2009 in Review: Click, Chick, Trick and Pick of The Year

Thursday, 31 December 2009 13:29 | Written by Byron

SEE YA' LATER, 2009: A very quick year-end round up that encompasses the theme of words that end in "ick." Yeah, 2009 was an "ick" kind of year for me and a few others (Tiger Woods, David Letterman, Octo-Mom), but not all of this stuff was "icky." Not by a long shot.

Click of the Year: I actually shot the only known photo of Mayor Sam Adams and Beau Breedlove together on October 23 of 2008 at the grand opening party for The Nines Hotel, but it didn't "surface" until the middle of January 2009. And, oh yes, boy did it surface. Not only was it featured on many a local newscast, it also made its way to national blogs and even got picked up by FOX News in New York City. More than one person has commented on the sign in the background. I love Sam, so enough said on the subject.

Chick of the Year: It has to be Storm Large. No other person took this town by...er..storm like Storm. Her endless running one-woman show "Crazy Enough," an incredible video shot by James Westby about her 8-mile wide vagina, her birthday party that included guests like Griffin Dunne and (her much rumored to be but in fact was not boyfriend) Timothy Hutton. And now a huge book contract with a major publisher. Yes, it was definitely Storm's (aka "the unofficial First Lady of Portland") year, and it doesn't look like it's slowing down anytime soon.

Trick of the Year: Well, it had to be our own local version of "The Dave Chappelle Show." What started out as a sighting of the comic at The Heathman Hotel a friend of mine informed me about, and that I posted on the all-powerful Facebook, became one of the most unique nights this town has ever seen. It was due in large part to Facebook, Twitter and all the other social media networks that fuel our city. Together they were able to get THOUSANDS of people to gather at Pioneer Courthouse Square on a late summer night to see the comic perform his "act." And what an act it was. No one really knew whether or not the comic would show up, but he did, making the wee hours of July 15, 2009 one of the more interesting moments in history in a town that is full of interesting moments. As I said in a post here: "This morning it was just a tweet. By midnight it was a mass of thousands. We are in new times my friends." Photo by Kristy Faricy.

Pick of The Year: Actually it's more a "Pick of the Decade." And it's the issue of same sex marriage. As many of you know I've spent a good portion (since 2004) talking about this issue. My partner and I sued our Governor to overturn the unjust Measure 36 (we lost). And I've had my share of run-ins with people on both sides of the issue. So I guess, for old times sake, I am asking you to do me a "solid." Please give to Basic Rights Education Fund through Willamette Week's Give Guide. You only have a few hours left to click on the site here to ensure the fight for equal rights continues. And it would just tickle me pink if just a few of you gave to a worthy cause via the company that "freed up my future." The photo above is when Juan and I were "domestically partnered." We are ready to get married. Won't you join us in this worthy cause?