Eugene is Beer Paradise

Michael and I had another busy week, exploring the city and making friends. On Tuesday night we went to the David Minor theater to see Cedar Rapids, a raunchy comedy that made us both laugh heartily despite the unoriginal plot and mediocre writing. The mantra of the DMT? “No longer sneaking beer into theaters since 2008.” Not that Michael and I ever did such a juvenile thing (wink wink)! It’s a small place with two main theaters, by which I mean rooms filled with couches and coffee tables. They serve beer and have a decent sized menu. It felt fantastic to sit in oversized chairs, eating pizza, and laughing along to a ridiculous movie about some quirky dude who finds Cedar Rapids exotic and exciting. Both Michael and I are currently drawn to stories about people discovering new ways of living and stepping out of comfort zones. We look for affirmation and reinforcement everywhere, because (honestly) each day has scary moments.

Yesterday we met up with new friends at Ninkasi Brewery, the Founders Brewery of Eugene. Their beer selection is excellent (hmm… there’s a lot of beer in this post), the IPA passing Michael’s standards. The place consisted solely of outdoor seating with a Japanese aesthetic, and played an on-going selection of 90s music. We were pleased, which is lucky for us, because it’s right down the street from our new apartment! Michael and I are still in our sublet for another week or two, but we continue to check out places in our soon-to-be neighborhood (The Whiteaker): authentic Mexican cuisine, a patisserie, Ninkasi! What more could we want than burritos, cheesecake, and beer? Good breakfast, that’s what! Keystone Café is on our street, a few blocks down, and we hear it is most excellent. Gaia Café has left a whole in our lives (or our bellies), so we need to get our fix of delicious eggs and potatoes ASAP. Also, New Friends live in the neighborhood! We are planning a possible white water trip with them, or at the very least some hiking. We love them. Too soon to use the L-word? Love!

This morning I woke early and pedaled to June coffee shop, just a few blocks away. The poet friend I mentioned earlier invited me to meet her writing group. For an hour we wrote together, responding to prompts and reading our work. It was a refreshing way to begin the day. This evening I’m meeting up with another writer friend at another coffee shop. I’m definitely getting my tea fix with all this socializing! And man-o-man, Eugene is a solid place to find a writing community. I’m feeling blessed and energized, though I’ve had a post-Bennington writing block for the past four weeks. Perhaps it’s just that we are still in transition, not yet settled, and my books are still in the Midwest.

Also, want to know something crazy? In one month Michael and I celebrate our one year MARRIED anniversary! This year went wicked fast. So here is a picture from our first month of dating: 

We are still determining what kind of adventure we want this weekend. Lava caves or waterfalls? Next week I have an interview at the University and our dear friend Amanda visits! The living is good!

Love from the west,

katie and michael