You can do a lot in a lifetime if you don't burn out too fast

Today marks my one-year anniversary of moving to Portland.

It seems like both a lot longer than that, and a lot shorter. It feels like I've been here forever, and like I just walked through the door.

So much has happened, from being dropped into the chemo soup the day after I arrived, to Jay's terminal diagnosis, to the success of his current med regime, to living in the 2-month box.

It seems like too much to talk about here, so instead I'll just mention a few things I've learned in my time in Portland:

• There is endless wonderful food to be had here.  The only things that are missing are really good BBQ and authentic Tex-Mex.  Everything else can be had in abundance, especially what Jay refers to as artisanal junk food.
• Drivers here are generally endlessly courteous. This includes stopping to let people merge onto bridges when traffic is bad. The first time I was the recipient of this generosity I knew I was home.
• The weather is a fickle thing, but overall I approve.
• There's a crazy vibe to this city that energizes me even at my lowest moments.

We're celebrating this momentous occasion with a trip to Crater Lake. Well, we would be going to Crater Lake if the government weren't shut down and thus the national parks weren't shut down, but we'll see what we see in the area anyway.

So much has happened this year.  All I'll say is, Portland, I love you.  And Jay, I love you with all my heart. So very glad to be here with you.