There's this "Barack" guy who's gathering a lot of news tonight, but here in Portland, there's quite a few of us celebrating the victory of Sam Adams - defeating a zillion (ok, maybe nine) other candidates to win Portland's mayoral race outright with over 50% of the vote.

He faced one serious competitor, a local businessman, but pulled away in the final stretch.

Something that's notable by its lack of mention in the coverage - Sam Adams is gay, and very much out. It's simply a nonissue, and absolutely freaking amazing.

Sam was just interviewed on our local NPR affiliate. Asked what he planned to focus on as one of his first issues as mayor, he replied that he intended to take on education in our schools immediately. The interviewer said "But that's not part of the mayor's portfolio." Exactly. Sam will take it on.

Very happy day here in Portland - lots of results looking good.

So it's T-minus 44 days or so until I depart on my employer-granted eight-week sabbatical. Sounds lovely, but after 8.5 years of some really intense work, surviving layoff rounds (including one layoff from which I was pulled back), some truly toxic interpersonal situations and horrible corporate politics, I feel like I'm clawing my way toward the light. Definitely need a break, bigtime. And then there's the matter of me finally doing work right now that I really enjoy, which is not always the case. I almost don't want to leave - will the fun stuff still be there when I return?

But - it is a job. It's a really good one most of the time, and I'm so aware of so many friends and neighbors who don't have that luxury.

Please pause for station identification:

WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, and share advice, pootie pictures, favorite adult beverages, and anything else that we think might help. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here. Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?

Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?

WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, show off our favorite pet pics and perhaps share advice. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here. :-)

A few days ago I was muttering to a friend about the mess I'd gotten myself into. For some strange reason, I'd agreed to write ten articles in ten days for Street Prophets. There's a Mexican Catholic tradition - a novena (nine days) of prayer and celebration and candy on the nine nights before Christmas. In the midst of a crazybusy week finishing up stuff at work before heading off to Mexico for eight days, Pastordan dropped me a note. What did I think of the idea of maybe trying to do a written version of Las Posadas on the site?

As some of you may know, I spent the first part of this month traveling outside the US. I’ve been struggling with a vague metaphysical malaise for the past several months, nothing I could put a finger on, nothing debilitating – just a low-level angst and anxiety that I couldn’t seem to shake - a sense of not belonging - anywhere. What was my f*cking problem?

WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, and share advice, pootie pictures, favorite adult beverages, and anything and everything else that we think might help. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here.

Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?