PFM, that’s me, Patrick. Those are my initials. When my mom writes to me, she calls me PF, or PFM when she’s being more formal (but she always says “Patrick” when speaking).

In 2011, I became a lawyer (my mid-life red convertible if you will), and along the way, I discovered that what I love to do is what I’ve always done – write and tell stories. So now I also work as a writer and editor.

PFM Reports is my place to write about what I enjoy. A glance through my posts and you will quickly come to see that I enjoy food. I also love to travel, but sometimes work doesn’t allow for trips, so I explore the city in which I live.

The idea behind PFM Reports was a mother’s day request from my mom that everyone in the family send an update each week. I named my first update “PFM Reports.” After just a couple of updates (I’ve been sending them for almost three years now), I discovered that they can start to sound the same. I’ve tried to fix that by getting out there and doing something I can write about. I’m a creature of habit who is learning to try new things.

I started the “public” version of PFM Reports in March of 2012. I was in the middle of a two year stay in Portland, Oregon, one of my favorite cities on the planet. I grew up in Minnesota, but over the years, I’ve lived in Boston, Illinois, Vienna, Seattle, Las Vegas, Beijing and Delhi. In the October 2012, I moved back to Minnesota to rediscover my home state.

Sometimes I write about events that can’t be repeated or maybe won’t happen again for another year, but I hope the story will still give you a laugh. I also hope that it will inspire you to discover your own city.

Here are a few posts that reveal a little bit more about me:

• Allow Me To Introduce Stella! – Stella! is my bike and my first set of wheels as an adult.
• Apricot Jam – I like to think I’m a decent person, but don’t touch my apricot jam. I also have a reputation for steeling Christmas cookies, which “are for guests.”
• Two Goals: One Forest, One Bridge – I’m a man with more than my share of phobias, and one of those is a fear of heights. (I also have a fear of squirrels.)
• Do-over – The out of shape, middle-aged man that I am learns to play soccer for the first time.
• OFG – Operation Feel Good. Given my love for food, there has to be a plan to keep the weight in check.
• Cosmic Debt – trying to be better than I am, inspired by “A Mighty Man.”

The most popular posts (based on visits) include some that I might have guessed, but a couple that have surprised me. (Updated June 12, 2013)

1. Macarons Part 2: Paris – It’s Paris. It’s part of a trilogy and I do love macarons, so this doesn’t surprise me. The post has remained on top except for a brief moment last summer when #3 jumped to the top.
2. The Green Man of Portland, bumped The Steel Bridge (my favorite bridge) off the top five to make its first appearance on the list in March and now has surged to the number two spot. The Green Man is more than just a sculpture, it’s a “legend.” The archer will give you visions.
3. Midtown Greenway – Although Portland, Oregon is known as a city for bikes, I have to tip my hat to the Twin Cities. The Midtown Greenway is one of the best urban bike trails I’ve ever ridden.
4. Hamlet’s Ghost Wanders the Lone Fir Cemetery – After spending July at the top of the list, this post has settled in at #3. (If you think you don’t like Shakespeare, go see Hamlet performed in a cemetery.)
5. Do-over, the story of my learning to play soccer as an adult, took a year to make the top five, but finally did, bumping I Ate the Baby Cheesus – yes, I do laugh at my own jokes, and quite frankly, I think this is my best title (Plus, who doesn’t like a story about grilled cheese sandwiches?) – from the list.

The story of my grandmother’s 99th birthday (The Case of the Missing Candy Drawer) and one of my favorite sandwiches in the world (My Monday, My Sandwich) were in the Top 5 list in July 2012, but have since been bumped from the list.

Moving off the list in October 2012 are “The Peculiarium” – A museum, a gift shop and a snack counter all in one and “Who Moved Chinatown?” – Chinatown is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Portland, so I hope people will still find this post and explore the neighborhood.

I can be reached via email at patrick (at) pfmreports (dot) com.