Last night's dinner

Herbed Pork tenderloin with huckleberry-balsamic
reduction!

Huckleberries are the most excellent of all the round berries. That's all I have to say about that.

Random ramblings- no wonder I named my blog random thoughts

Sometimes I think about my place in this world. Why the heck am I here? Most people go around chasing money like it's the reason for existence. To me, that's not the be all end all. Money is nice, sometimes I'd like to have more, but it all goes away in the end. I'm starting on the path to having a culinary career. There's not a lot of money for an entry level cook. Do I aspire to be more than a cook someday- yes. Do I aspire to drive a Rolls and be a powerful executive chef that operates 15 restaurants? Not really. I'd like to have enough to live, but I don't want to be a greedy corporate guy. I'd like to own a restaurant someday. A little Ma & Pop type place. I know, it sounds old school, but I think this is a part of America that needs to stick around. I don't want to live in a world where your options are McDonalds and Denny's. Keep small/local businesses alive in America! Maybe that is part of the reason I'm here.

I gotta get out of this place, if it's that last thing I ever do.

Some group called the Animals sang that song. I feel like it couldn't be more appropriate for where I'm at in my job sitaution. I make decent money and have great benefits, BUT- it's slowly killing me. I sit on my arse listening to people's credit card problems. It's driving me up a wall. I feel like the guy in Office Space. I just want to knock my cubicle over and throw the computer monitor out the window. This certainly isn't my dream job, at this point it's more of a nightmare. It's like the movie Groundhog's Day except the people aren't as nice. I have to get out. I'm going to culinary school and I don't work in a kitchen. I'm going to leave this hell, even if it means working the dish pit somewhere. If you pray, pray for me. I need a new job, and it can't come fast enough.

Good enough for Goonies

We went to Astoria again for Kristen's birthday last weekend. No disappointment here, it's still a great little town with lots to do and see.

Trip highlights:

T-Paul's Urban Cafe- Good food without the upscale b.s. One of the owners was also our server. They cook up fabulous food at affordable prices. If you go, try one of the many quesidilla selections. You wouldn't believe what they can cook up on two (yes, only two) burners! Fun decor included a couch, a door hanging from the ceiling, a window also hanging from the ceiling and a fish tank resembling a coral reef.

Goonies house- yep, I saw and took pictures of the Goonie's house and the jail. I'm a dork, so what.

Long Beach, Washington- Not all that exciting, kind of turned into a tourist trap. Lots of video games and bumper cars. Washington's version of Seaside.

Ilwaco, Washington- Ate at some greasy spoon on the boardwalk. Can't remember the name of the place, probably because I don't want to.

Astor Column- beautiful view from up there. Didn't climb the column this time- I hate climbing that thing, it's old, crowded and has no windows. Not to mention I'm afraid of heights.

Astoria Farmer's Market- We were told by a vendor it's the 2nd biggest in Oregon. It was pretty big and definitely fun. I could see buying a lot of stuff if I lived in town.

Astoria is our favorite coastal (sort of) town. If you haven't visited, it's less than 2 hours away from Portland, what are you waiting for?