Rally Downtown

Last night I stopped by a big, big cold and rainy rally for marriage equality rights in Oregon. A domestic partnership plan was passed in Oregon recently and then a federal judge put an injunction on the law coming into effect. The legal reasoning behind a federal court injunction in a state law matter is outlandish. Anyways, we had a big rally and Sam Adams was there, pictured below. Most likely the next mayor of Portland, and gay as a handbag full of rainbows.

drizzle and tomato soup

Headphones on, contracts outline propped on the counter, rocking out the work today and had a nice solo lunch at Blue Plate. I got a million things done for the clients, walked through the Portland drizzle to the gym, and life seems pretty good even though I have SO MUCH to study between now and then. I even ponied up my $500 bucks to take the PMBR bar review seminar in a couple of weeks. Necessary? A security blanket? We shall never know but I didn't mind paying if it helps. Ever since that McMenamin's thing (below) I got a big crush on Portland all over again. All the music loving mellow souls. all the population density, somuch stuff to do. Oh Portland, I miss you when I have to study all the time. When I'm finished will you still hold me in your cold, wet embrace?

P.S. : I miss Sleater-Kinney

Crystal Ballroom

Well McMenamins's sure knows how to throw a freaking party. (yes i studied for 9 hrs) but after that we walked to the Crystal Ballroom and saw the Builders and the Butchers, who were really great, and BOBBY BARE JR. who was awesome. You just want to take him home and make him pancakes with real maple syrup. And we made friends! I met a great, nice guy in The Decemberists and also hung out with Ashleigh Flynn. And then we danced at the Lola Room. And then we caught a late dinner at my favorite place so for such things, Cassidy's. And now we are watching Steel Magnolias. Freezing rain is falling. Do i have to go to work tomorrow?

the last one to know

i just realized that it was sarah jessica parker on square pegs all those years ago. only that can explain my secret tolerance of sex in the city. or maybe that and also and my fondness for camp.

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - When U Were Mine (righteous Cyndi Lauper Cover)

Was Tracy Nelson really just in three episodes? That's what wikipedia says.

Unrelated: I found myself agreeing with Peggy Noonan again. What's up with that? Maybe I am just a sucker for her prose, though the linked piece is not a very good sample.

Oh, this is good...

Looks like Langhorne Slim, Bobby Bare Jr, and the Long Winters are going to play at the Crystal Ballroom this sunday for FREE. A good development indeed.

Bobby Bare Jr. - The Heart Bionic

Le Pigeon

Well I clearly can't study ALL the time, though I did most of the long weekend. By monday night I had a good feeling that the rest of the town had exhausted its chi without me so rebecca and I could just walk right into Le Pigeon on Burnside and get a table. And indeed we did. Hype, hype, hype that can back it up. I devoured a pigeon (succulent grey sky rat) and rebecca had beef cheeks.

Coach Said Not To - Be My Pigeon

Today I exhausted my own chi. Flew to Medford OR and back for a status conference for a case I'm handling down there. What a crazily laid out town. Though the folks at the Medford branch office were super awesome. AND it was a great day for for flying. Mount McLaughlin was beautiful to see. Incidentally, the folks in that part of the world rather weirdly think they live in the 51st state.

Envoy to the Belge

A new restaurant opened in Portland called The Belgian Embassy. I found out about it because they have painted a sign on the roof of the old house where they're located in the southernmost 5th quadrant. I saw the sign a while back and became very curious. Accordingly, Shayla, Paul and I formed a diplomatic corps to explore the wonders of steak and frites, tasty salad, poached pear, and really good Belgian beer. Now I am no beer person and don't even like the stuff that much but I have heard that Belgian ales are where its at, and as they say "when in Belgium" (or at least their Portland embassy) so I gave it a try. The proprietor, Jim Parker, was our server and talked up the Tommee Arthur Signature Ale brewed at De Proeuf Brewery in Belgium. He crowed that it was the only keg of its kind in Oregon, and dammit if it wasn't the best beer I've ever had.