Stress Hit Me Like A Bus Flying Down The Road Not Paying Attention

I have gotten a comment made to me multiple times before stating that "I do not stress ever". When I reply, "ha! more than you know", people just tend to respond with, "ok ok I am wrong". Well, I had one of those days where stress hit me like a bus flying down the road not paying attention. It was uber lame. Internal crisis... oh lordy. When driving... god help me. Hahaha... But really, when you are not prepared to have a stress meltdown, it perpetuates the situation. Normally I just try to take life in strides and not worry about the small stuff. Money, essentially is a small thing that man created, and we put so much emphasis on its importance that sometimes we have misguided judgment about what life should be about. Yes, unfortunately, my stress today was caused by looking at my checking account and getting an estimate on what it would cost to ship a package to Santa Monica over night. I almost shit my pants, figuratively speaking. I am calmer now, but not complete. Money comes. It always does. Now I just have to wait. Even a small amount (a few hundred) would help take the stress away. I know, how pathetic am I? Where a few hundred bucks can make or break you. But, it is the world we live in. And heavens forbid I actually go out and try to find a jobby job sans designing.... the thought has crossed my mind. But it is just a thought. Hmmm.... What is a girl supposed to do to get a head in this world? Sleep with everyone and anyone? Maybe. You tell me....

Seattle, Oh How I've Missed Thee

As I have aged, I have realized that I love love love major metropolis cities. I yearn to be a part of them, to call myself one of the many people who occupy it, to succeed financially and career wise, and to just be. Yes, I want to move again. Need to move again. If something phenomenally amazing does not happen in Portland soon, it has got to happen some place else. For Christ sake already, I am certainly not getting any younger.

Luckily on Monday, my dear friend NJ phone stalked me about a quick road trip up to Seattle before her departure to head north into the wilderness of Alaska. We rented a car, and our 24 hour journey began and it was fabulous.

With my proceeding urge to move, possibly heading east, I have been going stir crazy with the idea that I do not quite have the funds to do it just yet. So I thought a quick trip out of the current city would do me good and tie me over a little while. Nope, I was wrong. It left me with the idea that packing up, today if possible, is exactly what I need and want. Yes, my quick trip only increased the urge burning inside of me by leaps and bounds. I am so ready. Who wants to hit the road and start a new? Seriously, GB??? Design goodness awaits us....

The drive up. I dare not post our true antics. You could not handle it.

Yay, yay, yay! Metropolis loving on a beautiful day.

My designer nerd side came out. An original typographic fire house? Really? Love it.
Our rental car. Vroom vroom.

Who knew there was a side of Seattle on the other side of the water from downtown that felt like a coastal California town.

This dog was the coolest!!!!! Sans the matching outfit with its owner. Why?
Full moon and the crazies were definitely out.

Metropolis loving. *sigh*

Oh eem gee! Pumping my own gas for the first. Only took 25 years.

I got a little video happy. Enjoy!

Productive Monday

For the first time in a while I can say I was productive. HA! I know what you are thinking. "How can that be? I thought you have been working on your own projects all this time, you unemployed fiend." Truth be told, I have. But today was different. I feel accomplished, even though I only touched upon the making of what could be a huge turn in design for me - apparel. Today consisted of printing up some luggage tags I designed (based on the quote: "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come". -John Harrigan) for my dear friend NJ, who is venturing up north (aka Alaska) on Wednesday, took photos of the finished luggage tags and alphabet sign language flash cards I designed for a friends 2 year old son, made my first pattern from scratch, started cutting out the fabric pieces, signed up for a quick road trip up to Seattle with NJ tomorrow (Tuesday) - Wednesday, emailed a client who has been more than difficult (apparently we can not connect on the phone), did some laundry, showered (that is always a given with me), listened to tons of good music, watched it hail and snow multiple times (good ol' winter in March) and made some yummy food (including one of my current favorite snacks - Fuji Apple with Organic Almond Butter). And once I watch this weeks new episode of No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain (Yes, as old as he may be, I am totally crushing on him) in Vietnam, I should be good to go and ready to get out of Portland for less then 24 hours.

Portland Food Loving

There are three places in Portland that I absolutely adore: Stepping Stone Cafe, Via Delezia and Voodoo Doughnuts. Out of the three, I tend to frequent Stepping Stone the most. You can never go wrong with breakfast, at any time of day, especially when the total bill, typically split, is less then $15.

An all American breakfast at Stepping Stone Cafe with NJ and JL, November 15, birthday number 25, a few days after returning to the states.

February 26 and 27. Typically, when ordering a blueberry pancake, the blueberries are mixed in with the batter. Not this time. To NJ's and my surprise, the blueberries were placed under the pancake.
The most magical coffee of all time: Vanilla Latte made by Alex at Via Delizia.
After attending a show at Tonic, NJ and I found Voodoo 2 on the east side for the first time. A more spacious, and very pink building of doughnut goodness.
March 5, Stepping Stone with NJ, uber busy for a Thursday brunch. Apparently, after out last visit with the surprise of blueberries underneath instead of inside the pancake, we were happily and shockingly greeted with the biggest pancake we have ever gotten or eaten - not only in diameter, but in thickness. We were only able to eat half of it (yes, together) and had to take the rest home for a snack later.