Blazermaniacs...

A New Place...

Really quickly, before I fall into bed....

I want to draw attention to a new addition in my spotty neighborhood. The 72nd Avenue Pub - near SE 72nd and Flavel has been open for about five weeks and has quickly become my new favorite place for a meal. Owner Bill - is always around to chat with, and they have a tight menu with solid breakfast, lunch and dinner options w/various beers on tap. I've eaten there four times in the past two weeks and not been disappointed yet. It has a McMenamins look, with more food options (hamburgers and sandwiches mostly) - and a laid-back diner approach. I suspect this might become a future hangout - as they also have an HD flatscreen that they will show "the big game" on.

I see a burger, a televised Trailblazer game, and Greer making a visit with me in the near future. Definitely.

Had dinner (at the 72nd pub) with my friend David, who came to visit from Rochester. It was one of those fine conversations that leaves you excited for the next topic of discussion. A film is on our minds right now. Something that will be fun, challenging and special - or a nightmare of varying shades.

I believe the former.

Mr. McGowan, I presume?

In a chance convergence of family and acting, I volunteered to join my relatives Mark and Donnah Hinds, and be part of "Spirits of Oregon City", a cemetery walking tour of historical actors.

The focus for this performance were the citizens and leaders buried at Mt. View Cemetery - within historic Oregon City. Our individual performances were staged in the proximity to the person's gravemarker and consisted of a two-minute monologue regarding the times and personal history. The audience for this acting were 14 busloads of attendees who roamed the cemetery in groups with a historical guide.

My contribution came in the visage of former OC mayor and electrical entrepreneur, F. O. McGowan....the man who helped bring electricity to Oregon City - and eventually Portland.

It's a Major Award

Yeah....that thing on your right is what you think it is.

An Oscar.

It's heavier than you would imagine, and it was won by Barbara Trent in 1991 - for her documentary "The Panama Deception" - an investigation into the political machinations behind the invasion of Panama prior to the first Gulf War. Trent came to Portland last week to share her latest film about some Iraq war veterans who are speaking out against the current war(s). Part of her time here was spent at Portland Community College - Sylvania, where she spoke with students and had a public screening of the Panama Deception.

Aside from the respect that I have for her activism and filmmaking - it was great to see that she was down-to-earth - and willing to pass the gold man around. While the screenings and subsequent discussion were serious and passionate, it was funny to see students quickly pulling out their camera phones and geeking out on the Hollywood trophy.

It was also a reminder that important work is sometimes justly rewarded.

Speaking of rewards, I was recently hired for another contract with Regence. 5 months of Project Coordinartion starting Monday.

It must be Fall.

Just a photo I like

Mr. Roboto

Greermonster will be GreerRobot for Halloween this year. Mom decrees it!

After hunting around at Michaels for supplies - and hand painting some of the elements, Alexis came up with this genius costume for our boy.

The flexy-tubing for the arms was my idea.

Hoping to gather different arms of the family together to share in the trick-or-treat marathon.

Greer, Ember, Keira and Mia. Oh...it's going to be cute.

BirdFest 2008

The beginning of a big weekend....and woolly bear encounters.

Folks came down early to visit and join Alexis, Greer and I at Bird Fest up in Ridgefield, Washington. The Ridgefield downtown area transforms yearly into a mecca for bird lovers and bluegrass music fans. Kids busy themselves under the activity tent - cutting out paper owls and getting face painted feathers. People wander from the Lions Club hot dog table - and visit the many bird and nature-themed booths within the community center.

Greer mouthed a hamburger - and wanted to see the real deal. The other half of the day was pursuing just that notion. A relaxed drive through the south unit of the preserve.

From the car you could see hawks, herons, geese and ducks by the number. Despite the influx of traffic, it was quite a sight for all of us.

Along the way, we pulled over at a bird blind - and Greer encountered a big, woolly-bear caterpillar. In fact, there was no way you could avoid them...they were everywhere on the trail and Greer wanted to take every one of them home.

----------------- haiku

Blue Heron fishing tadpoles. Canada geese fly.
A hawk sits on a bare branch. Ducks call on the pond.

The Mania is coming...

For all those who don't know about my enthusiasm for the Portland Trailblazers this year, my apologies for the next few paragraphs...

The 2008-09 season is finally upon us...and as the leaves fall, the Trailblazers rise. Sorry if this is laying it on a bit thick, but the newest team is definitely something to write home about. All the more evident this evening at the Rose Garden, as the TBs celebrated their start with the annual Fan Fest - an open-to-the-public 40-minute scrimmage and PR event.

Brought along Greer and Dave to share the fun. After struggling through traffic, we pushed into one of the side entrances - and ran into backup center Joel Pryzbilla! As we spun through the turnstiles, I held Greer up - and Joel gave him two high-fives. Apparently the TBs had different players at some of the entrances...giving the fans a little personal contact, which was an added bonus.

Once in our seats, the game got rolling in fine style. It didn't take long before the new troika of rookies (Oden, Fernandez, Bayless) began to deliver. While the hype was all over Oden, the exciting play belonged to Fernandez and Bayless. Rudy F. showed immediate veteran qualities - running hard and shooting with a high percentage. Bayless continued to impress with his push at point guard, and instincts on the outside - and in the paint. Oden finally pulled in his first homecoming - and had a pair of dunks and a free throw. He looked a little out of synch, but you had to know his defence was changing the game. His blocks / rebounds / point-scored ratio are going to be even sometimes. Only time will tell (and health) how dominant he will be.

It's a little scary to think about what the addition of these three players will do to the Blazers. All three are candidates for Rookie of the Year, and I guarantee at least one of them will land it for 2008-09. If Rudy is as automatic as he was tonight, he'll have it wrapped up - despite all the hype around Oden.

The rest of the team tore it up as usual. Adridge showed his All-Star qualities - as did Brandon Roy. Both played strongly and set the tone. The real show happened between competing forwards Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster. Every time one would score, the other would follow suit soon afterwards. Both were impressive, although I think Outlaw may have the edge for the starting job.

It's a good time to be swept up in Blazermania...