Good Timing

Just a Little Rant About Pretty Little Portland

I hit Portland at a good moment. It seemed that every bush, tree, and small blade of grass was in bloom, but only just so. The pollen wasn’t noticeably giving me or my friend’s allergies just yet. Every cherry tree was cloaked in pink. The sky was blue with only little patches of clouds. It was spring in Portland. It was sunny in Portland. If you haven’t been, just know that if the sun is out it is one of the most beautiful and pleasant places you can be in the country. I’d assume that Minneapolis, places that are cold or sunless for literal months on end, have a similar feeling. And it's something special. Being in Portland felt like I was watching an entire city throw off some thick husk and opening itself up to the light. Everyone was out, in the parks, on the streets enjoying this moment of sun and warm weather. Because it’s spring in the Northwest, and it will go away eventually.

The last time I was in Portland might have been ten years ago. I was just finishing up my AA at Lane Community College and had gone up for a friend’s birthday. Back then, I was nineteen and so broke that we didn’t really go out. Instead, we wandered. I couldn’t try much of the food, besides the now classic staple Pine State Biscuits. Some friends were pretty good at using the New Season's sample policy to their advantage, so we found ways of getting good food when we headed to Alberta park. 

But now, I had extra money and I had time. I even had a car. And Portland really didn’t disappoint. After I left to move back to California, most of my friends in Oregon headed up to Portland the way everyone seems to gravitate to the big cities after college. And yet, I still wasn’t prepared for how many of my friends were there, so close to each other. 

A friend I stayed with tried to convince me to move here. “You already have so many friends here,” she said. 

And it was true. Being in Portland felt like I was just visiting another home.

Every day was seeing old friends, heading to new restaurants or neighborhoods I’d never been to, checking out everyone’s new homes, some of them owned now with their own mortgage. We had all in many ways grown up. But we hadn’t changed. I’ve gone on that ramble before. But what I’m trying to convey here is something truly simple —that so much of my old community who have wholly shaped me—they are still here as this city has only grown more beautiful a place to be. Finding someone who had time to head into the park, was no problem. It was so easy. So pleasant. Portland, and the homies, welcome me and any visitor in with a gentle generosity that never ceases to disappoint. The food was abundant and beautiful, from amazing brunches, to some of the best bar food I’ve had in a while, it is truly an amazing food town, and that’s not even mentioning the coffee.

All the people, everything for the most part that could make a beautiful little life was all right here. Aside from not having a place to call my own, it really did feel like this was home. Sure, it was a mix of excitement from seeing so many good faces after so long, and yes the sun and the flowers, time, and some extra money, all had their factors. But being there with all of that only made me certain of how much I missed seeing this place, my friends, and the truly most beautiful place to be in the spring and summer. And I can’t wait to get back there soon.

Some Updates

The Last of the Road Trip Stories

While this is the last story from my time away on the road, this is hardly where my writing ends— on the oddities of California, or the beauty of Oregon. It has truly been so fun to write these stories and read emails from y’all about the trip. If you have any recs for places to visit, just email back to this newsletter!

So, then, what will this newsletter look like in the future? 

Firstly, I will be going down to once a week. This is largely just so I can spend more time with my other projects. I’m slowly starting to ramp up writing some features I’ve researched along the way (mostly about ecology, but some related to food—updates on all that soon) and this will help give me a bit more space for that work.

Secondly, the stories will be about society, nature, relationships of all kinds, and how those impact each other. Sure, the stories will be based around my life, but that’s more so just the mannequin on top of which I’ll dress up in whatever ideas I’ve been reading, thinking, or writing about lately. 

Also, every so often, I’ll be sharing small book reviews—quick takes on books I specifically find interesting and worth everyone’s attention. If you have any books you’d like me to review, shoot me an email!

To The Paid Subscribers

Thanks so much for reading this and donating! All of you who have given have made this project of working for myself so much more achievable. Truly cannot express the gratitude, but will be trying to do so more in the future. THANK YOU SOSOSO MUCH!! 

To The Free Subscribers!

Thank you so much for subscribing! It means so much that you want to hear what I have to say that you’ll let me fill up your inbox. It surprises and humbles the hell out of me to see how many of you actually are reading. Truly, thank you so much! I’ll always keep the newsletter free and accessible, so don’t worry about any greater paywall being put up. THANK YOU!!!