2009 already?

Boy 2008 went fast!  Probably not a bad thing, considering.

We - my friend Barbara and her husband Brian - rang it out in good company at the Laurelthirst pub with Laura "Two Beers" Veirs supported by assorted Decemberists, Casey Neil minus most of the Norway Rats, Little Sue, Scott McCaughey, a veritable who's who of Portland musicians doing their own songs or assorted covers - just out having fun on New Year's Eve.    The place was packed to beyond "standing room only" & it's not a big place to begin with.  Bar down the right-hand side, booths and tables down the left.  They took out the middle tables.  Every spare inch had someone standing in it.  

Laura literally flew in from Nashville just in time to take the stage at about 11:30 p.m.  Here's a little clip someone posted - think this was pretty late - we left soon after midnight so as not to turn into pumpkins.  Or just coz we're not as young as we once were.

We were still there for Wildwood Flower.  

Earlier in the evening - after securing our wristbands for the music - we enjoyed a wonderful Cuban meal down the street at Pambiche

Click on that link and you'll be treated to some nice Cuban music - sorry for the abrupt style change!   But check it out (Pambiche) if you're in Portland.  It was packed (seemed to be the theme of the evening) but so worth the wait and everyone was patient and nice in line.  It's covered and the propane heaters over the tables help heat up the folks waiting for a seat.  Check out the menus!  Barbara and I both went traditional and had the Plato Cubano (Roast Pork, Beans and Rice - and Yuca)  I skipped the rice and only nibbled the yummy fried yuca.  Brian had the Plato Comunista as he's eating vegan these days - and finished my yuca.  Cocktails all looked enticing but we "just" had coffee.  Brian had a beer.  Negro Modelo, if I remember correctly.  Got a two-fer breakfast coupon to use before mid-February!

Feliz Ano Nuevo!!  (someone please tell me where teh accents live in Blogger)  Happy New Year!