Back in Los Angeles for about 36 hours before another trip abroad, with pics to come, as always.

Gotta update the recent post about my Portland visit, though. In all my travels, I have never had so many readers deluge me with unexpected invites and kind notes as you guys in Portland just whapped me with. Nothing even close. I’ll try to return every note when I get the chance on return from this next trip, and for now please accept my blown-away thanks.

I’ll have to visit again soon, stay longer, and hang out. I knew I already had friends in the area. Apparently I just didn’t realize how many. Wow. Thank you. Back atcha.

As to where I’m headed next, two words: Puffin Cam.

Duuuude… you’re, like, tripping me out.

Sitting in Stumptown on Belmont. Visiting an old friend from Ohio. Finally getting started on a comic book series I’ve been trying to find time to write for the last several years. Enjoying the free WiFi that seems to be everywhere, drinking an imported Mexican Coke with real sugar after two lattes. (I’ve had enough caffeine that my skin may peel clean off any second, but that’s nothing unusual. Caffeine is my favorite molecule.)

Outside, the homes all have porches and the traffic is thin and the air is clear and the people may wave when you walk down the street. I had an incredible dinner last night (more shortly on that, too, when the restaurant’s website is done), and later on we’re heading to Powell’s and probably a show or just a long walk in the park.

Unless you are happy exactly where you are, whatever you do, do not visit Portland. Not for a day. You will be tempted to start rethinking your life.

I had no idea this particular variety of mouse deer even existed — but it does (and please forgive the cheesy NatGeo narration):

A bit like finding out your pet chihuahua can fly.

I’m assuming, of course, that chihuahuas can’t fly.  Apparently, you never know.

The management of a new Hawaiian TV station is horrified at the realization that the last three call letters “UNT” do not lead to a particularly euphonic four-letter station name, considering that the first letter will assuredly not be “W.”

They apparently never noticed what their own station name spelled. Neither did the FCC, who would fine somebody hundreds of thousands of dollars if you reported this story on the air and pronounced these FCC-approved call letters as a phonetic whole.

Incidentally, in the same set of approvals, the company now also owns “KWTF.” (As in “WTF?”) Fitting.

Link via our Trebekistan pal Ken Jennings, whose blog you may find habit-forming.