Sabrina Miller’s “10 Fun Things I Did In 2009″ List: Part 1 of 2

Most everybody has top 10 or top 5 lists going around especially during this time of year. Well, I guess I’m no exception. Instead of a dreary “Here are all the bad things that happened in Portland in 2009″ list, here’s a list of all the cool shit I did, saw, was inspired by, or was fortunate enough to be a part of in this wonderful place I am proud to call my home.

Part 1 of 2

10. Scream at the Beach – I’ve lived in Portland for a little over 4 years now and always have wanted to do the Haunted House thing. I hadn’t been to a haunted house in about 15 years and didn’t know where to start! The thought of a 30 something going through a haunted house…well, I wasn’t sure what to think. I had the opportunity to interview a couple of the masterminds behind Scream at the Beach and knew this one was the right one for me to visit. I had a great time, screamed my ass off, and was in awe of how much time and energy goes into something as big as a haunted house…especially one that took over the Circuit City building in Janzten Beach no less! Although I didn’t feel like I was 16 again, I was surrounded by them and at that moment, I was ok with it.

09. The Big Busk – One of the cooler, more ‘organic’ things I seen in a while was the coming together of The Big Busk which was held downtown in July and put together by Richard Mavis. We had so much fun walking around in the summer heat and discovering new and very different bands that traveled from street block to street block playing music they love to play. We talked to a harpist who plays all over Portland and at the Saturday Market, the guys from The Goodwill River, and many more. The Big Busk introduced us to Target for Tomorrow and I learned a new word: ska.

08. Wicked at the Keller Auditorium – “No one mourns the Wicked” – Man oh man…one of the highlights of my year. I had the privilege of being on a kick ass wardrobe crew for the 5 weeks Wicked was at the Keller in April. 8 shows a week, a total of 39 shows and it was tough but also one of the most fun times I have ever had working on a national touring Broadway production. I’ve never been involved in a production that ran like clockwork and was so organized, you have no idea. Working the show made me fall in love with this musical, and even after the 5 weeks, I didn’t tire of it. Hell, I got to dress some flying monkeys, dress ladies in really expensive and really heavy ball gowns, and met some of the most humbling and energetic performers that do what they do 8 times a week. Just because they love it.

07. MLS Rally – This will tie into the 2 of 2 part a little later, but it was this particular event that paved the way for a newfound love of mine. Back in March of 2009, I filed into a room at a hotel downtown filled with people wearing green, white and yellow. I had no idea what to expect other than the (hopeful) announcement of the Portland Timbers becoming an MLS team. What I got instead was a room filled with so much energy, so many smiling faces, young and old and the announcement of the year in many people’s minds. Along with Mayor Sam Adams and City Commissioner, Randy Leonard, the teams owner, Merritt Paulson paved the way for a new hope for our Portland Soccer team. After the rally was over, I snuck in to talk to the Mayor and to Randy Leonard. Needless to say they were a little taken aback when I told them that I was from Portland Sucks. Once I expressed my thanks and the awesome job they both had done at getting MLS to Portland, well, they opened up a bit more and let me continue talking for a few minutes. Their efforts will be worth it in the Rose City!

06. 7th Planet Picture Show – This is a relatively new event for me even though it’s been going on for a while. Over the past month or so, I’ve been going to this thing at the Mt. Tabor Theater called the 7th Planet Picture Show. In its most basic form, it’s like an MST3K style brand of watching a really terrible movie. The host Will Radik along with two other co-hosts sit and make fun of a really terrible movie all the while encouraging other to participate in throwing out zingers (or in some cases paper airplanes at the screen). It’s always free, there’s a bar and some awesome people that come too. I’ve been to a few that Robert co-hosted and then was asked to co-host with one Dr. Normal of Strange Love Live. Our Mark Hamill double feature was grueling. Drinks were spilled, light sabers were wielded, and pizza was eaten. It’s a great time and you should go if you haven’t been already.

Part 2 of 2 will follow soon………

Related posts:

1. Sabrina Miller’s “10 Fun Things I Did In 2009″ List: Part 2 of 2
2. “Wicked” Hits Portland Again – And Demonstrates Just How Stupid Some People Are.
3. Portland Sucks and The Big Busk – It Should Have Been Easy, Right?
4. pdxsucks.com podcast – july 17, 2009
5. Sabrina Miller vs. The Flying Feathered Portland Car Bombers