I'm deaf today

Just got home from a really busy day at work. Wowza. Sundays are usually pretty busy for brunch, but it got up to about 85 degrees today so everyone came out to sit on our patio. We were rockin'! Another exciting twist to the day... out on the street behind the restaurant, this vintage Porsche burst into flames. It was quite the spectacle. No one got hurt, but the car was toast (literally). The owner of the car came in after the whole scene to use the restroom, so we decided to buy him a beer. :)

So we've had a pretty fun couple of nights! We checked out this bar called Shanghai Tunnel that had been recommended to us. This place has a major creepy factor, given it's history. Back in the late 19th/early 20th century there were a series of underground tunnels throughout the downtown area connecting the bars and hotels to the riverfront. The tunnels were used to "Shangai" people to be sold as slaves on the ships - they would be dropped down through trap doors (deadfalls). If you were totally wasted at a local bar, there was a pretty good chance you would wake up on a ship. The tunnels are still there, and you can take walking tours through them (which I want to do soon). I think they are supposedly haunted. Seems like everything in Portland is supposedly haunted though.

Shanghai Tunnel the bar is located in one of the tunnels. It's pretty cool... good atmosphere, good music and really good food. We played some pinball, which I hadn't done in forever!



Paul even turned $1 into $13 on the video lottery! You can find these machines almost everywhere. It's kind of crazy. They have video poker, line games, etc. We actually have like six of them at VQ, which I still can't help but feel is kind of odd.


Last night I met up with our friend Bethany (aka Betty) at, again, Shanghai Tunnel. We know Bethany from back in the days of Trooppo - we all worked together. She moved out here a little over a year ago from Michigan, so we've been hanging out again.


After Shanghai Tunnel, some of our friends invited us to the Doug Fir to check out A Place to Bury Strangers. That's right, we have friends! The receptionist from Paul's office and her husband are way cool. They are super into wine and food (especially cheese) just like us, so I think we'll get along just fine. :)

Down in the Doug Fir:


A Place to Bury Strangers:



The band was really good - I had never heard them before. The place is so small and loud though, my ears are still ringing. I felt like I was underwater for most of this morning. Does that mean I'm getting old??

Paul went on a really cool Jeep outing yesterday while I was at work. He took some great pictures, so he should be putting those up soon!

Love,
Jenny