Life Is A Road Trip

The Amazing Adventures of a Zoobroker and a Sentiographer

The universe exploded at the Doug Fir in Portland, OR

bars, fashion, girls, hotels, on the road, oregon, slappedzoobroker1 Comment

If you read wikipedia as much as I do, you'll know that the tallest tree ever to exist was not a Giant Sequoia, but rather a Douglas-Fir.   After dinner, Phaux pointed us towards this arboronymous bar, in the Jupiter Hotel, which is also a semi-legendary music venue.   day_09-37

Shortly after arriving, three blondes from Seattle engaged us.  Cathleen and Kelsey are pictured below.

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Kelsey wanted to look tough, but I explained to her that the back-of-arm-jiggly stuff was not intimidating.

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Of course, hilarity ensues.  But not before I point out her little pea-sized head.

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We retreated to the warm fire outside ... where we met a musician who was actually rejected from playing at the Hotel Utah.  We will not be mentioning any names here, as she is not worthy.

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Phaux snaps some shots of the lovely interior ...

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There I am below on the right.  

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These girls were obnoxiously not funny or interesting, although they were cute.

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Okay, now that we have all the blondes in the picture below, I'll explain ... Shelly (the way too fake-and-bake on the far left) was on her way up to Vancouver.  At the border, the Canadian Border Patrol / RCMP denied Shelly access to their wonderful country.  She claimed it was because she had been convicted of a DUI a couple years prior.  Her friends told me that it was because she exceeded the Canadian limits on peroxide and bronzer.  Anyway, they decided to go to Portland instead and have a "Fuck Canada" party.  Then walks in this poor soul with a Canada t-shirt, who proceeded to get molested by the girls.  I guess they really did want to fuck Canada.

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The hipster shows her ink.  Babe, if you don't do some toning exercises, in a few years, that guy is going to be tall and fat.  

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Notice the ghostly paleness of the crowd here.  Portland gets approximately 4 days of sun each year, and residents are advised to stay indoors. 

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We like cleavage.  Everyone in our corner of the bar was staring at this girl's tata's ...

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Why I wore these retardo glasses, I'm not sure. 

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Phaux takes a picture of the girl taking a picture ... he says he loves the natural light, but I think he was going for an upskirt shot.

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We played throw the butt in the ashtray ... it took me two tries.   Soy el campion del mundo!!!!!!!

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Sisters: 

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Me trying to perform ear-o-lingus.  It didn't work.   But I got thrush in my ear.

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Acrylic moose head.  'Nuff said.

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More bar shots to close this out ...

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Broders for Breakfast - Portland

oregonMatt HillComment

First off, breakfast is a tradition in Portland. Expect to wait 30-45 minutes to sit down. But also expect free coffee while you wait :) It's worth it. We walked from downtown ...

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all the way over to Broders Cafe. Saw some cool graffiti on the way, plus an inventive sign discouraging parking in a particular spot.

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Zoo snapped this photo of me looking very introspective. I am thinking hard, but there is an edge of hunger in there.

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Ah... Æbleskiver. Something my family (with no Scandinavian heritage) has been making since I was a wee lad. Yum, but not enough. They were delicious, though.

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Ground Kontrol - Arcade Bar

oregonMatt HillComment

I was introduced to Ground Kontrol last time I came to Portland, and we visited yesterday for a few drinks before heading out the the Kennedy School. Awesome place - bar filled with old-skool arcade games, tons of pinball upstairs, and from what I hear, Rock Band Karaoke on Thursdays. After kicking Zoo's arse in Soul Caliber II, he said I should play the computer, so I kicked it's ass and went 10 for 10, game over, won.

Going upstairs, I saw a pinball machine open - snapped a shot of its guts. Cool.

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Kennedy School with Friends

oregonMatt Hill1 Comment

I am so damn glad. I love Portland, I love my friends, I love Terminator Stout and the Kennedy School. Awesome evening in the Boiler Room. day_08-4

We're silly. We're fun. We're happy.

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We flick each other and throw things.

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We laugh. We drink.

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Zoo has a contest to see if any gals can point at his nipple.

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Aw, it's Reggie!

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Zoo got slapped... again.

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I, however, did not.

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Zoo, however, instigated and received more slaps.

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But he did reveal that he sits in as a drummer for Beirut...

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Which was received with the Portland equivalent of a Bronx cheer.

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Boo was shocked.

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Zoo thought the best way to show off his purple hair was pushups.

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So I figured the best way to show off my Mohawk was booth-to-booth pushups.

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Rock on.

The legendary Terminator Stouts rolled in and in and in... not to mention seven'ish rounds of tequila.OMG... What a night. Thank you, friends :)

Day 6: When You Least Expect It ...

bars, canada, girlsMatt HillComment

It looked like it was going to be a quiet night for us, with most of Banff trying to deal with their St. Patty's Day hangovers. We headed to the Rose and Crown for a pint and some billiards ... The we met Little and Big John, a Scot and an Englishman, respectively, who both live sorta near Birmingham. Shropshire, I think. They kicked our ass in pool. Then we drank some more. Then they kicked our ass some more.

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We made it down to the Magpie and Stump (with Little John, Big John went sleepy-bye-byes). Peanut throwing ensued.

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John made a new friend. [singlepic id=35 w=500 h=332 float=]

... who felt compelled to pick me up ... and then call me a fat ass. [singlepic id=36 w=500 h=332 float=]

Phaux drank a caesar. Which is like drinking a cappuccino after noon. Caesar are a gross take on a bloody maria, with Clamato (yes, clam juice) instead of tomato juice. [singlepic id=37 w=500 h=332 float=]

John notices Noush, who was pretty hot. [singlepic id=38 w=500 h=332 float=]

Noush's rejection of me (her boyfriend was the bartender) shamed me into passing out. [singlepic id=39 w=500 h=332 float=]

Shots with staff ... [singlepic id=40 w=500 h=332 float=]

Dancing with the waitress ... first me, followed by John almost pulling her arm off. [singlepic id=41 w=500 h=332 float=] [singlepic id=42 w=500 h=332 float=] [singlepic id=43 w=500 h=332 float=] [singlepic id=44 w=500 h=332 float=]

Day 6: The Grizzly House ... Nearly More Tears

canada, food, good eatsMatt Hill1 Comment

I know we're not supposed to get sappy on a road trip, but Banff just brings out the girl in me.  Ten years ago, when I left Banff (and the girl), my housemates took me out on my last night for fondue at the Grizzly House.  It's a Banff institution, once it was a rocky mountain themed disco.  Anyway, coming back here (I avoided it on all my previous returns to Banff with various girls) got me a little misty eyed. Eh. Anyway, this is one of those Banff "must-do's".  The food is just good, not great, but you can't beat the atmostphere.  And table-to-table calling.

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The cheese fondue ... [singlepic id=28 w=500 h=332 float=]

The sauces and the meats ... [singlepic id=29 w=500 h=332 float=]

The bison head, available for purchase for $4000. Really. [singlepic id=30 w=500 h=332 float=]

Banff now lives in my heart

canadaMatt Hill1 Comment

I grew up in Saranac Lake, NY during the 1980 Winter Olympics... When I arrived in Banff, it felt like home. The mountains are a bit taller, the visitors a bit more international, but it's got the same soul - happy people, skiing, drinking and good, clean air. I'll miss you, Banff. I will be back.

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