I must...

take a a hiatus (reluctantly) from this blog. I am immersed in a "serious" photography project and taking a portfolio development workshop that is very intense. So all my photography energies need to be devoted there at this time. But, I will let my followers know when I am coming back!!! Thanks for looking.

Soon after....

I took this photograph, a man leisurely strolled up the block and sat down and had a smoke. A discard or a neighborhood convenience?

The old and....

and the new seen in downtown Old Town. I was going to darken the modern building seen behind this rehab in progress, but decided I like the ghostly look of the highrise.

Body art....

is very popular in Portland, so there are a plethora of tattoo parlors. But this is the first tattoo club I have come across-located in Old Town. To learn more about this definitely interesting establishment, go to electric cobra tattoo club.

Always parked....

in this driveway-was it used to take folks to a local restaurant? 

If you....

like hardware stores, or just want to experience a really funky place, head to Hippo Hardware on East Burnside. To know more, go to hippo hardware.

An interesting mural on Burnside

A tool for empowerment....

and a vehicle for change....the slogan of this cycling center. To learn more about this organization, visitcommunity cycling center.




and  vehicle for change....the slogan of this bicycling organization. To learn more, go to

I sometimes wonder....

if misspellings are deliberate or not.

I really like it when....

when the traces of the past are preserved.

I'm back...

from a vacation in the tropical paradise of Belize where the official motto is "go slow". Will start up again with this smiley face seen on a bench in North Portland.

I'll be away....

away from my daily blog-snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, eating and drinking in Belize. Will resume posting on April 19th, so come on back then!

Saw this writing on a piece of wood and wondered if it was someone's friend or a neighborhood person, but it turns out to be another band. Information at paulrus id dead.

Those of you...

who read this blog regularly know that I am always intrigued by random stickers appearing on all kinds of surfaces throughout the city. The Lonesome Travelers are a Colorado acoustic band. Learn more about them at lonesome traveler band.

The old professor in me...

can always spot a misspelling. Might be worth visiting however to check out the "biggest" in the world claim.

Porque...

no? My family's favorite Mexican restaurant in Portland. Find out why at por que no.

Perhaps....

this prose should lead to a contemplative insight, but it doesn't work for me.

Green mania

spreads to regifting.

Perhaps I'll....

try this North Portland food cart out for breakfast (when the weather warms up!).

Has to be...

the fanciest "no parking" sign I have ever seen on a garage door. On Mississippi Avenue in North Portland.

A car is just a....

a car. Or so I have pretty much always thought. My first new car was a Volkswagen beetle and it remains the only car I had a "relationship" with. I still love the beetles and found this one charming in its own collage style way.

Want an...

afternoon nosh? Seen on N Mississippi.

Interesting history

This North Portland building has been renovated and is now part of the Mcmenamins chain of restored hotels, pubs and eateries. It has a fascinating history which you can read about at White Eagle hotel. It was also a part of the Portland's shanhgai tunnel system whereby men were taken from pubs and taken on as crew members of ships on the Willamette River against their will. At one time, connected to this practice, Portland was called the Forbidden City of the West. You can tour the still existing tunnels and you can learn more about them by visiting www.uniquely-portland-oregon.com/shanghai-tunnels.html.

Stark naked.....

pizza-no toppings?

No....

glass, no garbage. Some garbage can!

There still are....

some places one can go to light up.

Vista

One of the wonderful things about living in Portland is that when the sky is clear, Mt. Hood pops right up into the sky. Alas, not every day is that clear, but on those days, we do have murals such as these to remind us what lies behind the clouds.

Gone

Great business hours-six hours on Friday and Saturday each!! But what initially drew my attention was the "gone" sign instead of the usual "closed" message.

Women....

Making History in Portland-mural seen in North Portland. For an interesting backstory about this mural, go to women making history in Portland mural.

Since 1871

This building has obviously been rehabbed since then, but I think it's great they keep the old sign. No longer selling cigars and tobacco, it is, of course this being Portland, a coffee roasting company.

I'm going to....

to stop in some day, have a cup of coffee and assess the quality of the backtalk.

The Avalon

A very old movie theater in the Northeast Belmont district, it now not only shows VERY strange movies, but is also an old-fashioned indoor gaming arcade.

Let's hope not!

Lining up the shot

This is a wonderful old mural painted on the wooden side of Sam's Billiards in the Hollywood district. Curious about the history of Sams and what it offers today? Go to samsbilliards.

Destiny....

written in lower left corner. Make of the message what you will!

Records

Walking around the city, you see random stickers stuck to all kinds of surfaces. This one advertises the Oddio Record Company in Pennsylvania. More at oddio records

On southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, an art deco diner that has occupied this spot since the 50's. Recently renovated, it is as ever a great place to satisfy that craving for Coney Island fare, most especially the hot dogs.

Film Fests

Turns out Portland is home to a number of very interesting film festivals!

Personally....

I wouldn't have my tea any other way! For more information, visit yerba mate .

Recently seen...

bumper sticker.

Spring on my street (again)

 

These are such a wonderful sight on what is a very warm and sunny early March day!

Spring has....

 

 come early to Portland. These are my next door neighbor's beautiful trees.

OK, I admit....

 

I have a hard time resisting these signs! 

Oh, to be in Paris....

 

 

my very favorite city. But, there is a litte corner of it in this creperie in the southeast section of the city.

Start Early!

My sentiments exactly!

Most likely the wierdest event in Portland yesterday

in today's Oregonian...front page of the How We Live section.

Hmmmm...

Barbershop

 

I spotted this unusual and elegant mural in a southeast Hawthorne barbershop.

Talk about....

 

the good old days!

It's all about the green

 

There is a huge emphasis on all things "green" in Portland, but this is the first time I had encountered the concept of a green street. Seen in the southeast Mt Tabor neighborhood.

great advice!!