I’m really enjoying working in an office setting. It’s been almost four years since Jed and I left Clemson University, which means it’s been four years since I’ve gotten to be a nerd for a living; since I’ve had a desk with dual monitors and a chair adjusted just so; since I could feel slightly under the weather and not have to call in sick because I can’t run or talk for eight straight hours; since I could wear whatever the hell I want (not a uniform) on the weekdays; since I didn’t look at the clock every hour and wish time would pass faster; since I felt like I wasn’t under constant scrutiny to sell, to be fast, to always be “on”. Oh, and since I could drink coffee and work at the same time.

Life is good.

Hi.

I bet you’re wondering what’s goin’ on. That’s why you’re here.

So I should, like, tell you and stuff.

Gotta be honest with you, sweet people, I’m feeling a little less wordy this morning, as looming over my laptop screen is a mess of an office nook that MUST. BE. ORGANIZED.

OR.
I.
WILL.
GO.
INNNN-SANE.

So, today I’m into the whole brevity thing. Dude. But, I owe you a weekly recap, so here goes:

• I still love my job.
• Walked to and from work every day except Monday, when I used Nitrobob to deliver groceries.
• Got a roomy new backpack, replacing my fun cross-body laptop case on workdays.
• Reorganized the office supply area, and it was a monumental task.
• Learned how to play Go.
• Jed and I watched Ben animate at Drink and Draw.
• Saw Matthew and Sara at Wilf’s, and listened to Matthew sing some jazz.
• Played pool with Christina and Ben at Shanghai Tunnel, then we enjoyed seafood.
• Had dinner with Brittany and Jacob, then we all watched JCVD.
• Augmented the “chopsticks only” rule to “chopsticks most of the time”.
• Still doing okay on the other New Year’s Resolutions.
• Developed an aversion to beer. One and then I’m done. Wine’s still fine.
• Looking forward to a paycheck on Tuesday. Call me Scrooge McDuck!
• We get a new President on Tuesday. I would tell you about the text message that Christina sent me re: Getting Rid of Bush, but it’s too racy for my innocent little fingers to re-type.

I’m planning to write about my innaugural experience. It will be epic. Check back Wednesday.

In the meantime, all you game nerds enjoy this:

Imagine a musical montage that goes a little something like this…

L to the U to the C to the KY peanut butter JELLY time Oh Me So Lucky, Me Me So Lucky! HEY hey hey, goo-ood Byeee Bye Miss American Pie in Yo’ Face Baby ME ME Lucky ME! Here I go, Here I go, Here I go again (DavidLeeRothScream) WAAAAAAAO!!! I ate some bugs, I ate some grass, I used my hand TO Legit, to Legit to Walk This WAY! Out, Way-ay Out the window and what did I see? There was this guy and a keyboard, And he went WEEEEE!

…and you’ll have the party that’s going on in my head.

As I look forward to my second week at my new job, I’m feeling like somebody’s got my number in the best possible of ways. Sweet location, sweet co-workers, sweet company, sweet prospects for growth–not to mention the fact that I got hired in a time when most small companies in Portland are bleeding talent…

And that’s when I get serious about it all. Folks, I recognize that I am INSANELY fortunate. Nobody knows it more than I do. I have friends who are beside themselves with frustration over the total lack of jobs in this city. I’ve driven down MLK and seen the crowds of day labor workers waiting patiently on the street corner for someone to point at them. The storefronts with freshly inked “Out of Business” signs, the lines at the shelters, the old ladies sitting on bus benches clutching floral suitcases… The walk to the office is opening my eyes to the plight my fellow Portlanders face in this economy. It sucks.

I’m not going to apologize for being employed, but I promise to take the money I’m earning and use it wisely: I’m searching for a home to buy, which will open up the inexpensive rental property I’m occupying. I will try harder to patronize local business. I’ll carry cash so I’ll have a buck for Street Roots. And? I’m going to feed my savings. Sure, money is a tool that we use to keep the economic machine running. But! I am going to make damned sure that I don’t become the next victim when the walls come crashing down again in 20 years.

But enough ranting. Here’s some food for thought:

(via Twitter) “baconbaconbacon @NycoHerzog I wish our economy used bacon as currency”

We can only wish, oh Sultan of Bacon…

When you step into freshly fallen snow. That soft crunch–that is my favorite. Everything about snow, from the brisk air that accompanies it to its ability to completely transform a landscape, is awesome. Snow inspires me to play, to laugh, to dig, to make memories. I’m willing to say that snow is essential to the holidays. Without it, they’re just not as merry as they could be.

As a little person growing up in the mountains of New Mexico, I came to expect blustery sub-zero conditions just after Halloween. Before the first snowfall, my family would go woodcutting in a nearby forest to secure fuel for our iron stove (the only source of heat in our house). To stockpile enough to last the entire season, we made three consecutive day-long trips. Our mission? Search out an old felled tree, saw it into round pieces, stack them in the bed of an old brown pick-up, and use them to assemble a wall of wood next to our driveway. Sometimes we needed only one big tree to do the job; other times we used up more daylight searching than we did cutting.

Once the temperatures dropped, Dad went outside every morning and brought in an icicle each for my sister and me. Everyone got up before dawn in my house, mostly because the Bozo Show came on at 6am and Dad liked to get a head start on his day at the particleboard plant. Did I mention that we lived on a reservation? That’s kind of an important detail, and hopefully helps to explain the close proximity of our home to the mill and a dense mountain forest. Anyway, while we were licking icicles Dad built a fire in the iron stove, which was located in a corner of our living room. Conveniently, the television was nearby. He stood with his heavy coat spread out in front of our home’s only heat source for awhile, and then off he went. When no one was looking, Latice and I put the remainder of our icicles on top of the stove and watched them sputter and slide all over.

Snowy days were spent in our back yard, for the most part. Latice and I dug labyrinths with kid-sized shovels and garden hoes, rolled gigantic snow balls, attempted to dig out the swing set so we could play on it, and other insane kids-in-winter activities. I don’t ever remember getting frost-bitten, or at least I don’t remember caring. We were too busy. When my cousins lived down the road from us, we all made a ruckus together around the neighborhood. Then someone usually fell on their nose and everyone retreated home to have soup.

Fast-forward to Sunday morning. I dragged out of bed after an insane travel day and found myself surrounded by white powdery awesomeness. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: This is the best holiday season I’ve had since moving to Portland. And you know I’m stomping, digging, rolling, and laughing my way all over this town. Of course, there are lots of photos for your enjoyment. Happy Snow Day, everyone!

I am still in a food coma after an amazing Thanksgiving at the Friedle’s house. Since none of us had family in town, Jed and I, Jacqui and John, Brittany and Jacob went to Christina and Ben’s house to celebrate the occasion together. Add in the bonus of a birthday celebration (Happy Birthday, Darra!) with cake furnished by Darek and it was a Thanksgiving unlike any other I’ve had.

When Christina and I sat down with our plates, we shared a thought on what we’re thankful for this year. It got me thinking: How lucky am I that there are SO many things for me to choose from!

• I have a fantastic new job waiting for me in 2009.
• Obama got elected, thus my faith in America! has been restored.
• This past summer I had a unique opportunity: For three weeks, I was simply Nyco Fuentes Herzog the daughter and sister. Never in my life will that happen again.
• I got to hang out with Pawly for almost the entire month before her death.
• I’ve overcome a lot of adversity in 2008. For that I’m stronger.
• Jed and I have never been happier.
• My two remaining baby teeth are still firmly in their sockets.
• We’ve made some great memories. Check the Photos page to see what I mean.
• My friends are amazing people who make me laugh. Really hard.

Here’s an example:

Yeah, that’s me laughing. I laugh all the time now. That, I think, is the greatest reason for me to give thanks this year: 2008 will go down in history as the year I found myself. Thank you, everyone, for indulging me as I muddled through.

Now, care to share what you’re thankful for?

Yesterday I walked 5 miles. I didn’t do it for the exercise; rather, I chose to travel to a coffee shop in Southeast Portland on foot because I wanted the time to think and be by myself. Life is so full of information, of stimuli, of reasons to talk or be talked to. A walk is an opportunity to control, or just to make sense of, all of that.

I’ve heard a few people say that they do their best thinking while driving, and I too have had my share of epiphanies behind the wheel. Just ask my mom. She usually fields my phone call after a realization smacks me in the head. But, driving in the city is the opposite of soothing; and driving without purpose isn’t exactly the “it” thing to do nowadays. Plus! Driving isn’t free, walking is.

Aside from the opportunity to let the mental wheels turn and save a little coin, walking let’s me observe more. Until I walked 50 blocks worth of Burnside Street, a stretch I would normally opt to drive or bus, I had no idea how interesting it was. I had time to stop and look in shop windows; to pause and take pictures of interesting scenes. All of that stuff goes whizzing by while taking motorized transportation.

Finally, I find walking to be my favorite pastime because it gives me a reason to be alone, to move at my own will and whim. That may be a counter-intuitive statement, given the fact that my stomping ground is a trafficky city brimming with cars, buses, trains, tractors, pedestrians, cyclists, homeless people, and all. But consider this: When walking, a person is in charge of her/himself and no one else. While operating a vehicle of any kind they become part of a system, and their actions and the actions of others are interdependent. Take that same person and put them on a sidewalk with nothing but their feet to move them and suddenly they’re free to choose their velocity, stopping points, routes, and most importantly whether or not they make an effort to interract with anyone.

Safety isn’t a concern. Portland is a relatively crime-free city, and as long as I don’t go poking around dark places and watch for idiots I’m perfectly out of harms way. Besides, if walking around Portland is the most dangerous thing I do… Well, you get the point. Worry and stress kills more people than going it on foot ever will.

Ignite Portland 4. Ignite. #IP4… Whatever you call it, you cannot deny the massive impact it has on you. We attended, we laughed, we cheered, we admired the shiny new graphics (that my husband’s company, Outlier Solutions Inc produced), and we had some great conversations. I cannot say enough about how privileged I feel to know so many fantastic people.

The talks this year were very well chosen, and I especially enjoyed the one about what Portland can learn from Kentucky. Having spent 15 years in South Carolina, I had a special appreciation for what the presenter, Jeff Hardison, had to say. Especially the part about mustaches. Oh, and his uncle with the big gun.

I guess that after reading what Matthew Korfhage of Willamette Week wrote about Ignite Portland 4, I’ve got nothing new to add anecdotally. Well, I must point out that the comment on his article about the event being a “horror show” totally comes out of left field…

Or does it?

Here’s the thing: In Portland we tread a fine line between recognizing how great we’ve got it and alienating people who find that kind of confidence to be off-putting. Even disturbing. My friends, I realized something after Ignite Portland 4: We will fail in our endeavors to keep Portland on the map if we don’t stay humble. We really only get major publicity for 1) our businesses suffering or succeeding, 2) the swelling of our population, or 3) large events like Ignite Portland, Waterfront Blues Festival, etc. Thus, using Ignite Portland as a forum to pat ourselves on the back can be distasteful for a lot of non-tech folks and out-of-towners. Influential non-tech folks and out-of-towners. With ink pens and commanding voices. You get me?

My hope for Ignite Portland 5 is that there will be less “Why Portland is Awesome” and more “How We can Help Others Find Their Own Sense of Awesome”.

Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love being a part of this movement, this community, these events. The reason why I bring up this touchy topic is because I care for those whose dreams are steeped in the Portland Promise, and I believe wholeheartedly that what we’ve got going here is groundbreaking. At Ignite Portland 1,2,3,4 we confirmed that fact. Now, for Ignite Portland 5, let’s talk about ways to help other communities find the confidence, attract the talent, and increase their own creative momentum.

Next year, I don’t want the room to collectively puzzle at hearing that Ignite Corvallis is a reality. How about Ignite Hillsboro? Ignite Bend? Ignite Vancouver?

We can help them make it happen, people!

Update November 16th, 2008 at 9:26am PST: I have had some great conversation as a result of writing this post, and I just want to clarify that I’m not calling Portlanders self-absorbed and saying that we need to be more humble. I’m saying that we need to stay humble; I’m saying that Ignite Portland is a powerful forum that a lot of people are starting to pay attention to; I’m saying that they will look away very quickly if they find it too heavily flavored with “Why Portland is Awesome” talk, because people already know that Portland is a great place to be. We have an opportunity to get a message heard, so choose that message wisely!

So I happened to be down on the EastSide of town (that’s a song lyric, I just know it) yesterday afternoon, and I made a thrilling discovery. Yet another coffee roastery in Portland! I know, right?! Now, I say that all toungue-in-cheek and so now you’re probably going, “Yeah, we know there’s a lot of coffee in Portland, shut up about it” and that’s kind of mean of you so Hey–Shhhh! Okay so here’s what I was getting to: This is truly fantastic coffee. For reals.

It’s called Mudd Works. I had their Organic Orgasmic blend in a latte and it was extremely tasty. Not a hint of bitterness nor dirty aftertaste. Just smooth, rich flavors with a little spice at the outset. The barista who made me the drink told me that his brother is the man with the magic, who has been roasting coffees in various cities for twenty years. You can buy Mudd Works in a bag at Market of Choice or have a drink whipped up for you at Mr. French’s (no website) on SE 1st and SE Washington in the old B&O building. Sure, it’s out of the way, but it’s worth trying.

I’ve had a lot of different coffees during my time here in Portland. Some day I’ll write a post about all the walking I did this past summer and all the drips I’ve sipped along the way. But in the meantime, just believe me that Mudd Works has got it figured out.

The chairs and tables come off the sidewalks. We move into the bars, coffee houses, restaurants, and theaters. Every day we fight the urge to use the central heater for the first time this season. Not ’til December. It’s only 55 degrees in the house; we can live with it if we wear thick socks.

As the first rains come, streets are flooded because the storm drains are clogged with fallen leaves. It happens every year. Why don’t we sweep sooner? Freeway traffic slows down as more bikes are stowed. Showing up to work wet is not acceptable. Dampness suggests you rode TriMet, which is O.K.

We drink thick, dark beers and toast with robust red wines as the holidays of thanks and giving pass by. Clinks and clanks of champagne flutes and sniffers toast the birth and death of a year.

Then we wait for the sun to come back.

At least, that’s the attitude of a lot of Portland residents who decry the long rainy season. Sure, it lasts from November until… uh… May. Which is long, I’ll admit. And the fact that daylight savings time moves dusk to 4pm and sunrise to 8am doesn’t help.

Admittedly, my first winter here was psychologically challenging. My circadian rhythms were completely screwed up. Early sunset meant early dinner cravings; late sunrise meant difficulties waking up in the morning. A deep dislike for being rained on kept me indoors on my days off of work. Small-town Girl in a Big City nerves made me afraid to be on the streets after dark, which meant that when I wasn’t working I was at home eating or sleeping.

So yeah, I can see why people who are new to Portland hate the winter. It’s all they can talk about. You can tell if you’re meeting a newcomer if one of the first statements they make to you involves wetness, darkness, or annoyance over the bums. And I’m not looking down my nose at the newbies. People, I was one of you three years ago!

But if you’re willing to stick it out, it gets better.

I love winter in Portland now. The excuse to wear four shirts at a time, the heavy winter beers that are like meals in pint glasses, the guiltless days spent in coffee shops reading or writing while drinking foamy hot lattes, the indoor gatherings of people who during summer months were out hiking or biking and not socializing, the influx of local art into galleries or downtown residences whose doors are flung open for First Thursday, the amazing bands playing the bars every night of the week, the after-work volunteer opportunities and meetings of great minds… those are just a few reasons to love Portland in the wintertime.

What we in this fast-paced and impatient society forget is this: Slowing down is just as important as zooming around. Sure, we feel limited by shorter days and crappy weather, but the silver lining is composed of more opportunities to think, to rest, to have a full-length conversation, to enrich our minds with movies and art and good books. There is a reason why Portland is known for creativity, for progressive thinking, and for being home to well-educated people.

So, grab a snuggly blanket and think on this: Is Portland’s long winter truly so terrible?

America!, we did it. We. Voted. In. Record. Numbers.

Look!!!

Now, that alone is a HUGE reason to be happy. America! came together! to participate in an election of epic! proportions. Sure, half of the voting public is feeling pretty sore today. Some of them are pretty positive that the world is going to end. Hey, I can’t blame you guys. I was fully prepared to abandon America! if Obama didn’t get elected. I know that’s not exactly comparable to fearing for Earth’s salvation… If it’s any consolation, we’ll get to travel abroad and not fear for our physical safety anymore! Some day!

At least, they’re thinking about liking us again…

I’m being a bit glib. I apologize.

Seriously, though; I’m thrilled on so many levels. Thrilled that America! did the right thing. Thrilled that I got to share the night with my husband and close friends. Thrilled that Portland did the occasion justice by dancing in the streets and only making the police a little bit angry.

Here’s what I mean:

Walking westbound on Belmont, we came upon an impromptu concert. Who better than March Fourth, the most awesome marching band on the face of the planet, to provide the celebratory soundtrack for the evening. I recorded this video as we approached and dove in. You can’t plan something this amazing!

…psssst… go look at the Photos page….

I love this town. And this country. And you, America! Really.

Okay now go here: http://wedidit.us/
And here: http://12seconds.tv/tag/12challenge-2008-11-05

Let’s learn to celebrate America! again, and hope for the future. Forget about the election… Until 2012.