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So this is what my last full day in Portland consisted of. An amazing lunch at Olympic Provisions (check out the Beastie Boys pun on the bottom of the bill!); a (very) long walk the entire length of Hawthorne Boulevard with a couple of the choice sites; then finally another amazing meal at Screen Door. Seriously don’t know how much good and simple food can one place have?!

A new favorite band - quite an apt name too I may add

Having written my postcards to all and sundry I head just 2 blocks south to Biwa. On recommendation from 2 places as aforementioned. I walk down some stairs to the place and I'm greeted by a lovely girl who takes me to the bar and suggests a cocktail of caipirinha but made with absinthe?! Well I am on holiday after all! It really is different but genius none the less. Maybe this was where it all started going wrong from a drink point if view?! I'm debating what to go for when I see they do a set dinner that includes miso soup, gyoza and a grilled mackerel. That's a bit of me so I'm in. The miso comes with the little bowl of spicy popcorn pictured that are pieces of yumness and the miso too is very good - hard not to her wrong really. Then comes my dinner of gyoza and mackerel with rice that is just fricking delicious. I don't know why there aren't this many nice little places in towns in the UK. It's not that expensive and so good. I finish my food, chat with lovely waitress about going to see band tonight then head on my way back to Doug Fir in time for Holiday Friends first song. They're a new band from Astoria, OR and have self released one album last year. This band were a cross between fleet foxes, vampire weekend and local natives. They had great chemistry on stage and the harmonies were quality. I'm going to make sure I get their album on the Spotify playlist to see what they sound like produced as love they were truly amazing! I remembered while watching them why i love going to gigs in small venues with little known bands and its to come across a band like these and that thrill of thinking "shit, why ain't I seen these before?!". After they are done The Veils come out and I have to say they were pretty average. Just meh. Anyhow after the gig I stay in the bar and end up taking to the singer of The Veils (Finn) and a few of his band members (Sophia and Dan) and while away the night drinking Lagunitas IPA chatting crap. They're nice enough people and I have a proper laugh at times but should not have got so drunk... Reason is not just the next day but I can't remember much about the conversations other than me telling him he looked and sounded a little like an angry Fran Healy from Travis which sort of amused them. I think so anyway...... I don't think they liked me effusing over the support band a little more than them either. Ho hum, won't bump in to them again I'd imagine!

Biwa and Holiday Friends...

Portland isn't weird, it's just confused. I think...

Wake up and roll down the blind to beautiful sunshine for the first time in many a day. It cheers my heart but I realise my alarm hasn't gone off and I now need to rush to go to an interview/meeting downtown so quickly get in shower. After walking across the Willamette on Burnside Bridge I notice what will become a very frequent sight - a long queue of homeless people wanting to get to seen at a mission on both sides of the road. I do wonder whether because there are missions here and they appear to be getting looked after that it attracts more homeless people here? Are the generally good natured and generous people in this city what make this a hot spot for those needing help? After my coffee I head through town to all the shops and cafes I wanted to go to. First off is the first Stumptown location. As usual amazing coffee and a quality poppy seed bagel to boot. It really is amazing how much I love their coffee. If I were to do anything involving a cafe and coffee I would have to visit their roasters to find out exactly how they make theirs so amazingly perfect. Off to Tanner Goods and the beauty of their shop and leather goods. I treat myself to a Heritage belt in natural leather and a present in skinny mahogany for someone very special. They will be so happy with the purchase. Well I hope so! Now on to filson and a number of other cool local and individual shops and the purchase of some presents for a few more very special people. I then head to the Byways Cafe for what is an amazing sarnie for lunch and exchange a number of texts that cheer me up. I'm thinking I'm tiring of myself at the moment and a lot of the things I'm doing I'm enjoying lots but it just ain't as enjoyable when you can't share them with others. I leave Byways to head south and do some more regular shopping and a few more presents including some amazing postcards! The shop Crafty Wonderland does a lot of cards and clothes and prints by local artist and is a really cool little store. Although the girl behind the counter was a little peculiar and told me her mum was English and came from Norwich apparently?! I leave the shop and head to the waterfront park to rest as the sun sets over the hills and mountains that surround the city. It really is quite pretty but there are lots, and I mean lots, of roads all leading to the bridges that service the city. It is still quite cool and even pretty in how it looks. I head back to the hotel and sit at the Doug Fir bar to write my postcards and devise my nights activities. I decide to go to Biwa for dinner on recommendation by the front desk and my amazing 36 hours book! I also by tickets from the bar for the nights show at the bar downstairs for Holiday Friends and The Veil. Looking forward to seeing a band again in a small venue...

Monday in Portland - a montage... To surmise the above pictorial adventures this consists of a great diner (Byways Cafe); South West Portland over the Willamette; obligatory sign No. 1; Tanner Goods and The Woodlands store; Stumptown Coffee (mmmmmm); obligatory sign No. 2; and dinner No. 2 at Biwa.

Ta la Emerald City, hello Stumptown!

The last meal of the night was seriously good. Shiro's Sushi is only a small very understated place but the sushi chefs were quality. Having decided to go Omakase I was not disappointed. It was amazing; from tuna 3 ways to salmon 2 ways and the best red snapper I've ever had. I leave the restaurant, considerably lighter in cash, and look to go one bar called Shortys but as I don't have my passport he won't let me in at the door. Being a jobs worth. I then go to re-bar and the crocodile where many bands have played and nirvana had their album launch party here for Nevermind too! I then go to The 5 Point Cafe and have a couple more drinks and talk to the barman and a couple of girls that sit down at the bar next to me. They are both nice enough but talk of wanting to kill their exes and the fact they've been arrested numerous times for DUI (google it) made me feel less comfortable about things! I make my excuses after some good tunes and head home very tired. I wake feeling far rougher than I should and so lie in til 11 and go for last walk and brunch which is just bland and even worse the poached eggs were solid. Lame. Really pissed me off and put me in mood for the travel and made me feel a little queasy too. I go back check out get cab and have a chinwag with Ed at Ace before cab arrives. We both agree about the scene that is Ace NY and say it really is crap. He spoke to the owner about it but he don't think they'll change it; it's making money after all. Off to King Street station to get the train. Once I started feeling better it was a really enjoyable train ride and the scenery was beautiful. Bodes well for the 17 hour journey overnight Wednesday. On arrival to Portland I'm pleased with the lovely cabby then the really helpful receptionist on check in. I go to room, charge my phone a little and get ready to head to Le Bistro Montage about a 15 minute walk away. I walk past a few decent looking bars/restaurants and shops then walk for a while past not much except an open empty shop that appears to be a mission for the homeless as they're are loads of them all sleeping on the floor. Anyhow this restaurant is under a bridge (?!?) and seems to be a very run down place. Anyhow on arriving and enter I can't wait to sit down and order. The menu is Creole/American comfort food such as spicy fish and gator and various Mac n cheeses. I go for vegetable hush puppies and a rock shrimp jambalaya. They are freaking amazing! It's the sort of place I really wish I had shared with someone so they could experience it with me. Get the bill and its 5 cents short of $20 for starter, main and beer! Can't say enough good things about this place. Now the piece de resistance is that they make animals out of the foil they wrap up the food you haven't eaten to take with you! That is what the swan is. Genius. I finish up and take the walk back to the hotel to retire to bed with my Portland guide to plan the days ahead. Can't wait to enjoy this place - feels my kind if town already.

I've got some funny photos to go through above. The sushi dudes were so funny and the food (I went Omakase) was amazing. I learnt so much too about how to eat sushi and what to do. Anyhow having left Seattle I arrive at Portland train station, as understated as I'd imagine it would be. I get cab to hotel and my first impressions are so far so good as the restaurant the receptionist referred me to (pictures above) was amazing #bistromontage

My last full day in Seattle consisted of Jimi, Nirvana, Gehry, chewing gum, amazing crab cakes and less rain than before. I also saw some sea lions to boot. Now off to sushi, drinks and moshing to music. I hope...

Lets start again...

I wake noticing that my last post attempted while so tired came across as if I was drunk. It was far from it. So I will try again. I meet Ryan, an engineer training at Boeing here in Seattle in Local 360 which is recommended to me by the guy on front desk. It's a great place and all drinks and food are sourced within 360km of the restaurant. Now that sounds vast but this state is massive so is quite impressive. I have a salad for starter and the highly recommended burger for dinner. Both are great (I don't eat the fries as full and too salty) and very happy to be there as the beer was so good! HUB ipa from Portland. Am going there when I arrive. So in talking to Ryan he tells me of a great dive bar call The 5 Point Cafe that is open 24 hours. It's here he started talking to a barmaid who suggested he goes to the burlesque which was a 2 mile walk up 4 ridiculous hills!! Seriously my legs are gonna be aching by the time I take my train on Sunday. So the burlesque was actually hilarious and the host was very funny. And hot! Anyhow while we were sitting there we spoke to a few people around us and this one guy was suited and booted and about 55 years old. He was odd. Very odd. And just kept talking to us and I thought he would never leave us alone. Even thought he would likely stalk these girls [shudder]... After show is done I head home down hill and that's just as bad! So, I wake up in the morning to more rain and the wish to go to Lowell's for brekkie at Pike Place Market. It was possibly the most amazing breakfast I've ever had and definitely the best Benedict I've ever had. Seriously. After going to the first ever Starbucks and full on brekkie I go to a very old Russian bakery called Piroshsky Piroshsky for a poppy seed, cinnamon and raisin bun to have later in day. By time I walk for another few miles and need a breather I get a (distinctly average) coffee but it is had with an amazing pastry bought earlier! I then add daft punk to my Spotify and stroll up to Lucky Devil Tattoo with a spring in my step the weather doesn't deserve. Loving the new track with Pharrell; genius. Off to speak with Chad and what an absolutely quality bloke. Really cool artist and just proper nice guy. We talk through how and what to do and I sit there for an hour while he does his stuff with Smashing Pumpkins, Gish playing in the background. Parts of the work is really fine but other parts of it proper burns. I'm manning up and it's never that bad!! Done and cleaned up I look at the finished work and am so happy I went for it now. Looks much better than just the banner. Having got more ink done I head to Elliot Bay Book store which is so cool and buy a few cards and head to Oddfellows next door to sit down with an ice cold local IPA and write out my cards to all. Having enjoyed my writings and finished my beer I walk downtown to head back to the ace absolutely soaked through. Given I'm not going to be showering tonight having got inked I decide to go to Rudy's next door to the hotel to get a hair do. It's done by a girl called Tally and it only costs $29 and I'm so far proper chuffed with it. Really cool service too and much better than the last twat who done it. Pity she's not in New York! With hair done and tired legs I head back to room to update my blog and charge the phone before heading out to dinner. Not sure where yet though so more to be added...

Pike Place Market through the eyes of a nostalgic romantic... Really such a lovely place and a great atmosphere. I'm hoping these photos will be enjoyed by those that read this; I think someone can do with a smile stretching across their face and this may bloody well help.

Genius. http://www.neatdude.com/buytheposter.html

Hello Pacific Northwest - I hear it rains here

After going yankees last night I head home shattered. I wake with a crushed head, no idea of what to do and felt so consumed I almost decided to just hide in my apartment and not go. I snap out of that state of mind to pack and get a cab to JFK. Check in, pay $60 for extra leg room and v glad I did. So while on plane I decide to draw what I may get someone to do to me in Seattle and think I want to get one in each place I visit. Let's see. I get off plane having to be greeted by incessant rain. It's not gonna stop here all woken. Re Get to hotel, reasonable and clean and suggest great restaurant. The place, Local 360, was really good and I sat next to and spoke to a guy called Ryan who was here on a training course. We talk about nothing in particular and then he drops that he is off to a burlesque night. I have no other plans so what the hell

This shows why not many people will go to Bismarck in North Dakota as this appears to be it according to flight map. But I want to go; it looks simply amazing. Other photos to be commented on later.

My lunch time respite entailed a salad at Dig Inn. Need out of office and this holiday can't come soon enough right now. Am so angry. You do stuff to help then those that are here just don't take it and will continue to do the sameol sameol while others want help and want to change things but get hindered in doing so. As someone asked me earlier #whatsthepoint?

Sweet Caroline...

Ba, ba, baaa! Watching Diamondbacks at the Yankees tonight and they do a moments silence for Boston and then in a moment of solidarity play the above at the end of the third innings. It's the Red Sox anthem that is always played at Fenway Park and it just makes me smile at what is a simple yet heartfelt gesture. So #taxday was over yesterday and it was stupidly numbing at the end due to the surreal news of a bomb in Boston and the realization to some that its only a deadline. Dev said to me that she remembers things I say and she said one of them was when she come to see me as she had "an emergency" and I apparently replied there's no such thing as an emergency in the job we do. She said she knew what I meant at the time and liked the fact that I wasn't panicked by it. She said she knows even more why now. I'm still quite surprised how my words have such an effect on some people. It's really quite humbling. And scary. After I exchange emails with our clients/friends in Boston to be greeted with the news that all are safe and accounted for we have one last minute pain to deal with from London and move on to Ulysses where everyone else is already a bit boozy. Pretty good night that involves the following but in no particular order; Cathy hammered and humping Steve C outside; Kim hammered and falling over; Jana dancing; KJ horrified at the sight of Jana dancing; Aubrey being given a breaded fried oyster and wrenching grabbing for a napkin; Matt trying to pick up Luke and sustaining a cut above his eye and shiner; Jana saying the words "sick" and "fierce" to describe going to see the Ramones when she was 12; me trying to hide my disbelief at said story; Soph drinking hot toddies to help her recover from the cold; Mark singing; Vlad drinking whiskey; Anthony looking bewitched at Cathy while she talks to him; Grace dancing hilariously. I left by midnight with most if not all still going strong. I get home by psycho cabbie and just flop on bed and chuck clothes in a trail on the floor. So on to today but before I do I need to mention what I did on Sunday. I booked the appointment with Karen at Eight of Swords for late May to do my second tat. Struggled this morning but had more client work to do than I could have done with. Get through day and the arrival of a box from London by the beautiful and lovely Becka make great relief and comedy for the day for most people. I get the ferry to home but this time with 2 guests and I get off at south Williamsburg instead. KJ and Lisa are going to Lugers for dinner with a client and I go with them and have 1 quick drink before they do. We head to Gordon Bennett next to Soma and I find a cool shop I've yet to visit called Hickorees next to it. Have one drink then head home to watch the aforementioned baseball match above and cook pasta for dinner again. Yum. Problem now is what do I do with my time??? I know, what do I want to do on my holiday...!

And odd triptych of photos here so brief reasons; 1: how comes it takes so long for Guy to reply to my text...?! If I didn't have an iPhone and kept the original message how would I know what he's talking about?! Hilarious. 2: coolest dude in Kelvedon. 3: found and love this photo. The sky is SO blue.

A day of clarity

Had what most girls call a fat day yesterday. Didn't like myself, thought I looked lame, so went to shops, bought food. Not sure that's what you should do but when it's just fruit, salad and fish I think it works. Up early today to rid myself of some of the shameful weight at Retro and so happy I did. Plan to do same tomorrow morning and get this routine in motion. Even just half hour is not a waste; it's better than fuck all brown. (Repeat 30 times) Back from gym to breakfast of bananas and extra thin small whole wheat bagel. Not sure about them at mo... Beautiful day and head to ferry to get in to work but as I was a little early walk up Kent to N 7th to bev reminded that the Smorgasburg market is on. Can't believe I'm not here for the next 4 Sundays?! Anyhow I also come across a bike shop called Ride Brooklyn and they do really reasonable helmets and commuter clothes so will head there after my hol. Off to ferry and to work and its a beautiful day for photos. Although I get so paranoid about taking a photo on a boat on the edge in case I drop it in. I think my experience of doing it in a washing bowl has scarred me. Work ok. All in order(ish) and no body has broke. Yet. Off to pub to meet Luke, Al and Glenn to watch the Masters and had a chicken wrap for lunch (trying healthy option again) and over 3 hours only 2 pints before I head home. Detour to eight of swords to book my appointment with Karen but can't do it until mid May?! Think I may try elsewhere for one of em. At home I tidy a little and just relax and mong. It's been ages since I've done that. Anyhow go to bed, set alarm and look forward to a normal relaxed sleep for a change. Can't remember how they work...

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Diary of a chesterfield sofa