Portland or Bust.
Sky Tram, Portland Oregon 2010
After a decade of talking about it, I finally made it to the city of roses and/or bridges-and perhaps also the beer capital of the Pacific NW. Of course the first thing that greeted me (other than the cool silver sky tram that travels 3000 feet in 3 minutes) was rush hour traffic! LOL
My first glimpse of Portland, at rush hour. 201
The vacation felt official once we found the Jupiter-a revamped hipster hotel on the SE industrial side-we had a spot for the night. The laid back “coolness” otherwise known as Portland hit me as I stepped outside
The Jupiter is probably the only hotel I have actually loved… mid century modern casual decor, old school enamel bathtub, Doug Fir restaurant +club next door (complete with outdoor fire pit) and huge, shady, centrally located covered pavilion. And. VERY comfy platform beds w/down style comforters. Oh yes, chalkboard painted doors. Blackout Curtains. High speed wifi. Giant murals in every room. Resident mannequin in lobby & complimentary condoms. HALLELUJAH!
Portland. Morning #1. After checking out of the Jupiter, we breakfasted a few blocks away at Zells. A fast paced bistro serving cocktails as well as espresso to wash down homemade scones. Thank god they had Nancy’s plain yogurt and fresh fruit-cause I am not an eggs or waffle type of girl. Our plans were the Pearl *District. First stop Backspace coffee shop! When I saw these walls in the bathroom, I locked the door & and didn’t come out till I’d photographed them all. Fell totally head over heels in hard core graffiti love.
Some art -like this 5′x3′ piece below-had been put up intentionally. Looking at it made my BF and I ache with longing to finish our “new” garage studio. This winter. We promise.
With a nice caffeine buzz, we crossed the street to Floating world comics My brain almost imploded. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall comics, art and zines. We got a peek at R. Crumbs new ‘Book of Genesis” (His exhibit is showing at the Portland Art Museum through September 19th!) Next- a quick walk up Couch street, past Powell’s Used Books, to the Living Room Theater where we bought tickets for the evening’s feature show, ‘Calvin Marshall‘, an Oregon made film, staring Steve Zahn, Alex Frost & written and directed by Gary Lundgren.
Director of Photography for ‘Calvin Marshall’-Patrick Neary in Portland 2010
There was several hours till showtime, and I was pretty tired. We went back to Backspace Coffee for rest, refreshments and wifi. Then down the street to the Lan Su, Chinese Botanical Gardens. All I can say is fucking wow. This decadent haven is tucked inside a busy city block. Totally unexpected. Serene stone pathways led me to an ornate, wood paneled room. A man played traditional Asian music flawlessly on an ancient style stringed instrument. (perhaps a Zhonghu?) So extraordinarily beautiful.
Of course, I began to bawl…
Moon Gate at Lan Su Chinese Gardens, Portland 2010
Above: Ornate Pavilion at Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland.Water lily/lotus blossom also at Lan Su, Lisa Byrne 2010.
Tapestry of Chinese Royal, Lan Su Chinese Gardens, 2010
By now it was time to head back up Couch Street to meet Calvin Marshall Film producer, Anne Lundgren and her husband, writer/director Gary, for dinner. Hello Fish Grotto! (around the corner from the theater + small, elegant, appetizers) Seared halibut cheeks wrapped in prosciutto. Vine ripened heirloom tomatoes on fresh, soft mozzarella. Raw Oysters nestled in sea salt. Gastronomical perfection, which lef just enough room to try a scoop of “Fifty Licks” (Tahitian vanilla flavor) locally made ice-cream. The film debuted to a sold out room. For the second time ever I got to see my name on a big screen film credit for artwork & still photography. *The first time was for Gary’s previous short, ‘Wow and Flutter‘
Calvin Marshall-screen credit, still photography, 2010
Calvin Marshall-screen credit, photo artwork, 2010
There was a Director Q&A session after the film. When that was over, our group (cinematographers, directors, writers, producers, many who worked on the film) made our way to the Deshutes Brewery for a nightcap. On the way a Jack Sparrow/Johhny Depp impersonator hit me up for some change. How did he know I had a soft spot for pirates?
Awesome conversation ensued at Deshutes. Topics ranged from silent film making to growing heirloom tomatoes. I ordered sweet potato french fries. They were the last straw. It had been a long day. Before our vehicle could turn into a pumpkin, my BF dragged me back to our car. He drove me out of the city while I stared opened mouthed at a heavily made-up, long legged, short-skirted dancer girl standing alone in towering sexual heels-on sidewalks packed with youth-outside a club. Back on the SE side, Dave hauled my tired ass up to our little borrowed studio apartment. I fell asleep fast and slept hard.
xxx
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