Today is Bonnie’s birthday (22). So, like any good boyfriend, I hid her present in her tub of Quaker oatmeal. She just texted me, and I quote: “You cheeky little monkey. I can’t wait! xoxo” (I sign all mine “oxox”. Isn’t that adorable?)

I ended up getting us the Hotel deLuxe package for “Orson’s Shadow.” I’m figuring we’ll eat somewhere else (does Rocco’s Pizza say birthday?) and then blow our $20 voucher on drinks at the Driftwood after the show - it’s going to be quite the event, what a night on the town in Portland! Terry said I’ve got to give “Brando’s Exile” another try. And I usually find it best to do what your bartender tells you.

That’s all I’ve got for now.

Bottoms up,

Lance

Just a quick shout out to the Portland Aerial Tram! I went up for the first time yesterday and am sold. It’s no Space Mountain mind you, but I think it’s a really cool addition to the city. Something I definitely have to work into my movie. One step closer to that Jetsons’ city of the future…

I have been sending a bunch of the hotel’s guests there, it’s so easy to get to from the Hotel DeLuxe in Downtown Portland. Just a short walk down Yamhill to 11th and then 1 block south to Taylor and catch the Portland Streetcar. The streetcar will take you all the way down to the South Waterfront where you can catch that crazy aerial tram ride.

If you haven’t ridden it, it’s worth the trip. Stuff of interest:

Cost: $4 round trip
Duration: 3 minutes each way
Length: 3,300 feet
Speed: A leisurely 22 mph
Hours: M-F 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 1 p.m.-5 p.m. (May 20-Sept. 16 only)
Frequency: Every 5 mins (last one goes from the lower terminal 15 mins before closing)

For more info, visit their web site (like I just did…): http://www.portlandtram.org/

Keep reaching for the stars!

Man, things are getting crazy around here! Everyone is gearing up for Portland’s Rose Festival. I’ll be honest, I sort of think the only interesting parade is the one at the end of Animal House, and I haven’t gone to the carnival since Batman was played by Michael Keaton.

Why then am I so glad every year when it comes around? Two reasons:

1. Rose Festival marks the beginning of summer, and there is absolutely nothing better than summer in Portland.

2. The beginning of summer means it’s only a couple of months until the Oregon Brewers Festival!

Some things are that simple. OK, back to paying for the “Orson’s Shadow” package…

I’m a movie guy, right? I guess that’s pretty clear by this point. (Just watched Almodovar’s Volver last night, which confirmed that for the millionth time!)

But one of the great things about manning the door at Hotel deLuxe is we’re so close to the Artist Rep Theater. OK, I don’t see many plays, I’m not going to lie. But I always intend to. I tell the actors that every time they come into the Driftwood…

Right now they’re doing a comedy called “Orson’s Shadow” about Orson Welles (no, not my dog), Lawrence Olivier and Vivian Leigh. How could I miss that? But money’s tight. Not a lot of 23-year-old doormen on the Fortune 500.

Then Zach tells me that Hotel deLuxe is doing a package deal right now that includes tickets, an overnight stay, $20 for the Driftwood, and valet parking. I figure if I get it for Bonnie (the girlfriend), it’s an investment…Bingo!

I really should be monitoring Lance’s time more closely. *ha* He does a great job for us. And he’s the first person I go to if a guest asks about one of the hundreds of Hollywood photos on display throughout Hotel deLuxe.

As Lance said, my name is Emily. I am the PM Shift Supervisor for the front desk. So, if you’re a late-day arrival it’s likely we’ll meet as I’m responsible for all of the regular guest functions (check ins and outs, reservations, concierge duties, etc.).

I also usually make the schedule for the front desk, coordinate room service and many other little technical tidbits. I feel lucky to be doing what I do, and especially at Hotel deLuxe.

So come on by and say hello. If I’m not at the front desk, you might try the seventh floor. I’ve been known to linger in front of the picture of Errol Flynn in the west hallway. *sigh*

See you soon!

Emily

OK, Hollywood, I’m giving this one to you for free. If you’re looking for the next reality TV show hit, come up to Hotel deLuxe. The first reason is our guests. I mean, for example, a couple of nights ago I met a guy who came over just because he read about our famous Kobe beef burger. Just for the burger? I said. Kobe beef, he said.

I don’t really eat meat, but his enthusiasm just about convinced me. I recommended he wash it down with “The Coburn.”

But the Hotel deLuxe staff is full of more characters than a David Lean movie. Since I started this blog I’ve been trying to get some of them to write something. I think I just nabbed a couple. Keep reading in the next few days to meet my comrades, Emily and Zach.

till later,

Lance.

I realized another good side to not driving—I can stop in for a drink at the Driftwood Room before heading home. Genius.

Zach (who works in guest services at Hotel deLuxe) had told me that I had to try “The Coburn,” named after actor James Coburn (see Affliction [1997, Paul Schrader] but avoid Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit [1993, Bill Duke] at all costs). It’s got Canadian Club whiskey, orange Curacao and a dash of something called Fernet Branca(?).

Verdict? Great. I tried it a couple of times just to be sure.

Seeing as I should know the menu, in case a guest asks, I figured I really need to try all of the house cocktails (all named after Hollywood actors or characters). Next: “Brando’s Exile.” Ah, an offer I can’t refuse.

cheers,

Lance

I got my car back finally. But the boss is gone, at his son’s graduation or something, and I’m just not sure about this other guy. I just don’t trust dudes with tattoos on their knuckles.

Plus, the price of gas has gotten out of hand. It’s up to over $3.30 for regular now! I need collateral just to fill my tank.

So I’m thinking I’ll just stick with Portland’s light rail system, Max. From my girlfriend’s place out at Orenco Station, I just hop the blue line all the way to the door of the Hotel deLuxe. Pretty easy. Less than 30 mins and only a couple bucks.

If you’re at Hotel deLuxe, you can catch Max around the corner. Or you can walk a couple blocks down 15^th till you cross over the freeway into Fareless Square, where Max and the buses are as free as walking.

happy travels….

- Lance

PS> let me know if you find gas for under $3….

Today, I’m standing at the door minding my own doorman business when suddenly all these people start filing by. Men, women, kids. They’re too calm to be escaping a fire, I think. And too happy to be heading to the Social Security office around the corner. So?

Terry (the bartender at Hotel deLuxe’s lounge the Driftwood Room) clued me in: Portland Beavers game. Of course!

A game is one of my favorite ways to kill an evening, especially on a warm night. Portland’s PGE Park got a huge face lift a few years ago and is a great place to catch a game, have a beer, eat a hot dog. (Though I prefer the BBQ brisket sandwich on the Morrison St. side!)

And they’re good players (Minor League Baseball, part of the San Diego Padres system). Even if they weren’t, it’s just too blasted convenient. If you have the right room at the Hotel deLuxe, you could probably hear the game from bed.

Play Ball!

-Lance

Just looked a little more into the history of the Fox Theater. It turns out the original building was built in 1911. It was then bought sometime in the 1920s by movie mogul William Fox for his Fox West Coast chain.

That’s when it got its facelift into the art deco “movie palace” as they called them. There were 18 Fox Theaters stretching from Portland to Atlanta, Georgia. Unfortunately, many, like ours, have been demolished. Thankfully, the Hotel deLuxe keeps that old Hollywood feeling alive.

Interesting. One of the theaters, located in Joplin, Missouri, is still in operation, but as a church. Forgive me, Mr. Van Sant, for I have sinned: I watched Jerry Bruckheimer’s Con Air last night.

That’s a wrap.

Lance