This weekend was another lazy one. On Friday, I assembled the ingredients to make Chinese stuffed buns. It was the first time I had ever worked with yeast, and one batch of dough didn’t rise. The second batch rose better, and was stuffed and steamed to perfection. Due to time constraints, I could only let the dough rise for 45 minutes, about half the time recommended in the recipe. Oddly enough, it didn’t seem to make any difference.

The bun filling consisted of:

Minced chicken
Mushroom
Green onion
Garlic
Ginger
Chili paste
Oyster sauce
Soy sauce

The finished meal. The photo makes it look a little gnarly, but everything tasted great. Sides were sweet potato and saucy green beans. There were enough left over buns to provide for two lunches and dinners.

In an unrelated note, I found this photo V. tool of me on my last day of work. I look very excited about backing up files.

On Friday, the sun shone brightly on Portland. Cars were crashing left and right, people practically undressed in the street, children cast aside their crutches and ran rickets-free unto tapped fire hydrants, beer and people spilled out onto the sidewalks as neighbors took axes to each other’s doors and cars to “let a little light in.” Around 10AM at work, people were getting antsy. By 3:30, the office had practically shut down.

Yesterday the glorious weather held. J. and I went to the farmer’s market for the first time since it closed for the winter. The produce was still a little lean.

The organic neo-yuppie bourgeois liberal feminazis were out in droves.

The innocent balloon art vendor from last year was back.

The arms of the lady who took our breakfast burrito order.

Rhubarb is almost in season. This first batch had quite a premium, but I bought some anyway to make cobbler.

Kale.

Don’t get between a man and his potatoes.

This vendor makes a mean biscuit and jam, or egg and bacon, but the lines were too long. I will eat you one day, you flaky temptress.

After the market, J. and I drove to Council Crest Park to read. The park offers excellent views of the surrounding mountains, but the city is mostly obscured by trees. Pictured is Mt. St. Helens.

Mt. Hood.

The park’s water tower guarded by narrow trees.

J. looking towards the right of your screen. What’s over there?

For dinner, J. and I celebrated our belated 20 year anniversary by going to the Cuban restaurant of our first date. Delicious food is served in casual outdoor seating. A lot of the food seems to be a different mixture of the same basic ingredients, especially when it comes to the sides and garnish. Think upscale Taco Bell. We had plantains, simmered pork dishes, yucca, beans, and rice. Sangria and lemonade with sugarcane were drinks. For desert, we made rhubarb cobbler.

After dinner, J. and I sat in a park and watched ducks in the stagnant water.

Today, Sunday, started with flapjacks for breakfast topped with rhubarb syrup. Afterward, I fired up my scooter and drove out to Sauvie Island. In about 15 minutes, you’re out of Portland and driving on farm roads. When the weather is nice, it’s a great escape. And come May when the first batches of crops come in, it will be a delicious escape too.

Moored houses along the edge of Sauvie Island.

Used oil barrels seen in the industrial area on the way home. A few were making warping noises because of the sun.

If the weather sticks, it will be a very pleasurable time to not be working. I hope the sun can wait five days for me. If it doesn’t, screw it, I’m going Druid.

Yesterday, I gave notice at work. Like picking an itchy scab, I wondered if it was the best idea. But at the end, it felt so good. The last two years have been great: The job has taught a lot, taken me around the country a bit, not been too stressful, and put some clams in my bucket. Portland has been relaxing, comfortable, cheap, and wet. I’ve played lots of Counter-Strike and Team Fortress 2, eaten a lot of nuts and fruit. I’ve seen a few friends smile and fart, cry and explode, come and go. It’s been a far happier time than anything I’ve done domestically since finishing school.

But my feet are itchy, and it’s not just fungus this time. The next few months will be exciting, especially as June rolls around and J. and I board a plane for Thailand. Hopefully China and/or India and/or Japan will be in the itinerary too. Details to come.

Today was the 26th anniversary of the company, and a day off. Activities started in the morning with people splitting into groups and getting bused to various community service activities. I chose to plant trees and weed invasive plants at a part on the edge of town.

View out the front of the bus while on the highway.

Bus driver.

Plants ready to be planted.

J.O. with an earthworm on her glove.

Footwear.

My footwear.

V. and P.’s holes.

Most of the group behind their haul.

Pitching a pile of English Ivy into the truck to haul away.

After the morning activities, everyone met for more speeches and hundred of plates getting smashed, Greek-Style in the atrium. The weather was unusually great, so a lot of people lingered on the deck.

J.O. and cola on deck.

Within walking distance was the evening venue: a bar. The Southern Gold Band played. They were a skillful 70s cover band comprised of three obese men. In the back were pool tables, karaoke, and food. Drinks flowed as freely as the roasted meats and colon cancer. I was feeling tired from the sun exposure, so I walked home before the real debauchery could begin.

I know that it will be hard to find a better job than the one I’m leaving. It’s a special place. And it’s raining again.