portland

Things I Miss About Portland, ME

February 5, 2015 by rurugby Leave a Comment

Lots and lots of people. I made a lot of good friendships. There is a genuine quality to Mainers. Ayuh

My therapist
Pei Men Miyake, especially at lunch. I loved getting ramen and fried brussel sprouts
The potato pancakes, rye bread with delicious spread, beets and soups at Schulte and Herr. Such a treasure of Portland, Maine and BYOB.
The atmosphere and food at Saigon on Outer Forest Ave. If you haven’t been there you need to go. Lanna craved their spring rolls so much she is now making them since we moved.
The pork fried dumplings at China Villa in Westbrook. There is much better Chinese in Connecticut, with very good takeout American chinese, and fantastic and legit Chinese places like Iron Chef that is cash only and is what Taiwanese people would call food.
The atmosphere at work, going remote is not the same.
Seeing the Presumpcot Falls in Westbrook through my window, although my view across the Naugatuck Valley in Connecticut is spectacular.

The wonderful drive down the Fore River Parkway and down Commercial Street into Portland.
Tennis on the Eastern Promenade, there isn’t too many views better than that for a free park.
The atmosphere in Portland, Maine, it’s just so comfortable.
Having a car. Trying to share one is not the same.

Having family nearby, it was nice to have the in-laws crosstown.
Having that connection, and having dinner once a week was really nice. Also having someone to watch the cats.

Ansonia and the Naugatuck Valley is beautiful but I often miss Maine. It’s a special place.

Cat Dude NaPoWrimo 2/30

April 9, 2013 by rurugby Leave a Comment

Part of the upcoming “Cat Song Triptych”. Sung to the tune of the Batman TV theme.

Eddie Eddie Eddie Eddie Eddie
Eddie Eddie Eddie Eddie Eddie
Cat Dude

Eddie Eddie Eddie Eddie Eddie
Eddie Eddie Eddie Eddie Eddie Eddie
Cat Dude
Cat Dude
Cat Dude
Cat Du—de.

Yep, it’s going to be a hard piece to memorize.

Skip, consider, go

February 2, 2013 by rurugby Leave a Comment

I have more of these to add later.

Doing some mainly tweet reviews of restaurants, bars, etc.

May have seen a few uf you follow me at @rurugby, Foursquare or my Facebook (the even I admit pretentious Edmund Charles Davis-Quinn, my original Edmund Davis-Quinn got hacked.)

So here are some examples:

Saigon: Excellent service, excellent food. Everyone I have taken here has loved it. Go!

Schulte and Herr: The potato pancakes here were a revelation. Excellent cucumber salad, soups, entrees and bread. If you haven’t eaten here yet you need to. Go!

Kamasouptra: Seriously great soup. One of the few places I an happy to eat vegan. Go.

Local Sprouts: Great use of local ingredients, nice atmosphere, good space for kids. Good stuff. Go.

China Villa: Good takeout, yummy and craveable fried dumplings. In a bad town for Chinese food the portions are huge and satisfying. Definitely good not great though. Consider

Catbird Creamery: Excellent ice cream, truffles, and coffee. The ice cream sandwiches are the best I have ever had, simply ridiculous. Really nice owners too. Give this hidden gem on Main Street across from Bank of America in Westbrook a try. Go.

Dancing Elephant: Excellent Indian food. Highly recommend the garlic naan, the tandoori chicken and the masala tea. Go.

I have more to add but will add more later.

Edmund

Packing Out

September 16, 2012 by rurugby 1 Comment

Packed and ready to leave in the morning.

Everyone is exhausted and in bed already. The only ones still out are the adorable black cat sisters, Briggs and Stratton playing with a cat catcher (wand with multicolored ribbon). They are both around 16 months and hyper adorable.

I am leaving with a heavy heart. Dad did survive the surgery but has substantial left side weakness and even feels colder on his left side. Now we have to leave it to rehab and pray and hope for improvement.

It’s going to be a long road.

I need to be back in Maine with my wife and get back to work.

This has been a strange and very long two and a half weeks. I am glad I have my soulmate to come back to. Mom is terrified about how her soulmate will come out of this. They have been together a long long time over 40 years and he’s not well. Maybe he will improve, I think his vision on his left side is likely to stay impared, so he won’t drive again. I also think there will be left side issues which may require a wheelchair or walker. It’s scary times. There may be assisted living ahead too.

Dad is a 4 year brain cancer survivor and we have to wait to see what’s next. I want to see him more awake and concious when I come back in a month over Columbus Day weekend. That would be good. His voice is stronger, and he is definitely hungry so this is good. He is feeding himself, and they do have him up in a wheelchair. We will just have to see what’s next.

I wish I lived closer. Maine is a long way from Allentown, Pennsylvania. But now it’s just time for healing. I know I liked being close with Walter’s illness and being far away will be hard.

Right now I just want to hug my wife and pray for better times. Dad survived the surgery, now here comes the work.

Edmund

Beer Times in Philly

September 15, 2012 by rurugby Leave a Comment

I guess Portland, Oregon belongs too, but I don’t know it well.

So I just spent about a week and a half in Philadelphia. Often called “America’s Best Drinking City.” Philly does have a magazine for beer “Philly Beer Scene” and a Philadelphia Beer Week. This is pretty awesome.

But, it’s more a place to drink beer out than buy beer. Pennsylvania has strange beer laws where beer is much, much cheaper by case than by 6 pack. You can buy a 6 pack in a bar/restaurant but not a package store where it’s case only.

So sometimes it’s actually cheaper to get a beer on tap than to get it on bottle, which is kind of nuts.

That being said the beer lists in Philadelphia are ridiculously good. Went to the famous Monk’s Cafe, owned by Tom Peters who is often considered the most knowledgable man about Belgian Beer in America. Reminded me a little of Novare Res in a way. Very expensive beers, very high end taps, lots of Belgian beer. Was most impressed by the most excellent mussels that were cooked in Saison Dupont and had all sorts of aromatics. Would go back for the mussels.

Even a dive bar like the Locust Bar has some microbeers and a beer I haven’t had in too long the yummy Yuengling Black and Tan. I wish I bought a case of this over the overrated (to me) Yuengling Lager. The Black and Tan is rich and drinkable, I think it combines the Lager and the Yuengling Porter.

Tria had a great beer list, had the yummy Don de Dieu (Unibroue, Quebec), wish I had the space for a yummy Victory with just one hop. Was also great to see Maine Beer Peeper on tap.

Went into the Boilermaker bar for a moment. They had yet another excellent beer list, but it was just too dark for me (as was Monk’s) and was wicked full of hipsters. Thought about trying it later, but decided against it.

Went to the Good Dog Bar with an old HS friend, and they also had a great beer list. Had a Great Divide Double IPA (CO) .. was good but like my friend Greg I liked the richness, but the taste was harsh. I enjoyed the Philadelphia Beer Kenzinger much, much more. Good flavor and crispness, great session beer. I wish I picked the Yards Philly Pale Ale as the first pour.

And my favorite beer of the week was the delicious Victory Golden Monkey, a very spicy tripel with lots of notes for free with a beer at Tabu. Which was a sports beer/gay bar. The bartender was awesome, and you can’t beat a delicious burger with BBQ sauce, bacon and smoked gouda and a great beer for $7.75. Would totally go back. Especially on a Thursday (the day of the free beer with sandwich).

Comparably, Portland has many bars with great beer selection, but the fact we have 12 breweries in town means our local microbrews take over the beer list often. Of course, Novare Res is known for it’s beer from around the world (especially Belgium) and the Great Lost Bear (my favorite beer bar in town) highlights Maine beer, but also has great out of town beers.

Portland is also a great place to get local beers inexpensively at local package stores and doesn’t have odd case beer laws. Maine does have an issue of having weird laws with out of state beer causing many great beers to not enter the great northeast.

But both towns are great for drinking. Philadelphia is of course a much, much bigger city and probably has more places to get great beer. And Yards, Victory, Troegs, Flying Fish etc. are great breweries.

Missing Maine

September 12, 2012 by rurugby 2 Comments

Been away for a couple weeks now. Seems like longer.

I am used to having Lanna with me these days.

Used to knowing my way around.

Used to the Maine attitude of getting by, and letting things go.

Missing the Portland poetry scene.

Missing the rhythm of days working and days off.

Missing my wife.

Scared about my dad. He survived a 2nd brain surgery, that’s good. He’s in recovery, the neurosurgeon Dr. Laroix at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, said it’s normal to see a lag from days 3-5.

I want to see my dad move more on the left. I worry about it. Looks like he will always be missing some vision on the left side so will not drive again.

I miss Lenny and Squiggy, the two adorable cats always giving smiles.

I hate car drama.

I have enjoyed the food in Philly but Portland, Maine is an amazing food town too.

I am enjoying the beers in Philly (wish I had more money) but Portland is an amazing town for beer too. Saw Allagash White a few places (including Monk’s Cafe) and saw Maine Beer Peeper on tap at a wonderful place called Tria (12th and Spruce).

Mainly I miss my wife. Secondarily I miss the cats. And of course I miss kisses, hugs and someone else in bed.

And I definitely miss getting paid and my friends.

I will get through this. Life takes you where you don’t expect it.

And thank you for your support.

Edmund

Books That Surprise You

July 6, 2012 by rurugby Leave a Comment

Sometimes books shock you. Either by being amazing, what you don’t expect, or what you could never expect.

Never expect would be something like the bizarre genius that is Chris Ware with his very dark, isolationist, morose and brilliant graphic novels. Or something as beautiful as the best book I have read for the first time this year the amazing graphic novel “Daytripper.”

And then you have just fascinating, like something like David Simpson’s “Post Human” about what happens when we are past human and partially cyborg (and a lot of fun), or Hugh Howey’s wonderful novella “The Plagarist”, which I will just say is awesome.

Or the fact that Slaughterhouse Five is very re-readable. And just how amazing something like Cat’s Cradle is. A book where the is a whole religion created that is nothing but foma. Remember friends don’t let friends carry Ice-9.

It’s good to be surprised. Maybe the most surprised I was this year is how much I loved “Slammed.” I usually don’t go for romances and Colleen Hoover’s book just shot above what is often a formulaic genre. In that literally most books are part of the formula.

Books read in the last 2 weeks:

Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut: Easily in my top 25 books of all time. I read this last year and it started me on my Vonnegut fall. Seriously amazing. If you haven’t read it you need to. And also silly, wicked silly. Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God – Bokonon. *****

The Plagarist by Hugh Howey: The first chapter didn’t really grab me. The ending made me want more, much more. Would love to see Hugh Howey do some follow-ups to this amazing little novella. ****

Lots of poetry the last 2 weeks:
West Wind by Mary Oliver: Pretty, didn’t grab me. I love how much here poetry inspires others. It doesn’t work for me. So it goes. ***

The Way of the B-Boy by Billy Tuggle: Wicked awesome chapbook. Billy Tuggle is amazing to hear live and one heck of a writer. Highly recommended. Get it if you see him. ***1/2

Gentleman Practice by Buddy Wakefield: Cool ideas. Too clever for it’s own good. Loved seeing Buddy Wakefield live, found this book disjointed and disappointing. ***

She by Saul Williams: Saul Williams is the first person that inspired me to love poetry when I saw him live at Pomona College in 2000. Beautiful to hear live, nice to read in this book. I wish my copy included the CD. ***

The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems by Billy Collins: Some gorgeous and amazing poems by Billy Collins. The title poem was in Tuesday’s post. Also love his thoughts of the window as muse for the poet. Great stuff. ***1/2

The poet

May 8, 2012 by rurugby Leave a Comment

The poet
watches, sees, listens, observes.

As people
Eat, mingle, talk, look down, drive.

Takes information in differently.
Sees the beauty in an old car, seagulls, pigeons, trees, rain.

Sees the sadness.
Takes it in.

Listens to the self.
Takes it in.

Knows there is always more out there.
But sometimes what it really takes to see it is the silence.

Not all conversations come from talking.
A lot of the deepest thoughts come from listening.
To your heart, nature, the world, your mind, your madness.

Sees the madness.
Comments on the madness.
Is sometimes part of the madness.

And also knows to observe, to read, to watch
To pick up cadences, to steal them.
To pick up styles, to use them.
To pick up his/her own way of seeing and develop of voice.

My poetry voyage is still young.
I am curious where it takes me.

I love slam.
Love the Portland, Maine community.
Love the support.
Love buying chatbooks.
And still discovering, always discovering.

So far this year discoveries include Philip Levine’s “What Work Is”
Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s “A Coney Island of the Mind,”
Carl Sandburg’s “Chicago Poems.” All entirely different.

Being both awed by and sometimes find repetitive Bukowski.
And listening, always listening.

For listening helps you bring the words.
And the words bring performance.

So listen, it’s harder than it sounds sometimes.
Do it anyway.
Or just find a silent place and write.

For me the woods bring good haiku.

A day at Occupy Maine

November 28, 2011 by rurugby 4 Comments

I have been following the #Occupy movement since the first days of Occupy Wall Street.

Seen it grow.

Seen the message of inequality and unfair treatment, talked about in a new way.

I have been supportive.

Today was the longest I have been there.

It started with seeing a post on Occupy Maine’s Facebook site.

“Come Sunday to Occupy Maine at Lincoln Park. 12pm Potluck Lunch, 1pm Community Discussion on the Future of OccupyMaine, 6pm General Assembly. Or if you’re in the Augusta area or beyond, go to Occupy Augusta. They are having a rally at noon. Occupy Bangor is also facing eviction.”

I have been going to church down the block at First Parish UU and considered it.

Had an outstanding service, with a UU minister from the nation of Burundi in Africa. And talked about how 1st Parish and the UU Church in Burundi could work together.

Then decided to see “What democracy looks like.”

It was a full agenda, and an important day for Occupy Maine.

I was involved from roughly 1-5pm today, so don’t know how the GA was tonight but will discuss that when it’s available.

The big thing is the city of Portland last week sent a detailed letter about issues they have with the camp and being in compliance with laws and codes. This is a much, much better relationship then cities like Oakland and Denver have had with Occupy.

I came to discuss whether it made sense to Occupy at all. I think the movement and change if anything has been blunted in the mass media by discussions about police force and Occupations being forced out in Oakland, Denver, Atlanta, UC Davis, New York, etc.

When the discussions were about inequality the movement was successful and relatively popular. People looked at the news they were seeing and it made them think and wonder if we can do better. Images of riot police and Occupy countermoves were about the confrantation, not discussions of inequality.

————–

So what did I see today.

I saw a mass meeting, with around 50 people to start around 1pm.

I saw a lot of energy, I saw a lot of passion, I showed some campers with unwillingness to change, and that thought discussions were “bullshit.” Mainly I saw dedicated activists wanting to see a broken economy change.

I heard amazing ideas of what Occupy could do. Work with unions, work with greens, engage the elderly, engage the people watching on the sidelines. Work with local non-profits, show documentaries, bring in lectures, use food to talk about community, produce informational brochures.

Where do I think Occupy is going? I am not sure.

I think the answer is a lot of the camps are ending, but the energy is strong as ever. I think the movement is moving beyond the camps and slogans to engagement in the wider world.

I think it has woken up a lot of people, who will work to be the change they want.

At least that’s my hope.

— Edmund

Top 11 favorite dishes — Portland-land

September 15, 2010 by rurugby Leave a Comment

These are not in any particular order and would love to hear your suggestions.

1)Curried Crab Soup — Pepperclub, Middle Street, Portland, ME — delicious, one of the most memorable things I have had here. Would be one of my regulars if lived closer.

2)Poutine, Frog and Turtle, Bridge Street, Westbrook, ME — I have had better or worse nights with this but one of the best things I have had in Maine. This is also the first poutine I have had — mmm cheese curds, fries and gravy

3) Pho, Thanh Thanh 2, Forest Avenue, Portland — My favorite pho in town so far, although I prefer the rest of the food and the service at Saigon across the street. Much better broth and more meat then at Saigon.

4) Fresh Donuts, The French Press, Main Street, Westbrook — they also serve these at the Frog and Turtle for Sunday brunch — the 3 I always get are Maple-Bacon, Elvis (banana, chocolate and peanut butter) and the Cinnamon Sugar. I also love getting coffee and sandwiches, breakfast here.

5) Ham and Anchovy Small Pizza, Angelone’s, Main St, Westbrook — Across the street from where I live. Very fresh tasting, call this my salt-lick pizza. Also has location on Washington Avenue (off peninsula) in Portland — haven’t tried it there.

6) Seafood Vietnamese Noodle, Saigon, Forest Avenue, Portland, — Absolutely delicious from one of my great discoveries recently. Love the service here, this is my favorite dish so far, satisfying, spicy, delicious

7) Chicago Dog Meal Deal, Chicago Dogs, Route 1, Scarborough, — Love the relish and snap of this dog, with excellent fries and draft Eli’s Root Beer — really delicious, nice atmosphere — wish was still at Clark’s Pond — just south of Route 1 and 114

8) Meat Papusa, Tu Casa, Washington Ave, Portland, ME — another one of my great finds recently. One of the most cravable things in Portland — even better on the deck on a nice day. Its a filled masa cake with meat, some swear by the cheese papusas. Really good. Odd that a Salvadoran place is my favorite Mexican place in Portland. Reminds me of Mexican places in LA, family owned, speak Spanish, fresh, simple, delicious. Other Mexican places in Portland area, good for chips, salsa and beer.

9) Moo Shu Pork, China Villa, Main Street, Westbrook — this resteraunt has some tables but you mainly go to get take out and delivery. One of the places me and Lanna go to the most. Very good, huge, huge portions. Party tip — flour tortillas work well if don’t get enough Chinese “pancakes”

10) Small plates, Nosh, Congress Street, Portland — did have my first hiccup with the meatloaf sandwich as Nosh, but have been very, very happy with small plates including: egg, couscous, beets, poutine, onion strings, tuna ceviche, oysters. Love that this is available in downtown and open late.

11) Hot Pastrami Special, Full Belly Deli, Brighton Ave, Portland — delicious hot pastrami the best I can remember, grew up in New Jersey. Salty, flavorful, delicious. Also love the potato salad, and cole slaw with the special.

So those are my 11 — do you have any favorites I need to try?

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