City Musings.

HPIM2645
Originally uploaded by reseda76

I have always wanted to live in a city. As a child, I was raised in the suburbs, which definitely has its benefits, but it was never quite as urban as I wanted it to be. Sure, there were plenty of places to go play, run, scream, imagine, be silly, etc., but it always felt like there was more out there I wasn't experiencing - more sights, sounds, noises and interesting people - and hoped some day to have that life.

In college, I lived in a small city near the downtown area. Though school responsibilities had to take priority over exploration, I still went out and wandered as much as possible (resulting, of course, in leaving school without a degree). Simply going into the central business district and walking around on the street was enough to entertain me for hours. I am addicted.

Now, I live in a much larger city and an extremely beautiful one at that. However, pine tree-covered hills separate me from downtown. Granted, it is only a short drive or train ride away (20-25 mins), the train stops at my complex, and the trees are quite pleasant to gaze upon, but it's not DOWNTOWN. Traffic does not float by my window at night. People aren't outside my front door at shops and cafes, chatting away. Though there are two supermarkets nearby, I have to take my car (or risk getting run over crossing the busy highway).

Honestly, I love this place. My roommate and I got an incredible deal, are still very close to downtown, have our own washer and dryer, huge closets, cathedral ceilings, great shopping nearby (with a car), yadda yadda. I KNOW it's a good deal and I KNOW it's definitely a great place to live - and love it here. But there's a little voice in the back of my head saying "Are you downtown? Where is the traffic noise? You're not getting any younger..." That childhood dream of walking to the corner store to pick up a few things for dinner, then taking an elevator to my home in a tower fades a little bit each passing year.

Damnit, I am not giving up. Some day, even if I'm 800 years old, I will live in a freaking tower and take a freaking elevator to get to my house. It just can't be that hard.

Just wait and see. I'll do it. Then you can come over. But please stop at the corner store first.

I'm out of Fresca.

Columbia Renaissance Trail.

Oh yeah.
Originally uploaded by reseda76

This is a photo from the beach along the Columbia Renaissance Trail. It has become one of my most favorite places to go in Portland. Well, technically it's in Vancouver, but it's right across the river and I can see Portland so there you go.

It's nice! There are restaurants and condos and stuff behind me. Also, from time to time, boats and cargo ships go by, making it feel all "harbory" with the horns and salty sea air with seagulls and such and THAT, my friends, is probably one of my most favorite things ever.

Best place!

There was a free book in my Cheerios!

There was a free book in my Cheerios!
Originally uploaded by reseda76

So, apparently if you buy Cheerios, you get a free book.

A FREE BOOK.

Two questions:

1. This is extremely badass. Why haven't I noticed it before?

2. A FREE BOOK!!!