...dead no, burdened by their success.... yes.

That said, Portland is definitely alive, partly because it is still becoming something. That and the general love of iconoclasm.

Yeah, sure, PDX is a great place eons ahead of anywhere else with its kinetic and potential energies. But, having lived there for a decade -until recently-, i saw plenty of trucker hats and cliquey radicals, hippies-cum-artists to boot.

And hidden among the sites for sore eyes and commercial-free niches, the mainstream is alive and well, only better dressed, chinsey-faced with good intentions, making decent art (atleast a few...not all that receive the applause deserve it...) and drinking better beer at better prices.

Alas, the grass is greener to the traveler.

here's a relevant conversation: http://www.nyfa.org/level3.asp?id=409&fid=6&sid=17

(though they're wrong about a few observations on key cities..)

Ive seen a few trucker hats here and there too... actually it was big here 5 years ago.

As far as Portlands changes... some relatively massive an permanent changes have recently taken place. Each month brings big developments and an armada of spotty and excellent plans for the future are in the works. So if you havnt been here since October you might not be in a position to assess the city.

My point is Portland has changed so much recently that some of the old guard are asking if it is still Portland...? Well yes, but different and more ambitious. That said its like switzerland... it isnt the hub like New York or LA and that is its big advantage and challenge (if you want it you better be prepared to make it happen ).

Portlanders are recapturing some of the pluck and ambition present when the city hosted the world's fair.

Aside of all of that its the talented individuals that matter, they will and have outpaced all institutions in this wildly adolescent cultural city.

Its a fun time... that said yes the grass is always greener but that said everything in that last paragraph is pretty true.

Although, there are lots of artist cliques... the difference is eventhough certain groups may may dislike eachother, they still appreciate one another. Its a pioneering spirit and despite everone's differences we generally have eachother's backs when we circle the wagons. The difference is its a rather large wagon train with some dern good sharpshooters (and a bevy of excellent cooks).

One thing is for sure New York coffee is barbaric. Every place is different and has its strengths. Still, I miss New York's museums partly becauuse I dont live there and thus dont find them an oppressive cultural gordian knot. I get on a plane and visit them.

But we hear this whiplash "awakening" to the world outside of the box so often: be ready cohorts! I suggest Kombocha detox for this NYC person "unjustly skewed by my poisonous environment," followed by breakfast at the Hot Cake House then a good nap before seeing any more artwork.