Aug 26 2011

Livability and Downtown

Posted by PAgent in Portland, Rant

One morning last spring I came to work, settled down at my desk, and had just begun to check my email when I heard the crash of breaking glass outside. I stood up and craned my neck to look out the window and down to the sidewalk. Two figures were scuffling, rolling around together and throwing punches.

From appearances, some young man had decided to harass an older man, and had dumped out his bag of collected bottles and cans. I think the young buck may have underestimated his balding opponent, because the older guy was connecting with more of his punches. After a few moments they separated. The kid postured and threatened a bit, but he wasn’t pressing the issue. “Get your fucking mess off the sidewalk,” he taunted, then strutted away down the sidewalk.
Read entire article.

Aug 12 2011

Organic City Sounds

Posted by PAgent in Links, Portland

The website Organic City Sounds is Evan Tenenbaum’s attempt to introduce the world to the city of Portland via their ears. The website includes audio clips in the categories of Portland Speaks and Organic Sounds, but it is perhaps the audio Portraits that are the most interesting and ambitious:

Every week I’ll bring you an audio portrait of Portland. It may be a personal story, a collection of interviews on a subject, or a piece of sound art. You can expect to hear an eclectic collection of voices, sounds, and stories throughout my project. Some may intrigue you, others may repulse you, but hopefully they will all give you a sense of my little corner of the world.

As of right now, you can listen to two audio portraits about Portland; one focused on the Food Cart Scene, and another on Kirk Reeves — better known as the Mickey Mouse guy, or the trumpet player on the Hawthorne Bridge.

Check it out, and join me in wishing Evan nothing but the best of luck with this worthwhile project.

Mar 30 2011

Original Pancake House Revisited

Posted by PAgent in Food and Drink, Portland, Rant

My last visit to the Original Pancake House on Barbur Boulevard, way back in 2007, ended up being the subject matter of a Portland Metblog post. I found their policy of not accepting credit or debit cards, a policy that required me to leave my children in the restaurant while I found an ATM, incredibly short-sighted in this modern age of electronic transactions.

In fact, I had been sufficiently irked that I hadn’t gone back, not for four long years. There are after all plenty of places to get pancakes on the west side.

But this morning I was craving pancakes, and I wanted something special. My memory of the whole credit card debacle had faded to the point that I thought the Original Pancake House would be a good place to go. Besides, on a Wednesday morning, there wouldn’t be a line to get in.
Read entire article.

May 07 2010

Didgeridon’t

Posted by PAgent in Portland, Rant

I know, I know. I’m constantly complaining about the noise downtown, especially the street musicians. BUT–

How many of you have ever had to put up with a didgeridoo player outside your building? A didgeridoo player that has miked and amplified their instrument??

Didgeridon't

Just kill me.

Mar 18 2010

Lunch in the Park

Posted by PAgent in Food and Drink, Portland, Prose

I have a new post at OurPDX describing my lunch outside today. Check it out.

Feb 18 2010

Sunshine!

Posted by PAgent in Humor, Portland

I’ve got a short post up at OurPDX commenting on today’s beautiful weather. Click through if you want to read it.