We arrived in Portland, Oregon, via train from Seattle on December 10. The true purpose of this annual pilgrimage that D makes each December is for him to attend two events by his favourite band, the Dandy Warhols (who, obviously, are from Portland). Me, I’m just along for the ride. And the food.

Portland has an annual “ugly sweater” season around this time, when statues in the downtown area are outfitted in ugly sweaters. It has been raining non-stop, but the soaking wet sweaters to me only add to the pathos, which makes me laugh.