Under a Red Roof

Postmeridian

April 3, 2012 in Being, Drinking, Eating, Exploring by Colleen | Permalink

I met the hubster downtown after work the other day. A date night, if you will.

We ate steak, and I had a Sazerac, one of the finest cocktails known to woman (oh yes I did!) because it contains not only whiskey but absinthe (I like mine with a little extra). The cocktail gods were thinking of yours truly when this one was dreamed up. Sho-nuff.

We walked around a bit before returning to the car, an ever so small window without need for an umbrella. I was pleased as punch to actually have my camera while the Portland Outdoor Store neon was in its full glory. How awesome is that light? It’s like having a Sazerac without actually having one. Warm giddiness spreading through the veins, one brilliant blink at a time.

I love this place. Though we haven’t been in a while. They have beer (surprise!) and really good live jazz. I like jazz. Give me a little Ella, Miles, Thelonius, or Chet, and I am good to go.

The hubster works in the tall building and can see the whole city, storms and traffic and birds soaring.

We’re driving home, and that’s his building again.

Five speeds and my knees. I do not like an automatic transmission. Not one bit.

I almost didn’t include this photo because the water droplets on the lens obscuring his handsome face, but his smile shines through it all. The best.

That’s Burnside, just in case you didn’t know.

Tags: Neon, Portland

Back to Front

March 25, 2012 in Eating, Exploring, Friendship by Colleen | Permalink

It’s a rather happy and chill Sunday, my favorite “soft” Radiohead tunes playin’ on the hi-fi, singing, typing, the hubster working next to me, the cats on their respective cushions. We’re all fine here; how are you? Even a little nod to Han Solo. Indeedy.

So, photos. I’m a little snapper, like Pecker, maybe, but not quite. John Waters is an odd bird. I’m doing our weekend back to front, Memento style, maybe, with less confusion, at least I hope.

First, two minutes ago. The office/yoga studio, though you’ll see below that I am not afraid to bust a move in the kitchen. You’ll also see that we need to remove some bolts from shelves long gone and get a new layer of paint on the walls. No worries though, we’re on the fifty year plan. Chipping away.

That’s a Checker hood emblem, a 1978 to be precise. The owner of said automobile came out for a chat, hollering “Yoo-hoo!” after I snapped my photo. I don’t know which was better, spotting the car or having someone holler yoo-hoo like it was the Fifties. I told you it was an awesome day.

We saw this magnolia a few blocks before the Checker, and it wrapped us up in its scent, happy as Christmas.

Moss grows everywhere in these parts, everywhere.

Just in case you need a direction.

Or to feel safe. I’ve got you covered.

Our walk brought us here, two hungry bellies to magnetic north.

It’s a fine place to find yourself on a Sunday afternoon.

Right after you’ve gone bowling.

Or taken flight.

Or heard some siren song.

After an old school fill-up.

It’s all about balance, after all.

And not kicking the dishwasher.

While protecting your bacon from predators.

After a fine evening with friends and their adorable children, epic eating and catching up on the little bits that make a life.

And mixing their chalk art with ours.

Sitting in the warmth of the sun, listening to birdsong and a purring cat.

Tags: cats, Portland

Saturday & Sunday

February 6, 2012 in Eating, Exploring, Listening, Loving by Colleen | Permalink

Saturday:

Cleaned the kitchen and a rather filthy and malodorous refrigerator, liberating a myriad of ill used condiments and forgotten foods.

Made focaccia and smoky roasted red pepper and tomato stew with garbanzo beans, delicious.

Enjoyed a beautiful light

That warmed us all.

Sunday:

Got up early, more gorgeous light.

Walked to breakfast, more deliciousness.

Saw beauty everywhere en route home.

Danced and danced to Fleet Foxes “Grown Ocean,”

While my newly bearded man typed and strategized on top-down, multi-player, outer space game functionality.

Watched the moon rise.

Tags: cats

Counting the Signs

February 1, 2012 in Eating, Exploring by Colleen | Permalink

The life of a writer is hardly glamorous. I spend the majority of my time home and mostly alone, wrapped in sweatpants and down vests.

Which is kind of silly, considering what a chatterbox and clotheshorse I can be. But, despite my gregarious nature and a sincere love for garments of all varieties, I most definitely prefer this existence to any other.

“I am a loner, a rebel, Dottie,” and someone who inserts song lyrics and lines from movies as seamlessly as if they were from my own little head. That there being from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Insert his adorable chuckle here.

That being said, a critical part of my mental health is actually exiting the mind bubble and the house, wearing fancy duds (or just real pants), speaking words aloud, and meeting strangers eye to eye.

So, off I went.

Luckily, I chose a glorious Portland day and found inspiration in the form of signs.

Golly gee whillakers, there are more than enough to shake a stick at.

All kinds of cool things on offer.

Houses, movies, meats, cheeses, and coffee, oh my!

And music, too, hard to go wrong there.

Or perhaps you’d like a slice of coffee cake with a side of tempeh bacon?

I chose Evoe, which completely lacks a sign, but has a monster chalk board.

Lest I exit too far into the real world, I read while savoring one of my favorite sandwiches in the world.

The Gallego, mi amor.

Now I am home again, jiggity jig!

Tags: Portland, Restaurants

Dis and Dat

January 9, 2012 in Eating, Exploring, Friendship by Colleen | Permalink

Happy Monday! We’re traveling all over the map today, no clear post topic winner, save the photos.

This is my friend Rob, remember him? Luckily and quite thankfully, business brings him to the City of Roses a couple of times a year, and we have fun adventures that often include photography. This last time was no exception. We headed to the Japanese Garden on a very foggy and contemplative day. We were among the few out, as it was kind of chilly, and enjoyed spending time zooming in on the multitude of sights, giant and ever so tiny, the mushrooms only as big as the tip of my pinkie. Isn’t nature amazing?

In stark contrast to tiny mushrooms, Rob was upgraded to an Escalade after the GPS in his first vehicle wasn’t working, as he is a man who likes a map on the dashboard. So, despite his embarrassment at having a huge ass, pimped out mode of transport (Oh the rims on that baby!), I made him pose for a photo with it, which, I think, turned out rather awesome, save the wires. As a friend once said, only God is perfect.

Quite near perfect, however, are my friend Maren’s drawings for Polite Society! Check them out for yourself. I received the originals in the mail the other day and keep going to the room where I keep them, smiling and touching them with a light hand. My story is so much more alive now, which hardly seems possible, but it’s true. Thank you sweetheart, I love them so!

And for a final skip to a new subject matter, and once of my favorites, FOOD! Do you remember the egg that changed my life? Well, I’m still in love with it and make it all the time, so yummy, and easy and delicious. Redundant, I know, but it’s soo good! Anyhoo, Daniel, the man behind Duckspoon is off on another worthy adventure I thought I’d share with you:

The Open Kitchen, at which he hosts two kind of events: the first is a local chef spotlight dinner where he features a “not yet known” Portland rock star chef and pair them with local farmers and wine makers for a seasonal five course meal.

The second is a Wellness Dinner Series. He receives a list of ingredients from a naturopathic doctor in a growing network and builds a four course “fine dining” meal out of those ingredients focusing on the theme for that month (November was cold/flu prevention). As the food goes out, the doctor explains the effects that the key ingredients have on the body. People take notes, ask the doctor questions, and learn more about “food as medicine.” Pretty cool, I think, though I have yet to try either. It’s on my list, so to speak.

On another list, for banh-mi sandwich lovers who like to know the meat is sustainable, the Double Dragon on 12th & Division is beyond awesome. I’ve been twice and am in love, juicy delicious, and with just the right amount of sauce and cilantro. If I could say something clever in Vietnamese, I would. Something like, a good sandwich makes me very happy.

Wait, wait! I forgot to say THANK YOU for all of the super sweet messages and calls I’ve gotten in support of Polite Society being published. Like a good sandwich, this makes me very happy, as well. You are too kind!

Hope you are happy and enjoying 2012!

Tags: Polite Society