The land below

[ljtourist]

The day started off with a comedy of errors. Despite the busy days before, I had sufficiently packed, and was able to get up early enough for the train. The bus I wanted to take to the station ended up leaving 7 minutes early, but no big deal, another (involving a slightly longer walk) was supposed to be along shortly. It didn't show. As didn't

Comments

[unzeugmatic]

The part here that astounded me was that you had only $9 in cash. Is this a generational thing, not always having lots of cash?

I suppose in part it's because I lead a life where at least once and usually three times a week I am out with a group of people at a pub or restaurant, where paying in cash simplifies things tremendously. Plus for a long time I was going out to a bar at least once a week, which is cash only. But still, if I have less than $100 in my wallet at any time I start to get a little fidgety about it.

[ljtourist]

I think it is largely a generational thing, what with the ubiquity of debit and credit card acceptance these days.

That said, I tend to stick to cash also, for a variety of reasons. In this particular instance, I'd not been able to get to even an ATM in the preceding days, and I knew that my bank had several in Portland, so it would only be the narrow window between leaving Seattle and just after breakfast that I'd be so cash-poor. When I get down to my last $20 or two, I tend to get slightly nervous also, so I *completely* understand.

[ionan]

You should tell me what you think of Pattern Recognition and Spook Country, as I've read both and would be interested in your opinion. Once you're done reading them, of course.

[ljtourist]

Will do! I've happened to have been given two other Gibson novels lately (Idoru and.... I forget the other), so I remembered just how good he is (despite the level of derision he sometimes receives), which is why I decided to pick those up (being the two novels of his I haven't read). Didn't know you were also a fan. Glad to hear it! :D

[ionan]

Yeah, I've somehow ended up working my way through his stuff chronologically backward.
Read so far- Neuromancer, Difference Engine, Pattern Recognition, Spook Country, Zero History. Just got Idoru at a going-out-of-business sale, but haven't started reading it yet.
Also;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ionan/1455464650/

OK ! AWESOME !!!

[altf4ljdrama]

How do you get the motivation to do all of this alone? However, this is really f-ing amazing and makes me want to run all over town on foot and TriMet (yes, I admit I could survive here car-free).

Also, I am sorry the coffeehouse on SE Stark was CLOSED. :-( I have *really* wanted to check it out too. Have you looked at their Web site? Amazing history.

Re: OK ! AWESOME !!!

[ljtourist]

:D

I don't know where I get the energy. To me it doesn't really take too much of an extra effort to do these things. Maybe it's just being on vacation? I do tend to try to pack as much in to them as possible; just lying around isn't usually fun to me unless it's at home. If I'm somewhere new and exciting, I want to make sure I didn't miss anything.

You should absolutely do that! Here's a suggestion: go to Powell's and pick up a used and/or old copy of a Fodor's guide to Portland, pick one restaurant and one attraction a weekend, and just go visit them. My persona is called "tourist-in-residence" for a reason. :)

But thank you for the compliment!

The coffee place wasn't on SE Stark, it was more like NE Sandy. Urban Grind Coffee to be precise. Which coffee place were you talking about?

Re: OK ! AWESOME !!!

[ljtourist]

Um, thanks, I think?

oops, one more

[altf4ljdrama]

This year's live Trek episode is Mirror, Mirror? OMG WTF BBQ Awesome! :-)

Last year's performance in the park (and later at the Bagdad) was great.

[ljtourist]

Eee! How could I not go?