1. UFO "Between The Walls"
2. Isley Brothers "Voyage to Atlantis"
3. Ethos "Spirit of Music"
10.23.2011
10.13.2011
OSCAR MIKE
Back on the road.
I returned to Portland this past weekend, looking for a new abode. First, I had to pass through the new terminal at Sacramento International Airport - SMF(H). To my surprise, the new terminal is actually quite nice. Definitely taxing and confusing for older travelers, but nice. No more Cinnabon here - $1 billion worth of modern architecture, monorail systems, expensive eateries, and expensive artwork. Redwood ceilings and 56-foot-long aluminum rabbits. Best of all, it created 2,400 much needed jobs over the course of its construction.
Right now I can only compare Portland to other West Coast cities. It has elements of Sacramento, San Francisco, and Seattle. The general pace of people is much slower, and drivers rarely disobey the speed limit, but for some reason are taught that merge means "come perilously close to the car next to you until you both slam on your breaks, in unison, creating havoc on the freeway behind you." I have big expectations for the food. I heard it rains a lot.
Who says one hour flights don't have the romanticism of 10 hour drives?
(Not pictured: crying baby, goon kicking the back of my seat to the rhythm of a new Skrillex song.)
I returned to Portland this past weekend, looking for a new abode. First, I had to pass through the new terminal at Sacramento International Airport - SMF(H). To my surprise, the new terminal is actually quite nice. Definitely taxing and confusing for older travelers, but nice. No more Cinnabon here - $1 billion worth of modern architecture, monorail systems, expensive eateries, and expensive artwork. Redwood ceilings and 56-foot-long aluminum rabbits. Best of all, it created 2,400 much needed jobs over the course of its construction.
Right now I can only compare Portland to other West Coast cities. It has elements of Sacramento, San Francisco, and Seattle. The general pace of people is much slower, and drivers rarely disobey the speed limit, but for some reason are taught that merge means "come perilously close to the car next to you until you both slam on your breaks, in unison, creating havoc on the freeway behind you." I have big expectations for the food. I heard it rains a lot.
Who says one hour flights don't have the romanticism of 10 hour drives?
(Not pictured: crying baby, goon kicking the back of my seat to the rhythm of a new Skrillex song.)
10.06.2011
THE FUTURE
All he needed to do to complete the trifecta was float in on a DeLorean and inject himself with nanomachines.
Last week, I was invited along to see Amon Tobin perform at the Warfield in San Francisco. Tobin's ISAM tour, featuring a "25 x 14 x 8 multi-dimensional/shape shifting 3-D art installation" enveloping the artist, is decidedly next level.
True to form, I left my seat during a brief calm, subsequently missing the shot-out-of-air-cannons-confetti highlight of the whole thing. Nevertheless, this was an amazing performance. All other shows should be embarrassed to charge admission.
Last week, I was invited along to see Amon Tobin perform at the Warfield in San Francisco. Tobin's ISAM tour, featuring a "25 x 14 x 8 multi-dimensional/shape shifting 3-D art installation" enveloping the artist, is decidedly next level.
True to form, I left my seat during a brief calm, subsequently missing the shot-out-of-air-cannons-confetti highlight of the whole thing. Nevertheless, this was an amazing performance. All other shows should be embarrassed to charge admission.
10.03.2011
ROADS PT.2
After another 6 hours on the road, and a pitstop at The House That Griffey Built (furnished by Ichiro), I arrived on the other side of the border. Welcome to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Vancouver is arguably the best city in North America. Neo Tokyo meets the Great Outdoors. Equal parts East and West. The final frontier. If you don’t believe me, just go there. It will change your whole perspective on stuff.
One of my first stops was Gastown, home to several great independent businesses including Haven, Catalog Gallery, Roden Gray, Sea Monstr, Neighbour, Stussy Vancouver, Livestock, and for a truly curated shopping experience – the OK Boot Corral.
I caught Jeremy (Haven), Ryan (Saint Genius), and Robert (Prison Garde/Catalog) politicking about the next Kickspit Underground Rock Festival. Word to DJ Vlade Divac. These guys are doing big things; highly considered, next level, self-lacing, futuristic things.
A short ride from Gastown took us to a West End barbecue by the beach. Loud music and good food facilitating conversations in multiple languages. A natural gathering of good, affable people.
One of Vancouver’s best features is undoubtedly the food scene – a diverse selection ranging from Kentaro Ramen to one of my all-time favorites, Vij’s Indian restaurant. The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
The good people at Vij’s treated us well. Delivered from the all-vegetarian-female kitchen (all whom miraculously cook world class meat dishes by smell) was a Jackfruit in Black Cardamom and Cumin Masala that could deceive even the most devout carnivore. For the lamb popsicles, I had to break vegan (vegetarian) edge. The final revelation, a delicious homemade rice pudding complete with edible silver. Of course, not all of the cuisine in Vancouver is high brow…
After picking up a wasabi mayo and nori Japadog on the street, we headed out for more entertainment. Jacques Greene, Prison Garde, Kevin Eames, and Saint Genius put on a great show in the W2 Media Cafe, a bunker vaguely reminiscent of Tokyo’s SuperDeluxe. For many in attendance, the night ended in the early morning, looking and feeling like a Yue Minjun statue.
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
(As seen on F5toRefresh)
Vancouver is arguably the best city in North America. Neo Tokyo meets the Great Outdoors. Equal parts East and West. The final frontier. If you don’t believe me, just go there. It will change your whole perspective on stuff.
One of my first stops was Gastown, home to several great independent businesses including Haven, Catalog Gallery, Roden Gray, Sea Monstr, Neighbour, Stussy Vancouver, Livestock, and for a truly curated shopping experience – the OK Boot Corral.
I caught Jeremy (Haven), Ryan (Saint Genius), and Robert (Prison Garde/Catalog) politicking about the next Kickspit Underground Rock Festival. Word to DJ Vlade Divac. These guys are doing big things; highly considered, next level, self-lacing, futuristic things.
A short ride from Gastown took us to a West End barbecue by the beach. Loud music and good food facilitating conversations in multiple languages. A natural gathering of good, affable people.
One of Vancouver’s best features is undoubtedly the food scene – a diverse selection ranging from Kentaro Ramen to one of my all-time favorites, Vij’s Indian restaurant. The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
The good people at Vij’s treated us well. Delivered from the all-vegetarian-female kitchen (all whom miraculously cook world class meat dishes by smell) was a Jackfruit in Black Cardamom and Cumin Masala that could deceive even the most devout carnivore. For the lamb popsicles, I had to break vegan (vegetarian) edge. The final revelation, a delicious homemade rice pudding complete with edible silver. Of course, not all of the cuisine in Vancouver is high brow…
After picking up a wasabi mayo and nori Japadog on the street, we headed out for more entertainment. Jacques Greene, Prison Garde, Kevin Eames, and Saint Genius put on a great show in the W2 Media Cafe, a bunker vaguely reminiscent of Tokyo’s SuperDeluxe. For many in attendance, the night ended in the early morning, looking and feeling like a Yue Minjun statue.
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
(As seen on F5toRefresh)
10.01.2011
ROADS PT.1
A few weeks ago, I set out on a journey up Interstate 5, travelling nearly 1000 miles through the Pacific Northwest. Embarking before dawn, passing through sleepy towns like Weed and Yreka, Shakespeare-obsessed Ashland, and Civil War territory, I arrived at my first stop just in time for rush hour. Welcome to Portland.
I wondered what Bill Walton thought the first time he entered the city as a rookie in 1974. A synthesis of grandiose nature and metropolitan sophistication at the very pinnacle of Western Civilization. A spectacle only possible through the intrepid clash of Bobby Anet diving head first into the trident of Poseidon, scattering pieces of genius across the Willamette Valley. Something along those lines. They certainly have good donuts.
I attempted to settle in, and a refreshing trip to the Portland Japanese Garden soon followed. Precise rock gardens and elegant ponds hide in the city’s west hills, respectful and free of impurities. Class.
Just when things seemed refined, I walked into Sushi Ichiban for dinner. Kaiten-zushi, or conveyor belt sushi, is an old favorite of mine. Sushi Ichiban has no conveyor belt, but instead, a toy train that takes plates around. This seemed very appropriate. It is so previous level, that by some circular bending of the space time continuum, it is possibly next level.
The truth about Portland, it seems, is somewhere in the middle of the extremes shown in these pictures. Maybe, it’s all of these things at once; the sum of eclectic parts. Laid back, but always innovating. Less than 48 hours later, just as I was feeling some sense of comfort after the initial 10 hour drive, I was back on the road.
(As seen on F5toRefresh)
I wondered what Bill Walton thought the first time he entered the city as a rookie in 1974. A synthesis of grandiose nature and metropolitan sophistication at the very pinnacle of Western Civilization. A spectacle only possible through the intrepid clash of Bobby Anet diving head first into the trident of Poseidon, scattering pieces of genius across the Willamette Valley. Something along those lines. They certainly have good donuts.
I attempted to settle in, and a refreshing trip to the Portland Japanese Garden soon followed. Precise rock gardens and elegant ponds hide in the city’s west hills, respectful and free of impurities. Class.
Just when things seemed refined, I walked into Sushi Ichiban for dinner. Kaiten-zushi, or conveyor belt sushi, is an old favorite of mine. Sushi Ichiban has no conveyor belt, but instead, a toy train that takes plates around. This seemed very appropriate. It is so previous level, that by some circular bending of the space time continuum, it is possibly next level.
The truth about Portland, it seems, is somewhere in the middle of the extremes shown in these pictures. Maybe, it’s all of these things at once; the sum of eclectic parts. Laid back, but always innovating. Less than 48 hours later, just as I was feeling some sense of comfort after the initial 10 hour drive, I was back on the road.
(As seen on F5toRefresh)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)