portland, oregon

          a few hours outside of napa a sign reads, "the olive pit; olive tasting, pepper jelly, mmmm.". northern california was quite beautiful. driving into the lake shasta area i saw these great black clouds blocking out the sun. blue all around them, but these giant orange-brown clouds hovering over the lake, turning the sun into an orange dot stuck in the sky like a fruit sticker on a wall. a few miles later it became clear that the clouds were actually smoke from a forest fire. huge billowing clouds of black smoke pouring into the sky and changed colors as they dissipated. it was beautiful. strange that something that destructive would be so beautiful. when i crossed into oregon i picked up a friend. a white crx raced by me in a tight curve, so being the stupid male i am i floored it and kept up with it for at least an hour. every once and a while changing the lead. then of course my bladder kicked in and i had to pull over. when i put on my turn signal, much to my surprise, so did the other car. when i got out of my car at the gas station i glanced ever so slightly in the direction of my new friend. (cause we all know how suave and graceful i am). the expression on my face could not have been any less attractive than me bursting out in joyous laughter as a 6 foot tall goddess arose from her car. i introduced my self and we talked for a few. then she purchased a pack of camel filter less and a cup of coffee and hopped back in her car. she looked at me and smiled then took off. so naturally i raced after her for the next two hours. together we took turns at unsafe speeds, passed tractor trailers and crept up hills. then as i signaled to exit for yet another rest stop, she slowed down and flashed her brake lights. i flashed my brights, and she was gone. the shortest love affair of my life. for the remainder of my trip to portland i searched for her to no avail. just outside of portland i pulled over and got a room at the tiki motel. i was so tired i went strait to bed. the next morning i drove into portland and began the search for my friend anna. i hadn't seen her since she graduated high school some years ago. all i had was a phone number, so my initial thought was i would call, leave a message and wait until 5 for her to get in touch. then i would leave for seattle. i suppose i found the trendy part of portland, full of hipsters and pseudo nare-do-wells. yeah you look tough buddy... i was getting fairly irritated with this town. then anna called. i met her outside her apt building and then we went out for dinner with another friend from va who would be stuart. it was a strange reunion of acquaintances. people i really enjoyed, but didn't know very well. so we went out and ate and talked and discussed portland. this city was beginning to grow on me. the next day i awoke late, as usual, and went out for a bite to eat. i ended up a falafel place where i was befriended by three of the sweetest lesbians i do believe i have ever met. and funny! these ladies had me in stitches for the hour we spent together...though the subject matter need not be discussed. then it was out with anna, stuart and some of their friends. we crashed some art openings where of course i was loud and un-cool, a-hip as it were. yet none of my antics bothered these people. they all just played along and had fun. i was starting to feel a pull toward this city. we ended the night at a little place with a band playing some great funk music. the band featured two of james browns band members from the old days. it was just....just,... i was in heaven. shaking my booty, acting the fool, and nobody cared. i was offered a job washing dishes and a place to live that very night. so i took them. i had found my new home. i might also add that portland has a beautiful japanese garden and lots of strange fern growth. means little to some, but it's like a strain of heaven that accidentally fell to earth. portland.