I find it kind of funny to watch Portlanders react (or should I say overreact) to a bit of adverse weather. As the snow begins to fall, the entire city seems to shut down, as schools close, business send workers home early and a universal sense of alarm grips the majority of Portland's inhabitants. I'm sure most of us are aware of this, but to many mid-westerners (and I know quite a few), we're considered to be winter wimps, snow sissies, frozen featherweights...weather weaklings if you will.
When you think about it, this hackneyed belief that we can't seem to operate at any level of normalcy during these infrequent cold streaks is absurd. Yet, I find myself drinking from the frozen kool-aid of post snow panic, and embracing the simple joy that comes from stocking the pantry with food, gathering stacks of firewood from the wood pile and snuggling up with that special long legged hottie in front of a blazing fire on these cold brisk winter evenings. It almost reminds me of sick days as a child; you have no choice but to stay home, eat warm foods and rest on a make shift bed created from couch cushions as you lounge around watching countless hours of cartoons. All chores, errands and responsibilities put off until another day.
So as the most recent round of winter weather descended on the city (or Artic Blast 2008 as deemed by the various news channels during their Storm Team coverage) I found the liquor cabinet to be in dire need of restocking. After a stop at Freddy's for food to sustain us during this cold stretch, the TLB and I made a quick stop at the Clackamas Liquor Store to pick up a few essentials for making adult beverages.
I have to admit, that I am a sucker for the Holiday Liquor Packages...you know, the ones that contain a free martini glass, festive shot glass, additional liquor, small flask, or any other alcohol marketing swag. Well, this year's top holiday marketing choice was the Absolut vodka which is encased in a disco mirror ball Christmas decoration. I already knew that I'm a sucker for bright shinny things, but add adult beverages to the mix, and I'm an easy mark .
The selection was not as great as other liquor stores, but all of the big names and required drink dignitaries were accounted for...Mr. Beam, Mr. Walker, Mr Daniels, Mr. Cuervo, Capt. Morgan, etc. We picked up a few of the basics, along with tonic water, bloody mary mix, olives and Tuaca to go along with hot apple cider.
And while there was some disappointment in seeing the snow begin to turn to rain, and the white powdered landscape slowly turn into a gray dirty Slurpee, you certainly can't beat a night at home, with a hot blonde, canoodling in front of a fire whle drinking warm adult beverages. read more
