So this is love...

Editors Note: When I was having dinner last night, I took a lovely picture from my camera phone to post on this blog of my own, actual view of the Deschutes River. Then, I was too stupid to figure out how to get the picture from my phone to my computer. Anyone know an 11 year old boy that could teach me how? This image came to you via google images.

So I spent last night in Bend, Oregon. Unfortunate name, lovely town. Bend is in central Oregon and is really the only town there. (Other than Sisters, its neighbor - seriously, was there a "Worst Town Name in America Contest going on that week?)(And as another parenthetical, every time I drive through Sisters on my way to Bend I sing that old timey "Sisters" song by Rosemary and Judy Clooney really loud in my car...It is the end of a 4 hour drive. I am a bit stir crazy at that point.) Anyway - I have a store in Bend. I used to think it was the middle of nowhere, and it is, but now I am discovering Bend is a cool town, with beautiful scenery, cool shopping and nice people. So last night I went to wander at a great area downtown called The Old Mill District, which is built in and around an old mill and power plant. Very chic with good restaurants, shopping and a movie theater. I ate dinner at Greg's Grill on the Deschutes (the river that runs through Bend) and it was great. Usually when I travel I just go to Carl's, Jr. or something for dinner and go eat it alone in my hotel room like a sad, lonely obese person. Who wants to sit in an actual restaurant by themselves? But I had some time to kill, so I gave Greg's a shot. I had a great table on the water and could see the kayakers and the ducks and the bikers and enjoyed some good old people watching. I also enjoyed some good old people listening, as the couple at the table next to me were clearly on a first date. They were middle aged, and looked very nice (except that he was wearing one of those free polos that corporate america guys wear that he got from the Technodyne Rep at the company picnic last fall - not appropriate date attire!) but I don't know that it was a love connection. Here are some snippets from their conversation, taken out of context for your pleasure and amusement.

"Long story short.." which I heard this guy say like at least 7 times. Note to you, sir: it is too late. Your story is already long.

"She used to love to go out on her boat fishing, topless, and talk with her dad who had been dead for several years."

"They do plastic surgery on horses, you know. To make their eyes bigger."

"My dog LOVES cell phones."

"I love to gamble."

I am no romance expert - ask my wife. But somehow I don't think these are the soul stirring conversations on a first date that lead to a second. I'll see if I can catch them walking hand in hand next time I am in Bend.