Unknown Faces, Unseen Places

Neglect is a crime.

2010-12-06T16:51:00.000-08:00

Too many kettles in the fire! My current goal is not only to move all of my belongings from point A to point B, but to get my website going again. It was too much of a hassle to update it the old fashioned way, so I'm currently looking for something similar to Tumblr (if not Tumblr) where I can upload photos directly and "blog" (blech) with it, but still allow visitors easy access to all posted images in a sortable (via general tags?) gallery type thing.... we'll see how that goes.

Any suggestions?

Large prints

2010-10-12T23:51:00.000-07:00

I'm going to Astoria soon to get a few custom prints made at Lightbox Photographic Gallery. I have two images I really want to print for a new portfolio I'm putting together, but if there is anything someone is interested in, I hope you will let me know. There is a deadline of only a few days!

When I say custom, I mean hand-printed. This is an incredibly rare service, and this guy does amazing work.

Hmmm...

2010-10-10T16:34:00.001-07:00

Peter Iredale Shipwreck, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Updating with photos is definitely an afterthought of my whole photographic process. Especially when my mind is in so many other places other than photography. Funny to consider when my whole purpose of having this web log is to photographically document where I am in this world. Obviously, I am not in this world. Dozens of other photographs are on Flickr. Just click through the image.

Small update while I'm waiting....

2010-09-11T13:10:00.001-07:00

Allyson, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

A lot of has been going on in this productive world of mine. In short: screen printing, film-exclusive photography, kiln-glass, video production, and beer are in high places in my mind.

I have about 30 rolls of film still to process, so in the mean time I'm creating other things to fill that void. One of which is a video I produced of this girl here, Allyson. My first attempt at anything moving-picture related and it was wholly an exciting experience. I'm uploading it to YouTube as we speak, but time is short at the moment, so I may not get a chance to post the video here today. We'll see...

If you're in the Portland area, this is where I might be found at any given moment between the hours of 4pm and Late: C Bar, Apex, Movie Madness, Aprisa, or asleep on someone's couch during a movie. So, beer, beer, movies, mexican food, and sleep. That's the order in which they came to mind, so obviously that must be the order of priority.... who knows. I'm just killing time while youtube is doing its thing.

6 minutes remaining... I'm going to watch Family Guy... I'll be right back...

...

BAM! Done. It's "processing," so hopefully nobody reads this for a while...

The Processing Fund!!

2010-07-28T22:24:00.000-07:00

Where the hell have I been?! Shooting film, that's where! But processing is expensive when you have dozens of rolls to develop. Ugh. It's grueling, but I'm excited for them. Prints go to anyone who pitches in!!

Follow the link to read more about it: The Processing Fund!

25th Anniversary Goonies Celebration

2010-06-08T22:40:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well. Where to begin?! How about last Friday? No, last Thursday!

WEDNESDAY! (I have yet to learn how to make cuts so these entries don't have to first appear so huge, so... sorry)
(Wednesday??) Elizabeth (Liz) from Sacto came into town on her way to The Event, we ate at the Horse Brass which has the best (and only) fish & chips I've ever had. And I'm not a liker of fish, so that's saying something. But, hands down, the best part was the house-made mustard. You're just gonna have to try it to understand it. To live it, and breathe it* (*Don't breathe it).

Thursday!
After work, I got my stuff together and we left for Cannon Beach (HOLY SH*T, I can't wait to get the film back from that!) where Liz's friends rented a ~~fu¢king~~ humble ~~castle~~ mansion, complete with a 50" flatscreen, blu-ray player, and Direct TV....AND THAT'S JUST IN THE KID'S ROOM. WHAT?! And guess what I forgot to do? Take photos of it. FLOCKING JELLO. So, Thursday evening, I'm introduced to (ready for it? I'm about to remember many names, but not all, and definitely not in order of appearance) Giuseppe, Red, Damon, Matt, Alex, Vanessa, Merk, uhhh... Martin, Natalie, Terry, Moe, umm... Brennan(sp?), Ryo, wow... I think there were a lot more people than my brain can remember right now. Let's put it this way: I think someone said there were 17 people staying in that house. THAT HOUSE. THERE WAS ANOTHER HOUSE PEOPLE WERE STAYING AT TOO. The caps-lock means that particular thought is "unfu¢kingbelievable!" The rest of the night I pretty much observed the gathering having their inside conversations. One observation is that they're all nerds and comfortably refer to themselves as "Goonies" as they belong to the thegoonies.org message boards. Ahh, it's a fun clique they have there.

Friday!
I was the lone wolf all day, and it was the second best day of the whole trip. I took the ol' camera (film! I didn't even bring the digital!) to Cannon Beach and walked around Haystack Rock and surrounding "needles." I think, quite possibly, the most amazing natural seen I've ever scene. Strike that, reverse it. Then I drove over to Ecola Park, another "Oh My God of Wilderness" landscape. Aaaaand the battery in my camera accidentally drained before I got there, so I don't have any pictures but the one I posted on the facebook. After that, since nobody was left at the house, I assumed they left for Astoria so I trekked my way up there and wandered around that quaint little town. Walked by a gallery that had some incredibly cool paintings on the wall by a dude named, Darren Orange. Talked to him for a bit, and he gave me a few post cards of his work. I love it. After that I found a photo gallery/store called Lightbox Photographic. I'm in love with this place. At first I was just enjoying the photography they exhibit, but then I talked to the lady of the house who was apparently interested in what I had to say because she then introduced me to her husband whom I had a very long discussion about photography, c-printing, Portland photogs, etc. etc. Ahhh, what a great contact to make. Super nice people. This means fine art hand-printed color photos will eventually be available from this journal. I can't wait! Queso, then I met up with the group at the Red Carpet event which included the premier of a Goonies Documentary including cast/crew interviews as well as a presentation of a remastered version of The Goonies which will be coming out on DVD and BluRay this November. After that we went to Wet Dog where I got pretty toasted on two cups of the Truffle Shuffle Stout (made with real truffles!). Vanessa ended up driving my sorry butt back to Cannon Beach. I love my conversation skills when I've been drinking. I can't focus on a topic longer than a few rebuttals, so they evolve very quickly spanning many, many topics. Almost all of which I've since forgotten because, like I said, I was a little too tipsed. But that was my first real interaction with any of The Goonies in the houses, and that is what I think catalyzed my more social self for the rest of the trip. Was this the same night that Vanessa, Martin, Natalie, and I were shootin' the shit at the fu¢king castle while everyone else was bonfiring it up on the beach? I can't remember. But I enjoyed that as well.

Saturday!
Alex, Vanessa, Terry, and I meandered back up to Astoria for the bus tour, where Terry ditched us and left us to have the greatest day, in my opinion, of the weekend. We toured the Goonie house, Mouth's house (where everyone rodiculously took pictures of.... a sink....), the Short Circuit House, The school Kindergarten Cop was filmed, as well as The Ring 2, and the football field at the beginning of The Goonies, and finally the bowling alley where Chunk junked his milkshake. We had a round of bowling, we laughed, we cried (laughing), and died (later that night from exhaustion due to laughter). Gaht damn that was a good day. Maybe this was the night we talked to Martin and Natalie? I can't remember. I was drunk almost every night.

Sunday!
Several of us went BACK to Astoria for breakfast (well, lunch), after which Vanessa and I walked a little up and down the pier taking pictures of "slippery when wet" signs and giggling like school children. After which we briskly explored the yard of an old, creepy, dilapidated house owned by the Flavel family (a crazy, long-standing family of Astoria that has A LOT of money). Someday we're going back to explore the inside. At night. And we're bringing sleeping bags......... DUN DUN DUN!!! After that we cut short to the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale, took a few photos, walked along the beach, found a used condom, laughed, and skedaddled back to the house on Cannon Beach where we got drunk with a few other folks, watched most of a shitty movie called "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus" starring Debbie Gibson, survived the shenanigans of a horny englishman, and dealt with an annoying problem my truck likes to have every once in a while. But at least I payed it off that Sunday morning. SMILE.

Monday!
Pretty much just goodbyes, and hugs, and smiles, and handshakes. Drove home. Went to work. Back to the grind.

But my head is still swimming in Cannon Beach. Ahhh <3Today! Took a few rolls of film to Blue Moon Camera & Machine to get some optically exposed prints (nobodies offers optical prints anymore, so this is very exciting to me). Stay tuned...

Jenna

2010-05-24T20:44:00.001-07:00

Jenna, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Still working (albeit, slowly) on the portraits I did for my friend and her band. Click through the image to see more on Flickr.

Hmph

2010-05-19T20:30:00.001-07:00

Jen the Hen, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Alright, maybe I'll never get around to updating this thing regularly. But I finally did some "real" photos in Portland! My friend here is in a band with a really great sound! Very "Portlandy" if you know what I mean by that. Not done editing the photos though.

Explanation

2010-04-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

Alright, well, I am constantly being approached by people regarding the whereabouts of the photos on this "blog" (I still hate this word). Though it's definitely not annoying (rather flattering really, considering I don't advertise this thing anywhere), it does warrant an explanation.

I've discontinued the calendar, yes, that is for certain. It was started as a way to keep my unemployed brain busy from over thinking worries and loneliness. But then my life started. I got a job, I made friends, I have adventures with friends, I've experience new things, got a girlfriend, lost a girlfriend, got sick, got better, GOT SICK AGAIN (WTF?!), rediscovered old bands, planned and am currently preparing for new projects, watched a ton of TV on DVD, planned to revisit Tucson for a wedding, wedding moved, planning visits from friends, pet dogs, drank a lot of alcohol, made lists... and no, this blog isn't a photo blog. It's a recount of my newness to Portland of Oregon. My adventures (there have been so many I haven't mentioned here. I will get better at that, I promise!), my opinions, my habits, my inside jokes, sentiments, and wonders... I was thinking to myself at work earlier today about how many ideas for photos, films, jokes, marketing thoughts, projects, friendships, relationships, lists..., etc. These things come to me while I'm doing the robotic movements and procedures at work. You have a repetitive enough job and everything turns into muscle memory. If my mind doesn't have to focus on packing glass as I'm packing it, it's going to think about things that do require focus. These thoughts are the things I should be writing about in this journal (yeah, journal. That's a better word.). They are the mental exhaust of what has recently happened, and what I will hope to happen in the future.

But the real question is: what do I exclude? Now that I'm being watched by my peers and superiors, how do I know my personal life is VERY separate from my professional/work life? I don't bring work home with me (except for the boxes of glass I'm supposed to memorize OFF THE CLOCK [WHAT?! OFF THE CLOCK?! Hmmm...] but that is neither here nor there), and I don't bring home into work with me. What I do in either world is mutually exclusive to both. Having that be, How personal should I get about my personal life? And how descriptive shouldn't I be about something I find interesting about the company I work for? Sooner or later I must discuss my job, since it eats up 40 hours of my week. That's nearly half of my waking life during a given week! I won't divulge into work right now, since I just got home, but I will say everything is honky dory with it. I have no complaints (except for the memorization of product codes off the clock), but then again it is pretty good mental practice.

Anywhat, I got back a few rolls of film I shot around the time and the day I went to Saturday Market. I've been photographing everything for about 10 years, I've been shooting mostly digital for almost 3 years, and I have to say I STILL prefer film. Hands down. One of the biggest reasons for this is because I take a lot more time and consideration into each frame, since each frame costs money. And because of that, I'm a little more proud of the trivial things that end up getting photographed.

So there it is. A jumbled mess of an explanation. Like I said, this is mental exhaust. And from now on, Journal, you will be hearing and seeing more form me very soon.

I went to the Saturday Market. I wasn't very impressed.

2010-04-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

When comparing it to Tucson's 4th Avenue Street Fair (which only happens twice a year, rather than for months at a time) it lacked a lot of character. See, I thought I was going to see a lot of hippies, considering I'm in the Pacific Northwest. As it turns out, the only hippies I saw were the "gypsters" (gipsy hipsters), and even then there were... maybe four. I guess Tucson still has Portland beat for hippy:regular people ratios...

But, the Market did have "elephant ears," which are a delicious cinnamon cartilage treat. Minus the cartilage - add the sugar, flour and eggs. And Rogue Brewery had a booth! Dead Guy is still the leading flavor. But I gotta try the Mom Hefeweisen, because the lady on that bottle... terrific.

TOOK A SH*T LOAD OF PHOTOS. ALL FILM. 7-10ish rolls. I'm gonna unload it all on your asses. I went there. Phasing out the calendar, and moving to an ongoing photo dump. Now I'm considering transferring to Tumblr. Any ideas?

Nope. Still no forgetti.

2010-04-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

I know the days keep passing. I think about them every day. But as it turns out, I like my bullshit photography (that is to say, my photographs of bullshit stuff) much better when it's through film. So that's what I've started to do. I get paid tomorrow. I'll drop off the film tomorrow. They'll be scanned tomorrow. I'll be mostly caught up... whatever day I'm able to pick up the film.

Smile.

Eluvium

2010-03-31T20:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes your world explodes into either a million bloody pieces or a million billion colors. As of a few moments ago, my head has been traveling the Crayola highway as I have just found out that Eluvium (Matthew Copper) is touring again.

Do yourself a favor: go see him blow your mind away after 3 fast beers (or none, ya prudes).

Tour Dates. April 29th @ Holoscene in Portland, and May 6th @ Trunkspace in Phoenix. The lie Eluvium experience is met with visuals via video projection (yes, he's one of those musicians!).

Ahhh. I need you to go.

Under the Water It Glowed. Just listen. Drink a beer. Close your eyes. Smoke a bowl. Take a nap. Walk the beach. Smell the desert. Hear the stars. Turn out the lights. Do whateverthefuck it is you want that puts you in a headspace nobody can touch.

Chris

2010-03-29T22:26:00.001-07:00

Chris, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

This is NOT a calendar photo, since I don't consider it Portland-related. But photography is what I do, and, frankly, where else am I gonna show it?

This guy is a bad ass. And quite hell-arious.

March 17th, 2010

2010-03-29T22:21:00.001-07:00

March 17th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Yep, I know my days are out of order. I don't care. It's still Monday. I'm still exhausted.

Sophie's Bridal Couture. Beautiful shop. I hope to photographer her dresses someday. Beware of hokey website music.

March 15th, 2010

2010-03-29T22:19:00.001-07:00

March 15th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

As much as I love the way the show was lit, it was not meant for hand-held photography, sadly. So dramatic, and individualized as if every work had it's own room.

March 16th, 2010

2010-03-29T22:17:00.001-07:00

March 16th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Ahhh, so, Maybe I will talk just a little bit. I was given the opportunity to photograph an award ceremony at the Bullseye Gallery in the Pearl District, where I was given permission to photograph anything and everything I desired.

The color of this piece was my personal favorite in the whole show.

March 14th, 2010

2010-03-29T22:14:00.001-07:00

March 14th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

So, I guess a few of you do keep up with this thing, quite unlike me! There is so much to say and catch up with, but, alas, it's a Monday, and Monday's exhaust me. So chances are I won't be talking much at all until the weekend. So sorry.

March 13th, 2010

2010-03-13T19:35:00.001-08:00

March 13th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Recovering today from an awesome night of darts, pool, nickel arcades, life size Jenga, and lots of delicious drinkeroos. My brain feels like this. Muddled and blurry, but quite in a lovely state.

March 12th, 2010

2010-03-13T19:33:00.001-08:00

March 12th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Ahhh, natural hot springs. Hot, watery, and smelly.

March 11th, 2010

2010-03-11T20:30:00.001-08:00

March 11th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Portland likes to leave their free shit on the corner.

March 10th, 2010

2010-03-09T23:18:00.001-08:00

March 10th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

SCOTT IRISH (as in... STEVE HOLT! for you Arrested Development devotees)

Coyotes? Really??

2010-03-09T22:14:00.001-08:00

Okay. This was too hilarious to NOT update! I caught a few minutes of the news this evening about a coyote sighting... Children were scared (that's okay, kids are allowed to be afraid of shadows), parents were scared, and the news' angle was to instill fear into the viewer. One word, it's one of my common words, but still relevant:

RIDICULOUS.

Coyotes?! Really?! They're more skiddish to humans than the children are of them!

Portlanders. Pff.

March 9th, 2010

2010-03-08T20:16:00.001-08:00

March 9th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

I don't think you'd believe this was a real place if I didn't make sure a person was in the photo. But...how do you know I didn't composite this??

...you have no idea what I am capable of.

March 8th, 2010

2010-03-07T22:49:00.001-08:00

March 8th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Heterochromia Hound, Hunter!

March 7th, 2010

2010-03-07T22:46:00.001-08:00

March 7th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

People love making cairns along the side of a PAVED TRAIL. Weirdos. Thanks for the heads up. Pff.

March 6th, 2010

2010-03-07T22:16:00.001-08:00

March 6th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Although this is dated for the 6th, it was actually taken in the early hours this March 7th morning. BEAUTIFUCKINGFUL weather, air, company, dog, headspace, etc, etc.

This dog's name is Hunter. I tried to photograph her eyes, but dog's can be tough when they're overcurious around cameras. One is electric blue, and the other is a lovely beige. Much like David Bowie's eyes, but more vibrant.

[Tangent: I'm listening to my Devendra Banhart station on Pandora, and he does a cover of Don't Look Back in Anger. Very beautiful version that combines Lennon's intro to Imagine and Oasis' intro to Don't Look Back in Anger. Almost an eerie combination. But, nice.]

SO, yeah. I'm gonna love hiking in this state.

March 5th, 2010

2010-03-07T22:06:00.001-08:00

March 5th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Getting behind AGAIN. But I have an excuse. It's been a busy weekend, and I've been home (where my laptop is) a total of about one conscious hour. The rest of the time was either socializing, hiking (more like enjoying fresh air away from fork lift exhaust, blech), eating out (frozen yogurt is developing a gigantic soft spot in my belly...or is it my belly?), or sleeping when I am home.

I love this city.

March 4th, 2010

2010-03-03T17:52:00.001-08:00

March 4th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Portland LOVES Thai food. Or Thai's love Portland. I haven't figured that out yet. But I know I love Pad Thai!

March 3rd, 2010

2010-03-03T17:51:00.001-08:00

March 3rd, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Mississippi Records! Shy folks.

March 2nd, 2010

2010-03-03T17:50:00.001-08:00

March 2nd, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Saw this walking across a bridge. Portland loves to party.

March 1st, 2010

2010-03-01T21:59:00.001-08:00

March 1st, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

I finally made a stop by Mississippi Records! Though I love the collection, the prices they get away with are un-fu*&ing believable! I have NEVER seen vinyl out-price cd's. NEVER!! But, I guess Portlanders love their vinyl, and I guess they will pay a premium on it. If only they knew... that none of these should cost anything above $12. Period.

If these folks are using their google alerts, then they're on to me! And I'm sure they have a lot of defense about overhead costs, supply/demand, etc. I get it. But you and I both know the prices are high, and you and I both know it's laughable that anyone pays that much. And they do! Friends back in Arizona even tell me about this place, but I'm hoping they know they can find a lot of this stock at Zia, or Stinkweeds, or... that other one I can't ever remember the name.

Admittedly, I'm just making a stink because I want a lot of what I saw at Mississippi Records. I just don't want to pay $20-30 for a friggin' record!

February 28th, 2010

2010-03-01T07:05:00.001-08:00

February 28th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Ignorante Imcompetantum

2010-02-27T19:11:00.000-08:00

I certainly hope the photos this past week have been cherry trees and not plum trees!

February 27th, 2010

2010-02-27T13:29:00.001-08:00

February 27th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

February 26th, 2010

2010-02-26T17:48:00.001-08:00

February 26th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

More, more, more. I'm not sick of the cherries yet. When you go to Arizona and fall in love with the lightning and its thunder, you will understand.

February 25th, 2010

2010-02-24T22:24:00.001-08:00

February 25th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

There's something about the color scheme of cherry trees against the sky that scream something soft. I need to get into a design program and take illustration classes, for sure. FOR SURE.

February 24th, 2010

2010-02-24T17:51:00.001-08:00

February 24th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

I can't get enough of these things!

February 23rd, 2010

2010-02-22T23:25:00.001-08:00

February 23rd, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

I didn't realize the moon snuck in there until I was editing this image. That silly rascal.

February 22nd, 2010

2010-02-22T20:16:00.001-08:00

February 22nd, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

It's definitely starting to Spring it up around here. Everything is booming. And I've never seen cherry blossoms before.

A little bit about me...

2010-02-22T18:27:00.000-08:00

I'm a big fan of music. Blah, blah, blah, everyone is, right? Of course. Naturally. Absolutely. And Terrifically. But where we all differ is what we listen to.

I myself have found a lot of perspective on moral values through a band called Pedro the Lion. Most of their music has some christian under- and overtones. But what's unique about Pedro the Lion is that nothing is preachy (I, myself, am nowhere near being religious)! The singer and songwriter, David Bazan, explores previously mentioned morals through concept albums about political, familial, and personal corruptions.

I could go on and on and on about David Bazan's/Pedro the Lion's music, but that's not what I'm here about today. No, today I'm sharing with you, my few followers, one facet for why I enjoy what this guy does so much.

David Bazan House show PDX <--- This is a YouTube link to a playlist of the songs David Bazan played at a recent house show here in Portland. He does this. He plays house shows. They're intimate, they're cozy, they're fun (the residents of the house show I went to when I was still living in Arizona provided free cola and water, decorated their house with white Christmas lights, and had some great art up on their walls), and best of all: they feel personal. I mean, you're watching this dude perform songs you may have been listening to for nearly a decade in someone's LIVING ROOM. It's an incredible experience that shan't be ignored.

I'm currently looking them up to see if there are any dates left available in Portland......

...alright, unfortunately all his Portland house shows have since passed (there were 4 or 5 across two days), BUT he still has dates in Salem and Eugene at venues. Aaaaand, I don't think I want to pass that up.

Here's the house show I attended and recorded. What's neat about these is the Storytelling/Q&A before each each song. I like it anyway...

February 19th, 2010

2010-02-21T18:05:00.001-08:00

February 19th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

WHOA, I thought I posted this! Happy late ~~Saturday~~ [FRIDAY!!!]!

Busy weekend?!

February 21st, 2010

2010-02-21T17:58:00.001-08:00

February 21st, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

What is this...dianthus? dampiera? or a daphne, darwinia, datura, day lily, dendrobium, dianella, dietes, dogwood, dryandra, dutch iris....

I know it starts with a D. Just can't place it! Hmmm.....

.....

February 20th, 2010

2010-02-20T21:24:00.001-08:00

February 20th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

I had a job photographing Sophie's Bridal Couture in Hillsboro yesterday. She had some VERY nice stuff! I hope I get to work with her again.

February 18th, 2010

2010-02-18T22:45:00.001-08:00

February 18th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

February 17th, 2010

2010-02-17T20:41:00.001-08:00

February 17th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

This is Dot's. It's alright. Somehow I'm very comfortable in this place. And it is also literally right around the corner from my house. I like this convenient distance from everything: work, record store, bar, taco truck, bbq, bathroom, kitchen. you know....everything.

February 16th, 2010

2010-02-15T23:26:00.001-08:00

February 16th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

This one may not be very interesting to those who don't get to see lightning ever (AHEMPORTLANDCOUGH), but when I saw this it reminded me of home (Andrea, I DO mean Tucson this time!) and the monsoon season's lightning storms. So far they are the most romantic, dangerous, and beautiful natural happenings I've ever witnessed.

Portland doesn't get lightning. I've yet to hear thunder. And I think this might be why Oregonians living in Arizona told me the rain here is depressing. I, for one, wouldn't go as far as saying it's depressing. If anything, the rain here is just...kinda....boring. But I like it. Boring balances out the fun weekends I've been having making new friends.

By the way, if there is one great thing of a million I could say about the ladies of Portland, it's that they know how to throw a dinner party. They make me laugh and they make me full, and they make a pretty good case for moving to Portland.

February 15th, 2010

2010-02-15T07:21:00.001-08:00

February 15th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Thinking about learning a new instrument.

February 14th, 2010

2010-02-14T15:13:00.001-08:00

February 14th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Happy Valentine's Day, folks. I am no baker, but that cherry chip cake mix and cherry frosting made my one ab grumble. So I treated him for Valentine's Day.

:cD

February 13th, 2010

2010-02-13T16:46:00.001-08:00

February 13th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

OH MY FUCKING GOD.

(Excuse me, if you find language offensive. If you have a problem with my diction, I will happily and maturely debate the subject)

There's a record store literally around the corner from my house. I originally assumed it was small little punk store [I grew out of punk rock when I started shaving and discovered the wonders of a musical horizon (for you math nerds, a horizon is a line, right? And what is a line? A single dimensional object with no beginning and no end; infinite. Which is the world of music!). What I'm saying is, is there are a lot more people than there ever should be that listen only to punk. Or metal. Or Top 40, or classical, or disco, et cetera, et cetera. They need to grow up and open their ears. I did. Never looked back.] that sold vinyl.

ANYWAY! They sell a lot of punk stuff. But a lot of other stuff too. A staircase wall full of cassette, VHS, 8-Track....there's even a Muppet Babies keyboard somewhere in that building!! Can you believe that?! I was also introduced to a band called...ok...let's see if my memory serves me well...

The ...something... Khan.... & BBQ ... somethings...

They sound like the band I always wanted to have. A modern band that sounds like they'd been writing songs back in the 50's/60's. It was so fun, and romantic, and distorted. I'll have to go back and buy that expensive CD. Hmmm...

Happy day to you, Maddams and Sirs.

February 12th, 2010

2010-02-11T23:02:00.001-08:00

February 12th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Alright, so...

Portland has fetish with bicycles. Literally, a FETISH. There is porn produced somewhere in this bizarre city catering specifically to people's obsessions with their bikes. Ya heard me. Bicycle porn.

#keepingportlandweird.

February 11th, 2010

2010-02-11T07:06:00.001-08:00

February 11th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

"Mommmmmmm, do you HAVE to take me to school on The Barreler?!"

February 10th, 2010

2010-02-09T23:02:00.001-08:00

February 10th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Sorry, last of the crocus, I promise.

www.amshaffer.com

2010-02-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

Ummmm...Those of you trying to view amshaffer.com in Internet Explorer......Please don't. Well, see, it's nothing against you. It's against your browser. It's a pile of dung under normal circumstances, especially when viewing that site.

I'm currently looking into a fix, so don't go thinking you'll never see it if you strongly believe you shall never leave Microsoft's bastard child. But if you're just itching to see what I love photographing more than these ridiculous calendar photos, then please invest a view minutes to either Mozilla's Firefox, Apple's Safari, Google's Chrome, or Opera's... Opera, which are all Internet Explorer's top competitors (IMHO, there's not much to compete with against Microsoft's IE). All of these browsers can handle the sparkling wonder that is my tiny portfolio site.

Just do it.

February 9th, 2010

2010-02-09T01:52:00.001-08:00

February 9th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

And another crocus. I think I like these ladies. Very simple and clean looking compared to their environment.

www.amshaffer.com

2010-02-08T18:40:00.001-08:00

www.amshaffer.com, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Here's a screenshot for those of you reading this blog through your cell phones or rss readers and don't like clicking through links, or what have you.

This is also an excuse to post one of my personal favorite photos/models. It was taken in back in Tucson before I moved to Portland, but since I made the website in Portland, it's still relevant, eh? Eh!

February 8th, 2010

2010-02-08T00:28:00.001-08:00

February 8th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Friendly cat

Febraury 7th, 2010

2010-02-07T10:46:00.001-08:00

Febraury 7th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Onward and Upward

2010-02-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

Due to the sudden attention Google's technology has given me from the company I am currently employed, I had to fast-track the other core purpose of this blog. I present to you:

Austin M. Shaffer Photography

Being a photographer, it makes sense to have a portfolio website, right? See, that's exactly what I thought! I have this irritating character trait in that anything I create must surpass my standards which are unrealistically, but appropriate-for-imagination's-sake, high.

So, having that be, I enjoy the work displayed on the website, but the design and content leave something to be imagined, know what I'm sayin'? It'll get worked out soon enough.

On the other hand, if you are now reading this because you've been linked from amshaffer.com, WELCOME to The Orezonan (an Arizonan's sad attempt to create a name that represents his assimilation into the society of Oregon)!! This web log is mostly a daily photo calendar I started to keep myself busy this year. It's doing its job, that's for sure. And as I find my routine, I'll afford more time for far more exciting photos than people's front porches and random vehicles.

February 6th, 2010

2010-02-05T23:34:00.001-08:00

February 6th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

I want a giant toy van!

February 5th, 2010

2010-02-04T23:23:00.001-08:00

February 5th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

February 4th, 2010

2010-02-03T21:46:00.001-08:00

February 4th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Portland is Weird

February 3rd, 2010

2010-02-03T00:49:00.001-08:00

February 3rd, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

I wish I knew what these were, they're EVERYWHERE.

February 2nd, 2010

2010-02-02T17:41:00.001-08:00

January 2nd, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

February 1st, 2010

2010-02-01T00:43:00.001-08:00

February 1st, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Rebellious folks up in here.

January 31st, 2010

2010-01-31T15:41:00.001-08:00

January 31st, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

The "Funky Church" which is actually a house. Can't even call it a house, because different parts of the building are rented out as separate living spaces. It's also where I got my free race car red bed!

January 30th, 2010

2010-01-30T09:23:00.001-08:00

January 30th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Catahoulas are a beautiful breed.

January 29th, 2010

2010-01-28T23:08:00.001-08:00

January 29th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

My roommate participated in a snowboarding competition sponsored by Cholula..........

January 28th, 2010

2010-01-27T21:45:00.001-08:00

January 28th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

There is no story behind this. But it might be my favorite photo day so far.

January 27th, 2010

2010-01-27T07:11:00.001-08:00

January 27th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

The beginning of the Beginning

2010-01-26T21:47:00.000-08:00

My name is Austin. I work at Bullseye Glass Co:

-I work with David Cross. Or his twin.
-We listen to reggae covers of Dark Side of the Moon.
-I wear "gauntlets" at work.

This job is going to kick ass. Or my ass...I'm in the warehouse. Building stuff. Packing stuff. Lifting heavy stuff. Moving stuff.

It's awesome.

January 26th, 2010

2010-01-25T22:47:00.001-08:00

January 26th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

January 25th, 2010

2010-01-25T07:06:00.001-08:00

January 25th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

An old lens that never gets any attention.

January 24th, 2010

2010-01-24T17:51:00.001-08:00

January 24th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

I start work tomorrow!

January 23rd, 2010

2010-01-23T01:24:00.001-08:00

January 23rd, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

January 22nd, 2010

2010-01-22T01:02:00.001-08:00

January 22nd, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

January 21st, 2010

2010-01-21T18:48:00.001-08:00

January 21st, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Lots and lots of artwork in the most unlikely places. This one is near my favorite burger place in Portland.

January 20th, 2010

2010-01-20T18:41:00.001-08:00

January 20th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

A girl I was training with at Retail Imaging Management Group, LLC revealed to us that her and her boyfriend brew their own beer. So she gave a few of us our very own bottle! Once I find a deli that has pre-made burger patties with fancy stuff in it, I'll be cracking this thing open, you betcha.

January 19th, 2010

2010-01-18T22:44:00.001-08:00

January 19th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

There are a lot of lazy people in Portland. My favorite part of this is either the cat or the Volkswagen. I haven't decided yet.

January 18th, 2010

2010-01-18T20:28:00.001-08:00

January 18th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Apparently this is a hip intersection in Portland. 26th and Clinton? Ever heard of it? I haven't. But my house is on the block adjacent to camera right of this building. Dot's is a neat little dive, though, with free pool!

January 17th, 2010

2010-01-17T14:38:00.001-08:00

January 17th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Gloomy day, today.

January 16th, 2010

2010-01-16T14:32:00.001-08:00

January 16th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

People are comfortable here.

January 15th, 2010

2010-01-15T18:07:00.001-08:00

January 15th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

January 14th, 2010

2010-01-14T23:42:00.001-08:00

January 14th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Law Abididn Citizen

January 13th, 2010

2010-01-13T07:34:00.001-08:00

January 13th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

You'd be surprised how smooth this rusty bike rides.

January 12th, 2010

2010-01-12T18:25:00.001-08:00

January 12th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

January 11th, 2010

2010-01-11T18:18:00.001-08:00

January 11th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Riding a bike through a neighborhood in this city provides more interesting things to photograph than you'd expect. I gotta remember to photograph someone in front of this place.

January 10th, 2010

2010-01-10T03:42:00.001-08:00

January 10th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

January 9th, 2010

2010-01-09T11:33:00.001-08:00

January 9th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

January 8th, 2010

2010-01-08T03:26:00.001-08:00

January 8th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Seen at The Tanker

January 7th, 2010

2010-01-07T19:08:00.001-08:00

January 7th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Okay, I'm all caught up! Now I need to figure out how to post-date entries for when I'm out of town. Any blogger.com'ers have any ideas?

January 6th, 2010

2010-01-07T19:07:00.001-08:00

January 6th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

This is the answer she gave me. I happen to like this one a lot!

January 5th, 2010

2010-01-07T19:06:00.001-08:00

January 5th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

Seen at an antique store. There was also a light box in one of the displays by the register with slide transparencies of 60's and 70's porn. I'm tempted to buy them and make clever, censored posters from them. It'll be grand.

January 4th, 2010

2010-01-06T20:20:00.001-08:00

January 4th, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

My humble, dilapidated home.

January 3rd, 2010

2010-01-06T20:19:00.001-08:00

January 3rd, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

January 2nd, 2010

2010-01-06T20:18:00.001-08:00

January 2nd, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

This will be a fun project.

January 1st, 2010

2010-01-06T17:44:00.001-08:00

January 1st, 2010, originally uploaded by Austin M. Shaffer.

The dates don't quite match yet, I've had to do some catching up since the new year began. But I will definitely be on time by Friday!

I suppose I should get started!

2009-12-21T15:39:00.001-08:00

Queso ("Okay + So," for those of you who don't know me, I say this word often. I dunno, I just do. I love cheese, wanna fight about it?)

...

Alright, thank you for letting me get on with the show. Christ on cracker. Yeah, I'm a "blasphemer" too, wanna discuss this one too? Good. Because you're right, this is a blog. A monologue. Single-sided. We cannot evolve through my thoughts in real-time together. That's just the way it is...

SIGH

I am not going to go into much detail (maybe a little regarding my travels), since they are pretty hazy at the moment. I've been in Portland since November 13th, a Friday (we'll get back to this later), which makes today Day 52 of (somewhat) residing in Portland, OR. I left my house in Tucson, AZ around 8:30PM, October 30th (another Friday), 2009. I made a short stop at the Bonasera House to drop off some memories with a friend, and finally left the city limits at 9PM.

I arrived in Tempe to say one last goodbye to an old friend, which turned out to be a little more sad of an experience than I anticipated. I expected some laughing and a beer and a quick hug goodbye, but it turned into a few hours of conversation and many hugs! It was nice, to say the least, but just one of those things that makes you not want to move so damn far away.

I finally left Phoenix around 12am, in time to appreciate the sunrise in Los Angeles. I drove non-stop to San Fransisco. According to the miles left and time that had gone by, my calculations put the assumption in my head that I'd get to Jamie's house somewhere between 2-3pm.

Dead wrong.

Google's map told me I'd be crossing Bay Bridge to get to Jamie's house, which would have been true if I didn't hear so many people say it was Golden Gate that had collapsing cables. Those of you who are aware that there are more bridges in San Francisco than just one would have kept reading the news stories stating it was, in fact, the Bay Bridge, that was closed down. That FU*%$ING sucked, considering I...

oh, wait a tick...I didn't tell you the beginning of this story!

I had been awake since approximately 7:30 in the AM that Friday of October the 30th. So let's do some quick math: 7:30am -- 2:30pm Friday, October the 30th = 37 waking hours.

WHAT?! Let me double check my math...

7:30am October 30th -- 7:30pm October 30th = 12 hours
7:30pm October 30th -- 7:30am October 31st = 12 hours
7:30am October 31st -- 2:30pm October 31st = 7 hours.

12 + 12 = 7 = 37 hours. (I had to show my work for you math (accidentally spelled it "meth" at first, which would have helped with the drive, that's for damn sure. I DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN NARCOTICS) teachers potentially reading this.

Alright, back to the story. Let's recap the last part. I'm in the San Fransisco Bay area. It's about 2:30 in the afternoon, and I drove all the way to the Bay Bridge which I JUST FOUND OUT is closed for repairs. I've included a map so we can all have perspective of how large the Bay area really is.

It took me OVER AN HOUR to drive around the peninsula (I got lost twice. Leave me alone about it, I hadn't slept!). I probably arrived around 4 o'clock, took a much need shower before Jamie and her friend's Cristian, Chris (whom I refer to as Harrington, as Jamie calls them both "Chris"), and Dan took me to a neat little Mexican food diner in a neighborhood called The Mission.

Fast forward (I think we had bullshitted around for a while before everyone started getting ready for their Halloween festivities. I was fully expecting to stay in and pass-the-fu*%-out. I didn't let them let me fall asleep, so I went out! In fact, I met up with my really old friend, Emily, and her friend, Carina, who is just as beautiful as I remember her! We walked around for a while trying to find bars that were still open, but they were all closed like pansies. We ended up going back to her and Carina's apartment and hung out and munched on snacksies. I don't know what came over me, either alcohol or pure exhaustion, but I decided to lay down right on their kitchen floor. It felt nice, I remember that much. Emily made me get up a few minutes later to put me on the couch where, at 1:30-2am on Sunday, November the 1st, I called it quits and fell asleep for the first time in 42 hours.

That was the adventure preceding the exciting headache of job searching. It turned out that Jamie and the Chris's wanted me to stay in San Francisco. I mean, to live there. That was flattering as fu*%, let me tell ya. I even considered it! For the next TWO weeks! It wasn't until I was listening to "Zerthis Was A Shivering Human Image" from a Portland musician known as Eluvium.

Zerthis Was a Shivering Human Image

Someday I will go into detail about how I came about this guy's music.

Anyway, so I was listening to this song while filling out applications and submitting resumes to business both in Portland and San Francisco, and it's because of this song I remember my ambition to move to Portland. It had been on my agenda for over a year, and I needed to follow through with it. So I did.

I arrived on Friday, November the 13th, 2009. My cousin, whom I uncomfortably have to refer to as "Kiki," let me sleep on her couch until I found a place to live. Four days later, I found a room share in southeast Portland with a dude named Jesse, and one of the greatest dogs in the world, Sable.

Now, about Friday the 13th. I've always enjoyed...I just now realized it could still be considered a good omen, rather than the bad omen I've been thinking of it...I've always enjoyed my Friday the 13th's. They've always been good days. Not great. But, just good. But for the last few weeks, I've been discouraged about finding a job. Either I'm over-qualified, under-qualified, or I just don't have an "in" with the company. I finally had an interview with a printing company I was interested in, but it turns out they're not officially hiring until January. Bummer. Mega-bummer. Although I still hope I get the job, it's just too far away to keep my hopes up. But today, Monday, December the 21st, I have been called in for another interview at a local glass company. This is also an exciting job opportunity as I finally get to learn what glass can really be. I'll elaborate more with my interest in glass some other time.

But, listen, I gotta go. I gotta get some photos in this post, and get the rest of my day going! Fun news will be heard very soon regarding my plans for 2010!

This post is already ridiculously long, so, instead of explaining or injecting specific photos within this post, I'm just gonna clickable image link to a small slide show thing here at the end. But! If you're curious about any of the images or the stories behind them, feel free to ask!