Posts Tagged ‘single’

The Single Life in Portland, Been There Done That

Posted in Dating and Relationships on July 26th, 2008 by kellyjo – Be the first to comment

I owe Ms. K a blog from my “Blogging for Dollars” fundraiser. She requested a blog on “Single Life in Portland.” Well if that ain’t a loaded topic!

Of course my mind immediately jumped to the topic of dating, not just being single in Portland. And I am an expert on dating in Portland, not something one usually announces in a public forum like this. But what’s a little girl talk between friends, eh?

Let’s get our terms straight first, shall we?

Single: only one in number; unique; pertaining to the unmarried state.

Bollocks! I am not “only one in number!” I have a load of close friends. “Unique,” absolutely. “Unmarried,” well duh!

Let’s get one thing straight: nowhere in the definition does it say “lonely.” Besides, I have three kids, heaps of friends, and Lili the Wonder Pug, not to mention an entire cabinet full of very good wine.

Dating: a person with whom one has such a social appointment or engagement.

If that’s the definition of dating then I’ve been doing it all my life! Is that really the definition of dating?

Dating: an engagement for an entertainer to perform.

Now that’s more like it! A first date is like an audition. I’m always wondering if I’m going to get a callback.

Online Dating: When I typed in “online dating” at Reference.com, I got the following:


They have no definition of “online dating,” but they sure know how to market it!

If you’ve been a blog reader for a while you know I have tried most every traditional online dating website, as well as some non traditional dating “sites” like Fry’s Home Electronics. One of my work colleagues who is new to the online dating scene recently asked me about my online dating experiences, and I found myself telling horror stories! Don’t we all? But, in reality, I have met some of the most interesting guys (and even one woman, who remains my friend today) on these online sites.

It’s a numbers game. And it takes patience.

(I do have recent horror stories about eHarmony though, and their new “relaxed matching” fiasco. That will be in a blog to follow.)

Portland is a fantastic city to be single in, to be dating in, to be married in. When people come to Portland they always ask me for recommendations of where to go and what to do. I have lived here almost 20 years, and I love to explore every nook and cranny of this city.

When I go out with friends, these are my top picks of places to go (I will add links later when I have time):

Friday Night: Start at Sinju in The Pearl and have some sake and a caterpillar roll. Walk to Bay 13 for a cocktail and some people watching on the loading dock outside. Walk a couple of blocks to Blue Hour for some Cougar sightings at the bar. Walk a block to Vault for a martini. Stumble next door to District and sit in the bay window where everything happens.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: Spend an evening laughing your ass off (and maybe even getting up on stage) at Comedy Sportz on NW Kearney.

Last Sundays: Go to Mississippi Studios in North Portland and see The Liberators, the best improv comedy team around (IMHO). I think Mississippi Studios may be getting remodeled this summer, so check back in the Fall.

Tonight: Go see Live Wire when they have a show at the Aladdin Theater. Amazing.

Play pool at Uptown Billiards.

Wine and champagne tasting at Liner and Elson

Drinks and tapas at Matador or Cha Taqueria in NW.

See a band you’ve never seen before at the Doug Fir. Stay and have the mac and cheese at 1am.

Romantic date: Olea in the Pearl.

I could go on and on. These are just some things I’ve done in the past month. You don’t have to be single to enjoy Portland.