Lomo-ish Chef Walking East on SW Morrison

I took this photo on October 23, 2010, as I rode by the Scottish Rite Center at 1512 SW Morrison Street, while riding home on the MAX.

It appeared that Portland's Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts had just held an event of some sort, maybe an awards program or a graduation--I saw several much younger men in white chef coats, most wearing a tall white chef hat and a medal around the neck hanging from a blue ribbon. They stood outside, talking with what might have been family members or friends.

It was this man and his hat that grabbed my attention. Although the photo is blurry due to both of us moving in opposite directions, I still liked how it turned out. Before posting it, however, I had fun at Picnik, finally deciding on a special effect called Lomo-ish because I particularly liked the over-saturated colors that appeared when I tried it.

Then I got curious about Lomography. To Wikipedia via Google where I found this: Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, "happy accidents," and alternative film processing are often considered part of the "Lomographic Technique." Users are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography, and use these techniques to document everyday life ... Similar to Eastman Kodak's concept of the "Kodak moment," the Lomography motto of "don't think, just shoot" presumes spontaneity, close-ups, and ubiquity, while deemphasizing formal technique.

Imagine my surprise when I read these statements and realized that I had a sort of Lomo photo to begin with, digital not film of course. Too me, all it needed was the over-saturation. Serendipity, that's what I call my happy accidents, my own don't think, just shoot photos. Gotta love it.

By the way, I figured these chefs were from Le Cordon Bleu because I could see enough of the logo on this chef's jacket to match it with the logo at their Web site.

Working in sunshine, whoa oh.

A Clean Scapes man concentrates on moving those leaves off the sidewalk on SW Morrison. I shot this photo from inside the MAX train on my way home, early on December 3, to take Mama to a doctor appointment. Usually when I go by here, whether on the MAX or on the bus, it is already dark. So it was a real treat to see this action happening in the bright sunshine and to be able to get the photo.

Bowling at Grand Central with friends from work and my family.

I didn't get any action shots--too busy bowling, eating and talking when we went after work last Thursday!

Mama came to watch. She's wearing a Mississippi State Basketball sweatshirt that Teresa from work found at lunch when she went to the nearby Goodwill Super Store! The SEC stands for Southeastern Conference.

No one could believe it that Teresa found that brand new, never-been-worn-but-Mama-washed-it-anyway, sweatshirt right after the Bulldogs were here in Portland, playing basketball! By the way, I had a blast at the free practice session. I just put my finger on the button with the camera set on Sport and took pictures! I've got so many that I haven't even had time to look at all of them!

I digress. Back to bowling buddies from work. Mama and Sarah. Oops! It's blurry. Me and the CoolPix made a mess of the focus here. Sorry.


Marsha and Teresa.


Sharon and Marsha.


Mama and Lamont.


Kailey and Leland. I blurred it again! Sorry.


Here's not-very-good photo I took of Grand Central Restaurant and Bowling Lounge, on SE Morrison, back in September. I took it from the car, stopped in traffic.


I'm going back sometime to get a photo of the sign at night. But we probably will bowl somewhere else next time. Variety is the spice of life!

Half a dozen diverse restaurants in one block, SW Morrison, between 10th and 11th

For months as the No. 15 bus turned west at SW Morrison on my way home from work, I have noticed the juxtaposition of two restaurant signs and pondered on them, not in a culinary way but in a geographical sense--India House on the corner, Perian House down the block, right here in Portland, Oregon. Neat.

So the other week when I walked that block after my trip to the Central Library, I decided to look closer, once this MAX Blue Line slid by bound for Hillsboro, a suburban city like Brandon, Clinton, Madison, Pearl, and Ridgeland.

Imagine my surprise when I realized that six separate restaurants populate the block! And they're easy to get to, with a Smart Park garage down at SW 10th and Morrison, plus the nearby MAX and bus stops. I wonder what the block looks like at lunch time as well as dinner time? Oh, let me make it clear that I've not yet dined in any of these diverse eateries; I'm just impressed that there are six in one single block and thought you Jacksonians would be, too. I well remember how much Jacksonians enjoy a meal out, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or is that breakfast, dinner and supper? Or breakfast, lunch and supper? Are you hungry yet?

Now you're looking west towards the bus stop I often use after my trip to the library. It appears other parking exists to the south, too.

Back at the corner of SW 10th and Morrison the first restaurant on the south side of Morrison is a Mexican one. I didn't go back around the corner to get a photo of it's front, so I don't know it's name. Any of you Portlanders reading this know? I'd love it if you'd share it. I do know that one young man often on my homeward-bound bus when I catch the No. 18 says the food there suits him.

Glowing reviews for Habibi Lebanese & Mediterranean Cuisine exist at Citysearch. What do you think about those reviews? Do you use them as guides for your dining pursuits? I like those green umbrellas; they're interesting, in an eccentric sort of way. And the font used for the restaurant's name esthetically appeals to me.

Just what is casual Italian, as the round sign for La Capanna states?

Persian House's sign goes on to explain that the menu is continental in addition to Persian. Their Web site says Spanish, Italian, French, Greek, and Middle Eastern recipes. I must admit, that broadness makes me wonder about the attendant quality.

Here's India House at the opposite corner from the Mexican restaurant. Those umbrellas stand out, too. I suppose midday diners need them, especially if they don't have any sunglasses.

Directly across the street from India House is this Big Town Hero Sub Sandwich Shop, born in Corvallis. Their slogan on the Web site: an army travels on its stomach.


I'm hoping my Mississippi buddies will share names and details of their favorite dishes at any and/or all of these ethnic restaurants. One of these days I'd like to stop for a bite or two, but I'd like to go in with some knowledge. Also, any Portlanders reading this willing to share your knowledge about these restaurants, feel free to comment.