Portland Rain & Really Weird Vibes
okay, so like, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. portland. it’s… a lot. i landed yesterday and the humidity is clinging to everything like a damp wool blanket. 93% humidity, seriously? i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the pressure’s at 1016, which feels kinda heavy, you know? like the city’s holding its breath. and the temp’s fluctuating between -0.11 and 3.39 - wild. i’m wearing three layers and still sweating. it’s a beautiful kind of chaos, i guess.
I’m a touring session drummer, so my usual setup is a chaotic mess of sticks and snare drums, but finding a decent space to actually practice here is proving…challenging. the soundproofing is minimal, to say the least. i ended up jamming in a laundromat for a bit - don’t judge. it had a surprisingly good reverb.
I stumbled across this place, “The Rusty Sprocket,” which is basically a vintage clothes picker’s paradise. Seriously, mountains of denim, velvet, and things that look like they belong in a museum. I scored a killer 70s blazer for like, twenty bucks. someone told me that the owner, Agnes, used to be a backup dancer for a glam rock band in the 80s. wild, right? check out her collection: https://www.therustysprocket.com/
Spent the afternoon wandering around Mississippi Avenue. It’s got this weird, almost aggressively independent vibe. Lots of tiny record stores, tattoo parlors, and places that sell kombucha in a million different flavors. i overheard some drunk advice from a guy leaning against a wall - he said to ‘just go with the flow’ and ‘don’t take anything too seriously.’ classic portland, honestly. i’m adding that to my mental checklist.
Then, i found this incredible mural down by the river. It’s a giant, psychedelic octopus eating a slice of pizza. i don’t even know. portland just does things. i snapped a few pics - they’re probably terrible, but you can check them out: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33838-d1238333-Reviews-Mississippi_Avenue-Portland_Oregon.html
Speaking of the river, i checked Yelp for some food recommendations and found this place called “Pine State Biscuits.” Apparently, their biscuits are legendary. i’m starving, so i’m going to give it a shot. if you get bored, Eugene and Salem are just a short drive away.
Here’s a quick gear list for a touring drummer, just in case anyone’s curious:
Drumsticks: Obviously. Like, a lot of drumsticks.
*Metronome: Because timing is everything, even in a laundromat.
*Noise-canceling headphones: For when you need a break from the Portland chaos.
*A really good backpack:* You’ll need it for all the vintage clothes.
I also saw a street artist doing some amazing chalk art near Pioneer Square. It was like, a giant, swirling galaxy. super impressive. i’m thinking of trying my hand at it myself - wish me luck.
I heard that the Powell’s bookstore is a must-see. It’s supposedly the largest independent bookstore in the country. i’m planning on spending a few hours getting lost in the stacks. https://powells.com/
Seriously, this city is a trip. i’m exhausted, slightly damp, and completely overwhelmed. but in a good way, i think. it’s like… a beautiful, messy, slightly unsettling kind of good.
And one last thing: if you’re looking for a good coffee, head to Heart Coffee Roasters. They make a mean pour-over.
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- https://votoris.com/post/the-frozen-lake-soundcheck-that-never-ended
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