“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”
— Chris McCandless (a.k.a. Alexander Supertramp)
The truth is that it has been 2967 miles.
This is the end and the beginning. I find myself home. This may come to a shock to some and a relief to many. But how? I’m one day behind on my reporting.The truth is that I have, for the most part, been one day behind all along. Be assured that the paradoxical irony was not missed with that previous statement. Yesterday I drove 9.25 hours from Portland to Davis, CA. I had drinks with my friend J. & her amazing friends in the most quaint of towns. This morning, the best coffee & walk one could ask for. You are so interesting and full of grace. I can’t wait until we can hang again. Thank you my friend. Thank you.
So, followed by another lengthy 6.75 hours of a drive back home. It’s nice to be home. I miss my friends here. They will soon be missed, maybe, probably for at least a little while.. If you haven’t guessed already, I’m ready for a change. It seems to be all the rage this year. The only thing keeping me back are the friends and especially family that mean everything to me. But I feel that after 11 years in the same place (no matter how great) “it’s time to move on. It’s time to keep moving, what lies ahead I have no way of knowing.” It will take some time to make all of the logistics work. All I know is that I feel somewhat reborn after this trip. I have a renewed sense of being. I’ve made many new friends along the way and have learned to appreciate the ones that I have, that much more. I genuinely hope that this feeling and openness to experience places outside of my usual comfort zone will continue.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for being a part of the journey, of the story that is a part of a life that is my own. In between I hope that I’ve brought to you, a continued sense of the love that I have for making the most of what lies ahead of me. The wanderlust is something that I had forgotten. I am truly grateful for everyone that I’ve met along the way, the kindness and good times you gave. Also for everyone that has been with me along this mini-odyssey.
I probably will continue to keep this super secret journal updated as long as I have the capacity to make the effort. Thank you for reading along. thanks to my friends and my family. You make this all the worthwhile.
“Rather than Love, than Money, than Fame, give me Truth.”
— Henry David Thoreau
The final “Best of M.O.24.H.P.” CD WILL BE COMING OUT SOON, SO PLEASE SEND ME YOUR ADDRESS FOR A REAL, PHYSICAL CD – SEND IT TO mikefiske@gmail.com. Do it. Do it now. The final M.O.24.H.P.’s for this segment is as follows: Rose Royce’s – “I Wanna Get Next To You” (and there is no deeper meaning, just love the song)
AND
A slightly morbid matter of semi-public record
The following is an overview. Full site plans/environmental impact documents as well as a working 1/12 scale model can be found in my workshop.
This song – “The Spirit in the Sky” – The reason behind this that this is the song that I want played at my funeral. (I’m not dying or have plans to die, but in case I do go before my time, call this last entry a slightly morbid matter of semi-public record) I kid you not. Some of you already know the deal. I have a 1964 Lincoln Continental. A Beauty to be certain. A black on red cosmic traveler. Put me into my white tux, prop me up in the drivers seat. Hook the bumper to the giant trebuchet to be built on the beach or bluff. At sunset… at a beach in SoCal (North of Santa Monica) or Gold Beach, Oregon & right before the green flash launch the trebuchet and push the button on the explosives that were pre-packed into the Lincoln. Do this right before the Lincoln hits the water. And then quote me with “Mourn me not. Instead, watch before your very teary eyes, the magic of becoming a reef system.” Then drink a beer, it would be best that it was an I.P.A. & marvel at the Aurora Borealis that is sure to come.
I’ve had it. All.
It’s a blur of the best.
Worded out on work. I’ll let the pictures tell the story.
M.O.24.H.P.(s) – A couple rare ones… #1 Baxter Dury’s “Francesca’s Party”
#2 – Neutral Milk Hotel’s Live Recording of “Love You On A Tuesday (live)”
(found by http://printed.wordpress.com/)
No post yesterday…
Here’s the last 24… but in no particular order.
5:02 A.M. – In an alleged 4 star hotel somewhere in downtown Portland – Tap tap tap. Tap tap tap. BANG! Drill screeeewwww… drill… screwwwww…. Construction? At this hour? Off and on until 9 A.M. Pulling my head out from every pillow in the joint, I finally got up, made some in-room coffee (which is surprisingly good!) On the way out to this coffee house I asked the front desk, “How long will the construction be happening and woud they be starting so early tomorrow morning as well?” to which she replied “Construction? What construction? I show that room was checked into yesterday.” We both looked at each other and shrugged simultaneously. And so here we are.
Now, when you see the photos below you may assume it was due to the Rouge Beer Ale House. But no. Nothing that exciting. I had just a couple of beers. They were delicious and if I had just arrived in Portland from LA then perhaps I would’ve been “totally psyched” about it. But because I’ve been so spoiled with some of the best beer I’ve ever had on this trip, I am just jaded & expect each to blow me away with every new variety, be it seasonal or artisanal. Still looking for “Let the Porch Attack” beer every chance I can get.
I just rode many miles yesterday, as it seems we are in the middle of an amazing weather typhoon and I want to take advantage of the sun. Rode all over yesterday exploring Portland some more. I wound up riding to a fantastic park called Mt. Tabor. The area reminds me of Echo park/Silverlake but with a less hipster factor.
I’m working in a small coffee bar in the Mt. Tabor area for the day, trying to get a project done for a client. There’s a creepy guy in his mid 50’s that continues to laugh at his own book. Occasionally he looks up and belches. No one else seems to mind… so neither will I.
This evening is Nike company store heaven and talk of my last supper (this trip in Portland) with K. & G. I’m hoping that we can head back to Davis Street Tavern (earlier post) for the final send off. We’ll see.
Also – Talk of Cousin Balki (ahem…) Brian coming down to LA to crash with me for a few days in June. Can’t wait.
The M.O.24.H.P. is “3 Is a Magic Number” a cover version by the late, great Blind Melon. This one goes out to to Brian, Erin & LeFrog
Because I skipped a day for the M.O.24H.P. I present the – THE GREATEST SONG EVER MADE*. The Beta Band with “Dry The Rain”
* yeah, my site, my opinion, sucka.
Yes…back in Portland.
Back so quickly after road tripping and a jaunt in the capitol of the great state of Washington. I miss my cousin & his gal E. and their little one… “le-frog”. Immediately wrapped into the arms of another awesome duo of the K. & G variety who has closed on their amazing mid-century home overlooking Mt. Hood. Bike rides, salads & $2.00 bills followed by the welcomed arms of the Davis Street Tavern. What can I say… a day that I wish was my birthday. A perfect one.
M.0.24.H.P. :
Lou Reed: “Perfect Day”
Pho-Toes:
first starbuckarino's ever.
So very tired. Heading to Portland in the AM.
Back in Seattle, staying with my family once again. Love being here with them.
Drove about an hour from Bellingham this morning. Spent the day dropping by one coffee shop to another, while working. Drank way too much coffee today, go figure.
Small bumper hit from impatient lady in Mercedes G-Wagon on the way back to West Seattle. Small scratch, not a big deal.
Video from Vancouver hotel room put together while waiting for Cousin B. & Lady E…
Music by “Airborne Toxic Event” Song is called “Innocence” Now in heavy rotation.
Greetings from Bellingham, Washington.
Working from a modest yet pleasant national chain motel. The internets run well here.
Picked up the complete works of Oscar Wilde and can’t seem to put it down. Huge. An evening in.
M.O.24.H.P. – Artists “Smog” from the album “Knock Knock” with – “Cold Blooded Old Times” (Read not into the selection but rather marvel at it’s melody.)
I may have been too quick to judge Vancouver based on the area that I was in. Just like back in L.A. – people that visit generally go to where it is at it’s worst, i.e. Venice Boardwalk, Hollywood Boulevard etc. I hate it when people visit L.A. & only go to these places and think that’s what it’s all about. Obviously it isn’t and maybe, just maybe I did the same thing. I met a multitude of kind strangers and had my breath taken away on more than one occasion. I have to go back, and next time do my homework before I arrive. So… “sooory” as they say.
On the one hand the locals are wonderful, outgoing, beautiful. On the other, there are junkies around almost every corner. I never thought I’d smell the scent of crack… wafting form the old cobble stone streets of a city so amazingly gorgeous. But I believe I have. And it’s awful. It’s strange to see a bald eagle flying around the hotel when I was on the deck, and in the same day, a junkie wanted to sell me ‘his’ bike. What a strange, tragic dichotomy. This has nothing to do with the USA vs. Canada, socialism vs. whatever we got, it’s just unique and I wish that it wasn’t this way, but it just is.
I took a break and rode my bike around the water front. I found many things that were purposefully pretty. I liked it.
After a long day of work, I wound up at a sports bar to watch the Lakers take on the Rockets. They, like most major cities, do not care for the Lakers. Being a Clipper fan myself, I can understand. But i had to represent. I had a blast with an Aussie named Ed, who has been traveling North America for 2 months as of late. A big shout out to big Ed, who was curious about what I was doing as well. Good on ya Ed. Maybe see you at the Sasquatch fest. (more about that later).
It is tragically beautiful in every way. And prepping big time for the 2010 winter Olympics.
Oh, and a big thank you again to my neighbor John, who is feeding my fish & watering my plants while I’m away. Thanks for taking care of the living things I usually care for, my friend. Thank you.
M.O.24.H.P. – While in the PacNorWest – what is better than today’s lead-in topic but The Dandy Warhols with “Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth”
And a slightly less cynical “Everything is Food” from Popeye the movie soundtrack… and it’s so true. “I would gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”
So with that title, you for real Cat Steven’s fans may recognize. The rest… well it’s coming up near the end of the post.
Still without iPhone access up here in the G.W.N. – It’s odd. Not being access-able. It reminds me when I took a year off of cell phone dependency. It was when I was hanging with one Miss K. Klinker. Remember that Miss Printed?
And now the digress…
Worked 13+ hours today. Hardcore programming with a large side of debugging. A large side. But with a most magnificent view to the left of my desk. Vancouver is a beautiful city & sometime in the next couple of days, I’ll get to see it before 8 AM to 9 PM. Yup – It’s really a work/road trip to be certain.
On what though? You can ask have I been working and slaving on… Boy… if you only knew. I can say that it involves the ability to submit a parody poster to a movie. What and where will remain a mystery for now. But the level of geekdom I find myself in… is dizzying to say the least. Lord have mercy.
So for now… a late night M.O.24.H.P. – Cat Steven’s – “Blue Monday”
AND – T. BONE WALKER’S “Stormy Monday”
A picture? Sure.
Vancouver, Night #1: So…Took a shower, relaxed for a few, got the border crossing out of my head. Where to go, where to go. Ah yes, Yelp.
“Salt Tasting Room” – Take a right off of Trounce Alley to 45 Blood Alley. No joke. 45 Blood Alley.
Perfect small bites, great selection, no argument that the first tasting was corked. Recommend you take a taxi.
Have to work all day tomorrow to make a deadline. Dinner tomorrow with Phil and his wife (whom I met at the North Coast Brewing Company Restaurant in Fort Bragg, CA) plus… could it be? Rain forecasted for the next 3 days. I will find my perfect coffee joint and T.C.B. – Thank you. Thank you very much.
To Seattle, and my cousin B. and your lovely lady E… Thanks so much for everything. It’s been way too long since I’ve seen you. I’ve missed you greatly and I appreciate everything. There. There’s your shout-out. See you again in a few.
And Le-Frog. How I will miss your morning licks on my nose, your small teeth on my achilies. You’re the best pup.
The M.O.24.H.P. – Shelly Duvall – “Popeye Soundtrack – (S)he Needs Me”
(no, that’s not the same hammock pic from before)
To get a hold of me please send me an email & number (even if you think I have it memorized) & I can call you back via skype. If you see a strange 310 number, it may be me or that weirdo you gave your number to last weekend. (or both)
And no, I will not get your text messages.
“And So That One Time I Tried Going to Vancouver… & They Kept Me at the Border For Two Hours While They Searched Everything.”
Now, let me preface that this is no indication about Canada, or Canadians as a whole. This is simply a matter of being caught up in any sort of bureaucratic bullshit that can happen to anyone, in any country. My grandparents immigrated to Canada from Germany, I’ve visited countless times. I even admit that I am a fan of one or two of these buggers… I’d even go as far as to say “friends with them.” That being said, here’s what happened when trying to enter America’s hat.
Yup. They did it. The pulled me and everything out of the car. Counted every last penny, inventoried everything. Why? Because it seemed suspicious for me to be travelling alone with all of my camping gear with a bike on street tires. I showed them the set of off-road ones, but by then it was too late. They asked where I worked, and if I was working from my laptop, and if I had been to Canada before, I said yes, many times. They asked when was the last time & I said in Toronto in 2007. They asked if why I was going to Toronto, I said I wasn’t, they said I had. They asked why I had so much trailmix & why I had a tool bag, I said I’m on the road, with a bike, and I like to have these things when I’m in the middle of nowhere. They asked if I thought this was the middle of nowhere, I said no. AND on & on & on… jeesh.
Tired and sick of waiting they finally said I could go, but only after I explain why the car said “Saab” when it says “Subaru” in the engine compartment. These questions went on and on. It would have been funny, or interesting if it was a highway patrol man, but this just sucked. I had no idea if my pre-paid room was going to be a waste & what about my new credit card that was being delivered to the hotel this Tuesday?
Well, it all worked out & now I’m in Vancouver, and so far it sucks. But so does my attitude. So I’m going to take a nap, get something to eat, get over it & explore. I know I’ll have a huge change of heart in about 3 hours from now…
The Good: Having an amazing time with my cousin & his girlfriend and their chick magnet puppy that I have renamed “Le Frog”.
The Bad: Not enough time in the day this weekend to do much writing.
The Ugly: I’m leaving for Vancouver in the morning and checking in to a hotel that I purchased on a credit card that has been compromised. Someone stole the number and sold it. There are over 30 pending transactions all of the US for the strangest things & amounts. I have no idea how the hotel is going to accept that I paid for the room on a card that has since been canceled… but I do have an amex to secure the incidentals. Waiting for Visa to call me. Boring shit, I know. But oh well… small issues are routine on trips and if this is the worst, then all will be well.
M.O.24.H.P – Yma Sumac – “Gopher Mambo”
Elvis Perkins – “While You Were Sleeping” for my new friend S. who had to study.
&
My Cousin, his gal & their new puppy, who are among the very best, for what the world makes.
As I said in the post below, “The Slow Down and “FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!”” – I never like to eat at the same place twice while rambling. I broke with that tradition yesterday back at mothers. This time – The sweet. Crunchy French Toast. Amazing once again. This place does not disappoint. The service was spot on again. See the picture below.
DAVIS STREET TAVERN – The Crown Jewel of my culinary experience so far on this trip, if not for a long time, no matter the city. The food and this establishment rivals any other. I’d go as far as to say that I spent half here what I would have spent for something comparable in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles – but with people who love what they do. This place just get’s it. It’s very obvious to me that that everyone that works here, from the busser to the owners, are passionate about one thing. And they do it well. Very well. Drum roll… make it the best you can. Give the customer the best experience you can provide. From the ingredients to the music to the service to allowing their rock-star chef Gabriel have free reign to experiment with new takes on old classics. I only had two items and I regret not eating every meal possible here until I’ve tried everything they have to offer. The bartender pours her drinks with such ease and grace, the same way she greets you when you sit down. The building is a converted bread factory with exposed wood beams soaring at least 20 feet above you. The space is modern, classic and warm. There is a welcoming here that you just can’t find that often. There’s no concept here, there is no valet or bathroom attendants. There is strictly a focus on you and your senses to be wooed into submission. And they were. So much so that I find myself gushing about a meal and an experience I had 2 days ago.
First up was “Seared Albacore Carpaccio” Avocado, Watercress, Cerignola Olives in a Blood Orange Emulsion. $9.00
Next was a Pan Roasted Quail – Hazelnut-Quinoa Stuffing, Chestnut Puree, Marionberry Gastrique. $12.00
And the beers, you’ll find locally brewed ultra-micro brews on tap that have ruined me for life. I can never go back to an inbev corporate Stella Artois again. The stand out was one called “Let the Porch Attack”. I believe it to be an ale. Outstanding.
I went back there last night after an evening out with two of my favorite people Katherine & Graeme (pronounced Gray-Eh-Em-Eh) – Even though they seemed at capacity, everyone one was keeping it cool. Excellent service once again. K. & G. – “The power couple of Portland” I like to call them, but not to their faces. I have to return to Portland for a few reasons. The biggest is that I don’t feel like I’ve seen enough and I hate to leave unsatisfied. The second, and quite possibly the most important is that G. works for a large shoe company that rimes with Mikey. If you know me at all then you know that I have a serious “Mikey” AF1′82 shoe addiction. Yes, access to the company store… amazing. Again, score another for the inner child.
And as a culinary juxtaposition/finale to last night’s eve, a bacon/maple doughnut from VooDoo. Decadent and seemingly wrong yet so right on.
Also – Added my Friend Katherine’s blog to the “Blogroll” on the right side of this page – “PRINTED” (Which is almost as cool as Graeme’s Mustache.) – “Documenting, in a rather unorganized way, a collection of colors, patterns and other funny little things that pass my way.”
And my buddy Keith’s photo essay site that I visit every day – “De-Lineation” – “So I built this site as a way of forcing myself to get off my ass and keep creative. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.” – We do Keith, well I do.
Mother's Crunchy French Toast
Davis Street Tavern
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VooDoo Bacon Maple Bar
Been working all day today between the lobby, actually I keep moving around the lobby because a large, sweaty, no idea about personal space nor deodorant German guy keeps pacing around and staring at me while his significantly more attractive assistant takes his dictation. It seems, no matter where I sit he likes to come over and stare & grunt at me. (And no, I do not have the umbrella open.) Shit, here he comes again.
This song popped up on the randomly today & I remembered how much I love it – Hope you do to.
I’ll remark about the slightly intelligent, mostly attractive & undeniably germaphobic front desk gal tomorrow, long after check-out, because I just gave her this address & already she’s critiquing me.
Listen to “The King of France” with “The Beast”
Tonight I get to see my old friend Katherine, whom I last saw a couple years ago while in Amsterdam.
“While we’re in the mood, cold jelly and custard…” well maybe not that but yesterday I had the perfect foodie day (which I’ll explain) worked for 8 hours, the sun came out around 5 & I biked Portland. Well the downtown portion anyways. I even bought a fender for the rear tire so I don’t get splashed on the back. Weird concept for most of my readers I know, but it looks so cool too. I’m starting to finally get a feel for this city & I like it. Even with the constant rain, I really do like it. Unlike my personal relationship life, I’m not so quick to say that I love it yet, but there is defiantly the makings of a possible return after Seattle & Vancouver.
I have a few deadlines I have to make this week so I’m hankered down during the day in my hotel lobby or my room or at Powell’s books. All of which are great places to work out of. So the food portion of the post that I hinted to in the title – “FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!”. This is either one of the best culinary cities in the world or I’ve been extremely lucky enough to have eaten at 2 of the best restaurants in my life, in Portland. And none of them were too lavish or over-priced. They did not require a dress code or a reservation or a letter of recommendation from the mayor (who is in a ton of hot water lately). I walked to all of them from my hotel and they all had a proper sign in front indicating that it was in fact, not only a restaurant but it also was the restaurant you were looking for. Did I mention that they also had the some of the best service in my life? I’d say that made things taste just slightly better. Smiles and conversation abound if you’re nice and respectful back (and don’t talk about how great Kobe & the Lakers are). I can’t express how much I’m impressed.
“Mothers” The first meal of May 6th 2009.
It was a brisk 61 degrees Fahrenheit in downtown Portland. I stopped by the bell desk to borrow an umbrella should the inclement weather return without notice. The skies were gray and I walked at a leisurely place towards what some had described to me as the end all, be all of breakfast establishments. I started to feel small drops of, could it be? was it? rain? Why yes it was indeed raining on my journey towards the center of the breakfast universe. I quickly grabbed my umbrella and to my amazement I instinctively knew how to open & use to shield the top portion of my body from the tiny droplets shooting from the sky. The problem was that I noticed that there was no one else with an umbrella open. They were just walking around in this, storm! Well it really wasn’t a storm more of a fine mist with the occasional drops. However, things were certainly wet and I could see that cars were using their wipers. I also noticed that everyone was staring at me as I walked past them. Did I have a boog? Was I that noticeably different from them? Perhaps it was the LARGE LOGO OF MY HOTEL ON THE ONLY OPEN UMBRELLA IN PORTLAND that clued them in. I’m pretty sure a nice little old lady snarled at me as I passed & mumbled a just audible “pansy.” Quickly I shut down the tourist beacon and hung my head as a rush of miserable grade school memories including the shame and the ridicule of being different than everyone else bubbled their way to the surface and I was faced with the cold reality that… AH HAH! I found the joint!
First impressions, it’s 12:00 PM and it’s pretty busy for a Wednesday, and a place that specializes in breakfast. It’s classy, it’s modern there are magnificent chandeliers that haven’t been patinaed to look shabby or painted to cry chic. There’s a long, wrapping marble counter-top that calls my name. I’m ready for some breakfast in the afternoon action. Bring it Mother’s. And they did. The selection is a dizzying collection of savory delights from traditional egg dishes to exotic ones such as a salmon hash with potatoes & onions. There’s also your sweet, from waffles with strawberries to the unique, “Crunchy French Toast” thick slices of challah bread, dipped in cornflakes & grilled to a golden brown. I went for the savory, and what an amazing meal. The salmon is fresh & wild, just like I love them. I’m all about trying new places & not eating at the same place twice while traveling but I’m going back there today for the crunchy french toast. My inner child loves me.
– I had been sent to this eatery by my cousin Brian, whom I’m to be reunited with tomorrow in Seattle. Thanks cousin.
Next to come is a write up for “Davis Street Tavern” an experience on par with the aforementioned and then some… as soon as I find the time.
