Rational Exuberance

There are plans to add a 3-acre park next to the Encore. Right now, it is a mere brownfield. Too many plans and not enough money.

They did add a sculpture (temporary loan). I think it would have been better to wait until the park is in.

August

I don't get this blog uploading of pictures...I planned to put these in a certain order, but apparently, this web doesn't listen to me.

Anyway, I really liked the detail over the door of the Mason Building. The building was transformed awhile back into the Mark Wing of the Portland Art Museum (the contemporary and modern art wing). This has gold and the bottom look almost like whale tails.



















I kicked off August with a jump with Skydive Oregon in beautiful downtown Molalla. Such a parallel to Toastmasters. There is a lot of preparation and waiting around (and signing of papers saying if something goes horribly wrong, your loved ones have no right to sue), a quasi-training (if you follow the instructions of your instructor, things will be fine). Then there is a 10-minute ride to get up to the right altitude. Then you go! What a beautiful ride down...






We spent a busy Saturday going to the Street of Dreams in the Pearl District. This year, they showcased a few penthouses. Our favorite was the Benson arrangement at 937. We especially liked the layout, the hot tub, and the view. At Block 90, we really liked the outdoor entertaining options (fire pit, bar and grill). We did not care for the Encore (looked and felt too much like a hotel rather than a home) or the layout of the Waterfront Pearl (awkward corners), but we did like the water features that looked like they flowed right into the Willamette.