I learned that the budget for housing assistance in Portland is being reduced by more than 50% over the next three years.

On the more practical side of confronting the issue, I went to see the homeless youth shelters today.  Since I intern at a transitional housing project, seeing the shelters was very informative.  I saw the steps (almost) all of the youth take before entering trans housing.  They have some fundamental steps to go through first.  There's a lot of youth who aren't able to make those steps.  It makes me even more proud of all of the youth I supervise in Trans Housing because they've come so far.

What else?

In between my coalition meeting and my shelter tour, I had an hour and a half to kill downtown.  I walked NW 23rd a bit and then headed to Couch Park just to chill out.  It's been a gorgeous day weather-wise so it was fabulous for a chance to sit in the sun while little dogs played around me.

I also walked up to the Firefighters Memorial Park for the first time.  It's a nice little place to sit in the middle of so much downtown traffic.

daily funny

I met two new people today although their names escape me.  Anyway, in the parking lot, I saw this bumper sticker.  Normally, I grow weary of bumper stickers because they either label your car as a target or they are the extent of your activism.  However, this was pretty funny.

eating vegan doesn't have to be healthy

My new thing today was the Cheezey Curl Sammich from HomeGrown Smoker.  It was messy and good.  I only have one more class at PSU until summer begins so this will probably be my last HGS visit for a while.

who you callin' a HO

In my Grandma P's barn, there was a basketball hoop in the hay loft.  The hay was all pushed to the back of the barn so that the front part could be a court.  I was never good at basketball, at least not the physical contact part but I loved to shoot hoops.  Played HORSE and PIG was great, even when I lost which was most of the time.

Today, Ashes, Raven and I headed to Laurelhurst Park with the soccer ball.  Before we got to kick the ball around, we started shooting hoops with it.  Before long, it evolved into a game of HORSE and then PIG.  It was Raven's first time playing either and not surprisingly, Ashes won both games.  Still, it was an afternoon/evening that I will fondly remember and I love the picture above that I took.  As Ashes pointed out, look at Raven's shoes.  His feet are bigger than mine now.  He's growing so fast.  I hope that this is one of those days that he will look back on fondly as well.

following the game

In Oregon, people tend to identify either as a Beaver or a Duck due to the silly civil rivalry between the schools.  I'm a Timber.  I actually really like watching these games.  Tonight, we played our rival, Seattle.  Because it was a big rivalry game, the Bagdad Theater was showing it for free.  Justin, Ashes, Victory, Atomic and I went there, got good seats and enjoyed our tie.  I wish it had been a victory because one of the guys from the place that was putting it on said we would march in the streets if they won.  Maybe we can do that when we defeat them on our home turf later this summer.

What else?
Muffin HQ is starting to feel more like home.  Today, I hung up my pictures and artwork.  I made some exact measurements and got all DaVinci Code precise about it.  I'm not moved in yet but I'm one step closer. 

a job like no other

One of these days, I'm writing a book about this job.

Today, all I had scheduled was a tea party.  I knew I would work on paperwork throughout the day but at 10:20, I was supposed to go to meet one of my favorite clients from the ATE program for a tea party in our cafeteria.  His job coach is trying to work with several of the ATE clients on manners.  She asked him if he would like to pick one of the staff people to have tea with and he picked me.  Honestly, I would have been pretty jealous if he had picked anyone else.

It was nice and I tried to engage him in conversation although his speech is limited to a repetitive small set of words.  A lot of the other employees in the building came by, saw us sitting at a cafeteria table with a table cloth and just marveled at us.  I suppose they were probably wondering how I can get paid for this but it was actually teaching him something.

That was the unusual but calm portion off the day.  An hour later, I heard that another client in our sheltered workshop program was apsirating on another client's fart.  Yep, his fart was so severe that it gave another client serious breathing problems.  They got the client to breathe normally eventually and head over to the other building for lunch.  A short while after that, Ashes got called to come across the street because the same client began choking again on the afterthought of the fart.  His breathing was so irregular that Ashes made me call 911.  When I did, I simply told the dispatcher that one of my clients was choking.  She asked if he was eating and I told her that it was something in the air.  She said, "Oh, so he's having an allergic reaction."  I said, "No...it was actually gas."  She laughed at me and told me that in 16 years on the job, she has never heard of any such thing.

So then I went outside to wait for the ambulance.  First, a firetruck with four firefighters arrived.  I directed them in and they told me to wait for the ambulance.  I didn't tell them why they were here.  By the way they were smiling at me, I think they knew.  Then an ambulance arrived with two EMTs.  Both of the vehicles had the sirens and the horns and the lights and it was all due to a fart.  The client ended up opting to go to the hospital and Ashes had to go with him.  He ended up being fine which is good because the story is only funny that way.

the price of a free lunch

Zipcar has free food promotions every now and then.  For the most part, they are over-attended and require a long wait in a line for just-okay food.  But today they got my attention by going to my favorite food cart, DC Vegetarian and giving away sandwiches from 5pm-6pm.  I got out of my internship at 4pm and it was raining so I headed to the library to wait until it was time and read Buffy comics.

By the time I flashed my card, picked up my sandwich and biked home, I was completely soaked.  Still, a free vegan chicken salad sub made it all worth it.

take this burger as a token of my appreciation

Seven years ago, I took the job as supervisor for the clients that work in the stores at our Powell location.  It was supposed to be a temporary job because I was just the backup.  The primary supervisor for the clients had a big conflict with the store manager and asked for a transfer to another store.  By default, I ended up in charge.  At the time, the store manager wanted me to eventually move to become an assistant manager so she told me not to become too attached to the position but I really became attached to the clients and loved working with them.  In that interim time, they gave me one new guy at the store, referred to as "L."  I didn't have a lot of experience yet so I didn't know what the hell to do.  This was L's first time working in a store so he didn't know what to do either.  It took a little time but eventually we got it figured out and I decided to tell my boss that I wanted the position.  After some time, I got to be a case manager and still work with the Powell store clients.

Today was L's anniversary of beginning with the company.  Recently, we had some more hours open up at a smaller location which would mean more independence for L.  He's come a long way in seven years and I know he could make it in a more independent job. However, it would also mean that he would have to move to a different site, meet new people and be a bit further away from his house.  Ultimately, L decided to stay. I was glad because he would have had a different case manager at that site and I wouldn't get to work with him.

Since he chose to stay working with me and not transfer, I decided to take him out for a meal to celebrate his anniversary.  He chose Burgerville so we went there today.  I haven't take a client out to lunch to celebrate an anniversary before but it was nice.  We've worked together for a long time and each made a good amount of progress.  It's good to sit back and reflect on that.

What else?
I also rode my bike down the I-205 bike path again to my other site in Clackamas.  It felt so good to have the time and the cooperation from the weather to do this again. Before I headed to Powell, I swung by Seven Corners and bought my first Pannier bag to attach to my bike rack.  I plan to bike a lot this summer for work stuff so I wanted to get myself set up proper and it worked.  The bag may be a little small but it's my first one.  I can work my way up to the larger size.

watch out for the banana peels

Class got out early today so I rode up to In Other Words quick to grab a new book that I special ordered (for the 1st time).  On the way, I rode up Williams Avenue where someone had spray painted Mario Kart symbols.  It's just another reason why I love Portland.

eternal spring

Sophia, Jennifer and I painted the living room green today.  When we painted my office, we went from white to a light brown. My room went from one bright color to another and the bathroom doesn't have a lot of light to it so this room is the one that really counted.  Plus, the living room is where we will most likely spend most of our waking hours in the house.  It also gets the most light so making it's white a bright spring green was a drastic change.  I loved it but I think that Sophia's in shock about it.  Of course, she's lived in the house for around 6 years with the walls just being white so I can imagine it's jarring.  I think and hope she'll be happy with it eventually though.

I also took Dean to the house for a while before we started painting so he could get an idea of what we're doing there. He seemed fascinated by it all but eventually settled down on my bed for a nap.  I think he'll be happy with the move too.

What else?

Sophia, Jesse and I went to Apizza Scholls afterwards and I had a new kind of pizza.  We had the New York White Pie for the 1st time along with the our standard Tartufo Bianca with mushrooms.  The White was good but I love the Tartufo.

better than my living room

Today, I felt like rewarding myself so I was lucky that there was a Timber's game on TV.  Ashes, Victory and I went to Blitz to watch the game and I had a great Breakfast Bomber burrito for the 1st time as we watched the game on a comfortable couch and had people bring us drinks.  It wasn't a great game but it was a damn fine way to enjoy it.

What else?
I also downloaded and began using the hipstamatic on my IPhone which produced the picture above. 

he who hangs out in cemeteries

Today, Andrew and I walked through the Lone Fir Cemetery.  I used to live near a cemetery when I lived in McCook.  It wasn't as depressing as one would think.  It was more depressing that I lived in a trailer park near a cemetery.

As a date, I think that it works because I don't think of cemetery walking as traditional.  Some of the graves were pretty damn old.  Andrew cited an author's focus (although I can't remember who at the time) about how we die twice.  We die our natural death and then again we die when the last person to remember us dies.  So, that's slightly depressing but it's still a very calm, beautiful, peaceful place.  I still want to be cremated though unless I can be buried in one of these coffins:

decor-fixation

Part of moving into a new setting means a renewed compulsion to buy new-to-me furniture.  When I first moved into my house in Nebraska, I did something similar except I ordered new furniture. Despite what Fight Club taught me, I decided that the only way to make my house feel complete was to order a couch out of JCPenneys or Sears catalog.  I came into a sum of money through inheritance so I didn't feel bad about lavishly spending it.  However, it got complicated.  I don't remember all of how it went but here's what I can recall.

I ordered a big couch and it was supposed to be delivered one day I had off work.  I waited home and finally called the company in the afternoon to see where it was.  Their response was, "Oh, we thought you were dead."  Apparently, they had called to verify the delivery time but had called the wrong number and got someone in Colorado who thought it would be more efficient to say that I was dead rather than "you have the wrong number."  So, I got my couch.  Since it was a new couch and the rest of my furniture was second-hand, it looked really awkward.  I ended up calling them and telling them I didn't want the couch after all.  They said they would come get it and refund my money.  They did end up refunding my money but they never picked up the couch.  Also, they sent me another couch.  I can't really remember what happened to one of the couches but I gave the other one to my brother who got a new free couch.

Anyway, I can't fathom ordering furniture new anymore, especially through a catalog.  What I really need is a dresser because my new room will have a lot less closet room and plus I won't have the clothing storage room underneath my loft.  I visited several vintage furniture shops up Hawthorne.  I hit Lounge Lizard and Deco to Disco for the first time.  I also visited Vintage Pink.  They all had decent items but they were all way too pricey.  I ended up finding a couple of different dressers for the right price at House of Vintage.  It ended up being a tough choice but I think that I chose wisely, deciding on a blonde wood waterfall style dresser with five big drawers.  It had been reduced about 50% in price too so I think I got a good deal.

Now I just need nightstands...

What else?

 I biked around to my stores today for work.  I was planning on spending a while at each store so I didn't want to reserve a zipcar and the work van was already reserved so I biked.  While heading back from Clackamas up the Springwater Corridor, I saw a bunch of Canadian Goslings. They were so cute but I couldn't get very close for a picture because mom and dad were pretty protective.

moving by bike

It's May so I've started moving.  Wow, this has come quickly.  I had time to start this yesterday but I just wasn't in the mood and technically, I didn't plan on moving in until today so here I am.  Instead of loading up my car and driving over there, I thought I'd move as much by bike as possible.  Today got over 70 degrees so it was perfect weather for biking.  I hauled four loads in my bike trailer over to Muffin HQ which is a six mile round trip so I did 24 miles with a heavy load on the first half.  I'm a bit tired from it but I definitely feel a sense of accomplishment around it.  Also, my room looks great with my Run Lola Run framed poster, my plastic penguin Marla and a multi-colored quilt my mom made me.