I'm 52 years young

I turned 52 a few days ago.

And I don’t feel old. I am lucky to have my health, loving friends and family, and am insulated by privilege. So that helps.

The world is very dark right now. But I’m also feeling a real sense of community and purpose among the people I see regularly.

I spent a lot of last month location scouting for an upcoming film shoot, and it ended up being a tour of places where people I know live and work. More often than not it was immediately clear the space wouldn’t work, but it was a great excuse to catch up and connect.

I also have been actively trying to take advantage of the best of what we have here in Portland, and I think that is honestly what is keeping me optimistic and young at heart.

So, this month I wanted to share 5 things I love about Portland. And then I’ll mention a few upcoming shows.

Talricos

There is a fruit and vegetable stand in the parking lot of the Grand Central Bakery on Hawthorne that is my love language.

It’s got fruit, it’s got vegetables. Oh, and some flavored honey sticks. That’s it. Along with a super chill staff, and a shelf where they bag up the stuff that’s about to brown and price it for next to nothing. For 20 bucks you can cook stir fry’s for days. For 50 bucks you could open up a food cart. It’s also a perfect twenty five minute walk from my house.

The Richmond

There is a bar down the street from my house called The Richmond. If anyone asks me to meet up I suggest it, not always mentioning that I could roll a bowling ball down the hill from my house, and assuming it magically didn’t hit anything would roll right into the front doors.

It’s got a great vibe, a great staff, good bar food, a nice patio. As my friend Aaron James says, “it has everything I want in a bar.” I’ve been going long enough I have Susan get our drinks before we order them, I have memories tied to specific tables. Come have a drink and some fried polenta, currently served with asparagus but with mushrooms in fall and winter.

Salmon Creek

There is a trail just a mile off highway 26 near the Welches grocery store that hugs the Salmon River. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it’s a mere hour drive from downtown. My kids love it, my dog loves it, and my wife Susan and I love it.

It’s of course just one of the thousands of incredible places where you can be on the water inside an ancient rainforest here in Oregon. It’s just the one I love going to and has a not one but two Dairy Queen options en route for hungry teens.

Storytelling

I love events that will never happen again. I’m partial to storytelling which is almost nothing but that kind of event. Line-ups, much less stories are seldom repeated. But that’s obviously an element of stand-up, and even theater, dance, live music, performance art and so forth. Even when a show is scripted the audience changes and performers are different people every night.

Right before I deleted Instagram I saw a promoted video from a fellow Portlander explaining how Portland is an event city. That’s how you find your people. I agree.

If I’m performing at an event, I just go. The adrenaline mixed with obligation gets me out of the house. If I’m seeing an event, there is always a moment where I consider not going. Even for something I’m really excited about. I like my house, Netflix is fun, I have a hot tub. So there is a bit of an internal battle. But I’m always so happy once I’m on my way and arrive.

Even when a performance or event is okay, I still get so much out of it. I get ideas, I see people I know, I have a new experience. But when a performance or even is great. There’s nothing better.

The Symphony

This is a new one for me. I’ve been to the Symphony once years ago, when Anhoni (of the Johnsons) performed with them for the PICA TBA festival. I went again last month with Susan as a friend of hers was singing in a choir for part of Mahler’s 3rd. What a delight.

Before the show started the president of the symphony talked about how when we listen to the symphony we hear a part of ourselves in it. And I absolutely found that. I didn’t really follow the story, nor did I read the program or do any research which would have allowed me to learn the story. But I did just sit back and let my mind wander. And I found myself contemplating my creative pursuit and my own life. What a gift.

Upcoming Shows

I’m hosting the Moth August 4th at the Old Church. The theme is Childish.

You can also listen to BACKFENCE Unhinged podcast every Wednesday morning at 7:15am PST! It’s hosted by myself and Frayn Masters and this morning’s guest was Matt Sheehy!

All best,

Andrew