Sunday, December 30, 2007

Happy New Year


A day early, as we're traveling to Portland tomorrow - New Year's Eve. We're looking forward to seeing our new, custom-manufactured sofa sectional, which has been delivered and installed in our absence (Thanks, Emma). We've got dinner planned at Meriwether's, then Pink Martini at the Schnitz. Here's to 2008. May it be a better year in all ways than 2007, and bring us closer to world peace and planetary healing. For our friends who will be celebrating the passage, we wish you a wonderful, safe and exhilarating evening. We'll be using a designated driver, please join us in that if you're on the roads.

Portland's Bicycle Boulevards

Portland is definitely a bike city. It has an extensive network of bicycle boulevards, paths and trails. The city is set-up for bicycle commuting, recreactional cycling and trail biking. And... it has a long-term plan in place to ensure that cycling remains a central, transportation and recreation focus. You can discover more at this comprehensive site featuring maps, suggested recreational rides and a wealth of information for all kinds of cyclists.


Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Wiki Commons Features Portland Skyline


Today's Wikipedia homepage features the above image of Portland's skyline across the river at night as its picture of the day. The image is from Wiki Commons, the comprehensive source of public domain files, including images, maintained by the WikiMedia Foundation, parent of the world's most popular and information-packed encyclopedia, Wikipedia. If you're looking for an end-of-the-year donation, or the perfect gift for your very nerdly nephew with a blog, consider Wikimedia Foundation. You will be judged by your friends, colleagues and even your nephew to be way cool. Guaranteed.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Upcoming Concerts

Okay, I'm excited. We just acquired two tickets to see Pink Martini's second show on New Year's eve at the Schnitzer in Portland. Portland's greatest hometown band in Portland's best venue. What's not to love?

Being close to the Schnitzer, the Art Museum, and the Keller Auditorium means that we never miss an event!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Portland Gets its Holiday Game On

Spent a long weekend at the condo. Picked up a small-footprint, Asian-styled media console for our modest (32-inch) new Panasonic flat screen and a nice Chinese oval mirror from Lotus in the Pearl for the entrance hallway. Now, all we lack is our sectional (due next week sometime) and a couple of small end tables. We did some seasonal partying as well.

Saturday marked the beginning of Portland's "SantaCon." Organized by the local chapter of the Cacophony Society, the event is yet another example of what makes the Rose City delightfully "weird." In a town where any excuse is good enough to party, the holiday season really gets the locals pumped-up. On Saturday, several thousand white- and red-clad revelers took to the streets with great gusto, megaphones and evidently unlimited supplies of alcoholic fortification against the cold. There were Santas in vinyl, heavily-inked suicide girl Santas in hot pants and fishnets, bathrobes, you name it. And for some odd reason, there were an assortment of bunnies as well. And of course, it all worked and was great fun. But it was not a spectacle you'd bring the babies to see. Leave that for the Lloyd Center mall.


On Sunday, our creative neighbors Jan & Ty had a great holiday "happy hour" at their corner condo in our building. (Thanks, guys.) They invited guests from all the units that ended in 07, like theirs, and a few from their floor as well. What an idea. The Margaritas, Guacamole (homemade), chips and cheeze were great, as was the company and conversation.