Addy's Birthday '09

Addy's Birthday was June 9th, last Tuesday. She didn't want to do anything big or crazy, so we kept it low-key. We went for an easy 4 mile run first thing in the morning, to get it out of the way. We decided that we were going to start our marathon training, so this was our first run. Addy had scheduled a few appointments for the morning. We went to those together which didn't take much time, really. Then we went to Tin Shed (on NE alberta) for breakfast, which we have talking about since we started dating. The sun was out and they have great patio seating. We sat outside waiting for a table with our coffees and enjoyed the slow pace of our morning. Breakfast was good, Addy's wrap and my veggie scramble with rosemary gravy. We decided to go back home for a minute and water the lawn, while we let digestion do some work. After a short break, we went to Portland Running Co. to get some new running shoes. It was the kind of place that sells real running shoes, the ones have certain design elements that make it a better shoe for certain runners. For example, by watching Addy run for a half block, the saleslady was able to tell Addy that she pronates and fitted her with shoes that give her more support to accommodate for that. After picking up some nice new shoes, we drove back toward home, but stopped in Woodstock for some frozen yogurt at the Surf Shack. We walked down the strip with our yogurt and checked out a few of the little shops that we still hadn't been in after living nearby for nearly a year. One of them was Otto's, a small deli that specializes in sausages and during the warmer months, always has a grill going out in front creating the pleasant aroma of grilled meats drifting down Woodstock. A pleasant surprise is that they have a small, but good beer selection, as does the small wine bar/deli further down the block. The short stroll came to an end when we realized it was time to go meet Addy's friend Daryl for drinks. We met him at a local pub on 82nd, appropriately named 82nd Street Bar and Grill. The place was not hip, not a big surprise given its locale, but seemed friendly enough. And the bartender, Wes, was all about serving us the $2.50 well drinks that were the special during happy hour, which didn't end the whole time we were there. My neighbor on the barstool next to me was pretty funny and kept us entertained and laughing. We started getting hungry and decided that it was finally time to leave. We went to a new restaurant called Eastburn. It is a neat place with different areas to hang out, good beers on tap, and, as we found out, good food. We had the fry basket, which was a mix of sweet potato fries as well as regular, skin on potatoes. Addy had a wrap (surprise) and I had a portabello sandwich. Everything was delicious and the ambience was chill, it was just a little loud. When we finished our food, we left for the night to retire. I had a great day, but more importantly, Addy said that she had a great day.

Brad's Birthday Weekend 09

This past weekend we celebrated the birth of my best friend, Brad Webster.  His birthday is auspicious in that it is the first day of spring as well as being the day after my dad's birthday.  So, friday night finally rolls around and we head over to Phil's apt. to do what Brad wants to do . . . get wasted playing a board game.  But not just any board game, a game that he has been toting around for years.  Its called Pass-out and he is psyched.  We head over to Phil's bearing a cake that Addy has made for Brad and our favorite appetizer, jalepeno poppers.  The cake is incredible and hilarious, because it is decorated as a Four Loko can.  For those of you not in the know (unhipsters), Four Loko is a malt liquor energy drink that tastes like Hawaiian Punch.  It is 11% ABV and is Brad's new drink of choice.  This was probably the secondary theme of the night, as when we showed up, we found a case, literally, of Four Loko in Phil's fridge procured by the host and Brent, new friend and Palio employee.  

Shortly after we arrived, I got a call from Andrew letting me know that he and Tyler were at the train station.  I went and retrieved them quickly, so we could get this party started.  When we got back to Phil's, we started the game.  It is basically a monopoly board, but instead of properties on every square, there are directions on who needed to take a drink (ie. green team, blue team, all drink).  The squares where you draw cards were of 2 types, just like in Monopoly.  Either say a tongue twister correctly the first time (the object of the game was to do this correctly and collect 10 of these cards) or some kind of choice card (ie. everybody smoke, get out of bar free, take 7 drinks and go straight to the bar).  It was a fun game and we had great teams.  The teams and game changed a little throughout the night as some other friends came by and took the place of other friends (Faith, Red, Donald and Krista).  I was the first to follow the literal direction of the game and passed the f out on phil's rug in the other room.  Apparently, gameplay continued for a while and much fun ensued.  There aren't many pictures, but the ones I have are not PG, so you'll just have to imagine.

Sunday we met up for breakfast at the Cricket, one of my favorite breakfast spots in Portland.  The wait for a table of 5 sucked, but we stayed and I felt bad for the ones that were hung-over.  The food made it worth it, though.  May I recommend the Saint's Hash, a bowl of diced potatoes, cajun seasoned, with 3 eggs, peppers, onions, and hollandaise sauce over the top.  The flavors all combine delightfully to create a somewhat creamy, spicy taste.  The portion is perfect and the flavors keep me coming back.  After breakfast, Andrew, Tyler, Addy and I went back to our house to get cleaned up and just hang out for a little bit.  Once we were all feeling a little restless, we headed to Powell's.  We all found something and then decided we wanted to spend a little more time out and about and enjoy the sun.  We ended up on NW 23rd, people watching, shopping, and enjoying the weather.  We grabbed lunch at Laurelwood.  I really like their beer and the food is good.  Plus it is really nice, but laid back.  Once we got a taste of good beer, we wanted another, so we went to the Horse Brass to play some darts, while having great beer.  They always have some of the best and most varied taps in town.  We stayed there getting beat by Tyler at darts for a while, just talking and having a good time.  It got late and we got hungry, so we ended the evening at Dots.  Their food is awesome if you are looking for some greasy, gut filling, mouthwatering grub.  Especially if you enjoy said food in a hipster diner with low lights and a staff of hipsters who are convinced they are the coolest kids in town.  

It was a great weekend and it had been way too long since we had seen andrew and tyler.  We all made plans to see each other again soon.  Hopefully we actually follow through.