They stress the dangers of drinking and driving, and because I had a friend of a friend die because of a drunk driver, I tend to get a bit anal about that as well.
 But what about drinking and walking?

Last week, I went to this party, and got alittle bit tipsy. I went home a bit early, and took the bus back to downtown. I thought I knew downtown pretty well, but  I'm normally sober when I walk around.
 I got off at 3rd and Salmon, and walked what I thought was West, but somehow got all turned around and was walking East. I didn't know this until I had gotten to Front Street and was well off my path. I tried walking back, looking for a street to turn on. Plus, I started to think the bus driver had let me off in the wrong place. I debated calling the Portland police, because I didn't see it as an "all hope is lost" issue yet. Then, I decided to flag somebody down, but of course most people have more sense than to stop for a stranger at night. (Of course, that brings me to a question. Do I even look the least bit intimidating to anybody? I doubt it, since I've been told that I don't look like the violent type.) Anyway, I started backtracking, and finally this couple from one of the smaller tows in Oregon stopped. I asked them what part of Portland I was in, but of course one part of Portland was like another to them. I didn't have cab fare, so they offered to give me a lift. (It turns out they were headed to someplace that was in close proximity to where I live.)

Being from out of town, this couple didn't know how to navigate Downtown as well as I normally do. It was funny to hear them try and figure out where Washington was in relation to Couch. (And it was funny to hear them pronounce Couch, too.) At any rate, once I started hearing the street names I frequent the most, I was able to give directions, and kind of help them to where they needed to go. The nice people dropped me off first, though.

I realize I was lucky to come across a couple from the 'burbs, rather than a serial killer, rapist, or virgin-hungry demon. (Of course, the third option wouldn't be much of a threat to me.) I'm not proud that I took a ride from strangers, and will make sure that doesn't happen again.

~Hikaru