vw, If I lived in Boston, I would SO come put the fear of Erin in them!

I would so love this, 'cause I know that tomorrow I'm gonna be all, "You know? Could you not do this? I know it's asking a lot, but it kind of freaks me out, and I would just really appreciate it. Thanks so much. Bye."

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A vote for Portland from a lurker who has lived here for 17 years and would not move anywhere else again. Cozy small-town vibe with cool things to do and see. Friendly people, lots of bookstores. Gorgeous gardens. And it doesn't rain much at all in our beautiful summers--it's the cooler months that are rainy.

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I think Emily should stay in boston, just because vw feeds her, and does laundry.

and I would stick with what you usually say, but tell them you have to call the landlord/police if it continues.

I was very smart. I did not vaccuum or clean the bathroom today. This is good , because Matt and T ( a friend of Consuela's) were playing with wood all day. It is much better to clean after sawdust is in the house, rather than just before it arrives.

And I am pleased. T will be one of our few friends that understands that I cook, not just Matt. I really love cooking, so it really irritates me when one of our friends says,'oh, you cook too?'. Really, just because I prefer not too cook for 50+ doesn't mean I can't cook. ( i migh tcook for that many if I had the equipment , but I just don't wanna get that organized when I cook. Cooking is a very organic experience for me)

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And I'd be all "Bitches, get offa my fire escape! Else next time I hear a noise out here, me and my trusty sawed-off are gonna be doin' some feral squirrel shootin', hear what I'm saying'?! PUNKS!"

And hey, if you want to address someone as "master" in LAtin, would it be "dominus" or "Domnus" or "Domini"?

I'm thinking the "domini" is plural, but I can't quite remember.

And, is basalt a fairly hard rock?

My tangents are now YOUR tangents, Inc.

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Basalt is just above medium on the Mohs hardness scale. It's listed as between 5-6 on a 10 point scale, diamond being a 10.

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I'd vote Portland, and not just because that adds yet another reason for me to go down there.

It's really a wonderful city, and if we can find jobs there, I'd seriously consider moving there.

And despite what Hec says, I've heard from people who Actually Live There (and have children, even!) that with the public transit system, cars are really optional.

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Ah. So a gaze like basalt would be a medium hard gaze.

Good.

And...another 1/2 chapter before I collapse into bed! Whee!

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Ah. So a gaze like basalt would be a medium hard gaze.

Good.

And...another 1/2 chapter before I collapse into bed! Whee!

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And despite what Hec says, I've heard from people who Actually Live There (and have children, even!) that with the public transit system, cars are really optional.

That's also what JZ reports from her brother (who lives there). But that was not my experience when I visited ex-GF. (Nor her experience there.) It just isn't as dense as SF - which is part of the charm, really. There's space. The other ding is that the economy hasn't been great there. It had some of the worst unemployment in the country a few years ago. There's always going to be more economic engine in Seattle or SF.

Not to discourage - like, I said - if I were young and on the loose that's where I'd be going now that New Orleans is in recovery mode for who knows how long. Portland is a great city to be a bohemian right now. Affordable but lots going on.

The dings on SF are mostly expense. As a parent I'd also list the local schools as a liability. That is why I'm planning on moving to the East Bay when the Halloweenie is of age. There's nothing really bad about living here aside from the cost. It's dense but small, big financial core but lots of green space. Oceans to mountains with a couple hours.

Food's not bad either.

LA's got a lot going for it too. I'd say the biggest problems there (for me) are the smog and the spread and the traffic. But you can get around some of that by picking where you live and work. Still, proximity makes a big difference in getting together with people. There are so many neighborhoods and cool spots in LA that I love.

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Remember, I keep grudges for decades

Any grudge worth having, is worth keeping.

I've been pondering this for months now, and I still can't figure out how I'm going to decide between L.A., San Francisco, and Portland.

Portland.

If you want actual reasons, I can give you quality and cost of living information as well, but mostly? Portland.

And likely you wouldn't be happy in all three cities. They are quite different.

Very personally, I loathed living in LA. I also am in no way an NYC girl. Others are never happier than when they are in those cities.

Hec does sum up cities rather well, I might add. Not without bias, but who doesn't when pimping cities...

Gonna have to go down and have a little neighborly talk with them tomorrow

At the very least. Hope the rest of your night was restful, bug.

A vote for Portland from a lurker who has lived here for 17 years

Hi, Margaret T. See? Lurkers who know? Choose Portland.

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