A-O, Way to Go, Ohio!

Well, last week, I jetted off on my first business trip since moving to Portland, and, I must say, it felt kind of good to be out and about with other "meat" people! I am referring to a Product Labeling Class at THE Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio! I'd never been to Ohio and was more that happy to go (on the company's dime, of course). It was two full days of nothing but product labeling, what you can do and what you can't. I know you all are jealous....

If there was anything to truly be jealous of, it was these gardens outside of the Animal and Food Science buildings. The Oregon State University horticulture department could learn a thing or two about campus beautification from these folks... Here is the front of the building in which our class was being held. Both days, I ate my lunch outside in the surprisingly beautiful weather. There's nothing better than a walk around a garden to cure a serious case of chicken-pecking...

Chives and succulents...

This one I took for Mommom. This rose is called Julia Child.

..and a couple of favorite flowers of mine, Irises...


Pansies...or is it Violas?? Can anyone tell me the difference??? Anyway, they were spectacular...

These were in pots lining both of the stairs up to the front of the building.

Purple Salvia...

After dinner on Thursday night, I convinced the three instructors of the class to accompany me into the very cool hair/ piercing/ tattoo parlor across the street. Here is a picture of Lynn Knipe and Kim Karweik smiling nervously...

I loved the inside! It was so Portland, the only drawback was it's actual location being in Columbus, Ohio. The graphic art and band sticker collages that covered the walls and salon chairs made me feel right at home...


Here is Lamar Hendrickson and I posing in front of a very funny advertisement. He was very supportive of my artichoke tattoo idea and even offered to get one with me, as he'd been thinking to get another tattoo to match the five he already had. Lamar was very disappointed when the tattoo artist said we'd probably have to come back tomorrow for the actual application. Since we were all going home the next morning, that was not an option. I was..uh..devestated...ahem..
Anyway, here he is, trying to convey pictorially that I'm a "Hottie Special". After the picture, I called him a shameless flirt. He only laughed and drawled out in his Mississippian accent "well, if I'm ever up in Portland, I'll have to look you up...".