Saturday, June 9, 2012
Dex, Alex, and Henry dropped me off a little too early at Genies Cafe, the best we could do to make our schedules meet. They left to meet Corinna and Lani at the farmers market. Two observations while waiting on a sidewalk bench outside Genies: (1) people are much more likely than in SF to say a cheerful hello, and (2) there are a lot of bicyclists, and they seem to be much more respectful of red lights than bicyclists in San Francisco. Met Scott E for brunch. We talked about MURP, the relationship between public health and urban planning, parklets, wine (he recommended Torii Mor), bicycling, gloves, people we know. I gave him a brown Ames Bros t-shirt with a moustache handlebar bicycle. He showed me the place he was staying and gave me a ride back to the hotel. Rested. Dex, Alex, Henry and I drive to Tigard, scoped the ceremony location, then hung out at Washington Square Shopping Center for about an hour. Bought a fresh-picked rainbow for Chris and Nate at Made in Oregon. Ceremony at Solid Rock Church: guestbook, photo slideshow, candlelighting, vows. Before the ceremony we briefly met Brian. Drove to Corbett for the reception at Bridal Veil Lakes. Bridal Veil Lakes is a stunning location for a wedding reception: a large lake in the middle of a heavily wooded valley. Flowers (buttercups?) lined parts of the lake edge. It was utterly picturesque. For a few minutes just as we arrived there was a light rain shower, but the rest of the evening had no rain with some spots of sun—lucky. It was cold, but we had been sufficiently warned. There were a few large quilts that people could use if they arrived unprepared. At least there were heaters in the restrooms. After an hour or so I changed into warmer clothes. Some people made use of the canoes on the lake and the swings at the entrance. Drinks and buffet. Custom M&M's were part of the candies and mints provided as a favor and one imprint design included a photo of the wedding couple (!). Another favor: wildflower seeds embedded in a paper heart—plant the paper heart for the flowers to grow. The Fireball cinnamon whiskey was popular. A selection of games was available, but I did not see anyone playing them. Two kinds of cake: red velvet and chocolate. Met Christine S, William, Sally, Jack, Scott, Heather. Dancing until around 8:30 or 9:00. Two adjectives stood out for me to describe the ceremony and reception: elegant and understated. I had a wonderful, memorable time, and I learned that the groom's family and friends share a lot of love and have charming senses of humor. On the return to the hotel, Alex, Henry, Dex, and I decided to get a bite to eat. We stopped at Burgerville, primarily for the convenience. I had fish and chips, which were nothing special, and the others were not very impressed with their burgers. The restaurant had soda machines that I had never seen before: Coca-Cola-branded, with (touchscreens?): it claimed you could select from 100 different kinds of sodas. Somewhere along the way in today's driving we drove past a Chang's Mongolian Grill, which I recall from Seattle—(it was the same sign)—and which I miss since, amazingly, there is no Mongolian BBQ in San Francisco. We had had plans to continue the celebration at a Come As You Are 90's dance party at Lola's Room in McMenamin's Crystal Ballroom, but one by one the others who agreed to go dropped out for various reasons, so none of us went. Alex, Henry, Dex, and I talked until late.