1. As of tomorrow, I am gainfully employed.

2. I saw Be Kind, Rewind today. It made me want to create cool things. And it made me laugh, a lot.

3. I saw The Kite Runner today. It made me cry and made me want to rescue and adopt children from all over the world.

4. I am going to Kenya this summer (officially) !

5. Its been snowing and hailing and slushing all week. Its freezing and gross.

I'm nervous about the job, it will be the first time I've "started" at a job in a long time. I'm working for a small marketing company who works for small International publishers. I'm coordinating Events and Conferences for them. I have NO idea what I am doing, but its a job and I'm grateful for that. And I'll get to read a lot of books, which is great. And, I'm still doing Truly A Bear on the side (writing bios, press campaigns, booking tours, etc) which is also great.

So that is my lil update for now. I'm going to bed early tonight. I feel like a kid before the first day of school! I'm not quite sure what to expect, but this is a bizarre and good chapter of my life. I like Portland, Penelope likes Portland, things are good. And I finally have a job. Phew.

So, my mom and I's lil Etsy shop is up and running -- and quite adorable, if I do say so myself.
Many props to Myste, who introduced me to Etsy -- and is the ruling queen (in my opinion) on the site.
But, if you have a moment - check out the old STRANTIQUES (yes, I came up with the name myself.)

Secondly, I got one of (if not THE) strangest presents I've ever received from a boy.
I got this present in the mail. It was supposed to be a going away present, but the boy who bought it for me never bothered to get together with me before I moved away. No matter, I had just met him and I think we went out once, maybe twice. If you count mid-afternoon dessert with his best friend. In any case, he asked me for my address so he could send me the going away present. And lo and behold, two days ago I got this in the mail, with this inscription: "Lindsay. To kick start your rock and roll heart."

Yep. I don't get it. I mean, nothing says "I'll miss you" like Motley Crue, right?
Ug.

Still on the job hunt.
Starting to work on a few Truly a Polar Bear Projects.
Starting to get really poor.

But tomorrow is Easter, and Sherwood and Reichle and Candyce and Danielle and Krispin and Linda and MORE will be here.
And as afraid as I am right now (unsure about life, unsure about jobs, etc etc), tomorrow is a celebration.

He is risen, He is risen indeed.
These words ring true, and I know that its going to be ok.
Happy Easter, everyone!

"JUICE!"

Two days ago I had an interview with a marketing firm.
I did my homework, looked up the company, and pieced together that they were primarily a company that deals with Sports and Entertainment marketing. I could handle that.
The first interview was awesome. The girl conducting the interview really seemed to like me and offered me an interview on the spot. Considering I had heard the secretary set up like 8 other interviews while I was waiting, I figured this was good. I was already standing out amidst the billion applicants.
Then she tells me this: I need to come in for my second interview, and can I come in tomorrow? Am I free from the hours of 10 am to 8 pm ? I'm told to dress professional (no jeans) and wear comfortable shoes. I'm also told that I won't be doing any of the glamourous sports type stuff she's just told me about, that it will be entry level tasks with some of their other clients. The second interview is more like 'job shadowing' and one on one time with one of the employees. They ask me questions, I ask them questions, etc etc.

I was ok with all of that.
So I'm set for my 10 hour interview.
I show up this morning at 10:15 (which is precisely when they wanted me).
I sit on their leather couch, watching Home Improvement, for 45 minutes. The secretary apologizes for the wait. I'm strangely ok with it and am enjoying Tim The Toolman Taylor.
I can hear noises coming from one of the office rooms. There's the occasional cheering and clapping.

Finally, 11 am. The doors open and the dudes come flooding out. They are high-fiving and yelling and clapping and exclaiming "Bro! Dude! We are gonna kill it today! Are you ready, bro?". There are more high fives. And a lot of yelling of the word "JUICE!".

I am filled with immediate concern. What am I doing here?

I'm paired with my "bro", Jared. Apparently he's their top rep, 6 weeks running! I'm told that I am lucky to be shadowing such a man.

Jared starts off with a series of inane questions. "So, Lindsay, how would YOU define marketing?" I'm great with interview questions, I pass all his silly tests with flying colors. Then we get to his car. We load up with other marketing bro's and another 'shadower', like myself.

Jared tells me that today, we are working in home improvement. Which is strangely ironic, given my morning entertainment. This means we are telling people about various home improvement services that their clients offer. Windows, Roofing, Doors, Cabinets, etc. I know nothing about any of these things, and the day is beginning to sound like drudgery. Then Jared asks, "So, where do you think the best place is to find s homeowner?" I answer, "Home Depot". It seemed like the right thing to say. Jared says "Well, yes. But the BEST place to find a homeowner is in their home!"

Begin Lindsay's inner monologue: OHMYGOSHYOUHAVETOBEKIDDINGME. door to door? we are going door to door ? GET ME OUT OF HERE.

But I carpooled. WIth all these eager and bro-tastic sales reps. I'm totally and completely stuck with them.

Jared launches right in, and we go door to door. We go to 100 houses in 3 hours, and each time he gives the same obnoxious pitch. While walking from house to house he fills my ears with nonsense about upper management and growth potential and crap like that. We got yelled at by a lot of old people, we swindled a few more old people, and my feet were aching in my red boots.

I was a door to door saleswoman for roofing, siding, and windows. And I wasn't getting paid for my time. This was an 'interview', mind you. It is now almost 2:30 and its time for lunch. As we are walking to the car to pick up the other reps in other neighborhoods, I just come out with it.

"Jared..."
"Yeah?"
"I've come to the decision that this is not a job I can see myself doing. I think it would be a waste of the company's time and resources to continue training me today."

I was supposed to stay til 8, so we could all meet back at the office for "Atmospheres" - a time where we all talk about how GREAT our days went. I made it til 2:30.
Those were the longest 3 hours of my life.

I made Jared drive me back to my car at the office immediately. I thanked him for his time and I sped off as quickly as I could, thankful that I would never have to see any of those people ever again.

Seriously. The guys were giving high fives and yelling "juice!". What more can I say ?

WE PUT UP ALL THIS WICKER, JUST FOR YOU

CUPCAKES & COASTS

I went on a miniature road trip to the Oregon coast this weekend.

Krispin (my sister Danielle's new hubby) and I drove over to Yachats (pronounced YA-HOTS) early Sunday morning to meet up with Danielle and her best friend, Tiffany. It was a 3 hour drive through weird burnt out Oregon towns (Philomath: home of the Philomath Frolic!) and Krispin listened to a lot of hardcore. I tried to show him Black Mountain but he didn't like it. We did agree on Sufjan, however, so that worked nicely for the rest of the drive.

Needless to say, the coast ruled. We attempted to explore the Sea Lion caves, but then decided against it because it cost $10 to take some crappy elevator down to where the sea lions were. We asked the uptight man (think Dwight Schrute) at the counter if there was any way we could walk to the sea lions and not pay the $10, but he was really insulted that we even asked. Apparently this is THE largest sea cave in the world. Well worth our 10 dollars. But we'll never know, because we didn't go. We just played with creepy seal puppets in the gift shop.

We then decided to tour the Heceta Head Lighthouse . Because that was FREE. and we only like touristy things that are free. I actually stayed outside the lighthouse with Tiffany's yellow lab puppy, Oliver, while Danielle, Krispin and Tiffany toured the lighthouse. I was cornered by a creepy lighthouse volunteer named Greg who wouldn't leave me alone during the TWENTY minute tour. He kept asking me if I had a boyfriend and it was weird. And 20 minutes is way too long for anyone to tour a lighthouse.

Then we ate Huckleberry ice cream. Then I took a plastic cup of wine to the beach and reach my book on the sand. Then we flew killer kites (literally, the kites were trying to kill us.). Then we made rosemary flank steak and drank champagne and played Scrabble and Apples to Apples and watched 30 rock. Then I fell asleep on the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on and woke up to the sounds of the ocean outside my window.

And, to top it all off I went to breakfast at Lil Sambos in Lincoln City, OR this morning and had Coconut Pancakes.

annnnnnnnnd, as if that wasn't enough...tonight we celebrated Danielle's birthday at home (my parents place). My dad grilled steaks and we had Lemon-buttered asparagus, mashed potatoes, and wine. And for dessert I made all organic Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and pink sparkle sugar sprinkles.

Best. Cupcakes. Ever.

So this post is a lot about food, I realize. I've been watching too much 30 Rock and have become Tina Fey, I think.

Good news: I have like 3 job interviews this week. One is for the coffee shop at my dad's old church (Its part time and EASY), One is to be an event planner for a Scholastic Book company (sounds kinda up my alley?) and one is for an organization that works with the developmentally disabled (Dungarvin) - the latter of which I am pretty excited about.

Oh, and my mom and I are starting an Etsy shop. So you all better watch out, Strantiques is takin over. :)

PORTLAND, OR, AND SLOE GIN FIZZ

Well, I suppose Chad is right. I haven't really written anything in a long time.

Granted, most of my "writing" has been directed here lately...

But here is the latest and greatest with me and my Northwest adventure...

It looks like I'll be working part time for a freight and shipping company, just for now, to pay the bills. I don't really like the idea (that's my pride talking), but hey, I'm broke and this is a job. Beggars can't be choosers I suppose.

On the upside, I am starting to write reviews for a blog and I've been writing bios for bands on the side (if you know anyone that needs a bio written, send them to me!) - so I don't feel like I've totally thrown it all to the wind. I know I'll be quite involved in music here, it just might take a minute. For now, I just need cash.

I attempted karaoke last night, and it was depressing. Its just not the ole Prospector.

I have more friends here than I remembered -- it seems I've been out every night, which works out well when you're a social butterfly like me. I've gotten really creative with how to go out without spending ANY money - for example, last night I ate a bag of potato chips for dinner. ugh.

The positives would be as follows:
- Penelope is adjusting marvelously, and my mom LOVES her and spoils her to bits.
- Free food! My mom and I went on a Trader Joe's shopping spree and I got to pick out all the food and she paid for it all. It ruled!
- The city of Portland. The bridges, the buildings, the coffee, the bookstores. I love love love love the look and feel of this city.
-Free shows. I still don't pay to get into shows here. So far I've seen The XYZ Affair and British Sea Power, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, and Angels and Airwaves. I am NOT proud of the last show, but I had a bunch of friends in town from LA/NY as they had bands on the tour.
-Absolute total coffee insanity. I thought I drank too much coffee before, and now its just worse. And I love it!
- WAY cheaper car insurance

There are many, many other positives. But those are the ones that stand out at the moment. All in all, so far all is good. I'm curious to see what will happen next.

Fun fact about Portland: I learned that Baristas are a BIG deal in Portland. In fact, I was told that Barsitas are more well known than rock stars in this town. There's this one guy named Billy and apparently he's a big deal. Weird.

I'M CONVINCED...

that no one reads this here blog anymore.
Just sayin.

I MADE IT!

Here, I am in the great frozen Northwest.
The drive was BEAUTIFUL, I got to see some old friends along the way (and by old friends I mean the Cabazon dinosaurs AND friends from high school. What more could I want???)

And, yesterday, I saw FOUR rainbows. And yes, I listened to In Rainbows a lot.

Here is a pic I took from my phone (more of these on the ole facebook)...