I N T H E N I G H T K I T C H E N 3.16.2002
Old Haunts Eugene was good. I spent Thursday walking around campus, ordering transcripts, exploring the Architecture school and asking questions. I went to the campus bookstore and did not buy any duck paraphernalia. Steph accompanied me on the trip and I think she had a good time. I was worried about what we would talk about for two days but we had loads to talk about. For an hour or so, I sent her off to explore the coffee shops while I made a stop at the graduate school office. I wandered around some more and stopped for a soda at the student union. I felt weird. As I headed down 13th street to meet up with Steph, I couldn't shake my unsettled feeling. I had deep knowledge of the area and all these memories associated with so many things: buildings, statues, trees, sidewalks. But, things are so different and there are many changes. I kept looking for familiar faces because that seemed the familiar thing to do. And, naturally, everyone looked vaguely like someone I might know -- a typical parade of college students in Eugene, Oregon. I peered at faces where there was no recognition. I felt like a ghost. + + + In the evening, we met an evolt.org colleague, Jeff, and his girlfriend at High Street Pub. Had a lovely time. Afterwards, we went to the Bijou for Gosford Park. We had intended to see Amelie but I got the times wrong and it had already played. I have now attempted three times to see Amelie and been thwarted. It is clearly not to be. Gosford Park was entertaining but not groundbreaking or Oscar-worthy or overly interesting beyond the characters and the somewhat well-worn plot. It was well-acted but contained misplaced buffoonery at the end and the big climax didn't really feel that way. A matinee or video would suffice. As much as I wanted to sip at beer at my old dive bar, it was a little crowded and the only available space for sipping was closely-occupied by skeevy-looking drunks. We headed toward campus and, being dead week, the bars were fairly empty. We ended up at Rennie's and amazingly and impossibly serving behind the bar was my old friend Pete who I have known since my first week, Freshman year. I can't explain fully how happy it made me to see him. He's just the most wonderful guy and deserves every happiness. I don't know what it means that he's still at Rennie's but I hope he's happy. He treated me to a pint(!) of Gin and Tonic and I was quite cheerful by the time I finished it. I gave him my number and a big hug and was sad to leave. I begged him to call if he was ever in town and told him that he was a part of my history and needed to be a part of my present. As we drove back to the motel, I felt a little less like a ghost. + + + Friday morning, we slept in a bit, checked out and then had a delicious breakfast at the Glenwood. (Best homefries ever.) I picked up some stuff at the financial aide office and we went and poked around some stores downtown. Then we head away from Eugene in the driving rain. So much rain off and on for the two days we were there. I'm sick of the rain. + + + Last night, T. and I met up two evolters, one who lives here and another who was passing through with her boyfriend. We went for sushi -- a first for me. Over the years, I have begged sushi-eating friends to take me for a tour but it has never happened. Finally, I have tasted it. Not bad. The conversation was good and we left stuffed. Wandered over to a friends' house afterwards and chatted. I have to say, for food, drink and company, it has been a pretty awesome couple of days. Oh, and T. will likely get a job offer on Monday. Hooray! 3.14.2002
We're out of milk this morning so I had to use instant creamer in my coffee. The creamer makes my coffee taste like diner coffee. Which is, apparently, not altogether bad. + + + I see blue sky out my window right now but I don't think it will last. We've been having bibical weather up here lately: sunshine mixed with storm clouds, thunder, lightening, downpour, hail, and then back to sunshine. I had hoped the beautiful weather of a couple weeks ago would be here now. I had visions of laying out on the campus quad with a book for a couple hours. In an hour, I'm hopping in the car with my sister-in-law to visit my alma mater and check out their Masters of Architecture program. I'd be even more excited if it was sunny. Actually, to be honest, tromping around in my old campus in the rain does have certain nostalgic value as well. Tonight, I'll be putting back a beer in the dive bar where I spent many, many, many late nights. 
|