#90: Trek To The Original Starbucks.
Tinier than most Starbucks chains I’ve been in, this original location was underwhelming and equally unimpressive as every other. The sidewalk was packed with people swarming to the door to protect their spot in line. And 45 minutes later, I stepped inside to find an equally clustered scene of patrons on the floor and beans on the wall. Just like the coffee tasted–– burned and plain –– the establishment smell and ambiance was just that. But…
#89: X-MAS Tree Lighting In Portland.
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!
#87: Friends-Style Thanksgiving In Portland.
This past Thanksgiving was not a typical turkey day. I spent it doing an extended family and friend-style Thanksgiving, a “Friends-Giving.” Survey says? Turkey-licious and Awesome. Instead of the usual Thanksgiving affair –– where my little cousins run amuck; my aunts and uncles sample the gravy; my brothers hog the kitchen counters; or there are MASSIVE lines to get sweet potato casserole before it’s all gone –– this year is going to be different. I’m going to take the non-traditional…
#85: Thrift Through The Fillmore.
It’s a classic pursuit; this lengthwise traversal of San Francisco. Its 90-something micro-hoods have inspired and birthed a million thrift shops and consignment boutiques. There are SO many, yelp or google maps doesn’t register them all. Today, I stumbled upon a mecca of thrift shops –– ripe with hidden thrift store treasures –– in a neighborhood about five blocks wide and two miles long stretching from the Marina to Haight Ashbury, The Fillmore. For some, thrift shopping is…
#84: Catholic Mass At Grace Cathedral.
No matter which Cathedral you go to in the city, just go to one, at least once. They’re all amazing in their own higher power, architecturally stunning, sheer beauty kind of way. This Sunday morning I went to the Grace Cathedral, a few feet away from my apartment in Nob Hill. Among the many, I found 10 fantastic reasons to go back: The church is beautiful both inside and out, a rare combination of spacious size and exquisite features…