Escape Adulthood

Return from Portland (and World Domination)

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“In the face of overwhelming pressure to conform, how do we live a remarkable life in a conventional world?”

That was the question at the heart of the first ever World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon, at which Kim and I were able to attend and present. Afterwards, we stayed and played for a few extra days with Lucy and our two best friends.

The conference itself, put on by Chris Guillebeau and his amazing team, was, as another attendee put it, a “heart attack of awesome.” Probably the best conference I’ve ever been to. There’s just nothing like being around 500 people who are intent on changing the world and have no regard for the rules that don’t exist. I’m still processing the life-changing lessons and ideas, and I have a feeling I will be for some time.

There was so much interest in our workshop, which was about how to make a living as a professional speaker, that they had to break it into two sessions. We had a blast working together and met so many talented people!

Some upcoming posts will be on this theme, and I’ll be sharing a series of some of the most mind-blowing things I learned in the Insider newsletter (so be sure you’re signed up!), but for now I thought it would be fun to share a few photos and highlights of our experience in the Pacific Northwest.

The beautiful Portland skyline. The City Fair was being held on the waterfront. I stupidly didn
All babies are cute. Especially baby elephants.
Lucy loves the zoo. But sometimes Curious George offers her protection from the bigger animals that get too close.
I remember getting my first camera before going to the zoo for a field trip in elementary school. I was so excited. I shot my little heart out that day. When I got the film developed, I was devastated; the animals looked so far away! My new DSLR camera with zoom lens has unleashed my inner National Geographic photographer and rekindled that childlike excitement.
Every time I go to a new zoo, I see something new. I didn't know God made punk rocker pigs! (Or maybe he's just a teenager?) Is it just me or does his hair look blue?
A bike rack outside of the world famous Powell's Books. George (and Lucy) felt right at home.
So they said it was a big bookstore, but holy crow. It took up a city block and had multiple floors! I put it to the test and decided to see if they had any books on J.C. Leyendecker, who is one of my favorite -- but obscure -- artists of all time. I've never seen a bookstore carry one. They had TWO. Score!
We took a road trip to the coast one afternoon. This is Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. Not the prettiest day ever, but I thought the mist made for a pretty cool photo.
Lucy running wild along the ocean. She really came alive on the beach!
Portland is known as The City of Roses. And how. This was taken at The Grotto, a beautiful 62-acre Catholic shrine and botanical garden.
One of our favorite parts of Portland was her myriad food carts. Cheap. Authentic. And yummy! Kim got Polish sausage and homemade dumplings from a Polish lady who she swore could've been my Grandma K. (She wasn't.)
Lucy hamming it up at lunch. She's pretty quiet and reserved with strangers, but she's a cartoon character once you get to know her.
This little shaver walked right up to those horses. No fear. I want to be that bold when I grow up.
Again, the food was dangerously good. The reason this grilled cheese sandwich looks so awesome is because it's a hamburger between TWO grilled cheese sandwiches. Take that, buns!

Photo Credit: The first two are from Armosa Studios. The rest are by me.

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  1. I spy a friend of mine in a Chicago Bears shirt behind Lucy! I’m sure a great time was had by all!

  2. You came that close and didn’t even call me? Oh well. Glad you had fun! That looks amazing!

    • Yes we apparently upset a few people by not informing them of our presence…but it was very time-crucnhed as it was. It certainly won’t be our last time to the Pacific Northwest!

      • No worries…I’m not upset. It’s far enough away that I probably wouldn’t have been able to make it anyway. I can’t wait for you to visit Seattle!

  3. Okay, so when I saw your photo of Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach the first thing I thought was “Holy Crap! Kim and Jason saw Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru’s hut on Tatooine!”

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