Thursday, September 21, 2006

Oregon, how do I love thee, let me count the ways

Just ran across this blog entry on BookFinder.com. I love that Powell's bookstore in Portland is famous. I think I love it because I somehow feel I have a personal relationship with Powell's, though I have no more claim on it than your average Powell's-loving-Oregonian.

Powell's is one of many reasons I am looking forward to next summer. I am coming home to TA at Oregon Summer Institute of Linguistics. It's been held for the last 20 years in Eugene, but is planning to move to P-Town in 2007! I've lived in Salem, Newberg, and Eugene, but never Portland, so I'm excited!

Other things I'm looking forward to in Portland: visiting churches (like Donald Miller's, author of Blue Like Jazz, Imago Dei) and making a study of the whole post-modern "emerging church" scene, spending time on 23rd Street (esp Papa Hayden's, Pizzicato, Starbucks, Lush, Pottery Barn), attending summer evening events at Pioneer Square (I don't actually know anything about this, but one time I watched the Goonies on a big screen there and it was cool), spending time with my great friends (Sarita, Stephanie, Carrie, whoever else I know in the Portland area), and you know, basically discovering how cool it is to be from Oregon.

I feel like Oregon is an often over-looked state. CA, NY, TX and states like that are famous, but OR? Lately, however, it's been getting the glory due its name. "Blue Like Jazz" seems like it's pretty much one of the most popular Christian books right now and it's full of Oregon propaganda. The lead character of my new favorite movie "Elizabethtown" is from Oregon, and there's funny jokes all the way thru where the Kentuckians keep accusing him of being from California. I guess if you're into the independent film/independent bookstore/independent political scene, Oregon is probably like Mecca or something.

OK, that's all I have to say about Oregon right now. Except that it's one of the most beautiful places on earth. I heart Oregon!!!

(Sorry about my verbose blogging of late. This is what happens when my photo program refuses to post.)

6 comments:

Aaron Stewart said...

Cool update. As a word of caution I would let you know that the Imago that is in Miller's book and the huge church that it is today are quite different. There's still a lot of good things happening there for sure though, just a lot bigger a bit more marketed.

You should come and visit my weird little pub church.

www.evergreenlife.org

Anonymous said...

i must rebuff aaron and state that time as well as big popular books change places, people and churches and that Imago is still well worth your visit. Make sure you look for me when you visit. While it is much bigger then it was when i started going almost 4 years ago, if anything I love it more.

PS: I can relate to your feelings of a personal relationship with Powell's. It's wonderful.

Linguistica said...

Wow, post a little something about everybody's favorite state and I get immediate replies! I will definitely visit both Imago and Evergreen! Looking forward to hanging with you kids again!

Jessica

PS: When I come home from the mission field it's ok to remind me that I don't need to wear head scarves or long denim skirts anymore :o)

Linguistica said...

Wow! A British Wycliffer who also loves Powell's and who read my blog tonight? Small, small world.

Anonymous said...

Alright, finally watched Elizabethtown today. It's good.. but better than Napoleon Dynamite?!? Gosh!

Anonymous said...

Ahhh...Oregon! I love it so much too. It just becomes part of you. I couldn't agree more that it's overlooked a lot, but I just read an article that tourism is not the biggest industry in the state, so hurry...we've gotta get back there before the secret's out and everyone wants to be there. :) Miss you!