Archive for March, 2007

Posted on March 12, 2007 - by deCadmus

Portland in My Rearview Mirror

Do jets have rear-view mirrors? (And if they do, what’d be in them?)

Such is the strange start to the notes I penned on the red-eye out of Portland, which I have still only begun to transcribe. Not the least of which because when I say, “penned” I mean literally — there was far too little space on my tray table what with the seat-back in front of me being in the non-upright and unlocked position — and I haven’t actually handwritten anything longer than a post-it sized message for so long I barely remember how. My penmanship was never good; it is now something of a curiosity, even to me. And so, if you’ll pardon me, the full report will be a day or two.

Meanwhile… I note a sad passing.

Back when gas was near free and the earth wasn’t warming — just bear with me, okay? — there were few things I enjoyed more than a spirited drive with the sunroof open — better still, the top down — and Boston’s Don’t Look Back blasting just as loud as the stereo would go. I mean, c’mon — a Hammond organ, a perfectly fuzzed rock n’ roll guitar and the open road… what’s not to love? And so I’m saddened today to learn of the passing of Brad Delp, Boston’s long-time front-man, and arguably the nicest guy in rock and roll.

Rock on, Brad.

I finally see the dawn arrivin’
I see beyond the road I’m drivin’
Far away and left behind.

Posted on March 6, 2007 - by deCadmus

Stumptown, Downtown

I just happened to be in the neighborhood… Okay, that’s not the entire truth. I was in the neighborhood after a meandering stroll (some might call it a walkabout) that ranged some two dozen blocks of downtown Portland, with a couple stops for coffee along the way (Peet’s, where I found their brewed Mocha Java blend a little lifeless, but picked up a half pound of Colombian Caracol for later, and Portland Coffee House where the knit-capped barista offered a lil’ Rorschach rosette on my espresso macchiato. He scores for effort.) In the end, I found myself at Stumptown’s downtown spot. (more…)

Posted on March 5, 2007 - by deCadmus

Where in the World…

Welcome to Portland, Oregon… home of the Portland Trail Blazers, the Portland Rose Festival, and more fine coffee establishments than you can shake a stick at (presuming you’re the stick-shaking sort.) Sadly, at 9:30 of an evening it seems that the only one that’s open is — wait for it — Starbucks! (more…)

Posted on March 1, 2007 - by deCadmus

Barista Bloggers II

While I’ve frequently been able to glean the general thrust of Tim Wendelboe’s coffee blog –  kaffenerd and kafeentusiaster don’t require much translation — I’m awfully pleased to see he’ll be writing future posts in Norwenglish. Supert!