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VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
loganlee:
Before I moved here, I did my homework. I discovered that Portland’s metro area was made up of about 3 to 5 percent African Americans. Was I shocked to discover this? Yes…and no. Yes, because this was America. Yes, because it was 2009. Yes, because it was 2009 in America! No, because out of the many other African Americans that I know, none of them had ever mentioned Portland, Oregon to me. I also wasn’t shocked because, as climate goes, it wasn’t one of those hot cities that African Americans supposedly migrate to. Not the Atlantas, Miamis, nor the Dallases. People who know me would tell you that I’m an extrovert. I’m friendly. I speak to any and every one. That’s my personality. That’s who I am. I talk to total strangers, every single day. I like meeting people. I like getting to know people. I think back and wonder if I’ve always been like this. Once I started high school and broke out of my shell, yes. That’s me. I talk to people.What I’ve seen in Portland, though, that’s been very different than other places I’ve lived, is that people don’t normally talk back. I go to a lot of different places all around Portland, and I pay attention to a lot of things. I people watch. I watch faces. I watch body language. I watch interactions with other people. I watch how people are more….guarded when they see me. I watch how people are hesitant around me. I watch how people lock their car doors if I’m walking by. I watch how women hold their purses tighter or people walk across the street when they see me. I also notice that maybe half of the people that I speak to, actually speak back. Some of the people that I speak to don’t give me eye contact and basically ignore me. When I speak to someone, I might say something like, “How are you today?” And when they don’t respond, I say, “Good.” I wonder what people think when I respond to their non-response. I wonder if it’s because I’m an African American man. I wonder if it’s because I’m a fairly big guy. I wonder if it’s because…I’m not white.Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to believe that all of these people are prejudiced or racist. That wouldn’t be fair. I find it interesting though. I’m sure most of the people I encounter are transplants. Coming from other parts of the country, people have developed their opinions based on their experiences. I get it…sort of. People are cautious. That’s fine. But does it hurt to say hi??? Some people base their opinions on what they hear on TV…or what they read in newspapers…or what they see on the internet. I would never do that. It wouldn’t be fair. I develop my opinion of a person, based on that person. If you’re an asshole, you’re an asshole. Period. Maybe I expect too much out of people. Maybe I live in a fairy tale world, where people use common courtesy. Maybe I live in a world where I think people pay too much attention to their differences, as opposed to the biggest thing they have in common -- and that is we’re all human beings.I love Portland. I love meeting and interacting with so many different people. It’s who I am. It’s what I do. We all lead busy lives and go through this thing called life. We have good moments. We have bad moments. Sometimes those bad moments affect our interactions with other people. Sometimes we’re in our heads so much, that we block out the rest of the world. That’s normal because we’re human beings. But, If you ever encounter me anywhere and I speak to you, do me a favor please. Just say hi.
nilly:
:O
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1500 miles, two and a half years and one tattoo later....I'm back!!! What's new SG?
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Hey all...what's going on?? Hopefully everyone is doing well...or better than yesterday. Just wanted to give an update on how things are going with me.

Tomorrow my journey begins. I start my drive/move to Portland. 1800 miles....yeah...I know....long trip. But I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready to begin my life in Portland. Of course it's going to take me awhile to get situated...but I've...
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VIEW 15 of 15 COMMENTS
tarion:
wink
tweedle:
WHERE have you been? lol ahhhh !
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Hey all...what's going on? I hope everyone's today is better than everyone's yesterday....and everyone's tomorrow is better than everyone's today.

Well...I've accepted the position at that second company. I start on June 15th. My last day at my current job is June 5th. I'm relieved to finally have a job in Portland. It's rough out here...and I'm fortunate to land something as soon as I...
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VIEW 25 of 59 COMMENTS
kraven:
Thank you sooo much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful comment on my set. Have a wonderful Monday and stop by and say hello any time. Thanks again!
tweedle:
Gurnee Mills is a mall in Gurnee, Illinois. It's pretty lame. The stores, for the most part, are higher end, upscale, snooty kinds of stores... like SAKS... and they have all that Abercrombie bullshit there...

Not much to see.
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Happpy Mother's Day to all of the mother's out there. I was going to write something for you all...but I'm too much in my head about other things right now, so I decided to grab something from the internet....hope everyone likes it! Enjoy your day....

My Mother Kept A Garden

My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good...
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VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
mssasha:
Nice story for the mothers. smile
louiseethel:
<3
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Hey all...what's going on? Hope everyone had a good week...I hope it was productive or relaxing or both. If it was stressful or painful or heartbreaking for you....breath...and know that you can only do what you can do! Also know that whatever it is, it could always be worse. So....it will pass....you will move on.

Thanks to all for those well wishes regarding my interviews...
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VIEW 11 of 11 COMMENTS
tarion:
haha Yes I'm sure biggrin
riese:
Thank you for the set love darling! You have been a good friend kiss kiss
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Hey all...what's going on? Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. My weekend has been a little busy...went to the Tigers/Royals game on Friday. The Tigers lost but made up for by kicking the Royals' asses yesterday. Yesterday I went to the first screening of a local film called, "Last Breath". It was directed by Ty Jones and Produced by Aaron Laue. I helped with...
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VIEW 24 of 24 COMMENTS
tweedle:
thank you !! I appreciate all of your support...

good luck in Portland!
evabelle:
That's so awesome! Seeing your name in the credits has to be pretty cool.

Good luck with your interviews. They can be pretty nerve wracking, but you sound ready! Sending good thoughts your way wink!
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I'm backkkkkk!! What's going on everyone? I hope everyone either had a nice week...or a productive one. Well....DC was cool...the weather sucked up until Thursday....but it was cool. The conference was long...but the happy hours made up for it...lol. I did some sight seeing on Thursday...went past the White House...as I was standing at the gate...it opened and some guy riding a cart came out....and...
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VIEW 17 of 17 COMMENTS
bob:
Muchas gracias for the love left on my new set! I really appreciate it. EL SUICIDO LOCO

troa:
The accent think always slips into my mind. Like where did some of them originate? Especially in the 'ol US.
Crazy stuff. Thanks for the love on my new set by the way, it's much appreciated. EL SUICIDO LOCO EL SUICIDO LOCO
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What's going on people? I forgot to post that I'll be in DC for a health conference all week and will not check this until I return this weekend. So for all of you that has a birthday after today...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Enjoy it....and for the rest of you...keep that heat up...keep that music loud...keep pouring your favorite drink...keep singing out loud...and keep those clothes off...lol...take...
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VIEW 5 of 5 COMMENTS
tunala:
nah we just had summer, in autum atm so almost winter. rug up haha it means to cuddle up in warm clothes and ppl.
so no big plans for winter just working and saving money!
have fun on ur conference
merlowe:
My fav drink is CapnCoke for sure nice and mellow...I will get back to you on what song that is hard to pinpoint!! smile
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Hey all...what's going on? I hope everyone's well. Quick job update....I had my second phone interview today and it went very, very well. They want me to fly out either the last week of April or the first week of May for a third and formal interview. I'm really looking forward to that, Although this is good news, I still have to hope for the...
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VIEW 26 of 26 COMMENTS
merlowe:
I adore you spring time cure for the summer blues!! Spanx for the invite I luv up on new friends!!! Happy Easter to you and yours!!
akila:
good luck with the interview! i wish i could time travel! i'd go to some crazy medieval place and hand out gumsticks and ice creams and some neon clothing tongue