What if you had a platform for five minutes to talk about….something? What if that platform was next to the screen at the Bagdad Theater? Given the chance, what would you talk about?

Well, you might have a hard time figuring out what you would want to talk about but there are a stack people who had no problem deciding what they would do with such a platform. They submitted ideas to present their talks at Ignite Portland 2, happening a week from Tuesday (Feb 5) at the Bagdad. There were 54 ideas submitted and 14 chosen. Ignite’s grand debut was at Weiden and Kennedy, mostly because the organizers figured they’d totally have no issue with space, they could get 300 people in there. Well, it was packed to fire code limits and it was GREAT! Wanna see? You can watch all 18 talks or just check out the list from the first event. You can catch bits from other Ignite events at the O’Reilly Ignite site.

Specifically in Portland this event has a great story: Some geeks from here were in Seattle for a conference that happened to coincide with the Seattle Ignite event. They went and loved it. When they got home they thought, “Why don’t we do something like that here?” and they went out and did it. And it was good. And it is stuff like this that makes me love living here. “Hey that would be cool, let’s do that!” and then DOING IT. Not sitting around bitching that nobody else is doing it for them.

So if you want to go you REALLY need to get your RSVP in as fast as you can. From what I gather the Bagdad holds almost double the number of people the W+K space held and RSVPs were at about half full before this morning when TheO just happened to put Ignite on the cover of the Living section. And of course my man the Silicon Florist has coverage of the coverage on his blog.

Now that you have the scoop, it’s time for some disclosure: My employer (y’know, the day job) sponsored both Ignite 1 and 2. AND: I am one of the 14 people currently freaking out because I have to finish my slides this weekend to turn them in Monday so I can present to six hundred people. OMG six hundred people!? What have I gotten myself into?

You have to love a city willing to use Duct Tape to fix a traffic signal.

Confirmed eccentric Crispin Glover is in town this weekend, presenting 2 of his films and the Big Slide Show at the Clinton Street Theater. Admission is 18 bucks and the shows start at 7pm. I’m not sure what to expect, but I bet it won’t be boring…

I sort of love standing outside a chain link fence and staring down into a big construction project. Mainly because I love ditch witches. I understand Ditch Witch is a brand of huge construction tractors and stuff, but I like to believe I live in a world where ditch witches are magical things that carve out ditches and then cackle maniacally while bobby pins fly from their tresses. Was that too deep into my brain?

I found this giant hole on Mississippi. It was pretty cool and the guys working inside looked really small. But their machines looked huge.

It was a good hole.

I have no idea what the project is.

In preparation for the 2008 PDX Pop Now! festivities, the organization will hold its first volunteer meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 29, at Backspace. Make a plan to attend and learn more about various opportunities and positions they need to fill in the area of booking, staging, sponsorship, hospitality, and promotions. Visit their Web site for contact information and to get on the list for future announcements.

I will be the first to admit bad journalism on my part for this, but I was just in the area picking up take-out from Thai Ginger (the best Pad-Thai dish we have found so far in town). I noticed across the street a handful of folks protesting a taco place called Boulevard Taco. They were organized with pro signs and getting lots of people to honk their horns. I couldn’t take a photo as I left my phone at home. What’s the story on this? I did find some mention on the interwebs about a place called El Burrito that was forced out of the same location by the property owners. Taco controversies are a new thing for me. Whats the whole story here? Readers, I call for you to make sense of this situation!

Portland MetBlogs Meetup

Originally uploaded by Tinymeat™.

We had a great time last evening @ Chesterfield with some bloggers, readers and fellow travelers. Brewcaster, Melissa Lion, McAngrypants, Pete Best, BetsyWhim, David, Tinymeat and Tinymona and me. We actually had 3 Melissas at one point. Woot! The Cylon Lounge was a hit except that Mr. Brewcaster didn’t get the pop culture reference. Kids these days….. :)

We had about 11 people show and we all enjoyed some good happy hour food and drink. I especially liked the buffalo sliders they had. The conversation was jovial and engaging and I personally made some new friends.

One thing I was worried about was how the Chesterfield would play out with the crowd. I know everyone had a great time, but when they blew the only microbrew keg in the house, the natives got restless. We had gone from beer mecca last month (The Green Dragon) to beer absence this month.

So, if you were there, what did you think? Should we return in February? Or…..should we venture back to The Green Dragon – they have heat now. Or….should we try even another locale?

Thanks to everyone who came and thanks to the Chesterfield for hosting us.

walk and you may die

Originally uploaded by dieselboi.

Someone is looking out for us pedestrians downtown lately. Since yesterday, I have been spotting these chalk messages around where I work. This one (I know it is kinda hard to read, sorry) has a heart and “obey signals” with the law scale. One one end of the scale is says “losing your life” while the other side says “saving 10 seconds.” I guess we all have to choose.

To be honest, I’m not the most law abiding pedestrian, but I always always look both ways and make sure no one is coming. I even try and watch out for my fellow pedestrian. Just today, I caught someone aimlessly trying to cross the intersection in front of MAX. A few of us yelled to snap her out of her daze.

Say it isn’t so!!!! – Timber Jim, the longtime Portland Timbers icon, is retiring:

“The Timbers will honor Serrill on April 17 at PGE Park when the team plays host to the Puerto Rico Islanders to open the 2008 USL First Division campaign. On April 17, Serrill will make one final appearance allowing fans to see the Northwest legend in action one last time.”

Somehow, even though the team will seek a replacement, Timbers games will be a little quieter sadly without him around…

So last night’s meet up was really great! Maybe you were there and you thought Chesterfields was neat-o and the conversation was swinging, but you were like, huh, this would have only been better if I could have been given some free kids’ books. Or maybe you didn’t come because you’re one of those people who only has face-to-face conversations with bloggers in St. John’s. I understand. So, in answer to all of that, another blogger meet and greet is on for Saturday at 10 a.m.

Who will be there? The crusader for Portland Public School Equality — Wacky Mommy! A woman currently undergoing a renovation, and whose photos of baked goods make us lick our computer screens — Lelo in NoPo! The man, the myth, the metblogger — dieselboi! And the only one around these parts whose posts are entirely without a point –Me!

We’re all there to meet you, our readers. We’re there to enjoy some tea and coffee and conversation and kids are welcome. Some of us are selling stuff, but that’s totally second to meeting YOU!

Where’s it at? Ladybug Organic Coffee Company in St. John’s at 8438 N Lombard Street.

See you there!