Sasha Sez:

Oh no, Davidson... you aren't going to the final four!

God love him, he saved the day. That's my boy!

As Promised

Pics and debrief of Portland!

A souvenir within two hours of landing. Sweet!

Flew in just before dinner on Wednesday. Off to a yummy dinner and pint night at Rock Bottom Brewery downtown. Gotta love the Max transit system, we just had to stumble out the front door and onto a train back. Wendy's boy Erhard was not able to join us, as he was cramming for a fireman exam and I didn't want to catch his cold.

Later that night, went to meet some chums of Wendy's at the Dublin Pub. No linkies for that, it was a dive. It DID however have more delicious beer! The only one I didn't like was the Nitro, tapped through a nitrous oxide line. Quite a disappointment after drinking nice ambers most of the night. I'm still bummed I never did find any black currant ciders this trip. : (


Thursday, it was a wine tasting tour. Started with Wi-llam-ette (dammit!) Valley vineyards. Pretty lookout lounge, nice samples, and not too bad with the pricing. Picked up a pinot gris (yummy!) and a cab sav for the rockstar.
Nicky and Wendy




After a scenic drive in which Garmin took us over the Wheatland Ferry, Garmin loves ferrys!

we ended up at the Sokol Blosser vineyard. We had a exceedingly addictive dessert wine, and a nice Frenchie somilier. Or whatever they call the people dispensing the tasters. Picked up a meditrina and a reserve pinot noir. Of which apparently for what the Portland wine valley is best known.

By then, understandably, we were in serious need of some good food. Stopped in Dundee for a nice lunch at Calamity Jane's. They have some serious burgers! One of the boys with us managed to eat a 2/3 lb burger with two eggs, ham, and a side of fries. We had the defib paddles at the ready.

'Ar' driver Mike at Argyle winery.

We ended up right down the road from Argyle vineyard. They are unique, in they offer tasting for champagnes. I had to abstain, as I managed to leave my jacket behind at Jane's. I'm not sure how that happened... since all we were doing was giggling like madmen, and trying to get Wendy out of there before she wanted to take everyone's supersized beer mugs home in her purse. Oh, it was a fun day!



We decided we couldn't top such a good time, and stayed in Thursday night. After a run to the closest Fred Meyer (only like three Walmarts in Portland, total. Weird!), we stayed in for pizza and ice cream. As is turned out, going out with her bud Nicky would not have been much fun, since his Tennessee Vols lost that night.



After a quiet night of responsible sleep, it was off to the airport in the morning. Wendy's brother and Garmin were the heroes for getting me back to my boys in one piece.

I'm Baaaack!

Debrief and pics of Portland to follow...

In the while, thought I'd share my latest theme song with you:

Like it or Not by Madonna
You can call me a sinner
Or you can call me a saint
Celebrate me for who I am
Dislike me for what I ain't

Put me up on a pedestal
Or drag me down in the dirt
Sticks and stones will break my bones
But your names will never hurt

I'll be the garden
You'll be the snake
All of my fruit
Is yours to take

Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because

This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no

Cleopatra had her way
Mata Hari too
Whether they were good or bad
Is strictly up to you

Life is a paradox
And it doesn’t make much sense
Can't have the femme without the fatale
Please don’t take offense

Don’t let the fruit rot under the vine
Fill up your cup and lets drink the wine
Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because

This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know

This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know

I'll be the garden
You'll be the snake
All of my fruit is yours to take

Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because

This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know

This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop

No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know

You Can't Have Everything

The weather will be yucky for my trip to Portland. But I'm pretty darn excited to see my girl Wendy!

Quick up and quick back, then a day together with my boys.

Probably Better I Missed It...

I had to work at the store this morning, so didn't get home until after the game. Sounds like it was a heart failure finale. KU rallies past Texas for Big 12 title

Spring Forward

After weeks of feeling burnt out, fed up, and generally annoyed by others... turns out I just had PMS. Wonders what a time change, KU wins (and KSU losses!), and my SharonA starting at the shoe store can do for a girl.

The Husky Boy and his lovely wife are coming to visit this week. It also coincides with junior being on spring break, so he'll be able to glom some serious spoilin'. They plan on spending most of Monday downtown; for the parade, telling lies at Donnie's, and making up new ones by the time I meet them at El Agave for dinner. Didn't St. Patrick like margaritas, as well?

My feel bads got hurt last week, by the Amazing Francisco tell me I was not cheery enough to carry a Barbi pink purse. But it was so cute! Besides, if I'm listening to the Little River Band and
Fleetwood Mac in my truck, how can I be too goth for pink? True, I have Tool and Puscifer in my case as well... but I think it's just a rebellious crush on Maynard James Keenan.

I didn't make any progress on my Vegas cropping, as hoped. But we did have a delicious pizza lunch in Meriden. Maybe I'll get to it after the Easter crush. Who knew Easter is the biggest sale season for shoes?

"It Was as if a Million Geeks Cried Out, and Then Were Silent"

D & D co-creator dies at 69 (dude!)

Also sad, Jeff Healey died. I like his music.