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Month: July 2022

Puddles Pity Party mashups

Puddles Pity Party mashups

I have twice now missed Puddles’ visits to Portland. The first time because I didn’t learn about the concert, the second due to COVID safety measures.

I personally find his mash-ups to be some of my favorites. You’d be surprised how common song timings match random lyric selections. How about mixing Stairway to Heaven and Gilligan’s island?

Or try Folsom Prison Blues using the lyrics to Pinball Wizard:

Voyage of Life

Voyage of Life

Thomas Cole was the founder of the Hudson River School of American landscape painters, but who’s greater ambition was to convey the word of God through sublime landscapes.

The Voyage of Life is a series of four paintings he made in 1842 to great public reception. It is an allegory of the four stages of human life aptly named: Childhood, Youth, Manhood, and Old Age. They depict a voyager who rides the boat on the River of Life accompanied by a guardian angel. The landscape reflects one of the four seasons of the year that correspond with each phase of life.

In childhood, the infant glides from a dark cave into a rich, green landscape. As a youth, the boy takes control of the boat and aims for a shining castle in the sky. In manhood, the adult relies on prayer and faith to sustain him through rough waters and a threatening landscape. Finally, the man becomes old and the angel guides him to heaven across the waters of eternity.

It’s a great reminder that our lives here on earth are finite ones. We too have seasons of our lives that once gone, may not be ones we can go back and visit again. That’s why it is so critical that we live our lives in real Truth – not the constantly changing just-for-today truths that society and the world give. Each day we steer our boat by the little decisions we make – like dips of the oar into the river. Those little decisions add up and guide and direct the major course of our life. Our lives are also full of joys and dangers we must navigate.

But without real truth to base one’s life on, we are often rudderless or constantly searching for peace. So much emptiness, sadness, and confusion arise because we have collectively decided that modern truth is just anyone’s particular subjective take on things. The reality is, as science also teaches us (nature herself as Thomas Cole would probably say), that there IS real objective truths about our world whether we want to deny it or not. Just as there is real objective truths about ourselves as well.

We all put our faith in our beliefs – no matter where those beliefs come from. Many of us get our faith and beliefs from politicians, actors, rock stars, and celebrities of all sorts. Faith that those beliefs will bring us to happiness. In whom and where does your faith lie? How true has that turned out to be in a month? A year? A decade? Your lifetime? Eternity?

The Queen’s Ball: Bridgerton Experience

The Queen’s Ball: Bridgerton Experience

Are you a fan of Bridgerton? Would you like a fancy dress-up night in 1800’s garb? Well! The Queen’s Ball Bridgerton Experience might be for you.

The Queen herself invites you to a once-in-a-lifetime evening of music and dance complete with acrobatic performances, interactive experiences, a stunning dance show, and plenty of surprises.

As guests at this delightful soirée, you will be transported to 1813 London to take part in the most coveted ball of the season. Prepare to mingle with other members of the Ton as you immerse yourself in an evening unlike any you have ever experienced before.

Enjoy a beautiful ballroom decorated in the Regency-era style, interact with actors dressed in exquisite period costumes, savor delicious cocktails, and listen to live music inspired by the iconic Bridgerton soundtrack.

Even more interesting, when you buy your ticket, you get a discount to local costume and clothing providers like Rent the Runway and Ponton costumes so you can fully dress the part.

Best Sushi in Tsukiji

Best Sushi in Tsukiji

Daiwa Sushi

When visiting Tokyo Tsukiji fish market, you should definitely try some of the freshest sushi in the world. But which spots should you check out?

  • Maguroya Kurogin – amazing tuna bowls
  • Yoshizawa – lots of great little tidbits to buy and eat – especially the Katsu and Wagyu Katsu.

This list from Savor Japan had 2 of my favorites, and the others seem like good recommendations too.

  1. Sushi Dai
  2. Tsukiji Itadori Uni Tora Naka-dori Branch
  3. Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan
  4. Tsukiji Tsunao
  5. Edomae Sushi Takewaka Annex
  6. Daiwa Sushi – The one is my hands-down favorite despite some saying Sushi Dai being slightly better since it was first of the two. It used to be right next door to Sushi Dai. Believe the two are father/son pairs with almost identical experience.
  7. Tsukiji Kiyomura Sushi Zanmai Main Branch
  8. Sushi Kuni
  9. Sushi Zanmai Bekkan
  10. Tsukiji Itadori Uogashi Senryo
  11. Tsukiji Sushicho Main Branch
  12. Tsukiji Itadori Ura Branch
  13. Tsukiji Kagura Sushi
  14. Tsukiji Sushi Sen 6-chome Jogai Shijo Branch
  15. Sushi Zanmai Honjin
Oregon Summer Fun

Oregon Summer Fun

Fun stuff for this summer!

  • Music on Main – starting on July 13th, Portland5 offers free outdoor concerts are held on Main Street next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall—between Southwest Broadway and Park Avenue in downtown Portland—and feature popular local musicians playing a diverse collection of music.
  • Tigard Balloon festival – all agest/family friendly hot air balloon displays, crafts/vendors, and family friendly music.
  • Portland Parks and Recreation Summer Free For All – family friendly concerts, movies, and events in the parks
  • HareFest – Music festival that features tribute bans. From AC/DC to Tom Petty to Beastie Boys to Heart.