4 months later...

I spent a great deal of my time yesterday in NW 23rd reflecting on my time living in Portland and working as an administrator of Reed College. As it is in my introspective nature a thought back to just 4 months ago when I was living in Thousand Oaks, CA and working at a little religiously affiliated institution called California Lutheran University. Honestly, yesterday I needed my “I” time (meaning my time to re-energize as an “introvert” according to Meyers-Briggs). I have been working non-stop since the beginning of August and have had an unhealthy amount of coffee and Viso energy drinks! Those Viso's are equivalent to 3 cups of coffee and they are so tempting because they happen to be “free” with my meal card in Commmons. Come to think of it I think I have had at least one beer everyday since I have moved to Portland. I am in the land of great beer and great coffee. If you knew me before I came to PDX you would have thought me to be a ‘snob’. Well, since becoming a Portlander, I have become more of a ‘snob’. I would argue to say that I am just smarter about what I put into my body than your average Californian. I am so post-Starbucks. I have also learned to be a bit snarky, whatever the hell that means…

Anyway, 4 months ago I felt as though I was in a bubble. I think everyone in California knew that I was anxious to not just move to a kickass city but to leave the comfort that was California. I knew the politics of Cal Lutheran. All of us young admin would stand together and wonder what the hell the upper administration was thinking when they came to certain decisions. I knew my way around 101, 126, 118, 23, 405 and I-5. I had access to my family pretty much at anytime. I had the routine down, Stuft on Monday followed by Sunset, perhaps a visit to BJ’s brewery on Thursday, Friday night back to Sunset or in the summers venture off to Ventura to walk E. Main St. I was so comfortable and for the most part had a good grasp on life. I could walk into KP’s office to shoot the breeze, I knew that I could walk to Amanda’s office for a hug or for a York Peppermint Patty, I miss just talking with Byrdman or having coffee with Annie on Wednesday evenings. I knew that it would suck not seeing Nova every single second of the day. I also knew that I would have to get used to a new office buddy who would probably not be as cool as Ro. I was ready to take the dive into a new world. Was I scared? Hell yes. I just hide it well. I think…

Anyway…back to the present day…

This weekend things finally slowed down and I knew that I would have time to think about life. I survived RD training, HA training and finally O-Week. I put a beanie on my head, a hoodie on my body, stapped on my Chuck’s and plugged in my iPod and hit the streets of NW Portland. My only company was Copeland, Daft Punk and Umbrellas, but that was all that I needed. I am a city boy now. I went to the GAP and got a sweet jacket and of course some snazzy dress pants. I walked into ROBOT tattoos and looks at some of the art and tried to decide which one of those artists that I want to ink my up with a sparrow in the near future. I went to a McMenamin’s pub and grabbed a sandwich and a Ruby Ale. I walked by me fellow Portlanders and smiled. I felt at home and reflected on the present.

Since coming to Portland I feel as though I have put myself out there and have began establishing a good social network. I have met people at shows and at bars that I now still keep in touch with. I have gone surfing on the Oregon coast and I have blown glass. I have a supportive Res Life team that I adore, and I can say that we are good friends. I have some team members that kick my ass and keep me accountable as my friends did back home. I now travel 99 and pass over the Ross Island, Hawthorne and Burnside Bridges and when I get lost I cross over Morrison. I am 10 minutes from some of the best concert venues. I ride the bus and sit next to sketchy yet wicked nice fellows that have obscene phallic tattoos on their forearms. I have gone to 80s clubs and gone a little nuts with Bowie and Morrissey. I feel as though I have so much life in me that I don’t know that to do with it all. It’s my goal to live one day at a time and made the most of every day. Being in a new place and having so much of the unknown is like the begging of a new relationship and falling in love. I am filled with butterflies that I cannot contain!!! I am excited for this semester and every moment in between!

All these thoughts of excitement all from a mere walk down NW 23rd. I am at home in PDX!