Shmap for iPhone

If I was cool enough to have an iPhone, I'd use Schmap (right after I Twittered to all my friends to check my Facebook and see the recent wall post that talks about a MySpace comment that referred to a text I received via my RSS feed in an instant message from Great Aunt Ruth).

And yes, I'd do it mostly because they used one of my pictures on their website. I mean, who doesn't like a gratuitous plug for themself?

Gino's East and a Little Art

When I was in Chicago, Kelly and I ate at what I've learned is an iconic restaurant for the windy city: Ginos East. We didn't realize they allowed you to write all over their furniture, so unfortunately, we didn't come prepared with our paint pens.

However, I did insist on keeping a souvenir from our visit (aside from indigestion from the deep dish pizza). I got in a conversation with our server about his band and how they were considering moving to Portland. I told him Do it! Portland is Chicago with less snow and humidity and lots of culture!

When it was time for the bill, he gave us a hand drawn original on the back of our receipt, which, I would like to think he only does for the hot out of town ladies who eat sausage slab deep dish pizzas and offer good information on where to move in the world. Or maybe he just wanted a bigger tip.

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us or we find it not.
-ralph waldo emerson

I'd crack under the pressure, really

Back from the land of ports

mom and me
Originally uploaded by katester.

Ah! Over a week and no blog! I apologize, Internets, I've been out of town, and although I did have online access, I'm not good for much when I'm back home. However, outside all of the sleeping in, I did manage to fit in a whole lot of family time, a wedding, a couple Law and Order marathons, A LOT of eating out at some of the best restaurants in Portland, a couple viewings of snow-capped mountains along the river, and an abundance of breathing clean, oxygen filled air. Don't worry, I haven't grown dreadlocks or started eating an unhealthy amount of granola or purchased a pair of Crocks. But I do hold contempt against San Diego for having gas prices 30¢ higher than the homeland.

Oh, Portland, my overstuffed belly and my smog-cleared lungs and my wallet, due to your oh-so-generous tax free everything, thank you.