We arrived in Portland mid-afternoon. After checking in at the Hotel Modera, we walked over to the expo, then met up with sprizee and her Dude.
For my pre-marathon dinner, we hit up Apizza Scholls on Hawthorne. The best pizza I’ve ever had, right there. This is the Bacon Bianca, with whole strips of bacon over fresh mozzarella. We also ordered a Sausage and Peppers pizza and a Margherita.
Fabulous, every moment of it. Then, we walked down the street to Jaciva’s Bakery.
On my way home (via Roadrunner Sports), I saw the popo at the 5-corner intersection near Greenlake. I wondered if they loved their bike beat situation, or hated it.
I’m planning to spend tonight a) packing and b) getting the music in order for Sunday.
At Target tonight, picking up odds and ends in preparation for this weekend’s marathon, I wandered to the Halloween section. Right behind it, I found all the Christmas lighting set up. It’s a little under 3 months away! Crazy.
I am in panic mode for Sunday. This too shall pass.
Like trivia, I made it to bowl with my team for the 2nd week in a row. Next week, probably not — so even though I wasn’t feeling the drive to the Eastside, I went ahead.
Oh, hey, trivia for the second week in a row! And motomotoyama introduced me to the Quiznight site yesterday, so we might start investigating additional options. I <3 trivia. I pretty much have a degree in it.
At trivia, I drank way too much diet Coke too close to my bedtime. Alas. Tomorrow will be rough.
As seen in Fremont while walking to pick up my takeaway yesterday.
I ran a ton of unexciting errands tonight, so today’s most notable event was fabulous dinner. My sandwich obsession continues. I’m trying to use up our basil before the temperatures drop, so we had caprese sandwiches: buffalo mozzarella, basil, tomatoes on La Brea baguettes. I’m on the hunt for another basil recipe as we have at least two to three more meals possible.
Or so kiddeth the Valet at Pacific Place as two of his colleagues hovered nearby this vintage Benz. I was handling some bizness at the Mothership on Sunday afternoon and caught this on my way back to the parking garage.
Shortly afterward, I went home to spend 3 hours reading in the backyard. And documenting the garden.
After my 8-miler, Mr. T fired up the grill for salmon. Then, we caught Burn After Reading in the U-District. I didn’t know much going into the show and was wildly amused by both George and Brad.
One of our favorite restaurants is Bizzarro in Wallingford. We haven’t been eating out as much — thanks to Summer garden successes and other catered meals — and last week, Mr. T nominated Bizzarro after a household carbo-loading planning discussion. It’s a little pricier than a daily spot, but justified whenever I start to fantasize about their fig-gorgonzola-red-wine-reduction starter. I’d been thinking about it for days. I was also looking forward to their spicy puttanesca.
Note to self: make reservations. Then you won’t be disappointed a place is unexpectedly closed for a private gathering.
We went to another pasta place 2 blocks away. Paled. The service was really good, so I won’t call ’em out here.
Tonight, my new bowling team played at Sun Villa, in Bellevue. Most of the folks participated in last season’s Underdog kickball team. I overheard that they were previously called “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Gutter.” Someday, I’ll re-purpose that.
Already, I’ve forgotten my score. I got several spares, so maybe I got close to 100? Certainly outperformed last year’s Gutter Fabulous average.
For months, a friend and I have talked about hitting up a trivia night. Well, this week was finally it. We met at a place not too far from my neighborhood and joined an established team, thanks to Mer. Sadly, we were not the most triumphant. We placed third, only 2 or 3 questions short of the winner.
If only I’d known the name of the Jewish month that was also the name of a river in Sweden that was also the name of a car (missing a letter). Or maybe the author of “Death in Venice.”
Once upon a time, preschool-aged twins lived down the street. They had Dino (a Green T-Rex) living in their bushes. They moved away a year ago. The new homeowners found a suitable tenant: The Giraffe. He set up residence over the weekend.
This month’s book: Catch-22. I wish I could say I could get into it. Maybe I did 140 pages? Not sure. Most of the group did not make it through the book either, but 2 watched the movie (I started suggesting that weeks before).
We met at Keaver’s, in West Seattle. He has a great view of downtown. This was my drive-by shot as we were headed out the door.
Shortly before the 20-miler, I realized I wanted replacement running shoes. The old ones’ right shoe picked up a squeak. This annoys after mile 1. Srsly.
I stopped at my local running shop for a new pair. Turns out they’d discontinued my beloveds. Bummer, as it’s a model that didn’t blister my left foot. (The right foot? Rarely an issue.) I’ve sadly learned these do not have the old magical non-blistering powers, despite being ultra-cushiony and not unlike walking on clouds.
Mr. T suggested more break-in time, though I’ve learned over the years that you shouldn’t have to do that. I gave them a week, or 36 miles. Tonight, I changed a variable in one final attempt and ran 4 miles. For once, both feet are wounded. Boo. I shudder at possible permanent damage given the mileage I’ll do through October 5.
They go back tomorrow, before the weekly long run (12 miles). I may go back to the old squeaks for the occasion. I can’t hear ’em with the iPod going.
Yesterday’s hecticness? Rolled all the way through until 6 AM this morning, when I pulled up to home.
I napped for four hours and kept myself awake by running errands. Downtown, I planned to exchange jeans. I did not plan for this coat sidetracking. I blame sleep deprivation for making this color decision seem so monumental. Both came home, only one should stay.
Today started out hectic and does not look to slow down soon. I was able to steal away a few moments to pick up an order of Fried Chicken from the Skillet Street Food outpost down the street. Lawd, this was good stuff. I nearly ordered the fries (poutine-ized), but when the gun fired, chose the salad. Good thinkin’ as the fries might’ve sent me over the edge.
Tonight, I dined al fresco, at La Casa del Mojito with Debi as the Summer sun set. She ordered their signature steak AKA Parilla de Luigi, while I tried Pollo a la Parilla — a grilled half chicken, with tostones, beans, and rice. A little piece of heaven right there, I tell ya. Bonus: the men who run the place and bring your food — hot. Not to mention, friendly. If you’re into that.
Let the record also show that Debi is a native Floridian. She testifies they serve some of the finest Latin available anywhere. Doubt her at your peril.
I hear there’s a U-District location now. The Roosevelt one suits me jest fine.
I’m so glad I took today off after yesterday’s long drive. A lovely, summery Seattle day — surely one of the last of the year. I ran ~8 miles in the afternoon and for dinner, Mr. T and I fired up the grill. One plant produced a dozen Hungarian wax peppers. I cut off their heads and filled them with cream cheese, before subjecting them to the grill. Mmm, good.
This morning, we hauled back to Seattle. Eight hours due north to get home. I took this somewhere south of Tacoma. Very shortly before that part we always reach where I wonder, “lawzy, what IS that smell?” And then it registers: Tacoma Aroma!
The full moon was huge, but we were on a mission and not stopping for dilly-dallying or photographing or scoping out the best possible angle.
We spent the afternoon wandering Ashland, after a leisurely brunch at Morning Glory, where we ran into another wedding attendee (and upcoming book club host: Keavler!). It was great to see him and his buddy, but after all the online hoopla about the place, I was…whelmed. I’m probably just not a tri-tip steak omelette kinda girl.
In an attempt to not-blog about the wedding itself, I’ll leave it at: it was a good time, y’all. 🙂
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. – Albert Einstein