Key for the new apartment didn't lock the door, so I had to work from home this morning until the superintendent arrived.
Sill no approval for the trip to the conference in SF. Worried that it may fall through, which would suck cause I was making plans to visit some people back home.
Yesterday, we watched the super bowl with my boss's family and friends. It was the first football game I watched from start to finish. The hostess gave us noise makers and told me to root for the Patriots. She rooted for the Giants. Chuk rooted for the commericals. It was very entertaining game, as the teams seemed evenly matched.
For dinner, we had updside-down pizza. The oven leans forward a little so when I pulled the rack out to put some cheese on the pizza, it slid out on to the floor. Thankfully, half of it was still on the tray so we rescued that bit and were extra careful the rest of the time. Have to tell the superintendant about that one.
This morning, Chuk departed for SF around 8:00 am. I got a voice mail from him around 4:00 pm saying he was in Corning, CA, so I know he made it safefly over the pass. I guess he might try to drive all the way home tonight.
Work was hectic, being my first day in the new office, but I liked being able to walk to work. It just took me 20 minutes! It was chilly though. I need to crochet me a new hat. I left my bulky one in SF, along with a lot of other things.
Tomorrow, is another day of work.
We made it safely to Portland around 4:00 pm PST. Although the pass was closed for some time on Thursday afternoon / evening, we were greeted with freshly plowed lanes and sunshine.
Even though we took pictures of it, the apartment is smaller than I remembered. Also, it wasn't completely ready when we arrived, so I get to stay in a different apartment for a few days until mine is ready. But considering I have such a small amount of stuff, it shouldn't be a problem to move it down the hall. Did I mention the elevator is broken? Good thing I am on the 2nd floor.
So how was my first night my temporarty apartment? I don't know because we are staying at the Embassy Suites for a couple of nights, making this trip more like a working vacation than an endurance test in frugality. We each got a free glass of wine at the Manager's Reception, which went straight to our heads because we skipped lunch to keep driving.
We checked out the swimming pool, which also has two hot tubs. There is also a dry sauna and an exercise room.
For dinner, we went to Greek restaurant called Alexis, about two blocks from the hotel. It was very good and we like it best of the three Greek places we have been to so far. The others weren't too bad either, but I am too lazy to look up their names right now. One was in the Pearl and the other was closer to the center of downtown.
We stopped by some of the gay bars to pick up local newspapers.
The Fox & Hound seemed to be half restaurant, half bar. It was very bright.
Then there was a place around the corner that had a dance floor and was all dark with black lights.
We also went into Embers where there was a karaoke or maybe a lip synching competition. It was odd because the person on stage was a guy in a polo shirt but there were many drag queens in the audience. And they were tipping him for kisses.
Something else that suprised me was seeing video poker machines in two of the places we visited. Not something I expected outside of Las Vegas or a casino on an Indian reservation.
On today's checklist is
Thursday was my last day in the San Carlos office. The folks there had a nice going away get-together for me.
It was raining as I drove to SF, as we packed up the car, crawled across the bay bridge and as we drove up to Vallejo, where we visited our friend, hippocampus, and her two adorable kids, for about 15 minutes.
Then the rain let off and we just made it to the Black Bear Diner in Willows for dinner before closed.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Redding. Our room has a jacuzzi in it! After a nice breakfast we are getting ready to start driving again. Looks like the pass is clearing up so we won't have to put chains on the car, but I don't want to tempt fate...
Next time I post, we should be in Portland, OR.
I packed a box of kitchen stuff but left it open in case I need any of the spices. I was going to take the tv stand apart but got sidetracked and played We Love Katamari instead. Planning to take the card table, a couple of folding chairs, the futon, aforementioned box, clothes and some other bits and bobs.
The studio apartment is only 200 square feet, little to no storage space so I will have to live one of those frugal lifestyles again. But it should be for only a few months.
We got back safely yesterday evening from our 12 hour drive home. I was too tired to feel like posting anything.
I put a deposit down on a small studio apartment about a 20 minute walk away from the office.
Currently, storing some stuff at my boss' house and plan to make another trip on the first of February for the mini move.
I tried to contact my current landlord to explain the situation but he is out of town until next week.
We visited three different places yesterday.
The first place was the cheapest, closest to work but also the smallest. The second was the largest, but also the most expensive. It was about the same distance as the first one. The third was the nicest, but farthest away and sort of in between the the first two in terms of price.
So, I think I am going to go with the the first. They are the only ones that offer month to month leases. Wish me luck.
Yesterday, our friend Desi drove us hither and yon to look at neighborhoods. There are some very nice and fun areas in Portland. It was a very clear sunny day and we were able to see Mt. Hood. We had lunch at a nice greek restaurant downtown.
Today, we actually get to see some apartments so we will be heading out shortly again. Our guide won't be coming with us today but she kindly lent us her GPS device.
We made it to Portland in about 12 hours.
Thankfully, there was no need to put on the chains. It was sunny when we went through Siskiyou Pass.
However, before we got to Ashland, the traffic stopped because of a freak truck collision. There were cabbages, lettuce and bottles of gatorade all over the road.
Lunch in Medforth at McGraths's Fish House.
Now we are looking at apartment listings and planning our attack.
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