Archive for August, 2008

Photos

August 29th, 2008

Happy No One’s at Work Because It’s a Long Weekend Day!

It’s 11am and I so don’t want to be at work.  Especially because everyone else is out not being at work, enjoying the last vestiges of summer.  But I suppose that’s neither here nor there.

It’s been a bit of a busy week.  I tried to recover from last weekend on Sunday, but that didn’t happen nearly as much as I had hoped.  And then there were dinners with friends, crochet class–a friend suggested, so I figured why not. Turns out I’m not that good at it–a concert at the waterfront, finishing with the 1812 overture, real cannons and fireworks, games with friends tonight and Phantom of the Opera tomorrow.  I think this weekend I’m just going to do nothing.  Sit and relax.

But you’re not here for that.  I promised pictures, and here they are.  They’re mostly Susan’s doing, but there are a handful from my camera.  So without ado:

Suz y Q
The Gorge, Part Deux

I Owe You Photos

August 28th, 2008

Obviously I just had a smashing weekend with Suz y Q, and obviously there were a lot of photos involved.  But I haven’t had time to quite organise them into something coherent.  And this week has been surprisingly busy.  But to (hopefully) hold you over, I submit as short youtube video.  Have at it:

It’s Actually Raining…

August 18th, 2008

So if nothing else, the weather is usually fairly predictable here.  In winter it never stops raining.  In summer, it almost never rains and gets really hot maybe four days a year.

This morning it’s actually raining.  And it’s calling for rain all week.  While I usually like the rain, and it is true that I did just the other day say I missed the rain, I definitely do not like commuting in it.

When I lived downtown, it was only a 15 minute walk, and I usually managed to stay pretty dry.  Now it’s a 40 minute walk from the other side of the river.  Or a 10 minute bike ride (which I only recently started doing… Oh yeah, I may have forgotten to mention I bought a bike).  Biking in the rain during rush hour = not fun.  I am definitely taking the bus this winter.

But on a happer note, only three days until Suz y Q arrive to take pdx by storm! Huzzah!

Pittock Mansion

August 15th, 2008

There are a number of cool things to do in Portland that locals don’t often get to.  You know how it is, you drive past it every now and again and think “I really should go see that.” But inevitably you never do.  There’s a museum in Milford that has the flag that cradled Lincoln’s head after he was shot.  We all knew that.  Everyone in Milford knows that.  But it wasn’t until the end of High School, having taken the bus past it daily, that I finally decided to visit.  It’s just how these things go.

At any rate, the Pittock Mansion is, I would wager, one of those places.  Every Portlander knows about it.  The ones who have lived her longer may have even visited it back in the day.  But it’s not a place one just goes to out of the blue.  And then we forget how cool it is.

Last night was Open Door night at the Pittock.  While I’m still shakey (read: know almost nothing) on its history, suffice it to say that it’s a big ole’ mansion on top a great big hill.  Kinda like Grey Towers.  Except with a better view.  And yesterday was one of those “hot” days in Portland.  I put quotes around it because it’s like summer in the east coast, minus the humidity and condensed into four days spread throughout the warmer months.  So it’s tolerable.  Except Portlanders are wusses when it comes to weather :)

Anyway, being that the mansion is high up in the West Hills, it was significantly cooler.  So my friend Kimmet, her boyfriend Bryan and I decided to stop at Whole Foods on the way up and grab some delicious food for a picnic dinner on the lawn.  It was a gorgeous night, and so much better than sweating in our respective apartments.  As it got darker, the somewhat-full moon rose over the city and Mt Hood was on fire from the setting sun.  It was excellent.

The jPhone is good for a great many things, but its camera is sometimes lacking. Even still, the photos didn’t turn out too poorly.  I do wish I could crop some of them in magnify what’s left, but the resolution isn’t that great.  Okay, enough rambling.  The five or six pictures that I actually kept in all their technological glory:

Pittock Mansion

These Shoes Were Made for Walking

August 14th, 2008

Okay, that’s a crap title.

Anyway, apparently Portland was rated the #10 most walkable city in the nation.  People often ask me what it is about pdx that I like so much.  And while there are a plethora of reasons, the fact that I do not need a car is key.  I enjoy walking.  I hate spending time in cars.  Seems simple enough, eh?

I apologise for the picture.  It’s actually a screen shot, but my neighbourhood (Buckman) is number seven in the city.  I loves it here!

If you’re curious to see your own score, or more about Portland’s the website is http://www.walkscore.com.

Geek Quiz

August 12th, 2008

Yeah

76% Geek

So there that is.

Update: Portland Bridge Pedal

August 10th, 2008

So every year PDX shuts down all the bridges and people are allowed to
walk and ride over them. Well, Chris, Nicole and I decided to do the
25 mile, 8 bridge loop. We managed to finish it in a little under two
and a half hours including a few pit stops and to take pictures. We’re
tired, stinky and we’re going for breakfast. Photos to follow.

Photos, as promised:

Portland Bridge Pedal 2008

My Hood

August 3rd, 2008

I’m currently at The Japanese Gardens, having just taken a tour. It
ended at the amazing view of Mt Hood. I don’t think I’ll
ever get tired of it.

I Hate Slugs

August 1st, 2008

Ever since I was a kid. Always grossed me out. And they seem to follow
me too. Anyway, I was walking back from the hill this morning through
the woods and I almost stepped on this sucker. Ginormous.
Anyway, things are going well. It’s summer and no one is at work. And
we’re all pretty lazy. I haven’t quite mastered the west coast more
relaxed mentality, but I’m getting there. And I can’t wait until Suz y
Q come out to visit. Oh what fun that shall be!