Update from the farm.

The new succulent bed is coming along well. The aloe didn't enjoy the winter but the agave are thriving and I've had to cut the prickly pear back twice. 

Cardoon and combine.

Teddy K pumping 1899 to the cave.

Ringo got a haircut.

Magnolia grandiflora

Butters.

Photos from Asia pt 3 - Kuala Lumpur

 Lots of fancy cars in Kuala Lumpur, also lots of very poor people.

 Isaac and Jaden diving into KL street food.

This lady came out to demonstrate the correct way to eat giant crabs.

La

No thank you.

Brutalist!

Bali and Jakarta for CMWC feat. Todd Danger

I trained by working three days at Mercury.

The Surly Travelers Check has worked out great. It took a few tries to get it packed into the S&S travel case but I have it down now.









 First view of Taiwan.
 I had an enjoyable 20 hr layover in Taipei. I took the train to the city and my cheap Airbnb. Fun late night street scene and I had some delicious fried chicken.

The early morning walk to the train station was really nice. I would like to come back here and spend more time at some point.

Hello Kitty plane has got to be a good omen.

 Made it to Densapar and found Todd. Our hotel has a sweet rooftop pool and dudes keep bringing us buckets of ice cold beer and delicious spicy noodles, I could get used to this.

#messlife

I'm staging a three week takeover of Todd Danger's life. Working at his job, living in his apartment.


Here are a few things that happened and some photos of food.


A guy pulled a knife on me. It was a tiny one, but still.

The situation : 5:30pm, pulling up at 888 SW 5th for the Tonkon Fedex. I decide to leave my lights on the bike because I am an idiot. I was running straight in and out of a building and was parked in view of the guard.
When I came out of the elevator I saw two guys by my bike, one removing my front light. By the time I got out of the building they had had crossed the street. I pursued, made myself known and got  the light back. Chalk one up for being a big, scary looking dude I guess.
 I said a few more things, some of them quite rude and that's when the knife came out. I laughed but also turned around.
I resisted the message from my lizard brain that I should brandish my own, much larger knife and say something pithy. I would very much like to die of old age having never participated in a knife fight.



I watched a building guy use a gas powered leaf blower to blow water off the sidewalk, while it was actively raining. This one boggled me.

A new favorite - Bowery Bagels, 326 NW Broadway.

For many years downtown Portland has been an absolute wasteland as far as quality bagels are concerned. Portland Bagel Bakery on SW 4th was great but a distant, steamy memory. Tastebud on Alder had a run, those were decent bagels. Now there are so many new options! I'm going to try them all.

I had an excellent first experience at Bowery. This part of Old Town is still a little gritty and gives it a nice urban feel. They offer a range of delicious bagel sandwiches. If all goes well I will try them all. Pictured is the Simon Benson - sunnyside egg, Tails and Trotters ham, American cheese. Gooey and delicious. $7 but this calorie bomb should power me from 9am to early afternoon. I'll eat a hearty lunch just to be sure though.

I've been going to the Pine St Market a lot. It seems like it's for tourists but I dig it, it feels bustling like a real city. 

This burger is from Bless Your Heart. It seems tiny for $7 but there's something about it that draws me back. The crust, that mustard, that soft potato bun? I don't know but I love it. With the high life stubby it's the perfect American snack. 

 Mandatory elevator selfie.

It's probably been 10 years since I've stopped at Thai Sky but I got a warm greeting and a "Where have you been??" The Tom Yum was perfect on a cold day.

Glamour shot of my 1994 Bridgestone MB-1 at the Lovejoy fountain.

Photos from Asia part 2 - Kuala Lumpur

Shout out to ANA Airlines for the terrific food. I had to finally tell them no more Hagen-Daz, unbelievable.
Also thanks to Scott's Cheap Flights! LAX-KUL-BKK-NRT-LAX for $512, not bad.

 First view of Japan, possible race track?

 Second view. I would love to explore some of rural Japan next time, though I know I'll feel even less welcome than I did in Tokyo.

Second meal as we transferred out of Tokyo. Good job, ANA.

 The view from our Airbnb in Kuala Lumpur. Quite a city!

 Big ups to the French for spreading their pastry culture around SE Asia. This was not a great one but the coffee was good.

Views from our place during the day.

This sandwich was a terrible mistake. Certain aspects of the party were wary of street meat and we visited this vegan place. The iced coffee and AC were excellent but the mushroom in this sandwich seemed like it was grown in a vat, so slimy!

 What're you going to do, cane me?

Shopping in Malaysia can get pretty intimate.