Forgive me readers, it's been awhile since my last post. I'll give you a run down of what I've been up do, and then let you in on some local observations.
I've been working a lot this week, pulling lots of hours on excel doing some not so exciting spreadsheet/payroll work. That has significantly cut into my lounging time, that's ok. Must not overdose on lethargy, lest it become a habit. I'm up to my 3rd capoeira class. Capoeira is Brazilian martial arts aka sexy dance fighting- this episode of Bob's Burgers explains it fairly well. It is an excellent workout as well as a challenge. Plus it is giving me crazy feet calluses. Yes, you wanted to know that.
I'm making my way slowly through The Unbearable Lightness of Being- not sure why I haven't gotten into it yet- perhaps because every time I go to read it at the park other things happen. Like napping. Or observing. Or playing a double header in softball (in all honesty, when I went to the park that day it was with the intentions of reading Gregor the Overlander, not the previously mentioned non YA fiction novel above). I ended up reading Gregor a few nights later. Good, fast read.
I went to Last Thursday the other night (Thursday, duh). This is a monthly event which is basically a street fair up on Alberta. Lots of people on stilts, lots of strange bands, a midget playing a violin, good art, bad art, idiots riding bikes through the street fair, etc.
Today I went on my first official bike ride. Got the bike back from the shop on Thursday, and today I went for a 5 mile ride. Not too far, but I've got to give myself a bit of time to get used to riding on hills. I wanted to ride north and not stop till I hit water (the Columbia river). But the farther north you get, the less bike friendly it is- more railroads and factories, and roads that are dead ends.
So enough about me. Let's talk about my neighbors. I have 3 of them- meaning we all share the same address. I have other neighbors too, but I'll get to them lately. The first thing to note is that I have met all of them and had conversations more than once with all of them. At my last place in Chicago, the only person's name I knew was the (jerk) guy who lived above, since I saw a package with his name on it. I ran into people on occasion, but no one really ever interacted. It's nice knowing these people here- it gives me a sense that people are looking out for each other.
So there's Shawn. He's youngish (my age?) and the first person I met here. He knocked on my door on Friday to say hi- and to get this, let me know he stopped by on Thursday to let me know about Last Thursdays...I had already left to go up there. He then went on to explain that I should feel free to let him know if he's being too loud or anything is wrong. He is loud, sometimes, which he explained is usually when he is working out. Hey, if it's not past midnight or before 7am, I really could care less.
Then there's Judy. Judy is shorter than I am, and is somewhere between the age of 55-70. I seriously have no idea how old she is. I asked my mom when she was in town, and she couldn't put a number on it either. Judy may or may not be a hoarder. I haven't had the chance sneak a peek through the screen door. Judy also may or may not have an obsession with QVC. And when I say may or may not, this time I mean she does. I've seen many packages outside her door on a very regular basis. Judy also keeps forgetting my name. And she maybe also watches QVC at 3am...at least I think that's what she was watching that one night.
And last but not least, supposedly living in the same apartment for 20-30 years is a man named Cupid. Yeah, that's his real name. And his son's name too. Cupid is also in the age range of 55-70 and has already done me the favor or replacing my janky smoke detector. He's the unofficial maintenance man here- I assume he gets a rent discount for mowing the lawn and doing small tasks. He also has a hoopdie (hoopdy?) parked out front. It's nice in case I forget where I live- I just have to look for the baby blue 1982 Cadillac with white-wall tires and a tarp bungeed over the sunroof.
Again, these are all really friendly people. Weird (with the exception of Shawn, I suppose)...but I guess that's Portland. Most everyone (except for some douchies here and there) has been friendly- I stopped in to Whole Foods tonight to get some beers (Deschutes Obsidian Stout in case you care) and olives. And a conversation erupted between myself, the checker, and the woman behind me- about Chicago.
The weather has been great here- 66 at the coolest, and only 1 rainy day in the past week. Urban legends say that post July 4th, it'll be nothing but sunshine and 80 degrees. Fab! But I'll admit that with the passing of Pride and the 4th coming up, it is strange to be in a city that isn't Chicago. These hallmark holidays that are rooted in friendship and debauchery, set against the beautiful backdrop of sweet home Chicago- it's hard to not be there for that. And that's only going to continue- for market days, and Lolla, and softball playoffs, and Columbus day (ha, just kidding)...
Tomorrow is Sunday, and I've no plans. Start looking for a job, go for a bike ride, go to the farmer's market, figure out plans for the 4th, go to the park- maybe even paint.
And that, friends, is keeping up with Erin for the time being.
XOXOXOX
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