What/Who/Why/When

What this blog is about:
…a trip to Portland
…for one month
…in a rented house, near Reed College

Who:
Tom & Maxine
Cassie – a very shy, very small (12 pounds, or, 13 pounds if she’s wet)
… Shetland Sheepdog
… who’s been to Paris (doginparis.blogspot.com)
… because we don’t have kids

Why you might find this interesting:
You know Maxine or Tom
You know Cassie (not likely)
You read my Paris blog (doginparis.blogspot.com)
You’re curious what there is to do in Portland
You’re curious about Portland’s food and beer culture
You’re bored and just surfing the internet

When:
The blog will be updated 3-4 times/week
*Now* through June 13, 2009



Here’s the original email that was sent out to announce this blog:


In 2006 my wife and I spent two months in Paris, living as if we were expatriates who’d moved there. We enjoyed the adventure and I wrote a blog chronicling the trip. It had 52 entries, ran to 20,000 words, and was viewed 4239 times.

This year, it’s going to be Portland, Oregon, not Paris, France. And, one month, not two. Cutbacks in light of the economy? Yes, to some degree. But, we’ve been fascinated by Portland for years, have taken a number of trips there, and found a professor on sabbatical who wanted to rent his house.

The Paris blog was called “An American Dog In Paris” (doginparis.blogspot.com) to recognize that part of our French adventure involved taking our 12 pound dog with us; on the plane, into restaurants, and on walks through the city. The dog is going on another trip and, simply to be consistent, this blog is titled “A California Dog In Portland” (californiadoginportland.blogspot.com)

But, the blog isn’t going to be solely, or even mostly, about our dog’s travels. The Paris one wasn’t either.

One of the things that motivates this trip is our question about moving, some day, to Portland. I’m writing with that in mind. So, along with posts covering how we see the city as tourists, I’m planning comments about housing prices, how people act, Oregon’s wine and beer industry, their environmental culture, and comparisons with LA. And, of course, some of our dog Cassie’s adventures too…

Please enjoy the blog if you wish. I hope it serves in part as a way to stay in touch. Your reactions and comments are welcome, as is, most importantly, any of this prompting a reply with how you’re doing.

Tom