The France Hopper Network

As of 7pm Pacific on July 17, 2026, the blog is finally on a VPS.

Site Updates

Welcome to a [Hopefully] Dramatically Faster France Hopper Network

Photo of a cluster of large rock formations in the middle of the Pacific Ocean seen from the Cape Meares Lighthouse. One of the formations has a tunnel passing through it. Short Beach can be seen on the left.

A milestone year for the blog and for finally exploring Oregon.

Life in Portland Special Thoughts

15 Years of The France Hopper Network

Photo of yukizuri in the Flat Garden of the Portland Japanese Garden.

After a record amount of December rainfall, I’m dreaming of a dry Christmas.

Life in Portland Special

Happy Holidays 2025: A Decade In Portland

Photo of Portland Streetcar departing westbound from SW 3rd and Harrison.

While Brookville looked immensely promising in 2017, Portland was not delivered the train that was ordered in 2018.

Life in Portland Thoughts

Brookville: The $12 Million Mistake

Photo of Kallik, the Polar Bear at the Oregon Zoo, playing with a plastic pool near a pool in his habitat.

Taken on Aug 15, 2026 @ 09:54.

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Picture Post: Latergram: Kallik seemed to be enjoying playing with …

Photo of a tea light being lowered into the Strolling Pond Garden of the Portland Japanese Garden as part of O-Bon.

Taken on Aug 14, 2026 @ 21:31.

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Picture Post: Farewell, Uncle Bill. You were the first tea …

Photo of Portland Streetcar 010 in a new "100% Renewable Energy" wrap seen traveling north on SW 10th Avenue at SW Morrison Street.

Taken on Aug 14, 2026 @ 13:22.

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Picture Post: Have you seen the new Portland Streetcar wraps …

Photo of a hallway in the process of being repainted showing a work area with paint buckets.

Taken on Aug 14, 2026 @ 12:45.

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Picture Post: Hallway refresh project for the building has been …

Photo of a recently replenished home bar. From left to right, back to front: Aria Classic Dry Gin 1.75L (left) and 750ml (right), Suntory Toki Whisky, Disaronno Originale, Suntory Haku Vodka, Angostura Aromatic Bitters, Portland Bitters Project Pitch Dark Cacao Bitters, Suntory Toki Black Whisky, Lillet Blanc.

Taken on Aug 14, 2026 @ 12:23.

Bar 3939 Picture Post

Picture Post: The home bar finally got a very overdue …

Photo of a black cat sitting a white carpet while laying against a cardboard box.

Taken on Aug 14, 2026 @ 12:22.

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Picture Post: Someone was very not thrilled – but surprisingly …

Photo of the interior of Portland Streetcar 022 in the evening showing it empty as it travels down S Harrison Street towards South Waterfront.

Taken on Aug 13, 2026 @ 21:25.

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Picture Post: Just another night of Streetcar to myself. #gobystreetcar

Taken on Aug 13, 2026 @ 13:54.

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Picture Post: Haven’t seen a $2 bill in a very …

Photo of polar bear Kallik playing with a toy pickle hung in a tree in his habitat at the Oregon Zoo.

Taken on Aug 07, 2026 @ 14:30.

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Picture Post: Kallik sure likes his toy pickle.

Photo of orangutan Bob at the Oregon Zoo eating some fresh leaves in his habitat at the Oregon Zoo as two keepers observe in the background.

Taken on Aug 07, 2026 @ 13:30.

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Picture Post: Latergram: Bob, Jolene, and Kitra got some fresh …

Photo of a crow statue in front of Central Library in Downtown Portland to promote Laika's new film, Wildwood.

Taken on Aug 07, 2026 @ 12:17.

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Picture Post: The crows are taking flight in downtown. #laika

Photo of a Vesper being made with Lillet Blanc, Haku Vodka, and Roku Gin.

Taken on Aug 04, 2026 @ 18:30.

Bar 3939 Picture Post

Picture Post: Shaken, not stirred.

Photo of a hazy sky and red sun over a building in South Waterfront.

Taken on Aug 04, 2026 @ 07:43.

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Picture Post: So it begins. With smoke from the wildfires …

Photo of an old fashioned being made. A mixing glass with syrup and whisky is present on the left with a bottle of Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky on the right.

Taken on Aug 02, 2026 @ 19:40.

Bar 3939 Picture Post

Picture Post: Been a hot minute since I made an …

Photo of Liu, the male Red Panda at the Oregon Zoo, enjoying some treats from his keeper.

Taken on Aug 01, 2026 @ 14:12.

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Picture Post: Afternoon snack time for Liu. Enoki was slugged …

Photo of the Philippine Sailfin Lizard at the Oregon Zoo pressed up against the glass in its habit while in their pool.

Taken on Aug 01, 2026 @ 13:59.

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Picture Post: Someone was jealous they weren’t getting any attention …

Photo of a skink at the Oregon Zoo sitting in a log in its habitat.

Taken on Aug 01, 2026 @ 13:55.

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Picture Post: Oh. You found me. :P

Photo of the two female lions at the Oregon Zoo eating meat hidden in barrels around their habitat.

Taken on Jul 31, 2026 @ 10:57.

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Picture Post: Lions are enjoying some treats in a barrel …

Photo of a successfully pulled shot of espresso after dialing in setting on a new grinder.

Taken on Jul 29, 2026 @ 07:58.

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Picture Post: Why you shouldn’t buy an espresso machine without …

Photo of a vinyl record collection shelved on an IKEA KALLAX.

Taken on Jul 28, 2026 @ 11:19.

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15 Years of The France Hopper Network

A milestone year for the blog and for finally exploring Oregon.

Happy Holidays 2025

A Decade In Portland

Oath to Order / Calling of the Four Giants

Orchestra recording session video now steaming.

Brookville: The $12 Million Mistake

While Brookville looked immensely promising in 2017, Portland was not delivered the train that was ordered in 2018.

The Moon Has Fallen

"Concerning Clock Town" is now streaming.

So What Happened At Sakura-Con This Year?

No one ever wants a literal fire at con.

Fair Winds & Following Seas feat. ATLYS

ZREO: Second Quest's first physical release.

Welcome to a [Hopefully] Dramatically Faster France Hopper Network

15 Years of The France Hopper Network

Happy Holidays 2025: A Decade In Portland

Brookville: The $12 Million Mistake

Picture Post: Latergram: Kallik seemed to be enjoying playing with …

Picture Post: Farewell, Uncle Bill. You were the first tea …

Picture Post: Have you seen the new Portland Streetcar wraps …

Picture Post: Hallway refresh project for the building has been …

Picture Post: The home bar finally got a very overdue …

Picture Post: Someone was very not thrilled – but surprisingly …

Picture Post: Just another night of Streetcar to myself. #gobystreetcar

Picture Post: Haven’t seen a $2 bill in a very …

Picture Post: Kallik sure likes his toy pickle.

Picture Post: Latergram: Bob, Jolene, and Kitra got some fresh …

Picture Post: The crows are taking flight in downtown. #laika

Picture Post: Shaken, not stirred.

Picture Post: So it begins. With smoke from the wildfires …

Picture Post: Been a hot minute since I made an …

Picture Post: Afternoon snack time for Liu. Enoki was slugged …

Picture Post: Someone was jealous they weren’t getting any attention …

Picture Post: Oh. You found me. :P

Picture Post: Lions are enjoying some treats in a barrel …

Picture Post: Why you shouldn’t buy an espresso machine without …

Picture Post: I forget when I last showed off the …