deep fried avocado

What happens when you batter avocado slices in cornmeal and fry them up? You get a happy Topher. I love Homegrown Smoker's inventiveness. Not only did I try the fried avocado but I got the Chili Pie with it which is served with Fritos in a Fritos' bag. They may not be the most healthy vegan place but they are probably the most creative!

'getting caulky' or 'locked, caulked and loaded' or 'I *heart* caulk'

I got some caulk today. Hee-hee. I also lost a screw off my bike this morning so I got to tell my cool co-workers that "I wasn't able to find a screw but I at least got caulk."

My new thing was finishing up my hammock in back. I caulked the wall where I screwed the eye hole in so it didn't rot in the rain. I've never used a caulking gun before but it was relatively basic and cheap and a lot easier to do than fix a rotted wall down the road.

I probably won't post tomorrow unless something amazing happens. Most likely, my new thing will be falling asleep or at least spending the entire evening in the hammock.

What else?
A few of us helped Tim celebrated his birthday today at Portobello. It was fun and I tried some new dishes (like the mushroom ravioli and the pole beans).

the world I know

This song has been in my head lately (I wish I could embed it but it's blocked). The song is sweetly sorrowful and inspirational at the same time. I however am mostly feeling sorrowful.

Today, I got a distressing call from a elderly parent of a client. Basically, the parent was admitting to me that they were being neglectful of their adult child with disabilities and engaging in behavior that was endangering people's lives. I know that she knew that I was going to have to report it. I think that she was telling me to absolve herself. If anything were to happen to her or her child, then she could always say that I knew about it so she believed it was okay. So now I get to be the social worker that gets a child removed from the home. This sucks.

I've had doubts about this job and this line of work before but today I broke down and admitted to myself that I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to be responsible for this. I don't want to continue to go to school. I want things to be easy and simple and mindless again. I want work to be just that. Screw job satisfaction. I want a paycheck and then I want to be able to move on with my life. I want a job that has no actual consequences on anyone's life and I want to be able to forget about it as soon as I clock out. Hell, I want to be able to forget about it while I'm doing it.......but that's a lie.

I  wish that I didn't want to do this job. From my front step, I can see the video store near my house. A guy who used to do the same job as me at work quit over a year ago and now works as a video store clerk at this store. As I stopped at home today, I saw him bike to his video store job in his shorts and t-shirt and I was jealous. I miss my mindless video store days but only in hindsight. Retail work was boring as hell and when it wasn't boring, it was stressful. As hard as my job is today, it's given me some of the gratifying and best moments of my life. School is difficult too but it has also been amazing.

I think it's just summer. It's weighing hard on me. Thankfully, I have a vacation coming up.

What else?
My new thing today was setting up my hammock in the backyard. Ashes came over to help me and I messed with wire rope and it's now all secure. I've got to put the finishing touches on it tomorrow but, after the way today went, I really really need this hammock.

catechism cafe

August got off to a roaring start.

Lately, I've been really missing going to drag shows and I've been meaning to make it to one. Also, yesterday, Sophia and I were talking and I was hankering for a BBQ. Well, today, I got all of that and more at this month's Catechism Cafe. Sister Krissy Fiction of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was having her 40th birthday and decided to use the party to raise money for Phame, the performing arts group for people with disabilities for which Jessica works. That's so awesome. Over $1600 for raised for Phame which is completely awesome, especially because Sister Krissy just wanted to give back and this is the first non-exclusive-LGBTQ group that the Sisters have raised money for.

The party was fun! They had a BBQ at Crush and were kind enough to make vegetarian options for Sophia and me. They had other BBQ options like macaroni salad and watermelon slices. Plus, they had vegan gelato which was nothing short of divine. As Sophia said, it was worth the price of admission just by itself. There were a few drag performances including a queen doing 'Beaver' instead of 'Fever' which was just hilarious. Also, one of the students from Phame performed several gay classics (Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Cabaret, etc) acapella. He did a great job and even came out in drag for his last number.

It was a unexpectedly fun night. I was going mainly to support Jess but I stayed because I loved it all; the drag, the food, the fun and the cause.

farewell july

This month, I started a new tradition with my best guy & climbed a volcano six times. Today, we walked around new paths on Tabor in the sunset instead of the sunrise so we could say goodbye to a good month.

This month, I was told I was beautiful and I was called Princess.

This month, I picked up the ball and continued the game.

This month, I saw Lt Uhura pull a knife on the alternate Sulu after spending the afternoon relaxing in a park.

This month, I was a jellyfish and I swayed in the woods with the hippies to a jam band.

This month, I said goodbye to two worlds and one friend and made friends out of co-workers.

This month, I worked on living spaces, inside and out.

This month, I sat in the dark and listened to a minstrel tell stories of his ill-begotten year on stage.

This month, I took a lot of pictures of all types and I was proud.

This month was fabulous. The weather cleared up, I was healthy, I was happy and I only hope that it continues...

What else?
This month (today actually), I went to Fat Albert's, the Columbia Outlet and shopping in the downtown H&M for the first time with friends. That and the 6 mile walk around my new favorite park made for a great day. I also tried out a new scalp detoxification technique.

This evening, Dean and I sat down at the summit of the volcano and watched the sunset on this fine day and fine month. Bring on August.

the cool kids

When I was in high school, I was pretty much a dork. I know, big shocker. I was in speech, theater, the parlimentary procedure team, art and I was last man on a basketball team in which everybody who tries out makes the team. Hell, I think I was even on the debate team one year. However, I had my friends and I was happy. Around my Junior year, I got my glasses off and I think I started to exude more confidence. I was still a dork but I didn't look as much the part. That year, one of the cool seniors from school invited me to a small house party of hers.

I didn't really know what to expect. At first, I assumed it was a joke. Then I thought it was probably like those pranks that would have the dorky kid go mental (ala Carrie) afterwards. However, the girl who invited me was really nice and so I dared to go. There was maybe seven or eight of us there. I was the only guy (story of my junior high/high school/early college life). We just sat around and talked and then watched Silence of the Lambs. It was tame and easy-going and I loved it.

Last night, a co-worker who I have never spent any one-on-one time with outside of work texted me and said that she wanted to hang out. She stated that she wanted to be BFF's and she wanted us to go kayaking. At first I didn't know who it was. After she told me, I assumed that she didn't know who I was. I don't kayak. I would kayak (although I've never really gave it much thought) but I don't own a kayak. Anyway, I rightfully assumed she was drunken texting and told her to text me again tomorrow.

Sure enough, I was right. She stated that she had to review her cellphone messages in the morning to see what she sent out at yesterday's Brew Fest. Still, she was interested in hanging out so I met her at a bar. It was okay. I normally don't like to mix work and not-work. Ashes and I are cool but he's different. In the past, mixing work and not-work has resulted in feeling getting hurt, things getting akward, me getting transferred and me having to fire a lot of my friends. Still, I think we'll be okay. I try to steer conversations away from work stuff because I don't want things to come back around at the office.

Anyway, I'm glad that she still wanted to hang out because I do think that she's an awesome person. I'm afraid that I could be getting myself into becoming the recipient of yet-another drunk texter but oh well. That's what friends are for.

What else?
For  my new thing, I had a Jackson 5 Julep. Actually I had a few of them...

when trees fall

Shortly after I moved to Portland, I found a group of friends who were mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. We were ready to rally, prepared to protesting and fit to fight. I guess that's what comes with time. People got into relationships, fell out of relationships, fell off the wagon, got into work and basically became overwhelmed and out of steam. It's sad but that's the toll time can take.

For me, school is what happened. I've done very little since starting school. I'll go to protests here and there but there was a time when I wouldn't miss a thing. I can't say that anymore. I was reminded of how far I've fallen today by watching the documentary, "If a Tree Falls: The Story of the Earth Liberation Front." It's inspirational to see what Daniel McGowan was doing and the drive he had during his protest days. However, it seemed like he changed his focus and his tactics even before he was caught like I feel so much of us have done. He went to work for a legitimate non-profit and started focusing on his personal life like most of the rest of my friends.

I went to the documentary today with Arturo and Max. It was great to see them again and to see a great movie with them. We walked around NW 23rd afterwards and I went to Escape from NY Pizza for the first time, although just to use their bathrooms. We sat in Couch Park while it got dark because nobody felt like drinking. It was nice and reminiscent of a time when hanging out didn't have to involve a bar.

What else?

I had another nice walk with Dean on Tabor today, trying a different route. I think I like our regular route better but maybe I just need to head out earlier so we have more time in the park.

jen at the east end

I just got back from Jennifer's birthday party at the East End (for the first time). Oi, I am so full because the food there was awesome and big and filling. I definitely recommend the veggie ham and cheese pasty but I would share it with someone cuz it's gonna fill you up.

It was awesome to see so many people come to a smaller bar like that and fill it up all in honor of Jennifer who totally deserves to have a bar celebrate her!!

mirror mirror

My whole weekend has been ruled by Star Trek and that's been a pretty awesome way to spend a weekend. Today was wonderful. I hurried up and got to Woodlawn Park early enough so I could get better seats than I had yesterday. While I was there, I opened a bottle of cider, ate some strawberries, read a book and waited for Trek in the Park to do this year's production, Mirror, Mirror. This is how all Sundays should be.

What else?
Afterwards, I came back home and Sophia and I took Dean to Cha Cha Cha's for the first time. He's gotten better about sitting around restaurants while we eat. We also went and explored some other new shops on Hawthorne. It was the perfect evening for it. I can stand the nine to ten months of rain if days like today are the pay-off.

reaquaintance

 

I haven't seen Andrew since I before I got Shingles. It's been eight weeks since our last date. Some of my friends told me that he was probably wondering why I hadn't been contacting him. Really, he had my number but it was debatable who initiated contact last so I thought maybe it was my turn and maybe he was waiting on me. Therefore, I contacted him last week and asked if he wanted to see Trek in the Park since we had talked about that on our last date. He said sure and named today as a time to do so.

He made it sound really casual and I thought maybe this was just a friend thing. Hell, I was prepared for him to bring a new guy that he may have been seeing. Well, none of the above happened. He hadn't been waiting by the phone for me to call. He also didn't bring another guy. He brought a former coworker but they were just friends. After Trek (which I will write about tomorrow), we went to dinner (Tofu and Eggplant in Garlic Sauce!!) and then to a house party.

I hate house parties typically and that's even when I know most of the people there. Not only was this a house party where I wouldn't know anybody but Andrew but it was a house party hosted by a friend of his ex-boyfriend's who was going to be there with his new boyfriend. This is one of those occasions that I will look at years down the road and think, 'Wow, I can't believe I ever said yes.' Surprisingly, I am very glad that I did. It was an enjoyable and memorable experience.

The house party was close to my home so I thought I could bail if it ended up being too uncomfortable. It was a late solstice party so there was a lot of woo-woo stuff involving goddesses and fire. I am used to a fair amount of odd but this was new. A lady did 'The Great Sperm Dance' which involved her putting on a big cloth hat shaped like a sperm, running around the bonfire and then she started doing the breakdance, the Worm, in the yard. There was more involving wedding rings, spraying the crowd and lighting erect effigies on fire but let's just say it was oddly fun. Andrew and I ended up heading off to a room in the house to talk and the rest of the party ended up finding us. His ex Mark and Mark's boyfriend Craig were really nice and so was the host Cynthia.

While it definitely was not what I was expecting for the night, it was a great time. I'm glad Andrew wasn't hanging by the telephone, waiting for me to call but I'm glad he did want to see me again. I don't think I'll let another eight weeks go by before contacting him again.

outdoorspace

Sophia has been more than generous with her house. Aside from my room, she has also given me the office/man-cave/Dean's room and the back porch. Tim started with the back porch but it still needs some work. I plan to make his vision a reality and get a hammock back there.

I was going to do it earlier this week or last weekend but the rain stopped me. Today, I decided to dig into it and cleared a pathway in the back and pulled a lot of the dead plants from the back. There's also a small plot of dirt back there among the cement and the rocks which Dean has claimed. I'm sure he'll burrow a bed there when I get it to be usable. I didn't succeed yet but I made good progress.

What else?
I walked Dean to Clinton Park for the first time today. I didn't plan on it taking us as long as it did so we didn't get to spend a lot of time there. Really, Mt Tabor is just as nearby and a lot more pretty so I'll probably just go there from now on.

swingers bar

Damn, Portland has a lot of bars. I think I could do a blog just about trying one new bar a day if I liked to drink that much. And, when I managed to visit every last bar in Portland, I could probably start over because I'm sure they would be changing ownership/name/theme. Take East Burn where I went to today with some co-workers. It used to be Nocturnal, an activist space with hay bales to sit on. Now, it's a hipster bar with a good beer selection, decent prices and swings. They only have a spinach salad for vegan meal options though which is pretty sad. Still, swings for seats in the patio!

climbing volcanoes

I love this new routine of hiking in the morning. I get to work feeling like I just climbed a mountain but in this case, it was a volcano.

Dean and I walked in to Tabor further than we have any other morning today and stumbled upon the reservoir near the "off-leash" area. It was a beautiful hike with an awesome view and afterwards, I was the most awesome person to work with because I was happy as could be.

What else?
In the evening, I biked to Jen's to watch Paranormal Activity 2. I've heard that it's not a bad ride. I assume that it would be a lot easier if I circumnavigate the volcano next time instead of trying to ride over it.

bringing it all together

For the past two months and nine days, we've been overexposing ourselves to the neighbors. When we started painting the living room, we took down the curtains. We have a lot of shrubbery in our yard which hides our windows slightly but I would still run from the bathroom to the bedroom in my robe (although it would be any of the neighbors' problem for looking in the windows.

After our difficult process yesterday, I was relieved to get curtains and put them up. Plus we got sheer which looks really pretty. Ashes also put up our new light fixture and I assembled our floor lamp which also works beautifully.  Really, I absolutely love it. We had a lot of other fun ideas for curtains and sheers but Fred Meyer didn't have the product in stock. Still, I'm tickled to have what we got.

What else?
It rained pretty much all day until 4pm. It started after Sophia left for yoga so I went to pick her up. I met her at the Grilled Cheese bus. This thing is so unorthodox that after living in Portland for nine years and doing all that I do, it still managed to drop my jaw. I got a half-ass picture of it but I plan to go back sometime and actually eat there as my new thing soon.