DAY 1

Hey. You're now reading a blog written by a woman with a new job--the mail lady. Better known as the retirement job everyone daydreams about. I'm 35 and only semi-retired from teaching elementary school students. So, I like to think of this as a living artist-in-residency for the government. I'm Nicole, and actively seeking the "weird" that everyone's always talking about. I arrived in Portland 8 months ago, heart-broken but strong willed, needing to find a way to support my artisanal donut/cocktail/motorcycle/everything else impulses. I started thinking about endeavors that would support making art, like painting murals, that would also be flexible and included some element of working with a handful of unknowns. And, just like that, driving down NW Broadway, there was sign. A literal sign. It said "The USPS is hiring!"...it was a SIGN.

After jumping through two months of hoops, I sat through one power point presentation after another today during orientation. Maybe it was the florescent lights in the cave-like room or maybe I was hungover from watching the Super Bowl, but a little piece of me died in there. It's a bit awkward to admit that. I usually find a silver lining somewhere. "It's only Day 1..." I thought casually. I never imagined I'd wear a uniform. Ever. You guys...I was voted "Best Dressed" in high school. But whatever. That was then, this is now. Just watch me magically transform. Then, I looked up and realized the seemingly humdrum 40 year old guy instructing the class had red painted finger nails. And a Hawaiian flower choker. (a Hawaiian flower choker?!) And a USPS short sleeve collared shirt, i.e., a uniform. There he was...very much himself. I had red painted finger nails too. The silver lining. I was in Portland, this is a new world, I should start a blog Lindsey told me. I should get real corny we said. Who knows? Maybe your local mail lady does more than deliver the mail...

...I wouldn't hate it if I got to ride in a convertible down Main Street one day for bringing people together.