At The Blue Hour.

We had agreed to meet for the three Ds of drinks, dinner and desert for an enevning of enjoyment last night. Our start off would be at Blue Hour (their website rocks!) Gathering in celebration, we intended to toast one another over the completion of our various forms of undergraduate education. Sara had finished her biology degree three years ago, but continued to complete coursework to improve her GPA. She would be joining Todd, who had opted to simply finish the requirements for acceptance rather than complete an actual degree. This decision came about after he had been informed in June that he would be given a full scholarship by the U.S. Army to attend UNLV's Dental School for the next four years. Afterward, his primary mission would be pulling the molars of our fighting men and women for four more years. Combat posting is highly doubtful. Lisa had finally completed her BSN having been an Associates Degree Nurse for the last eight years. Her new title promised to remove a lot of the questioning eyes by other nurses in management and start them looking at her in a new light - one of potential understudy to use the theatrical term. The subject of college algebra had kept her at bay for the past five years, but fortunately she had a husband who was quite aware of higher mathematical concepts and was willing to "tutor" her. With A+ in hand, she left OHSU's School of Nursing in the dust pluming behind her. My degree, being the definition of "well-round education" came from the same institution as the learning gleaned by Sara and Todd: Portland State University. Where this B.S. of Liberal Studies and Minor in English will lead had yet to be fully determined. Tonight was about drinks, opinions and chocolate.

Blue hour's a little, high-class bar with reasonable drink prices and a nice little menu of everyday snacks most can be bought for under $5.00. We sat on the small deck under large green umbrellas thankfully unblemished by alcohol sponsorship logos. Few things are as annoying as sitting in a nice place with the words Corona, Guinness or BUD LIGHT over your head. Inside is a posch room filled with high-rise white chairs and over-stuffed loungers. Buisness-types sat at the bar, discussing matters of the day, sipping a Belgean lauger from gold-rimmed, tulip-shaped pint glasses. As over-the-top as this place would appear to be after entering it, the bathroom confirmed all preconceptions. One entire wall was mirror, directly across from the low-water, concentrated-flush toilet. Everything was new or high-class (including the thick, paper hand-towels that you actually onyl needed one for to dry your hands!) There was, however, one exception to the newness. In the corner adjacent to the commode sat a small, wooden rocking chair, clearly too small for someone to actually sit in unless they were five-years-old. The whole place is a full place to enjoy after work or just to get together downtown.

After drinks and fondue (lots of beer in that cheese!) we headed toward dinner. We had chosen to eat at Oba!, but the hostess out front informed us that the establishment was closed for a private event. It was something having to do with animal rights. Her fake smile, maculate skin and excessive makeup did little to hide the lack of interest in our protestations or her displeasure in having to tell several, paying customers (that normally would have given her tons of great tips) to take a hike. We decided to hit the Peruvian place Andina which we had all enjoyed in the past. Last night was no exception.

We all chose a tapa and a drink. Todd and I split a pitcher of sangria while the ladies enjoyed single drinks of their own chosing. We ate and laughed and chatted it up for a few hours. Our waiter was a dapper, kind young man whom I suspected as having had a stroke or head injury in the past. Lisa pointed out that his natural charisma detracted from the limp he showed. Amazing touches on the evening. We parted after talking of potential plans for future travel abroad and to Vegas once they are settled in. A marvelous night!