This guy was too much--student body pres., philosophy major (and honestly, sounded dang bright). He spoke at the inauguration, and did so with a confidence and ease that I would have found impossible to even recognize, let alone execute at age 22. Props.  Yes, that's a bandana on the head...a harsh observer might accuse him of overly self-conscious David Foster Wallace (famed author/recent suicide) wannabe (DFW himself is probably best known for his commencement address to Kenyon College grads). But I don't want to be harsh.

David Foster Wallace: everyone talks about his monumental "Infinte Jest"--I haven't read it yet--but I really liked his first novel, "The Broom of the System." Perfect as an Audible book-on-digi-tape.)

Characters. The Sizzle Pie Pizza across from Powell's Books is a great place for people watching--or character sketching.

I struggle with the landscapes. Documenting every chip of bark does not the landscape make.

PO'ed in the PDX.