Last Day

Today is the last day of my vacation. I stayed home and recharged my batteries a lot but I also got out and did some things and saw some places and played tourist.

Had a fantabulous bowl of leftover cioppino from the Three Capes Cafe. Kendra makes cioppino better than what I used to consider the best -- Scoma's on the wharf in San Francisco and Kendra's is $10 cheaper and right down the road!

Picked up an order yesterday - twas my treat to myself and the perfect way to end a vacation -- sucking crabmeat and shrimp out of their shells - slurping on all the garlicy tomato goodness in the broth and the yummy garlic toast. I've got enough left over for at least a third bowl tomorrow and am toying around with the idea of heading into town and picking up a few mussels, clams, and shellfish goodies to add to the broth. Of course, that would require that I change outta my jammies...

I'm really glad I took the week off. I am feeling better about most things -- no longer walking around with that black cloud of frustration and stress hanging over my head. Tis good to feel like me again.

Portland

Spent Friday in Portland with my friends Teddy and Patrick. They are thinking of moving up here (woohoo) -- will be nice to be 2 hours away from Teddy again -- kinda like it used to be when I lived in Boulder Creek but better.

We had a great time walking around the Pearl District and downtown. We rode TriMet in the fare-free zone and then walked all around. Our waitress at Eggs and Things Diner took our picture -- you can see by the smiles on our faces what a great time we had.

Of course, by the time we walked back to their hotel, I was pretty sore. Got home and spent the rest of the evening being kind to my sore spots. Totally worth it!

Lead Me Not

Lari White -- Lead Me Not.

On vacation from Firedoglake backstage duties -- no flippin' of levers or twisting of dials behind the curtain this week. Will still be hosting my Late Late Night posts Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights -- all of the fun and none of the responsibilities!

Am hoping to do some sightseeing this week. Have a buddy visiting Portland this week and I will be headed over the hill later in the week for lunch and catching up. I am hoping to be able to drive up to see Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood but this latest storm (its predicted to rain through Friday -- naturally -- can ya tell I am Irish) is expected to bring snow down to pass levels. I have managed to avoid driving in the snow since I came up here and I see no reason to break that streak. If I can't get up to Hood this week, I'll just go another time.

Tis a week to recharge my batteries and get my mojo working again. The nice thing about having no clocks to pay attention to this week is that it allows me to be flexible -- if it is raining and I don't feel like going out, I can putz around the house and do nothing -- magnificently.