I dislike Valentine’s Day, very much. I haven’t been shy about it here, that’s for sure. Blue Eyes planned a Staycation for us here at the new Portland Ritz Carlton. It’s a beautiful hotel if a little out of place in this city. Pretty fancy for us, especially with downtown still trying to get back on its feet after riots, and covid, and a still growing homeless and drug use problem. Many businesses are still shuttered, and covered in graffiti. It’s working its way back, slowly. Even though the area where the ritz is located is just a few blocks from our office, it’s a bit sadder over there.

The hotel itself, however is beautiful. The rooms are luxurious and perhaps my favorite space is the infinity pool on the 20th floor.

On Valentine’s day we ordered in room service and watched a movie. It was very relaxing and stress free. The next day we walked over to our favorite food cart pod and sampled a few carts. They even have a dog treat cart. We brought home a peanut butter empanada for Bernie the mini Aussie.

Blue Eyes loves burgers and tacos.

We simply didn’t have room left for perhaps our favorite Portland food cart, Tokyo Sando, but we get their sandwiches all the time.

Come rain, shine, sleet, snow, crime, or a Ritz Carlton displacing perhaps the most famous food cart pod in the nation, Portland still has dozens of pods in the city with dozens and dozens of carts. It’s still a thing and weirdly enough, a prime reason people visit Portland.

So, we actually had a lovely Valentine’s day together, no big bouquet, no chocolates, no love notes, but some much needed alone time.

Now here’s the bad part. The day before Valentine’s Day that horrid other woman, from so many years ago now, the one that stalked me, yeah that one… she called my cell phone. Her home number and mobile number are blocked and have been since 2014. She called from her place of work, which has a huge switchboard of numbers and can’t be blocked. I didn’t pick up, because I NEVER pick up if I don’t know who is calling. The number showed, but no business attached to it. I googled it, and sure enough, it was her place of work. She didn’t leave a message. Of course she didn’t. I’m thankful for that at least.

And then, the day after Valentine’s Day I got the most horrible yeast infection. I haven’t had one for many years. I still have it five days later. Yuck!

Fuck you Valentine’s Day.