I've never been to Oregon as well, but I would agree with this statement.

Yeah, I think I could do worse than move to Portland.

See: http://cafeutne.org/towns/portlandor.html

On the other hand, my current home is #8 on that list.

There are 8 other U.S. cities you could choose to live in and still be okay. That's reassuring.

wow that looks like it kicks ass. can ms. !@#$%! and i crash at your place man? we're excellent guests. :D

Mmm, portable steaks (drools)

You bet. Provided I have a place. I need to find a job. My wife and I might be living in a tent if I don't.

so gmku you work in a uni? what do you do?

Why? Have you found me a job?

haha no unfortunately... If you came to Cardiff there would be loads, with new uni being build and all but I dont know anything about Portland sorry.

Just wondered if you were a professor or something thats all...

No, just a lowly admin type. Editor, actually, who knows how to puff himself up in his resume as an experienced "public affairs specialist" and "media relations expert." Ha!

ha ha.

man, on that subject, you're looking to freelance, no? have you any idea what you may charge?

also i'd suggest looking into writing for the web and (oh you might choke on this) SEO (search engine optimization). it's the end of writing, i know, but at least know your enemy...

Yes, freelancing is an option. Might take a while to ramp up, though, but yeah, I have given some thought to doing that.

Can i move over gmku? I make a great slave.

i have a friend who was a freelance writer & now gets fat paychecks from a certain monster corporation. i cannot disclose any names for fear of getting my brains zapped by my own keyboard. but there seems to be good money in web writing + marketing if $$ is what you're after.

if you're planning to work on your ever-postponed novel instead, that's another story.

If you can make the right connections and land a fat-cat client who likes your work, you're golden. Otherwise, you're always scrambling. I've done photography freelance before, but never found that one rich client, so it was constant weddings and such weekend after weekend. Bread and butter stuff.

Can you cook? I've always wanted a sous chef to help me with the family meals.

Are you offended at eating rabid rabbits?

Yeah, I've heard a lot about it.

I had a thought recently. For some strange reason, I have it in my head that one thing I'd really like to say I've done before moving is that I worked at my favorite record store in town here. I'm already such a regular that I've seen the inner sanctum where only employees are allowed. I wondered if I just asked the owner about working a weekend afternoon or something. That would be cool. He wouldn't even have to pay me. Maybe in vinyl.

man, that would be awesome, but you should collect the dough, regardless. it's a matter of principle.

the owner should be glad to have you there-- you can offer something to the adult customer w/ a fat wallet than snotty hipsters don't... and that would be good customer service, and thoughtful advice on what music to pick.