PDX Pics

plus a short voice memo

Hello, Oregon! Please enjoy these photos from the weekend in Portland and a voice memo from the basement of this Airbnb, where I’m sequestered with what I assume is Covid. 🖤AV

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Kyle Seibel

Kevin Maloney

Mike Nagel

Kyle & Mike agreed to join me in Portland, where we connected with Kevin to give each other some hugs. Less than two years ago, at a writing conference, the four of us ended up sitting together at a table during a reading. We were connected and aware of one another online, but hadn’t met in person. Grateful for that table. I admire each of these dudes as writers, but thrilled to call them dear friends.

bb’s first marquee

The second edition of the early-riser reading series Morning, Fuckers was great. The format feels right. I’m thinking on what city to hit next.

I regret not taking portraits of each reader, so I’ve included stage shots for the wonderful Portland writers who joined us but did not hang out like high schoolers for two days with my camera in their face.

Fryan Masters was in Little Engines in 2003, which means I’ve mispronounced her name for over 20 years (it’s F-Rain). Great to connect again, this time in person.

Kimberly King Parsons, who we met and fell for in Boise earlier this year at Treefort.

Colleen Burner, who has a very good last name.

Kevin Maloney

Kyle Seibel

Mike Nagel

J.

You might know J. from Nagel’s books, but she’s also the Booth Queen for Little Engines, getting the magazine in people’s hands, selling hats and books. A true pro. Makes us look good.

J. with mags, hats, and books.

Kevin Sampsell and Mike Nagel, evening coffee at Powell’s

After the Little Engines morning reading, we went to a second event that evening to celebrate the launch of Kevin Sampsell’s new illustrated book, Sean the Stick. He handed out a stick to everyone in attendance to hold during the reading.

Kevin and his sticks.

Rare admin reveal. Photo by Nagel.

Kevin Maloney and Ryan-Ashley Anderson

Stephanie and David Drury. Like Fryan, David was in Little Engines double-decades ago. His story from the issue was selected by Eggers for Best American Non-Required Reading back then, and I was like “OKAY, MAGAZINE.” You all know and love Stephanie from Stuff Christian Culture Likes, right?

“Dogshit,” Kyle said seconds later.

Maybe my favorite snap from the weekend.

Future Islands at Revolution Hall

Originally, I said some shit on the voice memo about Future Islands being the last great Gen-X band, but then looked up Sam’s age to find he’s only 40, so I cut it.

Sam, movin’.

All Fours

We got no pics of the four of us together, so I made this one. Also, Mike got prescription sunglasses, creating the reverse of his old pow-pow eyes pic from his column.