On Tour in the USA

[diminished]

Finally,a week later and we tracked down an open liquor store on a Saturday night.

Does anyone know the difference between Jack Daniels Green Label and the usual Black Label ?

We've just spent half a bottle trying to work it out

In general, we're a little underwhelmed with the pacific northwest so far. Its not bad on scenery,but we've had to resort to more conventional touristy attraction type stuff.

We visited the "World's Smallest Harbour" at Depoe Bay in Oregon.To be honest,it seemed like a bit of a cheat.As experienced seasiders,it looks more than a little too small to be practicable, or navigable.

We also found more shoe trees, which are a wonderful phenomenon.

And a Bear living in a cage by a Gas Station (no complaints here,he seemed more than happy to be honest,if a little thirsty-but it was exceedingly warm.). He was so impressed at our arrival,he demonstrated it by making toilet in a corner of his cage. Interesting fact:fresh Black Bear poo seems to be bright orange.

Today saw us experience a 50 degree shift in temperature.At about 4:30 pm our in-car temp gauge read 113 degrees fahrenheit. About 3 hours later, approaching Bend (OR) it was 63, under a quite impressive thunderstorm.

Persistence asks of you American types a question: A few times now, for motel breakfast, we've been offered some sort of grey glutinous liquid in a bain-marie. To us,it looks reminiscent of a badly-made cream-pepper sauce.....it seems to be offered in combination with 'biscuits', what us Brits might call 'scones'. We readily accept scones, and treat them as such, with lashings of butter and jam, but it seems to get us odd glances at the breakfast tables.

Are we seeing your American interpretation of 'Gravy'? If so,its far and away from how we'd interpret it as such. I volunteered to Persistence that it might be the foodstuff known as 'Grits', but I'm not altogether sure. Answers on a postcard,or a forum post please.

My apologies for not keeping this thread up to date,or snuff,but meh,I'm a little worse for wear.

On a more serious note.

I'm sorry to Glinda,and others who have been offering us hospitality on this trip. I have to make a confession,which may also come as something of a surprise to Monster,who graciously introduced me here.My non-comments or non-acceptances of these offers have been playing upon my mind, and have started to strike me as if I'm being rude in not accepting them,or at least commenting upon them.

I (Diminished) suffer from something of a 'social disorder'. Basically, I'm still receiving treatment for my 5th breakdown, and I dont really wish to inflict my neuroses upon pleasant strangers.

My 'official' diagnosis is acute clinical depression, but thats probably inadequate to clearly explain the problem, as I also get elements of illness which may be considered something akin to bi-polar syndrome.
The 'ups' are slight,but dramatic,the 'downs' are much more dramatic, and much longer lasting.

Upon my last presentation of my condition to my Doctor, (the first recurrence in 10 years,I believed I was 'over' my problems-denial is a wonderful thing) he informed me that I would have to consider it a life-long condition, and would need appropriate treatment at appropriate intervals. That hit me pretty hard,after 10 years of being 'problem free',even though I knew I'd been struggling against it hard the past couple of years.

The good news is, that due to advances in drug treatments over the years since I last presented the problem, apparently the drug therapy has come on in 'leaps and bounds'. Its true that I'm tolerating my session of therapy much better (this time around) ,but I have to take the pills for much longer this time. To be honest,I'd be happy enough to take this course of treatment that I'm on,permanently, if they gauranteed the condition would not reocurr.

Hell,to make it over here,I had to have a Medical Examination,and be issued a Medical Statement that I am 'no longer a danger to others,or myself'.

I did not confess this to Monster and Beest,and I'm sorry for that.You may both have noticed that when we both came back to your house in the evening,I may have been a little more subdued.Thats the effect of my medication,I take it because I need it,and its for the best I take it. (indeed,I'm happy to take it).

Persistence has been with me for the last 4 'occurences' of my 'illness' (I blush to call it so,its a pitiful condition to refer to as an illness in the light of the problems of others.). She has experienced the heights and depths along with me, and she takes it. She accepts it as part of me. And for that,I'm grateful beyond words. It upsets her,and when I see that, that inspires me to try and straighten myself out. But it is,all the same, very difficult.

It is from the fear that I act not like myself,that I bypass these kind offers of friendship and hospitality. The last thing I ever want to do to people is cause offence by my words and deeds, but sometimes I do, I cant help it, and I regret it bitterly.I ask your indulgence and forgiveness.

[xoxoxoBruce]

So, you're fucked up and taking drugs. Well so are half the people on this forum... hell, half the people in America... and we've got guns.

Those of us that are in the same boat have enjoyed the hell out of your trip, without having to go out and deal with people, like you have. For that, I thank you very much. That said, don't feel you owe us regular reports or anything else, it's we that owe you for your enrichment of the forum.

The bottom line is take care of yourself first and foremost. When the spirit moves you, we'll be here to welcome you with open arms.

[Perry Winkle]

Originally Posted by diminished

Persistence asks of you American types a question: A few times now, for motel breakfast, we've been offered some sort of grey glutinous liquid in a bain-marie. To us,it looks reminiscent of a badly-made cream-pepper sauce.....it seems to be offered in combination with 'biscuits', what us Brits might call 'scones'. We readily accept scones, and treat them as such, with lashings of butter and jam, but it seems to get us odd glances at the breakfast tables.

Are we seeing your American interpretation of 'Gravy'? If so,its far and away from how we'd interpret it as such. I volunteered to Persistence that it might be the foodstuff known as 'Grits', but I'm not altogether sure. Answers on a postcard,or a forum post please.

That motel slop is supposed to be sausage gravy. No real American will consider it such though. If you find a little diner and they have "biscuits and gravy" it will change your life. I prefer butter or peanut butter and jam on my biscuits though.

And the biscuits they serve in motels are shit. It's like calling a Starbucks scone a scone -- It's not quite right. Real biscuits are dense and buttery. The BEST biscuits are called "drop biscuits."

You probably won't find decent biscuits and gravy unless you try the lower midwest.

[monster]

Originally Posted by diminished

I did not confess this to Monster and Beest,and I'm sorry for that.You may both have noticed that when we both came back to your house in the evening,I may have been a little more subdued.Thats the effect of my medication,I take it because I need it,and its for the best I take it. (indeed,I'm happy to take it). .

Oh please, you must have worked out that I attract nutters! You were under no obligation to confess anything. I'm very practiced at assessing "danger".

One thing I have found is that Americans are much more open about discussing mentall illness and the drugs they take for it, and it's way more common than you'd think. Don't apologise and don't worry, just cope the best you can and people will take you as they find you.

Now. MORE PICTURES!!!11!1

[Glinda]

Originally Posted by diminished

I'm sorry to Glinda,and others who have been offering us hospitality on this trip. I have to make a confession,which may also come as something of a surprise to Monster,who graciously introduced me here.My non-comments or non-acceptances of these offers have been playing upon my mind, and have started to strike me as if I'm being rude in not accepting them,or at least commenting upon them.

I (Diminished) suffer from something of a 'social disorder'. Basically, I'm still receiving treatment for my 5th breakdown, and I dont really wish to inflict my neuroses upon pleasant strangers....

It is from the fear that I act not like myself,that I bypass these kind offers of friendship and hospitality. The last thing I ever want to do to people is cause offence by my words and deeds, but sometimes I do, I cant help it, and I regret it bitterly.I ask your indulgence and forgiveness.

Everything Bruce said. No worries, no need to apologize, nothing to forgive.

But I do always get a chuckle showing off "my little town" (which I'm actually miles from) - 2500 people and four casinos. No grocery store. No hardware store. No barbershop. No liquor store. No hotel. No movie theater. No fast food joints.

But four casinos.

And it's almost La Center's 100th Anniversary! Hot time in the old town!

[diminished]

Thanks for your messages,the matter had been preying upon my mind for a few days,it seemed time to clear it up.

But I approach you tonight,as a man who has been wronged!

I have been denied a very special cultural experience,unique to the US,and I've been sulking about it for the last couple of days.

Saturday,as we passed through Lebanon,OR, we noticed that there seemed to be something of a summer faire type affair happening.(Indeed,this sort of thing seemed to be happening in quite a few places last Saturday.).

It was with great enthusiasm,that I spotted a Cheerleader Carwash being offered near the roadside.Its not like our car didn't need a wash,it is positively filthy (but with good dirt,which has accumulated throughout our journey.Maybe I should collect it up,and make a collage.Or something.), but Persistence seemed immovable on the negotiations,which had to be conducted at speed as she accelerated through town.

I did see the local Fire Crew offering a similar service,and I am an equal opportunity lech...I was quite prepared to let the Fire Crew wash half the car,if only she'd let the Cheerleaders do the other half.

Or even if she'd have been prepared to let the Cheerleaders rinse it off.

Hell,I'd have settled for her letting me watch Cheerleaders washing other peoples cars.

She even had an opportunity later to rescind her harshness,as we passed through Sisters,but even the possibility of 'Soccer Girls' soaping our vehicle up seemed unpalatable.I even tried to appeal to her sense of pity....as it all seemed to be in aid of charity.

'Think of the Kittens!' I cried,but she remained unmoved.

She is a harsh,and merciless woman.