Orthodox Easter Eve

This post has been triggered by the reports in the news about cougar sightings near a Lake Oswego Elementary School at post date and time.

Last Saturday was Orthodox Christian Easter Eve. Tradition says you have to fast at least as much as you can during the previous period (by eating vegetarian food). I did not. I don't think i'm going to go to any of the Romanian Orthodox Curches in the area anymore. Maybe none of the Romanian Churches. Because i don't know exactly who is coming there, and even if there's barely any Romanians. Especially after seeing this guy at Saint Mary's when i've been last time in there.

04/14/2013 10:34:18 AM St Mary Orthodox Church Portland, OR

So i decided not to go. Especially after the week that passed, with our new neighbors and noises and stomping. I mean i was exhausted.

Saturday just before midnight i was barely awake. My wife wanted to go alone and i should just let her but she didn't sleep more than a few hours the night before and only one hour that afternoon. I am a more experienced driver despite being so tired. So i left, and realized i am very low on gas. The light was on. There was all kinds of smoke on the street and i noticed last week the sound of a small exhaust leak (again) under the hood so i used a breathing mask.

None of the gas station we saw on the road were open.

We arrived at the Descent of the Holy Spirit Church in Oregon City exactly when they were going round the church (Within Orthodox Churches at Easter tradition requires going round the church three times at a certain time during the special Easter Liturgy. So when i turned around to leave my headlights were beaming the whole crowd, could not turn them down, they're automatic.)

I went back with no major incidents. I found gas at a station on Nyberg St. At home minutes after i got inside i noticed the dust mask i was wearing was smelling a lot like unburnt emissions, oil and gasoline. Either from my exhaust leak from under hood or from the street.

Around 1:30 i went back to pick her up. On McNary right after the intersection with Monroe (LOL this is the first time i realized it's the last stage name of the diva), right after i left home, two Police cars were securing the road because of a broken car. They allowed me to pass on the other lane, and i went forward. Then i choose 43. Then at the ramp of 43 towards 205 N, in the middle of the "clover leaf", a deer showed up on the right, about to cross the ramp. I saw it in time, gently hit the breaks, i would have had time to stop, on the very curved ramp, when the deer changed its mind and went back on the right and uphill. What would have happened if i didn't see it and the deer had crossed the ramp? Probably would have lost control because of the curve.

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At the Church i arrived @2 AM, the service was still going on, first i parked on the alley but i saw this nervous guy checking his van with a flash light and i moved next on the street, and i was amazed by the amount of traffic at that time and the fumes from the exhaust, maybe two cars a minute, always coming from different directions and meeting at that place, went back on the alley, the guy checked his van again, i think he had a dog in there, then my wife came and i took her home. On 43 before down town Lake Oswego i saw a coyote and almost hit a raccoon. On down town Lake Oswego the Police stopped me for going 37 in a 25 area and gave me a warning ticket. My wife had a couple of small plastic jars with ceremonial wine and bread from the Church in her hands. I saw two more Police cars on the empty streets before i got home, one near the broken car that was being towed.