Squint. Use your imagination. It's really Bourdain.

Somewhere early on Bourdain told us that he'd spent part of the day signing 1400 books, that Portland had put him on the best seller list! He did sell out both shows put on by Powells Books--a signed book came with the ticket.


Maybe here he's talking about how to keep his daughter out of the clutches of the Clown, the King and the Colonel. You'll have to read the book, "Medium Raw," for the whole story.


It seems to me that Bourdain couldn't talk without using his hands. I know Southerners do that--I'm one of them. Do New Jerseyans talk with their hands, too? They must. You can see the blurry evidence right here. What do they call people from New Jersey anyway? I found New Jersyans at Famous New Jerseyans Dot Com and at About New Jersey Dot Com.


Bourdain opened up the floor for questions, the floor and the balcony. I even managed to get to ask him a question, from the second row, stage left, thanks to Lamont's "Down front!" or something like that. Anyway, I asked, "You're such a good story teller. Do you come from a tradition of story telling?" Bourdain explained, in so many words, that indeed he did come from such a tradition, story tellers in the kitchen that is, those who stand around on break, or sit down together after the kitchen closes and tell about what went on when ... well, I can't remember exactly what he said, and even if I could I would not type it here. After all, he's Anthony Bourdain, and he's some kinda profane!


A blissful hour gone by--filled with Bourdain's tidbits from "Medium Raw" and his answers to questions from throughout the Bagdad, plus his swallowing of two shots of Maker's Mark that two different guys in the audience asked if they could buy for him--and he showered smiles as he blithely walked off, stage left.

All too short. I'm on page 227 of 281 in "Medium Raw." I recommend it to those of you who are Bourdain-o-philes. I am certain that those of you who know him not would be somewhat shocked. If you're interested in reading Bourdain for the first time, start with "Kitchen Confidential," then "A Cook's Tour," then, "The Nasty Bits," then "Medium Raw." I myself have somehow missed "No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach." I'll let you know about it one of these days. And be sure to catch his Travel Channel program, "No Reservations." Hearing him on the show lends his quirky, mellifluous voice to every single word that you read.

What an event!

Lamont, Leland, Sarah (from work), her friend whose name I cannot spell, and I experienced the 9 p.m. show! I took this as Lamont and I walked afterwards to his car--he gave me a ride home. The photos I took during Bourdain's talk and Q&A session are not very good--no flash photography allowed--but I will figure out which one(s) I like best and share them with you!

Neat shot!

What a treat, to get this clear, night time photo, with neon and the blur of a vehicle. And even neater, I used to drive a Honda Civic Wagon just like that one!

Links to the businesses responsible for the neon: Buffalo Exchange, Aura Restaurant & Lounge, and Fez Ballroom and Lounge, all on West Burnside across from Powells Books.

Portland Streetcar, stopped at the intersection where 11th changes from NW to SW, as it crosses Burnside.

I couldn't pass up the chance to take this photo. I'm so glad that I got the passing truck, headed west on Burnside. When the light changed, I crossed Burnside and walked down the block to Powells. The South Waterfront is down on the Willamette River.

Jackpot Records, downtown

Jackpot Records at 203 SW 9th Avenue, downtown Portland, Oregon. I love that crown--the lights run! And I really like the sign hanging there on Burnside. I have no experience with the store or its offerings.

I walked by on my way to Kenny and Zuke's where I ate supper. After that I stopped by Powells Books for an author event--William Stack and "Historic Photos of Oregon." Good event, but I didn't buy the book since my main historic interest is Portland.


Fantastic ceiling light fixtures.

A gal's gotta have some nourishment ...

...so why not mix it with a libation?

Last Thursday evening, Marsha, my friend from work, and I made plans to attend a 7:30 p.m. book event at Powells Books. After a full day's work, the two of us knew we had best eat something before going to Powells. I suggested the Doug Fir, the same place I'd been two weeks earlier with Mama and Lucy. Those yummy fish and chips were calling to me, loud and clear.

We left work at 5 p.m., and after a slightly rainy, short, with only one transfer, bus ride, we walked into the glass door on the side of the Doug Fir only to find out that my Mississippi buddy Chris Cooley came to work the restaurant-side bar at 6 p.m.

What to do? What to do?

Then I noticed Joey Lawrence at the bar-side bar. He grinned at me as I said, "Hi, Joey. Do you know who I am?" "Yes," he said slowly, "I thought I knew that face, but I couldn't say for sure. The hat threw me off. And haven't you changed the color of your hair?" Observant young man, my buddy Joey Lawrence--he noticed my Los Lonely Boys hat and the leftover color from my last highlighting at Bella Tocca. OK. I'll quit stringing you along. This Joey Lawrence is a Portland bartender, not the child TV actor who grew up to do pretty well on "Dancing With the Stars." When I first met him at the Doug Fir, with Lamont in March, 2006, on the last visit Mama and I made to Portland before moving here that June, I discovered that he makes a mighty fine rum and cherry Coke.

We decided to be seated by the windows that overlook E. Burnside so that we could order our food; I knew that before we left we could join Chris at the bar for a visit, too. So, I ordered a rum and cherry Coke, telling our waitress to say, "It's for Lamont's mother," to Joey. I figured it would go very well with our appetizer, a plate of giant onion rings, as well as the fish and chips.

I love that photo, but it just didn't do justice to the onion rings, so I took one more. Joey came by for a moment to check on the drink. "Divine," I cried.


You'd think with those crunchy, sweet onion rings and that ice cold libation, I'd have tempered my hunger somewhat. Maybe remember to take a photo of the fish and chips I've been going on and on about? Nope. Marsha and I dove right in, dividing the single dish between the two of us--three flaky halibut fillets and a mound of crispy fries. Nary a thought of camera or photograph passed through my mind as each morsel of fried food passed through my lips! Marsha and I finished eating and visited with Chris at the bar and had one more libation before leaving for Powells.

Now, a bit about the book event. Local author Laura O. Foster entertained us, reading from her new book "Portland City Walks" and showing intriguing slides, too. I found this at Powells' Web site:

Publisher Comments:
From the inspired creator of the beloved "Portland Hill Walks," comes a rich collection of twenty eye-opening walks exploring the backstreets and back stories of the neighborhoods of Portland and five nearby towns. Laura Foster's new walking routes are easy-to-follow, self-guided, accessible by public transportation, and include plenty of snacks and offbeat treasures along the way. From Goose Hollow to Garden Home, Laurelhurst to Lake Oswego, Forest Grove to Vancouver, walks range in length from 2 to 6 miles, with alternate loops for flexibility. Want to explore architecture and engineering? Walks include a centuries-old farmhouse nestled in a city neighborhood and a track made from 20,000 Nike athletic shoes. Interested in the stories of historic Portland businesses? Walks include fun facts about Captain John Couch, William Lair Hill, Fred Meyer, Guy Carr, and Michael Powell. Portland City Walkslets readers peel back the layers of history as they walk the stories of a city's neighborhoods and experience its joys as never before.

And here's what I found about her other book that I bought and got signed that evening:

Publisher Comments:
"Portland Hill Walks" is no ordinary guidebook. No restaurant ratings, no rehashed explanations of how the city got its name. Instead, in twenty meandering, view-studded strolls from forested canyons to cityscape peaks, this lively travelogue answers questions you may never have thought to ask, such as:

* What street used to be a row of floating homes?
* What eastside peak, with its "healthful air," was home to tuberculosis sanatoriums?
* What happened to the lake in Guilds Lake?
* What Portlander modeled swimwear in the U.S. Senate?

Explore the city's streets, stairs, trails, and hidden passageways to discover the stories and spirit of a town rated among the country's most livable places.

My plan is to go on these walks and take photos so that I can share all of what I see and learn with y'all. I don't have a timetable, but I will begin in 2008 and finish in 2009--I've made that promise to myself.

Signs of confusion?

Do Not Enter. No Left Turn. One Way. Left Lane Must Turn Left.

I took this photo while stopped for the traffic signal at SW 10th and West Burnside. Since I didn't plan to turn left onto Burnside, I was in the center lane when I noticed these signs.

Whoa, I thought, these signs could be confusing, unless you know this intersection's quirks. West Burnside is a two-way street, running east and west. SW 10th is one-way, northbound. Coming off West Burnside, going east and to the left of all of these signs, about 50 feet from the traffic signal and at a sharp angle to West Burnside, is SW Oak, a one-way street. Hence, the Do Not Enter and No Left Turn signs followed by the Left Lane Must Turn Left. In other words, do not enter SW Oak here by turning left. However, if you're in the left-most lane on SW 10th, you have to turn left onto West Burnside.

Still confused? You can see this pretty good on Google Maps, but I couldn't get the link to work very well. Put in this and click Search Maps: 1005 W. Burnside Portland Oregon.