Wait, are you really moving to Portland?
Ayup.
Why?
No reason, really. I just think it'll be fun.
You're moving across state lines for fun?
Yeah, pretty much. Is something wrong?
Where are you going to live?
Beautiful North Portland! Right near the MAX.
Er, yes?
My house is yellow.
Okay.
It has a guest room. If you're nice you can come and visit.
Riiiiight. How are you paying rent on your yellow house?
I have a job at a major state university! If you need anything in the Graduate School of Education I am your new best friend.
I don't think I need anything there, no.
Okay. Just let me know.
Did you know you can get a department secretary job right here in the Bay Area without actually relocating your entire life?
Where's the fun in that?
I'm asking the questions here. I'm an FAQ, after all.
That didn't sound like a question to me.
Look, what are you going to do with yourself in a new city where you don't know anyone?
Oh dear, I really have no idea.
Fine. FINE. When are you leaving?
July 11!
That's in two weeks!
That wasn't a question!
But don't you want to see me before you go?
'Course I do. What are you doing on Saturday?
Posted by dianna at June 26, 2007 10:12 PMThere ain't nothing inexplicable about moving to Portland. I'm jealous as hell. Of course...it's summer right now, so Portland's easy to love.
So you'll be on the right side of the river to check out Grandma's if you're ever in the mood for the weirdest karaoke night in existence.
Good luck with the move.
Posted by: chester at June 27, 2007 09:53 AMEr, I don't think I've ever been in the mood for any kind of karaoke night, but I'll keep this in mind. Grandma's. Why is it so weird, again?
Posted by: Dianna at June 27, 2007 01:09 PMDianna, I stumbled upon your blog and it looks like things are going well for you! It's been quite a while so I hope you don't mind me saying hello. Good luck with your move.
-David (The Ohio one)
Posted by: David at June 30, 2007 07:33 PMWell, it's all academic as it apparently changed ownership recently and the new owners and the old karaoke crew split ways.
But...the old KJ used to have a sidekick "assistant" who would, when particularly excited, play along with singers on his guitar...
...with "play along" actually meaning "air-guitar" and "guitar" meaning an inflatable balloon painted to look like a guitar.
Which might not be anyone's particular idea of fun, but I think universally qualifies as "weird".
Posted by: chester at July 2, 2007 06:14 PMYou had me all excited for a second, having recently moved to Portland myself.
But... Portland, ME.
That being said, I don't think that there's anything particularly odd about moving to another state because of pure, unadulterated whimsy.
Posted by: Chris at July 7, 2007 10:01 PMMaine? Good lord, you're getting farther from California every time I hear from you. What awaits in Maine?
Posted by: Dianna at July 8, 2007 12:40 AMBlasted misreading. That should be, what are you presently doing as you are already located in Maine?
Posted by: Dianna at July 8, 2007 12:41 AMI am doing... not much.
Well, that's an exaggeration, if not by a large margin; I'm working in financial accounting while I try to wiggle into the environmental field in a professional capacity (i.e. not canvassing). The rub is that Maine is a low-population state, so there's not much in the way of local government, and the state government is located in the state capital, which is Augusta. Augusta is a crappy town to live in, and I have no intention of moving there. So I'm limited to non-profit or private firms, of which there are not many.
Then again, I've also thought about trying to break into editorial journalism as an avenue to environmental journalism. Unfortunately, jobs are few and far between in both the environmental and journalism fields, so it's become something of a waiting game (I wait for a job opening, and the nefarious powers-that-be wait for my spirit to break under the weight of my current shitty job).
Good story?
Posted by: Chris at July 8, 2007 07:52 AM