Festa Italiana a.k.a. date night

The sky from downtown was picture perfect!

 
The lights of the courthouse.

Maserati-need I say more?

Dinner at Festa Italiana

Jeff and I determined that occasionally we need to put ourselves first. In order to facilitate this we decided to focus on one another once a month on a date. This means that we clean up, just as we would for a date, leave the concerns, jobs, well as much as I can when on call, and refocus our attention on one another. I decided since we are aiming to go to Italy that Festa Italiana would be a good first date.

Upon arrival there was a group of Opera students from PSU. While not bad, by any means, and certainly better than I, for one performer broke a glass, it was not our cup of tea, we opted for wine. First we had to find Casa Soldi as all purchases were to be made in Soldi only, no cash. We got a very nice Pinot Grigo to share along with dinner, Italian style of course. I got a pesto pasta and Jeff got some pork pasta. To say it was light on the sauce would be an understatement, BUT it was heavy on the pork. If that is the way pasta is served in Italy then it is no wonder people drink so much wine in Italy; something has to wash it down!

As the night progressed we went along the stairs at Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland's living room) and listened to the tail end of the opera. Next on was a gentleman whose name now escapes me, but is billed as "The Voice". He did Frank Sinatra tunes, and pretty well. During his hour performance he got people up and dancing. Only Portlanders would use the opportunity to turn The Square in to a dance floor. Of course we mustn't forget the prolific beggars and homeless people that abound as well. I am definitely out of my comfort zone in downtown Portland. It seems EVERY homeless person, beggar, freak etc. is drawn to the one, the only, me! Crowds of people and they find me. Still not sure what I do. Tonight Stinky Sam sat alongside me. We moved and headed for Starbuck's for a coffee. I want to decontaminate and jump in an autoclave, but settled for a relatively clean sink, touch free soap, and touch free paper towels. I went back out with the attitude of just one Funky Fred is not going to ruin my night. I will be darned if Crazy Creep doesn't throw me an imaginary fishing line in an attempt to reel me in, with the rest of the audience surrounding me. We even chose somewhere in the middle of a group of people. We were on a date and wished to be free to creepy people. I cut his imaginary line and exited stage left, never looking back.

So, you say, they did not have a good time. Oh contrare indeed. I got to talk with Jeff about something other than diving, hold his hand, enjoyed music, visited my brand of car if not the make. The sky was perfect, the weather cool, the lighted buildings beautiful, the tea hot, the wine smooth and the memories unforgettable. Next time, it is Jeff's choice on what we will do for our date night.

My favorite thing is realizing I could be outside my comfort zone and still have fun.