No Time Wasted!

This past weekend was my first back in Portland since May of 2013. I left Florida searching for adventure and activity, and already Portland is giving me a whirlwind. The problem now, for the first time in my life, is that there is so much to do and see that school work is not nearly as appealing. It is requiring considerable discipline to stick to my studies, and this is only the very first weekend! The weekend included: playing a show, several post show parties, Captain Kirk as Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, great beer at Jake's (one of Portland's oldest restaurants!), Glodeo (imagine glow sticks, mechanical bull, dance music that is far too loud and multiple dozens of Voodoo donuts bought by the college), Portland City Grill (picture of the view will be below), and a wee bit of homework.


Last Wenesday I stumbled myself into playing a show on campus at the student ran/operated/created coffee house/art house. Through extraordinary good fortune, I was offered a slot in a show with two other acoustic acts that followed a student ran bazaar (which featured face painting, homemade jewelry, palm reading, hand made cutting boards, and massages). It was my first time playing music in front of a crowd in Portland, and it could not have been a better experience. The audience was surrounding me sitting on the ground listening with the utmost attention, taking in the subtleties of the music and lyrics. This sort of attentiveness is usually a phantom and unattainable at a local music show.

The venue on campus venue is called The Co-op. This picture was taken during sound check. I will be playing an open mic there tomorrow night, and they want me to come back to open for two other shows they have booked! Music galore!

A view from on stage as the crowd disperses. 

The view from Portland City Grill, which is on the 30th floor of a high rise in downtown Portland. Though classy, the happy hour food is delicious and cheap, a common theme throughout Portland; it truly is the promised land for poor young people!

Yes, there is still studying, but with stunning landscapes.

The rain hath returned. It has been uncharacteristically sunny since my arrival, but now Portland is back to its usual tricks.

This is a beer growler filling station, located in the neighborhood grocery store. There is also a filling station in the local Shell gas station. The beer culture here is unbelievable. 

I interviewed for the Alternative Spring Break El Salvador trip tonight and should hear back this upcoming weekend. I am very excited about the prospect of being able to document the trip, the Salvadorans, and their stories on film, hopefully I will get the chance!