I’m not sure where I first heard about it, but sometime a couple of months ago I heard about a race of boats made out of milk cartons. The aptly named Milk Carton Boat Race happened on June 13th down in Sellwood.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect. In my head I was picturing little milk cartons with a side cut off and pocket-size sail sticking out. I was wrong. Take a look at the pictures to see how Oregon dairy farmers get us city-folk to come out and have a good time.

I wasn’t expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. It was actually reasonably fun to hang out and watch this one. I’ll likely come back next year and watch it again.

A week and a half ago I was walking downtown when I saw a sign for the Portland International Film Festival. I had seen it before, unfortunately when I saw it this time I realized that it was almost over! So I decided to make it a point to see a few movies that coming weekend, the festivals final weekend.

Well wouldn’t you know it that as I continue my walk (I was heading to Office Depot to buy tax software) I see another sign. Portland is gonna have a jazz festival. No, wait… Portland isn’t going to have a jazz festival, they’re having one right now! And of course, it’s ending this same weekend too! “OK, so this weekend I have to watch a couple of movies at the film festival and make sure to catch a couple of jazz shows.”

That was the plan, and that is exactly what happened. I saw two movies at the film festival. The first was an Irish movie, Nothing Personal which was exactly the sort of movie you’d hope to watch at an international film festival. It was artsy without being pretentious or obnoxious. It was simple story of someone going through a complicated time. I liked it.

I followed the movie up with a burger at Rogue Ales where they were hosting a jazz band, Trio Subtonic. This was my first ever experience with jazz and it was enough to leave me unsure of whether or not I’ll like jazz. Some of what they played was pretty good and flowed really smoothly. Other times though, well… not so good.

The next day, Saturday, I planned on seeing another movie, but first I went by one of the local theater house and checked out a couple different jazz shows playing there. The previous night’s band made me decide that I should at least look into jazz a little more to see if it’s something I can get in to. It’s a good thing too, because if Saturday’s two bands were my only experience in jazz they may have been enough to scare me away for good. In the defense of one group though, they were high school kids… maybe time will treat them as wine.

I then made my way to Cinema 21, one of Portland’s independent theaters, to catch that day’s show. It was Spanish movie, Woman Without Piano. It was 95 minutes long, but Director Javier Rebollo did a magnificent job of making and hour and a half feel like 37 years. I aged watching that movie, I aged a lot. If it was netflixed it would have been ejected long before the credits. But I made it through the entire movie and was very glad when it was over.

I had hoped to spend my Sunday once again juggling between film & jazz festivals on both of their last days. Unfortunately I had some tasks which took priority and never got out to do so.

I was a little sad that I hadn’t realized that the festival duo were running rampant around the city until they were almost completed. Portland is a busy place and I need to keep doing my homework keeping up with what’s going on. But I did get to enjoy a little culture that weekend, and I’m definitely going to be keeping my eyes peeled for next year’s film festival.

As for the jazz, the jury’s still out on that. There are, however, a few jazz bars in town and I’ve actually been meaning to check them out, even before this jazz fest. I’d like to check out jazz as well as a few blues bars. I may not become a fan, but it’s part of that whole “try new things” mandate I’ve given myself. When it happens, I’ll let you know.

Yeah, yeah. I realize the Olympics have come and gone. Nothing but a fading memory now. But I’m still going to write this post because it’s really more about Portland than the Olympics.

Anyway, opening night was hosted by local television station kgw in Pioneeer Courthouse Square downtown. A couple of large screens were set up (actually they were the white sides of two trucks) and the opening ceremonies were played on the big screen.

This is a perfect example of one of those little things that you find in Portland that really gives the city its character. Nothing super special, just a bunch of Portlanders coming out and watching a little TV together.

And then to take a pretty cool evening and add just a little bit more, on the walk home I passed the statue of Abraham Lincoln. Presidents Day was just around the corner. Whether or not that was the inspiration I’m not sure, but someone stopped by earlier that night gave ol’ Honest Abe a little thank you gift:

Happy President's Day sir.

Portland’s a pretty cool place to live.

Portland continues to be home of the distraction. There just seems to always be something going on. So it wasn’t a surprise when I was out last Saturday looking for Fall trees that I stumbled across a mob of blood-thirsty, brain-hungry zombies. Well ok, maybe it was a little surprise.

Apparently October 24th was the official date for the 5th annual 2009 Portland Zombie Walk (which actually benefits the Oregon Food Bank!). A ridiculous number of people dress up like zombies and they walk around downtown. I don’t know what else happens, but it was definitely enough to catch my attention. Have a look:

Zombie masses
	Undead YMCA
	Leftovers?	Oh god, not the dog too!

If you’re looking for a distraction Portland may be your city. On multiple occasions now I’ve been out running some errand (or simply wasting time) and I’ve come across something going on that demanded my attention.

The Bite

I mentioned before that when I out apartment hunting there was a fair of some sorts going on and I spent a good part of the early afternoon there. It’s known as The Bite of Oregon and it’s a collection of restaurants & eateries from around Oregon. There was also a little wine garden and two stages for live music. It’s my understanding that The Bite is an annual thing and it went for three days I think.

	People	More people
Live music	Even a sandbox for the kids!	Awesome sign posted on the sandbox

Indian Cultural Festival

A couple of weekends ago I was heading down to Office Depot and passed Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland’s downtown square). Filling the square was an Indian cultural festival. Dances and songs were being performed throughout the day for any who wished to sit and watch. Indian cuisines and crafts were available as well. I only stayed for a little bit as I had much to do that day. I told myself I’d return that eve to watch the finale, however I never made it back.

A little India in Portland		Getting down with the get down
This might be a gang...	Now we're getting fancy	Am I buying food in Portland, or India??

Festa Italiana

Mirroring my experience from the Indian festival, yesterday I was heading out to take care of a few thing and lo & behold I see that the square has once again been transformed, only this time it was to share the culture of Italy. I didn’t have my camera or much free time fortunately the Italian festival, Festa Italiana, was a multi-day affair and they would be going on again today.

So here I sit in the square, with netbook and camera writing a blog while listening to people sing Italian songs and dance Italian dances (though they did do a square dance and mentioned Texas, crazy Italians.).

Welcome	The square transformed
A little singing...	...a little dancing...	...a little drinking in the wine garden

That’s it for now, but I’m sure there will be many, many future posts sharing all of the activity in Portland. More & more I’m realizing that I should carry my camera with me more often (and should learn to take better pictures).