The France Hopper Network - Part 3

Photo of a commemorative plaque on TriMet MAX car 205 dedicating it as the Gunter Ernst Car. It reads, "In 1993 Tri-Met sought a manufacturer to produce North America's first low-floor light rail cars. While general manager and vice-president of Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc., Mass Transit Division, Gunter Ernst impressed Tri-Met with his firm's outstanding qualifications, unparalleled experience and commitment to excellence in design and production of these innovative vehicles. Car 205 became the first car formally delivered to Tri-Met on March 17, 1997. On that day, by proclamation of Tri-Met General Manager Tom Walsh, and in testimony to Gunter's vision, determination and entrepreneurial skill, Car 205 was named the Gunter Ernst Car."

Taken on Jul 23, 2026 @ 20:01.

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Picture Post: Been a while since I caught the Gunter …

Photo of different editions of volume one of "Witch Hat Atelier". From left to right: Japanese language version, English language version, Crunchyroll Store Edition, Kinokuniya Edition.

Taken on Jul 22, 2026 @ 17:17.

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Picture Post: Just need the Grimoire Edition now. Get that …

Photo of a KINKISHARYO coffee mug on an end table.

Taken on Jul 21, 2026 @ 10:07.

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Picture Post: May as well keep the transit mugs going …

Photo of a sunset behind trees over Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center.

Taken on Jul 21, 2026 @ 06:32.

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Picture Post: Just another sunset on the rails last night.

Photo of a SMART 10X bus, left, and SAM bus, right, at the Clackamas Town Center transit center. An unidentified TriMet bus is parked next to the SAM bus.

Taken on Jul 20, 2026 @ 19:32.

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Picture Post: Very multi-agency at CTC today. #gobytransit

Photo of the box for the "METAPHOR: Re Fantazio" soundtrack on vinyl.

Taken on Jul 20, 2026 @ 15:00.

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Picture Post: Because paywalling the store wasn’t enough, it’s kind …

Photo of Portland Streetcar 025 on layover at S Lowell & Bond on the day of Portland Streetcar's 25th birthday.

Taken on Jul 20, 2026 @ 07:32.

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Picture Post: That moment when you get 025 for 25 …

Photo of a Portland Streetcar coffee mug with a Portland Streetcar pen in the background.

Taken on Jul 20, 2026 @ 07:20.

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Picture Post: This feels like an appropriate coffee cup to …

Photo of sunset over Downtown Portland looking north towards the Steel Bridge from the Eastbank Esplanade floating bridge.

Taken on Jul 19, 2026 @ 22:34.

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Picture Post: Missed the world record setting festivities for BIKETOWN’s …

Photo of the new Crab Roll at Meadowrue in The Ritz-Carlton, Portland. Featuring avocado, cucumber, radish sprouts, and furikake.

Taken on Jul 17, 2026 @ 19:39.

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Picture Post: A refreshed food menu awaits at Meadowrue. Introducing …

Photo of a preview pour of 薬 (Kusuri), or Medicine in English. Featuring Suntory Toki Black, Kanade Yuzu Liqueur, Sazon Pina Tapache, and Giffard Ginger. The cocktail will be available exclusively as part of the ten-course omakase experience at Meadowrue in The Ritz-Carlton, Portland.

Taken on Jul 15, 2026 @ 20:24.

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Picture Post: Sneak peak: Introducing 薬 (Kusuri, or Medicine in …

Photo of the new Don’t Mez With Me cocktail at Meadowrue in The Ritz-Carlton, Portland. Featuring Del Maguey Vida Puebla Mezcal, Meletti Amaro, Aperol, house-made hibiscus syrup, lime, and prosciutto marcona garnish. (Contains nuts)

Taken on Jul 14, 2026 @ 17:12.

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Picture Post: Introducing the Don’t Mez With Me.

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 newly installed City of Portland rubbish bin with recycling basket at the S Bond and Lane crossing in South Waterfront.

Taken on Jul 10, 2026 @ 16:39.

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Picture Post: South Waterfront finally got the city’s new, more …

Photo of Liu, the male Red Panda, at the Oregon Zoo laying on a tree branch in his habitat. The stripes of his tail can be seen hanging down in the middle of the tree.

Taken on Jul 10, 2026 @ 12:44.

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Picture Post: Liu sure loves his tree.

Photo of one of the female lions at the Oregon Zoo playing with a ball filled with pieces of meat in her habitat at the Oregon Zoo.

Taken on Jul 10, 2026 @ 12:14.

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Picture Post: It’s not a meatball but a ball filled …

Photo of the two female lions at the Oregon Zoo lounging under trees in their habitat.

Taken on Jul 10, 2026 @ 12:06.

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Picture Post: Lions are enjoying the sun today.

Photo of Leaf, a Green Tree Python at the Oregon Zoo, moving along the mister at the top of her habitat.

Taken on Jul 10, 2026 @ 11:24.

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Picture Post: Leaf got a weekly heath checkup and was …

Photo of a William Slim Briefcase from Will Leather Goods upon return from a repair.

Taken on Jul 09, 2026 @ 16:24.

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Picture Post: The briefcase is finally back!

Photo of an iris along the Zig-Zag Bridge at the Portland Japanese Garden.

Taken on Jul 03, 2026 @ 14:32.

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Picture Post: Some more photos of the irises at the …