Portland has decided that it is the 'beardiest' city in the United States. (It's so true; I was astounded by the sheer number of facial outcroppings I witnessed while I was there. It even provoked the creation of a game called "Homeless or Hippie?").
Here are couple of choice quotes from that first article:
"A beard is a scarf that works great while bike riding."
"A beard is a friend who is always there to give you a hug."
Man, I love Portland. For this and many other reasons.
Showing posts with label Portland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portland. Show all posts
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The definitive "Why Portland Is awesome" post
Yes, I've already listed a bunch of reasons why I love Portland. I've posted pictures, related anecdotes, and generally rhapsodized about the place. Maybe I was exaggerating a bit -- after all, Portland is not perfect, and it has its drawbacks just like any place. But the way I felt there was no exaggeration. I felt home. The city is tailor-made for me. And ever since I've been back, I've felt a little homesick. So in the spirit of the holiday season, I feel compelled to post an exhaustive Compendium of Awesome, starring the fine city of Portland, Oregon.
Warning: reading this post may cause a sudden, burning desire to pack up and move to Portland immediately.
For the word nerd
For the foodie
For the music lover
For the nature enthusiast
For the film & TV buff
For the eco-conscious
For the artist
For the daytripper
For the conscious consumer
For the word nerd:
--Portland holds an annual literary festival called Wordstock. The book fair hosts readings, signings, and panels, and other events include a poetry slam competition, a live radio variety program, and an evening event called the Text Ball (with prizes for the most grammatically correct costume!).
--Powell's City of Books is the largest independent bookstore in the U.S. and covers an entire city block. It's open 365 days a year and holds over four million new, used, rare, and out of print books. You could spend a week in there and still find stuff to do.
--Beloved children's lit author Beverly Cleary is from Portland, and there's a Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in the city where children can play. On the opposite end of the literary spectrum, author Chuck Palahniuk is also from Portland.
--Dark Horse Comics, the largest independent comics producer in this country, is housed in Portland and has an amazing library of titles, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Star Wars, Sin City, Hellboy, Aliens, and Predator.
Go to top
For the foodie:
--As I've mentioned before, James Beard, father of American gastronomy and author of 20 books, grew up in Portland. The prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards, held every May, honor the best chefs, restaurants, cookbook authors, and journalists (among others) in the country.
--Tillamook cheese probably wouldn't be around today without cows and equipment from Portland. The town of Tillamook is about an hour and a half away from Portland (one of many potential day trips from the city).
--Stumptown Coffee is an amazing independent coffee chain in Portland that buys and roasts its own coffee. The owner travels all over the world and forms relationships with coffee producers; he's even formed a non-profit that supports Rwandan coffee cooperatives. Stumptown offers Fair Trade Certified and organic coffees and takes pride in its sustainable business practices, both at home and abroad. I've ordered Stumptown coffee from their website, and it was freshly roasted and delicious.
--Portland boasts some of the best farm to table restaurants in the country. One example is The Farm Cafe, which uses locally grown produce and locally produced wines and spirits to create its constantly changing menu. The upside? Your food is fresher and more tasty, and you don't have to feel guilty about supporting evil corporate agribusiness.
--The abundance of wineries, breweries, brewpubs, and microdistilleries. There are even "brew and view" movie theaters that serve local microbrews and food that you can enjoy during the show. Oh, and Oregon Wine Country is about 25 miles from Portland. And there are at least 5 major beer festivals every year. There are more breweries in Portland (around 30) than in any other city in the country.
--Portland Farmers Markets are open April through December and provide a direct link between farmers and consumers. Portland (well, the entire Pacific Northwest) grows the most beautiful, fresh produce year-round, including some of the best berries in the world. Walking around Portland, you can find tons of wild blackberries that are safe to eat. We even found the most amazing apples growing wild on a tree in a residential neighborhood, free for the taking.
--Voodoo Doughnut and Wedding Chapel. The freshest, weirdest doughnuts you'll ever eat. Try a Maple Bacon Bar for starters and then check out their vegan selection to feel a bit more virtuous.
Go to top
For the music lover:
--Bands and musicians from Portland include The Decemberists, The Shins, Modest Mouse, The Dandy Warhols, Sleater-Kinney, Elliott Smith, Stephen Malkmus (of Pavement fame), M. Ward, The Kingsmen ("Louie, Louie"), Everclear (Art Alexakis), Spoon (Britt Daniel), Courtney Love, and Death Cab for Cutie (Chris Walla).
--Local music venue The Doug Fir Lounge is comfortable and stylish and has an attached restaurant and bar. We saw 3 bands for $5 there on our first night in Portland. They had free drinking water at the bar! And it was non-smoking, so you could actually breathe in there.
--The Oregon Symphony hosts outdoor concerts on the waterfront; the Oregon Zoo hosts a summer concert series.
--There's an annual Portland Jazz Festival.
Go to top
For the nature enthusiast:
--What isn't there for the nature enthusiast? You have mountains, old-growth forests, rivers, gorges... Portland even lies on top of an extinct lava field (the Boring Lava Field, which makes me laugh). There are great trails and hikes, and even in the middle of the city, you can find gorgeous wooded parks.
--Portland is known as the City of Roses; there are rose festivals a couple times a year and a huge test garden that holds over 550 varieties of roses. It's been in continuous operation since 1917.
--Portland boasts the most authentic Japanese garden in North America and the largest classical Chinese garden in the country.
--You can take an ecotour from Portland to the coast, stopping at scenic spots along the way, to go whale watching. A full-day whale watching trip won't even set you back a hundred bucks. Portland is also home to bald eagles and peregrine falcons; sightings of both are common.
--The Columbia River Scenic Highway takes you past magnificent landmarks like Multnomah Falls (look at it frozen!) and the Columbia River Gorge, not to mention stunning scenic overlooks and lush forests. It also features the greatest rest stop ever, Vista House, which is only 15 miles east of Portland.
--Even though it rains half the time, Portland has one of the most temperate climates in the United States. It has a narrow range of temperatures year-round, which means that summers aren't too hot and winters aren't too cold. When it does rain, it's not always the dreary, heavy rain that we experience in Dallas; it's often light, misty rain, and it comes and goes throughout the day. Plus, without all the rain, it wouldn't be so green!
Go to top
For the film & TV buff:
--Matt Groening (The Simpsons, Futurama) is from Portland.
--Directors Gus Van Sant (Milk, Good Will Hunting), Todd Haynes (I'm Not There, Far From Heaven), and Todd Field (Little Children, In the Bedroom) are also from Portland. So are actors Clark Gable, William Hurt, Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), and Lindsay Wagner (Bionic Woman).
--Mel Blanc (Bugs Bunny!) is from Portland.
--The movie Into the Wild was filmed in Portland.
--The city holds numerous film festivals every year and has a renowned film school.
Go to top
For the eco-conscious:
--Portland is often called the greenest city in the United States. City planners have been thinking green for over three decades and have established strict land-use policies and urban growth boundaries. There are hundreds of protected natural areas around the city and tough anti-sprawl ordinances. Sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it's actively practiced. Renewable energy, green buildings, effective mass transit...these all make Portland one of the most ecologically friendly cities in the world.
--Bicycling is not only safe in suburbia; urban cycling is typical, thanks to Portland's bike-friendly accommodations. It's often rated one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, with over 260 miles of bike lanes and paths.
--Portland was the first city in the U.S. to make and enact a formal plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
--Freecycling thrives in Portland; it's a nonprofit movement that allows people to give away their unwanted items instead of throwing them away. It's completely free and legal, can save you money and time, and best of all, it keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills.
--Portland has 92,000 acres of green space, including the country's largest wooded city park (Forest Park, with over 70 miles of trails) and the world's smallest city park (Mill Ends Park, which is two feet across and was originally supposed to house a utility pole).
--Zipcar is available in Portland; the service allows you to reserve a car (including ZAP electric cars) by the hour or the day. Cars are parked all around the city; once you reserve one by phone or online, you just walk up to it, hold your ZipCard up to the windshield to unlock the doors, and drive away! They're located in 13 cities, from San Francisco to Boston to New York to Vancouver, and you can use your card in any of those cities if you're a member. ZipCar pays for gas and insurance, too.
--In addition to bicycling and public transit accommodations, the city is very pedestrian friendly, with compact square blocks and an easy to navigate grid that relies on natural boundaries to divide the city in a logical way. It's so easy to get around there; after a few days, I felt like a native.
--Benson Bubblers, the water fountains dotting the city landscape, reduce reliance on bottled water for many urban dwellers. There are 52 total fountains throughout the city.
Go to top
For the artist:
--In addition to a number of art museums, Portland boasts two monthly art walks: First Thursdays in the Pearl District, and Last Thursdays in the Alberta neighborhood. Galleries and shops keep their doors open late and serve appetizers and wine.
--For homemade, hand-crafted gifts, there's no greater place in Portland than the Saturday market (which is actually open on Sundays, too). Artisans and international food vendors descend on downtown every weekend from March to December to sell their wares, which include fine art, photography, candles, clothing, home accessories, woodwork and metalwork, pottery, ceramics, and even pet products.
--Parks, squares, and fountains around the city are enhanced by public works of art, including sculptures and murals. The bronze sculpture Portlandia is one of the city's most famous.
--Portland is a photographer's dream, mixing natural beauty with eclectic city landscapes at almost every turn.
Go to top
For the daytripper:
--Portland is 70 miles from the Pacific Ocean and about an hour from Mt. Hood. Cannon Beach is an hour and a half drive from the city. So is Tillamook (mmm, cheese).
--Timberline Lodge, where The Shining was filmed, is about an hour and a half from Portland.
--The desert of Warm Springs is a two-hour drive; so is the city of Eugene.
--Mount Saint Helens is just under two hours from Portland.
--Seattle is just over three hours away; Vancouver about five.
--The Amtrak Cultural Cascades route connects Eugene, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Vancouver.
Go to top
For the conscious consumer:
--Portland does have a 9% income tax, but that's offset by its lack of a sales tax. Plus, it's deductible on your federal tax return. Car registration fees are much lower than they are here in Texas, and you only pay them once every two years.
--Cost of living is slightly higher than it is in Dallas (about 5-7% higher), but it's still one of the most affordable cities on the west coast.
--Public transit is free downtown (it's called Fareless Square). That includes buses, streetcars, and light rail. The light rail system extends all the way out to the airport; the fare from the airport to the heart of downtown is only $2.30.
--You can see second-run movies at the "brew and view" movie theaters for $3.
--Most places have free wifi.
--The outdoor summer symphony events are free.
--Some breweries, like Widmer, offer free tours of their facilities.
Go to top
I wasn't kidding when I said exhaustive! I'm very passionate on the subject, as you can see. :) Also, I like having all these lists on one page so I can visit it when Dallas is pissing me off. Like today, with the inexplicable return to 75-degree temperatures in the middle of December.
Viva Portland!
Warning: reading this post may cause a sudden, burning desire to pack up and move to Portland immediately.
For the word nerd
For the foodie
For the music lover
For the nature enthusiast
For the film & TV buff
For the eco-conscious
For the artist
For the daytripper
For the conscious consumer
For the word nerd:--Portland holds an annual literary festival called Wordstock. The book fair hosts readings, signings, and panels, and other events include a poetry slam competition, a live radio variety program, and an evening event called the Text Ball (with prizes for the most grammatically correct costume!).
--Powell's City of Books is the largest independent bookstore in the U.S. and covers an entire city block. It's open 365 days a year and holds over four million new, used, rare, and out of print books. You could spend a week in there and still find stuff to do.
--Beloved children's lit author Beverly Cleary is from Portland, and there's a Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in the city where children can play. On the opposite end of the literary spectrum, author Chuck Palahniuk is also from Portland.
--Dark Horse Comics, the largest independent comics producer in this country, is housed in Portland and has an amazing library of titles, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Star Wars, Sin City, Hellboy, Aliens, and Predator.
Go to top
For the foodie:--As I've mentioned before, James Beard, father of American gastronomy and author of 20 books, grew up in Portland. The prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards, held every May, honor the best chefs, restaurants, cookbook authors, and journalists (among others) in the country.
--Tillamook cheese probably wouldn't be around today without cows and equipment from Portland. The town of Tillamook is about an hour and a half away from Portland (one of many potential day trips from the city).
--Stumptown Coffee is an amazing independent coffee chain in Portland that buys and roasts its own coffee. The owner travels all over the world and forms relationships with coffee producers; he's even formed a non-profit that supports Rwandan coffee cooperatives. Stumptown offers Fair Trade Certified and organic coffees and takes pride in its sustainable business practices, both at home and abroad. I've ordered Stumptown coffee from their website, and it was freshly roasted and delicious.
--Portland boasts some of the best farm to table restaurants in the country. One example is The Farm Cafe, which uses locally grown produce and locally produced wines and spirits to create its constantly changing menu. The upside? Your food is fresher and more tasty, and you don't have to feel guilty about supporting evil corporate agribusiness.
--The abundance of wineries, breweries, brewpubs, and microdistilleries. There are even "brew and view" movie theaters that serve local microbrews and food that you can enjoy during the show. Oh, and Oregon Wine Country is about 25 miles from Portland. And there are at least 5 major beer festivals every year. There are more breweries in Portland (around 30) than in any other city in the country.
--Portland Farmers Markets are open April through December and provide a direct link between farmers and consumers. Portland (well, the entire Pacific Northwest) grows the most beautiful, fresh produce year-round, including some of the best berries in the world. Walking around Portland, you can find tons of wild blackberries that are safe to eat. We even found the most amazing apples growing wild on a tree in a residential neighborhood, free for the taking.
--Voodoo Doughnut and Wedding Chapel. The freshest, weirdest doughnuts you'll ever eat. Try a Maple Bacon Bar for starters and then check out their vegan selection to feel a bit more virtuous.
Go to top
For the music lover:
--Bands and musicians from Portland include The Decemberists, The Shins, Modest Mouse, The Dandy Warhols, Sleater-Kinney, Elliott Smith, Stephen Malkmus (of Pavement fame), M. Ward, The Kingsmen ("Louie, Louie"), Everclear (Art Alexakis), Spoon (Britt Daniel), Courtney Love, and Death Cab for Cutie (Chris Walla).
--Local music venue The Doug Fir Lounge is comfortable and stylish and has an attached restaurant and bar. We saw 3 bands for $5 there on our first night in Portland. They had free drinking water at the bar! And it was non-smoking, so you could actually breathe in there.
--The Oregon Symphony hosts outdoor concerts on the waterfront; the Oregon Zoo hosts a summer concert series.
--There's an annual Portland Jazz Festival.
Go to top
For the nature enthusiast:--What isn't there for the nature enthusiast? You have mountains, old-growth forests, rivers, gorges... Portland even lies on top of an extinct lava field (the Boring Lava Field, which makes me laugh). There are great trails and hikes, and even in the middle of the city, you can find gorgeous wooded parks.
--Portland is known as the City of Roses; there are rose festivals a couple times a year and a huge test garden that holds over 550 varieties of roses. It's been in continuous operation since 1917.
--Portland boasts the most authentic Japanese garden in North America and the largest classical Chinese garden in the country.
--You can take an ecotour from Portland to the coast, stopping at scenic spots along the way, to go whale watching. A full-day whale watching trip won't even set you back a hundred bucks. Portland is also home to bald eagles and peregrine falcons; sightings of both are common.
--The Columbia River Scenic Highway takes you past magnificent landmarks like Multnomah Falls (look at it frozen!) and the Columbia River Gorge, not to mention stunning scenic overlooks and lush forests. It also features the greatest rest stop ever, Vista House, which is only 15 miles east of Portland.
--Even though it rains half the time, Portland has one of the most temperate climates in the United States. It has a narrow range of temperatures year-round, which means that summers aren't too hot and winters aren't too cold. When it does rain, it's not always the dreary, heavy rain that we experience in Dallas; it's often light, misty rain, and it comes and goes throughout the day. Plus, without all the rain, it wouldn't be so green!
Go to top
For the film & TV buff:
--Matt Groening (The Simpsons, Futurama) is from Portland.
--Directors Gus Van Sant (Milk, Good Will Hunting), Todd Haynes (I'm Not There, Far From Heaven), and Todd Field (Little Children, In the Bedroom) are also from Portland. So are actors Clark Gable, William Hurt, Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), and Lindsay Wagner (Bionic Woman).
--Mel Blanc (Bugs Bunny!) is from Portland.
--The movie Into the Wild was filmed in Portland.
--The city holds numerous film festivals every year and has a renowned film school.
Go to top
For the eco-conscious:
--Portland is often called the greenest city in the United States. City planners have been thinking green for over three decades and have established strict land-use policies and urban growth boundaries. There are hundreds of protected natural areas around the city and tough anti-sprawl ordinances. Sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it's actively practiced. Renewable energy, green buildings, effective mass transit...these all make Portland one of the most ecologically friendly cities in the world.
--Bicycling is not only safe in suburbia; urban cycling is typical, thanks to Portland's bike-friendly accommodations. It's often rated one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, with over 260 miles of bike lanes and paths.
--Portland was the first city in the U.S. to make and enact a formal plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
--Freecycling thrives in Portland; it's a nonprofit movement that allows people to give away their unwanted items instead of throwing them away. It's completely free and legal, can save you money and time, and best of all, it keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills.
--Portland has 92,000 acres of green space, including the country's largest wooded city park (Forest Park, with over 70 miles of trails) and the world's smallest city park (Mill Ends Park, which is two feet across and was originally supposed to house a utility pole).
--Zipcar is available in Portland; the service allows you to reserve a car (including ZAP electric cars) by the hour or the day. Cars are parked all around the city; once you reserve one by phone or online, you just walk up to it, hold your ZipCard up to the windshield to unlock the doors, and drive away! They're located in 13 cities, from San Francisco to Boston to New York to Vancouver, and you can use your card in any of those cities if you're a member. ZipCar pays for gas and insurance, too.
--In addition to bicycling and public transit accommodations, the city is very pedestrian friendly, with compact square blocks and an easy to navigate grid that relies on natural boundaries to divide the city in a logical way. It's so easy to get around there; after a few days, I felt like a native.
--Benson Bubblers, the water fountains dotting the city landscape, reduce reliance on bottled water for many urban dwellers. There are 52 total fountains throughout the city.
Go to top
For the artist:
--In addition to a number of art museums, Portland boasts two monthly art walks: First Thursdays in the Pearl District, and Last Thursdays in the Alberta neighborhood. Galleries and shops keep their doors open late and serve appetizers and wine.
--For homemade, hand-crafted gifts, there's no greater place in Portland than the Saturday market (which is actually open on Sundays, too). Artisans and international food vendors descend on downtown every weekend from March to December to sell their wares, which include fine art, photography, candles, clothing, home accessories, woodwork and metalwork, pottery, ceramics, and even pet products.
--Parks, squares, and fountains around the city are enhanced by public works of art, including sculptures and murals. The bronze sculpture Portlandia is one of the city's most famous.
--Portland is a photographer's dream, mixing natural beauty with eclectic city landscapes at almost every turn.
Go to top
For the daytripper:
--Portland is 70 miles from the Pacific Ocean and about an hour from Mt. Hood. Cannon Beach is an hour and a half drive from the city. So is Tillamook (mmm, cheese).
--Timberline Lodge, where The Shining was filmed, is about an hour and a half from Portland.
--The desert of Warm Springs is a two-hour drive; so is the city of Eugene.
--Mount Saint Helens is just under two hours from Portland.
--Seattle is just over three hours away; Vancouver about five.
--The Amtrak Cultural Cascades route connects Eugene, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Vancouver.
Go to top
For the conscious consumer:
--Portland does have a 9% income tax, but that's offset by its lack of a sales tax. Plus, it's deductible on your federal tax return. Car registration fees are much lower than they are here in Texas, and you only pay them once every two years.
--Cost of living is slightly higher than it is in Dallas (about 5-7% higher), but it's still one of the most affordable cities on the west coast.
--Public transit is free downtown (it's called Fareless Square). That includes buses, streetcars, and light rail. The light rail system extends all the way out to the airport; the fare from the airport to the heart of downtown is only $2.30.
--You can see second-run movies at the "brew and view" movie theaters for $3.
--Most places have free wifi.
--The outdoor summer symphony events are free.
--Some breweries, like Widmer, offer free tours of their facilities.
Go to top
I wasn't kidding when I said exhaustive! I'm very passionate on the subject, as you can see. :) Also, I like having all these lists on one page so I can visit it when Dallas is pissing me off. Like today, with the inexplicable return to 75-degree temperatures in the middle of December.
Viva Portland!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Bits and pieces
I grabbed some toothpaste last night whose purported flavor is "Empowermint." It was on sale, I was in a hurry, so I wasn't being particularly, well...particular. To my horror, however, I discovered that "Empowermint" is not minty so much as strongly reminiscent of Vick's VapoRub. Which, in turn, reminds me strongly of my late grandmother. Which is really creepy. I don't want to be thinking about my late grandmother every time I brush my teeth. I think I'm going to take it back.
I've been watching Friday Night Lights lately after my mom urged me to start watching. And wow, I don't know why I resisted it for so long. This is fantastic television -- extremely well-acted, well-written, natural, believable, and moving. I don't know why this show doesn't get more attention. It's seriously great. And could Tim Riggins (aka Taylor Kitsch) be any more lickable? Good lord, is that boy sex on toast.
I'm still mourning the end of my vacation in Portland, but at least there are pictures to remind me of the magic! Jay finally posted his awesome photos from the trip -- check them out!
One thing making the transition from Portland back to Dallas easier is the weather we've been having since Sunday. It's cool, breezy, and just sunny enough. Perfect, really. I just hope we don't go back to sauna temperatures before fall officially sets in. I love the idea of being able to take Callie for walks and sit in the backyard for hours, reading and listening to music.
One last thing: if you haven't installed the new iTunes, you're seriously missing out. Genius playlists are pretty awesome. You can choose any song from your library, click the Genius icon, and choose how many songs you want it to grab (from 25 to 100). Then sit back and watch while it matches the Eels with Filter, Beck, The White Stripes, The New Pornographers, and Fiona Apple, among others. I've created some pretty awesome playlists so far, with absolutely no effort required. If you're bored with your library or with Shuffle, this is a good way to reinvigorate your music.
Okay, one last last thing -- Pushing Daisies is coming back in 2 weeks! Whee!
I've been watching Friday Night Lights lately after my mom urged me to start watching. And wow, I don't know why I resisted it for so long. This is fantastic television -- extremely well-acted, well-written, natural, believable, and moving. I don't know why this show doesn't get more attention. It's seriously great. And could Tim Riggins (aka Taylor Kitsch) be any more lickable? Good lord, is that boy sex on toast.
I'm still mourning the end of my vacation in Portland, but at least there are pictures to remind me of the magic! Jay finally posted his awesome photos from the trip -- check them out!
One thing making the transition from Portland back to Dallas easier is the weather we've been having since Sunday. It's cool, breezy, and just sunny enough. Perfect, really. I just hope we don't go back to sauna temperatures before fall officially sets in. I love the idea of being able to take Callie for walks and sit in the backyard for hours, reading and listening to music.
One last thing: if you haven't installed the new iTunes, you're seriously missing out. Genius playlists are pretty awesome. You can choose any song from your library, click the Genius icon, and choose how many songs you want it to grab (from 25 to 100). Then sit back and watch while it matches the Eels with Filter, Beck, The White Stripes, The New Pornographers, and Fiona Apple, among others. I've created some pretty awesome playlists so far, with absolutely no effort required. If you're bored with your library or with Shuffle, this is a good way to reinvigorate your music.
Okay, one last last thing -- Pushing Daisies is coming back in 2 weeks! Whee!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday music recommendation: Portland edition
The first night I was in Portland, I got to see three local bands at a cool venue called the Doug Fir Lounge. To my surprise, I liked all three acts.
First up was Charmparticles (Myspace). They were very mellow, with pretty, dreamy songs that showcase lead singer Pamela Rooney's gorgeous voice. Beautiful stuff, the kind that makes you want to lie back and let the music wash over you while you daydream. They're available on Amazon - not sure about iTunes.
"Gold Plated Shot"
"Kohii"
Next up was Derby (Myspace), my favorite that night. Y'all know how much I love upbeat, poppy, fun music, and Derby perfectly fits that bill. Plus, the lead singer was really cute. Their sound is very Britpop, catchy and completely infectious. Again, their music is available on Amazon.
"This Conversation"
"If Ever There's a Reason"
The third band, Climber (Myspace), was the weirdest of the trio (in a good way, of course). With more electronic elements and some cool, unusual musical choices, they were reminiscent of Radiohead at times, The Polyphonic Spree at others. At the end of their set, they covered "Burning Down the House" and "Psycho Killer," which made the crowd go crazy. They have 3 albums available on Amazon. I could see this music becoming a favorite, though I gotta check out more.
"I Don't Exist"
First up was Charmparticles (Myspace). They were very mellow, with pretty, dreamy songs that showcase lead singer Pamela Rooney's gorgeous voice. Beautiful stuff, the kind that makes you want to lie back and let the music wash over you while you daydream. They're available on Amazon - not sure about iTunes.
"Gold Plated Shot"
"Kohii"
Next up was Derby (Myspace), my favorite that night. Y'all know how much I love upbeat, poppy, fun music, and Derby perfectly fits that bill. Plus, the lead singer was really cute. Their sound is very Britpop, catchy and completely infectious. Again, their music is available on Amazon.
"This Conversation"
"If Ever There's a Reason"
The third band, Climber (Myspace), was the weirdest of the trio (in a good way, of course). With more electronic elements and some cool, unusual musical choices, they were reminiscent of Radiohead at times, The Polyphonic Spree at others. At the end of their set, they covered "Burning Down the House" and "Psycho Killer," which made the crowd go crazy. They have 3 albums available on Amazon. I could see this music becoming a favorite, though I gotta check out more.
"I Don't Exist"
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Portland post
I guess I'll finally write about my trip to Portland. The only reason I haven't is that I'm sad I'm not still there. In a perfect world, I never would have left.
So, like the dork I am, I kept notes while I was in Portland. Memories I wanted to hold close, images I wanted to preserve, events that made me smile or laugh or gape at, disbelieving. Here's what Portland has to offer:
Leaf-shaded, sun-warmed wild blackberries, eaten out of hand on a busy street; graffiti that makes you stop and think; poetry everywhere, written or unwritten; unbelievably delicious Lebanese food on the cheap, and pita the size of your torso; the grandeur of mountains and trees and sky filling your senses; three excellent local bands for $5 in a smokeless venue that offers free water and isn't too crowded; top-notch, locally roasted coffee; 75-degree weather in August; an independent bookstore that covers an entire city block and necessitates a map to navigate; the word "sustainability" actually applied; a health food co-op that offers "living Incan berries" that made me eyes pop open as I chewed; tea eggs; girls wearing capes, butterfly wings, or Link costumes roaming the streets; cats on leashes; 24-hour donut shops that offer abundant weirdness; people on unicycles; people that make art in your latte or Guinness foam; free symphony concerts by the river, complete with fireworks and cannons; hemp milk offered at various bakeries and tea houses; a haunted pizzeria; food carts with amazing, fresh food; a weekend market that enlivens downtown and makes you want to empty your pockets in exchange for beautiful homemade wares; a building that boasts a tattoo place, a "Dragon Herbarium" and an "Irish Dancing Store;" spectacular waterfalls half an hour from the city; chatty Ethiopian waiters with surprising knowledge of world history; lush thunderstorms; scenic drives to the beach along winding strips of highway dotted with farms, lookout points, and tree graveyards; misty mountains; unbelievable clouds; the vastness of sand, sky, and water at Cannon Beach; sunsets that flash orange, pink, gray, blue, yellow, black; perfect roses; spiritual awakening; Mt. Hood, imposing in the distance; houses with character, personality; the best hot dog in the history of time; polite, friendly, open people; the feeling of possibility.
There are these drinking fountains downtown called Benson Bubblers that offer fresh, delicious drinking water. In researching their history, I came across this quotation that just about sums up Portland:
So true.
I'm so moving here. I felt home when I was there. It's hard to explain, but it's powerful and certain, and I know I would be perfectly happy there.
Photos from the trip are here (mine) and here (Jay's).
So, like the dork I am, I kept notes while I was in Portland. Memories I wanted to hold close, images I wanted to preserve, events that made me smile or laugh or gape at, disbelieving. Here's what Portland has to offer:
Leaf-shaded, sun-warmed wild blackberries, eaten out of hand on a busy street; graffiti that makes you stop and think; poetry everywhere, written or unwritten; unbelievably delicious Lebanese food on the cheap, and pita the size of your torso; the grandeur of mountains and trees and sky filling your senses; three excellent local bands for $5 in a smokeless venue that offers free water and isn't too crowded; top-notch, locally roasted coffee; 75-degree weather in August; an independent bookstore that covers an entire city block and necessitates a map to navigate; the word "sustainability" actually applied; a health food co-op that offers "living Incan berries" that made me eyes pop open as I chewed; tea eggs; girls wearing capes, butterfly wings, or Link costumes roaming the streets; cats on leashes; 24-hour donut shops that offer abundant weirdness; people on unicycles; people that make art in your latte or Guinness foam; free symphony concerts by the river, complete with fireworks and cannons; hemp milk offered at various bakeries and tea houses; a haunted pizzeria; food carts with amazing, fresh food; a weekend market that enlivens downtown and makes you want to empty your pockets in exchange for beautiful homemade wares; a building that boasts a tattoo place, a "Dragon Herbarium" and an "Irish Dancing Store;" spectacular waterfalls half an hour from the city; chatty Ethiopian waiters with surprising knowledge of world history; lush thunderstorms; scenic drives to the beach along winding strips of highway dotted with farms, lookout points, and tree graveyards; misty mountains; unbelievable clouds; the vastness of sand, sky, and water at Cannon Beach; sunsets that flash orange, pink, gray, blue, yellow, black; perfect roses; spiritual awakening; Mt. Hood, imposing in the distance; houses with character, personality; the best hot dog in the history of time; polite, friendly, open people; the feeling of possibility.
There are these drinking fountains downtown called Benson Bubblers that offer fresh, delicious drinking water. In researching their history, I came across this quotation that just about sums up Portland:
Simon Benson's water fountains still bubble invitingly on Portland's downtown streets. And around the fountains has grown a city of parks, outdoor artwork, coffee carts, microbreweries, bridges and bookstores. Portland is a people town, whose pedestrian-friendly city blocks are half the size of those in other towns, where outdoor benches are crowded with readers enjoying good books and spring sunshine, and where limits on growth have kept the surrounding countryside within a 20-minute drive of the city's core. To many, Portland is still the paradise that captured William Overton's enthusiasm so many years ago.
So true.
I'm so moving here. I felt home when I was there. It's hard to explain, but it's powerful and certain, and I know I would be perfectly happy there.
Photos from the trip are here (mine) and here (Jay's).
Monday, August 25, 2008
Off to Portland
Well, we're off tomorrow morning, and I already miss Callie. Damn that dog's cuteness! I didn't realize how pathetically attached I am to her until this afternoon when my mom picked her up. As soon as she left, I started missing her. Now everything I do makes me think of her. Every time I open the door, I expect to see her there. When I got ice from the freezer, I automatically moved to save her a piece. I missed feeding her bits of my food at dinner. And every single time I sit on the couch, I miss her shape sitting next to me. Stupid cute awesome dog. She's so entangled in my every movement, I don't know what to do without her. I'm useless. Good thing I have a week-long trip to distract me from missing her.In other news, I'm very excited about Portland. There is much beer to be consumed and natural beauty in which to revel. Pictures and stories to come!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Vacation time!
I'm going to Portland! I'm going to Portland!
This is very exciting.
Among other things, I'll get to partake of Oregon-brewed Rogue beer at the Rogue Distillery and Public House. Oh, and just take a gander at some of these beer-based menu items:
-Hazelnut ale bread
-Hummus made with Hazelnut Brown Nectar Ale and served with warm pita bread & veggies
-Saganaki (broiled Greek cheese) doused in Rogue Hazelnut Spice Rum and flamed tableside
-Beer cheese soup (made with Rogue Dead Guy Ale)
-"Haute" dog with caramelized onions and Rogue Creamery Oregon Blue Cheese, with house-made flavored ketchup and mustard on the side
-House-brewed root beer & root beer floats
-Rogue ale floats (you can choose their Chocolate Stout!)
And that's just a sampler. I think I might have to eat here a few times while I'm in Portland.
Other than Rogue, I want to try Stumptown coffee, visit Mattface's fish & chips place and tea shop and hat store, drink lots of Oregon wine, eat at Nate's favorite Mediterranean place, visit a farmer's market, walk lots and lots, maybe go on a hike, drive out to the coast, take tons of photos, see some redwoods, maybe check out a local band, go to the zoo, and walk around the Japanese gardens. I'll be there for a week -- do you think I can fit all that in?
Above all, I'm really excited to eat and drink in Portland -- food is not just fuel there. It's local, it's seasonal and fresh, and it's crafted with care and pride. Did you know that chef/author James Beard, the "father of American gastronomy," grew up in Portland? He's had a profound effect on the way people think about food all over the world, and his legacy lives on in Portland, from what I understand. Plus, all the local hand-crafted beer and wine? I'm swooning.
August 26th can't get here fast enough!
This is very exciting.
Among other things, I'll get to partake of Oregon-brewed Rogue beer at the Rogue Distillery and Public House. Oh, and just take a gander at some of these beer-based menu items:
-Hazelnut ale bread
-Hummus made with Hazelnut Brown Nectar Ale and served with warm pita bread & veggies
-Saganaki (broiled Greek cheese) doused in Rogue Hazelnut Spice Rum and flamed tableside
-Beer cheese soup (made with Rogue Dead Guy Ale)
-"Haute" dog with caramelized onions and Rogue Creamery Oregon Blue Cheese, with house-made flavored ketchup and mustard on the side
-House-brewed root beer & root beer floats
-Rogue ale floats (you can choose their Chocolate Stout!)
And that's just a sampler. I think I might have to eat here a few times while I'm in Portland.
Other than Rogue, I want to try Stumptown coffee, visit Mattface's fish & chips place and tea shop and hat store, drink lots of Oregon wine, eat at Nate's favorite Mediterranean place, visit a farmer's market, walk lots and lots, maybe go on a hike, drive out to the coast, take tons of photos, see some redwoods, maybe check out a local band, go to the zoo, and walk around the Japanese gardens. I'll be there for a week -- do you think I can fit all that in?
Above all, I'm really excited to eat and drink in Portland -- food is not just fuel there. It's local, it's seasonal and fresh, and it's crafted with care and pride. Did you know that chef/author James Beard, the "father of American gastronomy," grew up in Portland? He's had a profound effect on the way people think about food all over the world, and his legacy lives on in Portland, from what I understand. Plus, all the local hand-crafted beer and wine? I'm swooning.
August 26th can't get here fast enough!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Portland
Our friends N&J came over to the house last night, and even though I was bone-weary from shepherding new hires through orientation, I found their visit completely, unexpectedly exhilarating. I'd forgotten how fun it is to share -- ideas, good food, passions, ideologies, thoughts, plans, drinks, conversation, stories, recommendations. They're passionate, opinionated people with intriguing ideas and the capacity for boundless enthusiasm, and when all those qualities magically coalesce at the right time and in the right place, you have yourself a great fucking evening. I'm so grateful for nights like last night, when everyone leaves smiling and filled to the brim with positive energy. It's invigorating, and it makes me wistful for lapsed friendships and missed opportunities. We parted on the promises of a fall visit to Portland and a regular email exchange of recipes and book recommendations. (I've already made peace with my total nerdliness, so no need to comment.) Man, the stress of the last couple weeks was really getting me down, but there's no denying the restorative power of good company. Thanks, N&J!
In related news, it looks as though I have my major travel plans set for the next 12 months. Between this upcoming trip to Portland (in which I'll get to see the crazy awesome MATT! again), next May's trek to Florida to be one of Carley's bridesmaids, and the possibility of joining El on her cross-country adventure next summer, I'm feeling truly fortunate.
In related news, it looks as though I have my major travel plans set for the next 12 months. Between this upcoming trip to Portland (in which I'll get to see the crazy awesome MATT! again), next May's trek to Florida to be one of Carley's bridesmaids, and the possibility of joining El on her cross-country adventure next summer, I'm feeling truly fortunate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
