Pop Culture Gap

My parents didn't allow me to watch R-rated movies when I was young. And as a good kid, I actually did what they said. As a result, my pop culture knowledge has some gaps. I'd never seen Risky Business, Flashdance, Porky's, Purple Rain or Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Well, until this weekend.


Molly and I rented Fast Times and Risky Business -- both were surprisingly good and an excellent way to revisit the 80s.

Seattle

I spent the weekend in Seattle with Molly who lives on Bainbridge Island. I was lucky enough to enjoy spectacular weather, which was a welcome relief after Portland's gloom.


This view of downtown was taken from the ferry.

Ramble On

Lia, Molly and I got together last night for a "street ramble" here in Portland. It basically was a group of people taking a two-hour very speedy walk together. One of the sights along the way was the city's lovely rose garden.

Portland

Today, my friend, Molly, is picking me up from the hotel and taking me out and about. It will be nice to see a bit of Portland. I've been here before but really have no memory of anything other than Powell's book store.

Mount Hood

Yesterday provided spectacular views of Mount Hood (pictured) and Mount St. Helens. Sorry, but I couldn't capture both in one frame, although I can see both from my balcony.

Portland

View from my hotel near the Portland Convention Center.

Eastbank Esplanade

Went for a run this morning along Portland's Eastbank Esplanade. The bike/pedestrian path is scenic, if not a bit industrial. However, it seems to be the only upside to our hotel location, so far. The weather is beautiful, but it seems unlikely the pool will get any use ... at least from me.

Library of Congress

At Jesse's suggestion, I checked out the Library of Congress building. Gorgeous!

Old Friends

It seems like just yesterday when we were fledgling reporters in Columbia, South Carolina.


Bob, me and Jesse at the new Capitol Visitor's Center.

Washington, D.C.

I know six people in Washington, D.C. Yesterday, during my jog past the White House in the morning, I ran into - literally - an old AP friend. What are the chances? Scott had taken a different route to work that morning. Resulting run = more chatting than running.

Old Clothes

I usually steer clear of overtly political topics here, but today I'll make an exception. I recently started volunteering with a pre-release program at San Quentin. It's about reducing recidivism by sending guys back out into the world with a bit more than a grey sweatsuit, $100 and a bus ticket.


Part of what we do is provide parolees with a set of clothes for the day of their release. If you have laundered men's clothing - in any size - that you thought about tossing, turning into rags or giving away to Goodwill, let me know. We'll take it.

Borscht

In honor of Anna Karenina, I made vegetarian borscht yesterday for our book group meeting.

I've only had borscht in Russia and that was many years ago, so I couldn't tell you how authentic it tasted. It was, however, darn yummy, if not a bit labor intensive with all the peeling and chopping. All the ingredients - creating soup for 12 - cost $10.

Arugula

There's a swanky natural foods store between my train stop and apartment. I don't like to go there because the produce is so very beautiful and so very expensive. But it's location makes it tough to resist. I stopped by after work yesterday to get salad fixings - a head of red-leaf lettuce and a bunch of arugula - $8. Ridiculous.

On the walk home, I cursed myself for spending so much money on greens. "I never even taste the difference between locally grown, organic and Safeway," I thought.

Well, let me tell you, I opened that bag of arugula, chopped off the stems and went to heaven. It was so spicy, so fresh, so good. Highly recommended.

New Addiction

I've discovered "Weeds." I know this show has been on cable for a while, but I don't have cable, so I hadn't seen it until I started downloading it and watching it on my laptop, which is not as horrible as it sounds.

I've loved Mary-Louise Parker since "Fried Green Tomatoes," and she's great as a "soccer mom/pot dealer" in this show. (I haven't yet forgiven Billy Crudup for dumping Mary-Louise when she was seven months pregnant (!) for Claire Danes. Yuck.)

Anyway, check out the show, it's sure to get you hooked.

EOS

I love EOS. I love that they call it a wine salon. How cool is that?


The bar next door is less stuffy and more comfortable than the restaurant, but they serve the same food, which is masterfully yummy.


Shitake dumplings are to-die-for.

First Birthday

Faithful blog followers may remember that baby shower I went to ... oh ... just a few months ago. When friends have children, we are denied the luxury of pretending time isn't flying by at light speed. That baby turned one on Sunday.


One of the few moments that Miss Ella wasn't crying at her party.


At least her guests had a good time.


Even Mr. Holden, whose own first birthday is fast approaching.

New Book Group Member

Holden proves it's never too early to start reading.