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September 30, 2006
PDX and The Weepies
I flew into Portland on Wednesday. I wan't picked up in the usual way, instead Katie and I took the Max line into town. I am taken with public transportation in this city. I had always seen public transportation as the poor-man's ride, but here in Portland the buses aren't always being ridden out of financial necessity (in fact, it isn't exactly cheap), but by choice. Either to eliminate the responsibilities associated with owning and running a car or in order to benefit the environment by "bus-pooling." Plus, with the right planning (bus-stops on every corner and frequent pick-ups) taking the bus is so easy. And fun-- it's a great opportunity for people-watching or just sitting and reading. Sometimes you wish you weren't getting off so soon.
On Thursday we went to the Alberta street fair, also known as Last Thursdays. Last Thursdays is the Indie artist's and crafter's response to First Thursdays which centers more around "Fine Art" of high-end galleries and museums. I'd like to sit somewhere in between. I saw some really good stuff on Alberta st. I bought two small works of drawing/painting/wax encaustic. But I also saw some crappy stuff. But I would hate to think that First Thursdays is somehow snuffing out those who are trying to get noticed on a different level of the Arts. We walked a lot and saw so many cute houses. A part of me really wishes I were in the place to be buying a home. These neighborhoods are so quaint.
Friday morning we took the Max all the way to Washington Park, where we took a walk and enjoyed the view. From the top of the hill we could see Mount St. Helens.
I was so excited to see the leaves turning colors. L.A. just doesn't cut it for me fall-wise. After the walk we went back into the downtown area, where Katie totally read my mind and suggested we get Chipotle. I love that mexican food. I love Portland.
Copyright © 1999, Don Baccus (dhogaza@pacifier.com)
Today I got to see my good friend Lyndsy and her son Tobyn. So good. It's hard making friends in college because everyone moves. I have missed her and it was good to talk to her again. Her son is almost two and I can't understand how the time has passed-- I remember when he "wasn't." We took a long walk and I bought some fun artsy things at a neat shop in the Alphabet district. My shins ache.
Outside of Portland news, I want so badly to recommend (although I am not one for promoting music on a blog) the album "Say I Am You" by The Weepies. I know they have the cheesiest name, but this music is perfect (well, perfect if you are in a quiet, happy, half-smiling, warm-sun-on-your-back kind of mood). I love it.
Posted by libbystokes at September 30, 2006 10:14 PM