i tried to ford the river, but my oxen died

Well after much ado, I’ve finally become a college student. Again.

First off, how did we graduate five (plus or minus depending on who you are) years ago? When did that happen? And it’s probably going to take me another four to five years to get this degree, despite being a post bac and going full time. Well, starting next term.

Seeing how my illustrious institution did not accept me until a few weeks ago, very few classes were still actually open. The math classes I had planned on taking were full, so in the effort to have something to show for myself I signed up for ECE 101: Intro to Electrical Engineering. It wasn’t on the list of required classes, coupled with being a first year class, I was scared. Scared it would be horrifically boring.

“These are wire cutters. They cut wires!”

But it turns out this is a brand new, never before offered class and the required course list I was looking at was, in fact, outdated. I <b>do</b> need to take this class and it’s not nearly as simple as I had feared. There are no tests (yea!) but a number of projects and presentations. Our term project is to design and construct a Rube Goldberg machine, but with the use of electrical devices. That, I think, will be fun. Except that it’s a group project. And who wants to play nicely with others.

This is the only class I could find worth taking this term that was still open, so I’m really only busy on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:00 – 1:30. Not exactly a strenuous schedule. Though they do suggest taking only one course when starting school after a long absence. You know, to get back into the swing of things. I’ll just have to figure out what to do with the rest of my time. Probably re-remember my high school math.

In other news, I’ve moved. I think many of you knew that. I’m still in Portland, but I’ve moved from close-in Southest, down to Sellwood. Which is also in the Southeast quadrant, but not really close-in. Especially not by bike. I think it’s about five miles from my apartment to school. So nothing hard to do, but nothing to laugh at either since I commute by bike.

If you want my addy and/or any other info, it’s on my Google profile. You’ll have to be logged into Google to see the good stuff. At least I’m pretty sure that’s how it works.

Oh, photos! So my friend Keith and I frequently go on hill walks throughout Portland. We try to go every weekend, but that doesn’t usually work out. It started because neither of us wanted to be as lazy as we were, plus I knew there were a lot of places in my own city that I just haven’t seen yet. So Portland Hill Walks it was. It’s a great book with some very excellent hikes. And some hikes we will never speak of again…. HILLSDALE!! *shakes fist violently* But all in all, a good time.

The last walk we went on was nice, but not that photographically inspiring. The one before that was from Willamette Park to Terwilliger Loop…. which means nothing to 99.9% of the people reading this. Go with it. It was a nice walk. And I’ve linked the photos below.  Nothing spectacular, mind, just a large number of photos of the river.

Enjoy, and don’t forget to tip your server:

Hill Walk

Posted in bridges, education, geek, hiking, moving, photos, walking | 2 Comments »

Well, I’m back. Have been for a little over a week now. Rome was a great break from the reality of not having a job. Chris and I saw tons, some I hadn’t seen before, some revisited. We also at mass quantities of gelato and pizza. Pizza by the weight. By far the best idea ever. I have pictures on the Internet. I’m still debating whether to link to them or not. It’s almost entirely old churches and ruins with no captions. But I’m afraid if I wait until I do label them, it’ll never happen.

So right now i’m sitting by the Salmon Street foutain, typing this on my jPhone watching the Williamette. It’s a beautiful day (after many rainy) and I’m just enjoying it.

I’ve been job searching, but nothing looks promising. Thankfully, I have unemployment this time. And a nice bit of saving. So I’m not hurting. While I really don’t want to deplete my savings, I’m also not pressured to jump at the first job I find out of desperation. That’s somewhat comforting.

In the meantime I’ve been doing a lot of knitting. I’m making a sweater just in time for summer, but it’s coming along a lot quicker than I anticipated. This past Saturday I went to the Gorge to hike only to find it rainly only there and only while hiking. Those photos I’ll post.

So there that is. Here’s to a quick end to the Great Recession.

Posted in coffee, downtown, falls, friends, geek, gorge, jPhone, knitting, photos, unemployed, walking, weather | 1 Comment »

So if nothing else, the weather is usually fairly predictable here.  In winter it never stops raining.  In summer, it almost never rains and gets really hot maybe four days a year.

This morning it’s actually raining.  And it’s calling for rain all week.  While I usually like the rain, and it is true that I did just the other day say I missed the rain, I definitely do not like commuting in it.

When I lived downtown, it was only a 15 minute walk, and I usually managed to stay pretty dry.  Now it’s a 40 minute walk from the other side of the river.  Or a 10 minute bike ride (which I only recently started doing… Oh yeah, I may have forgotten to mention I bought a bike).  Biking in the rain during rush hour = not fun.  I am definitely taking the bus this winter.

But on a happer note, only three days until Suz y Q arrive to take pdx by storm! Huzzah!

Posted in bike, friends, pdx, walking, weather, work | 2 Comments »

Okay, that’s a crap title.

Anyway, apparently Portland was rated the #10 most walkable city in the nation.  People often ask me what it is about pdx that I like so much.  And while there are a plethora of reasons, the fact that I do not need a car is key.  I enjoy walking.  I hate spending time in cars.  Seems simple enough, eh?

I apologise for the picture.  It’s actually a screen shot, but my neighbourhood (Buckman) is number seven in the city.  I loves it here!

If you’re curious to see your own score, or more about Portland’s the website is http://www.walkscore.com.

Posted in pdx, photos, walking | 6 Comments »

Ever since I was a kid. Always grossed me out. And they seem to follow
me too. Anyway, I was walking back from the hill this morning through
the woods and I almost stepped on this sucker. Ginormous.
Anyway, things are going well. It’s summer and no one is at work. And
we’re all pretty lazy. I haven’t quite mastered the west coast more
relaxed mentality, but I’m getting there. And I can’t wait until Suz y
Q come out to visit. Oh what fun that shall be!

Posted in photos, walking, work | 5 Comments »