My life of late has consisted in lounging about at my parents’ home in Gig Harbor, Washington, spending the holidays with family, watching Star Trek, and occasionally seeing Anna to exchange stories of fiction and non-fiction. But now, I embark on my grand adventure: The Search for the Half-Acre Wood!

This adventure is essentially a trip to California to size it up for future habitation by myself, Thomas, and as many friends and family members as I can drag with me. I want something warmer, sunnier, not-quite-a-city, but still liberal and artsy, with a little bit of land for me to build my house upon. Everyone has something against California, so perhaps it’s no wonder it took me so long to think about the Bay Area. But even if I do not find my Holy Grail, I get to couch-surf and visit friends and have fun.

In the liminal state between isolated Gig Harbor and my hopefully-bright future down south is Portland. Portland, doomed always to be liminal in my mind. But oh! I’ve been having such a wonderful time in Portland! Thomas and I got dolled up and had a delicious dinner at Portobello, a vegan Italian joint on Friday, followed up by tea and toddies at Imbibe. Sound like Valentine’s Day got misplaced, to you? You would be correct: we celebrated Not Valentine’s Day instead! Anna loaned me the cutest cherry-covered dress, which reminded me so much of Pac-Man fruit that I had to make a pin for Thomas to accompany the theme.

On Saturday Cindy came over to keep me apprised of cuteness and her attempts to get a job at a particle collider, and Jay helped us devour a pair of good DS9 episodes. The night being young, Thomas and I then went to our friends’ Pimps & Harlots Ball, for which my costume was a 50′s housewife with another of Anna’s dresses and some Good Will pearls. There was dancing — Kellyn taught me a bit of swing! — and there were party games — at which, surprisingly, I excelled! Sunday, the Oft-Hated Day proper, Thomas and I walked around the local park and graveyard (paparazzi-ing ducks and squirrels along the way), made a delicious pasta dinner and chocolate truffles, and watched Casa Blanca in all its historical and romantic glory. Tonight we made portobello and red pepper quesadillas — I’m the proud parent of the tortillas — to accompany Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes and the company of Tom and Amy.

I’ve been so happy, in fact, I’m almost convinced I should stay or return soon, but at the beginning of the week I was homesick for my folks. Why do I foolishly leave those I love behind me, even if only temporarily? In the end I will convince everyone instead to follow me to the land of sun!