diary: january 2002

January was the month for seeing out-of-town friends. First, my high school buddy Rick drove into town to scope out the landscape business in the City; seems Portland is feeling a little "small". Next, my geology gal pal Annie stopped long enough on her visit from back east for lunch with Howard, her husband Mario, and kidlings in tow. Finally, another easterner, Howard's college roomie Pat treated us to a fine dinner while here on business.

A highlight for me was getting to chat with a fixture of the downtown sidewalks, the "Sign Guy". This fella silently walks the streets of the financial district during rush hour, carrying a sign proclaiming something about alien impeachment of the radioactive class. I'd heard he was a regular joe with a job, but after my chat with him, I'd say I was misinformed.