Monday, June 8, 2009
At Large Carpe Diem
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Jun 8, 2009 at 11:56 AM
I have shitloads of writing to do. I take the train to Portland. I hole up in a cheap hotel. I write. I get a 1000 words down. I leave my hotel room. I walk to See's Candies. I buy myself two Cashew Brittles. I walk back to my hotel room. I write another 1000 words down. I leave my hotel, go back to See's, buy two more Cashew Brittles, return to hotel, write another 1000 words. That's how I've always done it.
NOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!?!?
Damn recession.
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1
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8
@3, Yes, Lloyd Center has a See's Candy still up and running. But Dan there are several other Chocolatier that are close by, if you really need a quick fix.
9
The last time I was in downtown Portland, I noticed an inordinate number of closed storefronts. I know Seattle has, by no means, been immune to this recession. But it really seems like Portland has been hit much harder, like their economy is that much more fragile. Well, when I say Portland, I guess I really mean downtown Portland.
Nice to know Dan takes Amtrak to Portland. As for places to get some work done, I find the train ride to be an ideal "location." Holed up for 3.5 hours in a super-comfortable place with an ever-shifting great view and, last but not least, no Internet access.
Nice to know Dan takes Amtrak to Portland. As for places to get some work done, I find the train ride to be an ideal "location." Holed up for 3.5 hours in a super-comfortable place with an ever-shifting great view and, last but not least, no Internet access.
12
Shoulda stayed in Seattle. The See's at Northgate Mall is still open and doing plenty of business.
14
1000 useable words, David. So... 1000 words drafted, tweaked, re-worked, over and over. I make it -- made it (sob!) -- to See's twice a day, maybe, three times every once in a while.
19
I'm sorry. I loved See's Candies. I didn't realize they went under. Alaska's economy is booming, btw.
20
Chocolate Addiction - the Silent Killer.
You too may know a chocoholic.
Beware of the signs - excessive interest in chocolate, a fondness for chocolate cake, and a desire for sweet things.
Only you can help us fight the War on Chocolate.
Please send all confiscate chocolate to me - I will dispose of it promptly as a public service.
You too may know a chocoholic.
Beware of the signs - excessive interest in chocolate, a fondness for chocolate cake, and a desire for sweet things.
Only you can help us fight the War on Chocolate.
Please send all confiscate chocolate to me - I will dispose of it promptly as a public service.
24
Try one of these? It's been some time since I went chocolate shopping, so call first.
Verdun Chocolates
(503) 525-9400
421 Nw 10th Ave, Portland, OR
www.verdunchocolates.com
I've heard they have good chocolate and decent pricing.
Moonstruck Chocolate
(503) 241-0955
608 Sw Alder St, Portland, OR
www.moonstruckchocolate.com
Real nice chocolates - can be a little pricey. They do let you have free samples.
Sahagun Chocolate Shop
(503) 274-7065
10 Nw 16th Ave, Portland, OR
Debon Chocolate Cafe
(503) 227-5187
900 Sw 5th Ave, Portland, OR
Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe
(503) 542-3400
526 Nw 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
www.moonstruckchocolate.com
Tauscher Chocolates
(503) 827-0587
531 Sw Broadway, Portland, OR
www.teuscherportland.com
Verdun Chocolates
(503) 525-9400
421 Nw 10th Ave, Portland, OR
www.verdunchocolates.com
I've heard they have good chocolate and decent pricing.
Moonstruck Chocolate
(503) 241-0955
608 Sw Alder St, Portland, OR
www.moonstruckchocolate.com
Real nice chocolates - can be a little pricey. They do let you have free samples.
Sahagun Chocolate Shop
(503) 274-7065
10 Nw 16th Ave, Portland, OR
Debon Chocolate Cafe
(503) 227-5187
900 Sw 5th Ave, Portland, OR
Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe
(503) 542-3400
526 Nw 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
www.moonstruckchocolate.com
Tauscher Chocolates
(503) 827-0587
531 Sw Broadway, Portland, OR
www.teuscherportland.com
29
i am a big see's fan! i just ate the last two milk chocolate coconut creams from the see's candy i got for mother's day.
i used to work at a vet clinic and some members of the see family were clients. they always brought us a ton of candy at christmas, and they had rhodesian ridgebacks.
i hope there are still some stores around here! i haven't looked in a while - last purchase, the mother's day stuff, was early may.
i used to work at a vet clinic and some members of the see family were clients. they always brought us a ton of candy at christmas, and they had rhodesian ridgebacks.
i hope there are still some stores around here! i haven't looked in a while - last purchase, the mother's day stuff, was early may.
30
@ 25,
Sorry, my bad. Nearest See's is in the Lloyd Center. Moonstruck does have pecan clusters, I know it is not the same. Three choices.
Adapt and try something new within walking distance.
Take a taxi.
If you still have my number, call and I'll drop some at your hotel's front desk.
Sorry, my bad. Nearest See's is in the Lloyd Center. Moonstruck does have pecan clusters, I know it is not the same. Three choices.
Adapt and try something new within walking distance.
Take a taxi.
If you still have my number, call and I'll drop some at your hotel's front desk.
35
See's? Really? See's Candies is shit. Just garbage chocolate. I'm not super familiar with the Portland chocolate scene, but there must be a dozen better chocolatiers in Portland.
I understand you are just looking for a little reward and a break. Maybe walk around the block and see if you can find some other treat. Or Google See's; they may have simply moved to a new location nearby.
I understand you are just looking for a little reward and a break. Maybe walk around the block and see if you can find some other treat. Or Google See's; they may have simply moved to a new location nearby.
36
Sounds like you may have to find somewhere within walking distance that offers Cashew Brittle - or else change the nature of your reward for every 1000 words.
Those of us who write or have written (fiction or non-fiction), we feel for you Dan.
For those of you who haven't, don't knock a system that works for many of us:
After producing 'x' number of, as Dan clarified, usable (which is an important distinction) words or pages then said writer indulges in his or her pre-chosen reward for accomplishing the set goal.
Those of us who write or have written (fiction or non-fiction), we feel for you Dan.
For those of you who haven't, don't knock a system that works for many of us:
After producing 'x' number of, as Dan clarified, usable (which is an important distinction) words or pages then said writer indulges in his or her pre-chosen reward for accomplishing the set goal.
38
Whatever makes the motor run... I average 1000 words a day, per cup of coffee, but that's on a regular Mon-Fri schedule. Hope you get through your hotel/candy ritual ASAP.
40
@35 - i know quality chocolate from junk. i know see's is junk. but it tastes good and they have a lot of variety.
sometimes you're in the mood for a five-star meal, sometimes you're in the mood for ramen.
sometimes you're in the mood for a five-star meal, sometimes you're in the mood for ramen.
41
When you're back home in Seattle:
http://www.theochocolate.com/
*swoon* Fair trade & nice people & some of the best candy I've ever eaten. I know it's not cashew brittle in Portland though. Good luck w/ the inspiration.
I know a new book is not likely to be a new collection of columns, but I'm still hoping for a second one of those. ;)
http://www.theochocolate.com/
*swoon* Fair trade & nice people & some of the best candy I've ever eaten. I know it's not cashew brittle in Portland though. Good luck w/ the inspiration.
I know a new book is not likely to be a new collection of columns, but I'm still hoping for a second one of those. ;)
42
Awwww...I just snagged some See's from the airport on my way back from a lovely West-coast weekend. Just because it's not some fancy-schmancy ridiculously-high-cacao-content dark chocolate doesn't mean it's not delicious stuff. I got the lollipops this time and they are great (and my office mates love me). :)
44
I'm amazed See's retains open shops to this day. They've got neat chocolates but their business has spent the last 20 years slowly fading.
45
i recommend moonstruck. i guess, i *second* moonstruck.
yes, i see you're not after actual chocolate ... but couldn't you be converted? moonstruck's confections are the shizzle.
yes, i see you're not after actual chocolate ... but couldn't you be converted? moonstruck's confections are the shizzle.
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