Our first trip to Portland Ikea

It was love at first sight. As we headed in the general direction of where we (being Laurie and me) believed the Portland Ikea was located, we knew we didn't need an exact map telling us every turn to arrive directly at the store. We threw caution to the wind and said "Let the blue and yellow sign and building guide us!"

Maybe we should have used a map, because while we found it, we did have to turn around once before arriving safely in our parking stall. Not to mention when we left the store I took the wrong exit and had us headed for The Dalles on I84. That would have been ok, if our plan had been to go to The Dalles and not home to Portland.

We entered it with the excitement of small children on Christmas. Sure, we have been to an Ikea before, but that's the thing about it. It's always exciting. Unless you don't like Ikea, then you shouldn't be reading this blog. Instead you should be seeking the help of the nearest therapist to help you get over your Ikea issues. A life without Ikea is like no life at all.

First, we noticed it's two stories which we are fans of. Beacuse if you don't want to go look at all the pre-designed rooms you can just hit the bottom floor for your Ikea needs. But you know we did the whole thing. We learned how we could efficiently and fabulously live in 235 square feet, 500 square feet, 700 square feet, etc. We dreamed of furniture for Laurie's new apartment downtown, which was only a dream at the time, but now a reality. Which means we're going back to Ikea to furnish her apartment. I purchased new items for my spare bedroom which is really going to jazz up the place, and Laurie bought a new comforter. Get this, her comforter is a four season comforter. It comes with two comforters, one light, one heavy, and you can put both of them together for those really chilly nights. Genius. Props to the Swedes (even if you didn't invent that idea, I still love you for selling such cool stuff in your more than 200 stores in 30 countries).

We wandered through the children's area, which really didn't have a lot that we were interested in, except the fact that I'm an expecting Aunt and want to buy everything I see for my new unborn nephew. But anyway, when we hit the kids area it was like a whole different level. It was like a bunch of drunk little people running around, screaming, grabbing toys as their parents tried to manage. Oh brother!

On our way out we purchased our reusable Ikea bags as more trips are in our future. Because in case you didn't know, Ikea charges you extra for using plastic bags which is totally genius if you ever want people to stop using them.

We love Ikea and we recommend it highly. The line was really long at the cafeteria when we went, so we skipped the Swedish meatballs. Laurie heard that perhaps Sunday evenings are the best time to go to avoid the crowds. Or you could take a day off during the work week.

Sometimes, I still meet people who haven't heard of Ikea. So I stop, take a deep breath, and remember that I at one time was a lost soul who also did not know of Ikea and all its glory. So no judgement will be passed. I was once there too, young grasshopper.

Those crazy Oregonians!

Courtesy of the Oregonian. I've highlighted my favorite part of this story. You can find the full story here.

Pot ideas will test acceptance
Drugs - Signature gatherers want to change marijuana laws in Oregon, which has a high rate of users

Monday, October 22, 2007
ANDY DWORKIN The Oregonian Staff

Oregonians, prepare for reefer referendum madness.

Starting today, signature gatherers will ask Portland residents to put a law on next year's ballot decriminalizing possession of as much as an ounce of marijuana.

It's a weird request, as possessing that much pot is already decriminalized statewide. Oregon was the first state to decriminalize a little dope, way back in 1973. Having a little marijuana is now a civil violation, like speeding, punishable by a $500 to $1,000 fine.

Other Oregon pot fanciers want to move way beyond removing penalties. They're aiming for a 2010 ballot measure to legally sell marijuana through Oregon liquor stores, taxing the sales for state revenue -- a law that, if passed, guarantees a war with the federal government.

NORML, the main U.S. group backing marijuana legalization, identifies Oregon, Nevada and Vermont as the three states where its legal pot dream seems most possible.

"We just had a conference in D.C., and there were so many people from Oregon declaring their intent for this initiative, that initiative, medical marijuana," NORML spokesman Allen St. Pierre said. "I'm not really sure what's going on up there."

What seems to be happening is a union of two of this pioneering state's great loves: ballot initiatives and dope smoking.

Our ballots have carried more initiatives than any other state: 341 through last year, according to the Initiative and Referendum Institute.

And more than 1 in 8 Oregonians uses marijuana yearly, the federal government estimates, well above the 10.5 percent national average. Oregon ranks fifth in yearly marijuana use, third in use by adults older than 25. We also have one of the highest rates of people trying pot for the first time and lowest rates of residents who call monthly pot smoking very risky, the federal figures show.

"You just draw a line from Seattle to all the way just south of Los Angeles, and 50 miles inland," St. Pierre said. "That is the most tolerant place in the United States for marijuana, bar none."

Ira is the bomb; April bombed the interview

I felt compelled to write in our poor neglected Portland blog. Laurie and I got to see Ira Glass last weekend. I heart him. Laurie hearts him. We heart him.

We got there early so we were a mere three rows away from him (general admission baby). I was mesmerized just listening to him. It was an interview about his new book, The New Kings of Non-Fiction, his showtime version of This American Life, and of course the radio version.

April Behr (SP?) is an OPB journalist and was the person interviewing him. We think she tanked the interview. Perhaps Ira's presence made her nervous and she started blathering things that no one cared about. We were pretty sure Ira didn't like her either. But he's a gentleman and was a gracious guest and totally kept the interview alive. If I could have put her on mute that would have been awesome. I could listen to Ira all day long. I wonder if that's how his wife feels?

Did I mention we heart him?

when did brian krakow become hot?

Seriously. When?

travis buck is the new nick swisher

First, check out this photo.

I have so many questions:

• What's with the slightly askew ballcap? Are young ballplayers trying to make sure we know how young they are? (see also: the far more charming Brandon Phillips)
  
• Remember how we read that heart-wrenching story about Nick Swisher and his grandmother, and how we can't make fun of his hair anymore because he's growing it out to donate it? Yeah. The A's have found someone else for that role.
  
• Is Richland near Bremerton? 'Cause this guy looks like he should be one of Matt's homeys.
  

Please advise.

i love the onion

Nation To Ken Griffey Jr.: 'We Wish It Were You Hitting 756 Home Runs'

forgive me, erin/the rose festival demands its due

I swear I didn't mean to post right after you (again) and bump your post from the top of the page. By all means, readers, scroll down for Erin's new post.

The Rose Festival begins tomorrow. I have to admit that I've never been quite as enthralled with Portland's big event as it seems a Portlander should be. Sure, I came to it late. I've been here less than five years, so I didn't grow up with Rose Ambassadors (and Princesses and Queens). I'm flummoxed by Royal Rosarians, though I appreciate their spiffy suits. And, as much as I love the fact that Portland holds all of its big festivals downtown on the waterfront, I have to admit that I don't enjoy festivals: I don't play the games or buy the junk and I don't believe in portable rides. No way.

Despite all of these things, I'm excited about the Rose Festival starting this week and hope to check out a few of the events:

• Saturday is the Starlight Parade, which I love.
  
• I'm intrigued by the Dragon Boat races. I've never seen them, but maybe this will be the year I finally check them out.
  
• The Rose Show is inside Lloyd Center. What a hoot!
• Also, I love that my commute takes me through the Festival of Flowers in Pioneer Square every day.
  

And, Erin, this one's for you: the Rose Festival is "consistently ranked 'cleanest & greenest' festival in America."

And, one last link: the Rose Festival blog.

So, tell me, which which Rose Festival events will you be checking out?

IKEA Portland to open July 25