cramps

Ah, there is no better way than I know of to start a vacation than to be in the throws of gut wrenching cramps from a bad meal. Thankfully the 60s cafe we stopped at upon arrival to Lincoln City obliged. More thankfully, things improved markedly thereafter. Though had they gone downhill from there, I might not be around to write this.

I am never sure what to say about the coast of Oregon. It is strange and perplexing to me. There, rolling towards the shoreline, are the familiar waves of briny water and expanse of sandy shoreline.........and yet that is where the similarities to my experiences end. In mid-July (among the hottest of months by all accounts), we were shivering while appareled in jeans and sweatshirts whilst traipsing along the gusty shoreline. Instead of shells, there were rocks and the sand itself has more the consistency of a sidewalk than the beaches I grew up with. There is beauty there, but of an entirely different sort. Lots of starfish to gaze upon and large mussels entrenched in every crevice on every inch of every rock. But, you dare not stick even the most hearty and warm blooded of toes in the water. At least I dare not. Good lord is that cold! These, from what I am told, are the difference between a coast and a beach.

I can say that I leave Lincoln City mostly satisfied with what it was, but have no desire to go back. I feel like once is enough thank you very much. I have no desire to see the samey trinket shops with identical wares (and prices) and myriad 'antique' stores full of mostly garage sale worthy items. I have no desire to eat at restaurants that could be found elsewhere and for less money. I have no desire to sit and gaze at a beach that I cannot otherwise enjoy. Part of me (a lot of me really), wishes there was something unique about the town that I could have partaken in, some bit of localness, but honestly if it was there, I couldn't find it. The same stores and restaurants with the same food can be found up and down the coast. I don't honestly know if what I am looking for exists anymore. Maybe it just doesn't. But even the casino offered up some native American frybread, which was both delicious and at least someone connected to them as a people (unlike the rest of the buffet). But, all in all, it was a nice respite from our current confines, surrounded by boxes with the constant compunction to add to the pile.

Rose: the casino was a lot of fun (despite its smokiness) and we had some very yummy hot caramel corn on our drive up the coastline on a beautiful day.

Thorn: The terrible service we got at a few restaurants, most notably the 60s cafe which also resulted in a short-lived, but very memorable, bout of gastrointestinal nastiness.

We are still selling our wares on CraigsList and, for all the good people who do come through, I am growing weary of the flakes. The people who contact you super interested and "are on their way" yet never arrive and never contact again. The people who try to negotiate online, find an agreeable price, and then try to renegotiate once they get through the door. The people who expect you to take your wares to them, even if they are free. To all of you, bite me! To the rest, thank you for just being normal and courteous.

Last but not least, I still keep tossing around the whole idea of the job. I try to let it seep out of my skull, but it hangs on mercilessly. The rational part of me knows that I must give it time and a real chance to find out if the fit is good or poor.............the irrational part says to beg for my old job back (or at least a job in my old department). Another week starts tomorrow.........hopefully the answer becomes more clear. I hope it does anyway.