grumpyvoices.com

Greermonster is six!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:49:00 +0000

I can scare believe it. Six years.....already.

Still remember standing there (barely) when he was born. Absolutely stunning and beautiful and terrifying and real. My son. Now he's big enough to knock me over.

Today I tried to do everything he liked.

Got him some new shoes - which he picked out. Skateboarding shoes with a little style. For his birthday lunch, he bravely tried some new food - some variations on sushi - including a tray of fried coconut shrimp and orange slices....birthday complements from the chef.

I got a wild hair and decided to stop by a sporting goods store in Northeast. Greer had been asking for real soccer ball, so that wish was fulfilled...along with a Pee-Wee football, just for fun.

No birthday exodus would be complete without a stop at the Avalon. "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" was playing, and I knew Mr. Greer would be up for another blitz against the evil Imperial Empire - via the Star Wars video game near by.

After we had blown away the last Death Star (and the lot of our nickels), we headed home to receive a gourmet dinner of Shrimp and Sausage Jambalya, courtesy of a good friend (Verna Dice). Before the feast, Greer opened a small cache of birthday presents - including his first remote control car. While we dined, the Trailblazers took it to the Sixers - while Greer bounded about the basement, rooting for the home squad.

Not bad for a birthday at home with the family...

Back in Oly for Christmas...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:34:00 +0000

Been a long time...

As I have mentioned earlier, Facebook has consumed my blog.

No shame in that, other than the withering of my writing skills...and the fear that somehow all my FB entries will be deleted or used against me. Facebook is a great tool for keeping track of people, but it's like crack...something you compusively update and fiddle with.

Anyway...enough of my excuses.

So the holidays have slowed me down enough to help spur a legitamate writing attempt. Much has happened since my last post...

* My friend with the problem hasn't changed yet - and as a result has lost his family. He still sees them...they just have moved on and live someplace new. No divorce...yet. I have stepped back somewhat...knowing that he has to make the decision for himself. Unfortunately, there is more here than just his addiction.

* Got laid off in July....which was a minor surprise. I guess I was the canary in the coal mine. My department was hammered with layoffs not long after my departure.

* Spent the last five months exploring my options - and hoping for something that I could feel satisfied working towards.

* Did my best to enjoy every moment I could away from work. This included multiple camping connections with my folks, another visit to the blueberry fields, a couple hikes at the Ridgefield Refuge, lots of father/son time with Greer, a momentary brush with fame while working as an extra on 'Leverage', some film programming success at the Clinton, salmon fishing with my brother and Dad....and the list goes on.

So yeah...it's been busy, despite being out of work and seeking purpose.

Floating through the 4th

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:31:00 +0000

Another year...another 4th of July in Olympia.

As with past years, we did our best to escape early - fleeing the PDX area on Wednesday evening. Most of the packing had been done the night previous and (for once) it felt like we were actually going to extricate with a minimum of pain and suffering. Greer had his drawing pad, toys, water and snacks. The cats were fed and looked after. The plants were watered.

Amazingly, we managed to get out by 5pm and haul north.

You can tell you're missing out on summer, when you're astonished to arrive at your destination at 8pm - with plenty of daylight to spare. This holiday weekend was our first legitimate vacation since Alex wrapped up "A Little Night Music". To say that I was looking forward to it was an understatement.

Even though we're back in town, I'm still wondering when I'll get my vacation...

wondering what to do...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 13 May 2009 05:58:00 +0000

So....I have a very close friend who has a problem.

He's in the process of losing everything of value in his life - and is standing on a certain personal precipice. His family is falling apart and he's in such a personal twister that he doesn't see (or care about) what's coming.

Despite the efforts of many to intervene on his (and his family's) behalf - he is still unable to manage his focus enough to keep things together. Since his wife and child left, things have only gotten worse. Old habits and non-communication patterns have reemerged, and the friend I once knew seems greatly diminished. Unemployed and unable to act, this is a man that needs help very quickly.

So what to do?

Many I've talked with have said that problems like his are chronic. The person who has these issues must want to recover and work hard to do so.

What if he doesn't commit?

Do you wait around and watch the train wreck...and do your best to clean up afterwards? How far to you go to help someone, before they are compelled to help themselves?

Am I my brother's keeper?

Ruminations on 38...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:21:00 +0000

It's late now...and I'm feeling like I should either hit the sack - or watch a movie. If I watch a movie, I'll wake up at 2am to the repeating DVD menu soundtrack, awkwardly listing on the couch, a few pillows propping me up - with my cat's ass firmly nested on my head.

This is the sublime birthday present of pre-middleagedness.

I don't feel old...at least most of the time. In my 38 years, I've come to accept certain things. Gravity, for one, will always get you down. I could say that that I feel more centered, more balanced...and that might make it easier to stomach, but in the end, I fear gravity is the enemy. I sense this most keenly when I see Greer leap from the top rung of the playground play structure. My knees wince knowingly. Thankfully, the boy is made of rubber and Kevlar...at least for now.

My memory seems to be going as well. When I was younger, I used to try and remember everything I had done during the day while I was lying in bed....using my mind's eye to backtrack and trace the significance the day. Now...I am pretty much happy to flush it all and start fresh in the morning. Not to say that one day is the same as the next, but after a few days in the office cube, the week does tend to streamline.

Spent my 38th b-day on the job - trying to work through some new responsibilities. Should have been doing something less job-like.

I had plans to head south to Los Angeles this weekend to attend a the premiere of a documentary I had a hand in, but the fates conspired against me...and so, I'll be staying home instead. Probably for the best....save some money.....although you'd have a hard time convincing me of it - at least until this weekend is over. The documentary I speak of is about the legacy of JAWS - one of my all-time favorite films. I contributed some vintage news footage that snagged me a film archivist credit - therefore cementing me deep in the background of something greater. At least in my mind....

Ah well...

One bright spot for the birthday boy. After taking Greer to aikido practice, I came home to a yummy dinner and presents. My very own pair of blueberry bushes and an outdoor firepit for use during the summer. Oh yeah...and a pair of bearfoot slippers are on the way as well.

Such are the tender trappings of 38 years.

Greermonster art

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Some new and cool artwork from the Greermonster.

I'm not exactly sure what this one is, but the curls and sculpture-like construct made it impossible not to photograph.

Now...if I could only get him to do that on paper.

Facebook killed my Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 05:29:00 +0000

Ok...I told myself I wouldn't do it. I already had too much going on to add yet another item to the fray. I held off responding to friendly invitations, and resisted the advances of yet another potential commitment.

Then my old high school friend Lauren Henry invited me to check out Facebook. Damn her eyes! After I took the plunge and set up a page for myself; the friends, old acquaintances and myriad lost work pals came streaming back into my life - or at least my contact list.

All at the expense of this blog.

While I was FB'ing my latest...grumpyvoices.com looked on morosely - bearing the sad news of Schatzi's demise for more than four months before I decided to freshen things up.

Oh...the shame.

In that time, a great deal has happened.

* Christmas came and went - as did the epic snowfall.
* I had a great turnout for my MLK tribute at the Clinton Street Theater.
* Celebrated Obama's inauguration with 250 screaming liberals at the CST - on the big screen!
* Saw a bunch of operas - and a few Blazer games with my Mom.
* Watched in the Rose Garden as Brandon Roy racked up 52 on Phoenix - and scored a game-winner against New York.
* Helped break up a fight at a party for James Westby's new film "Rid of Me".
* Got my contract with Regence renewed until December 2009...whoo-hoo!
* Saw "Wicked" at the Keller...a truly enjoyable Broadway experience.
* Watched Greer win his first competitive award for Aikido...still wondering how that happened.
* Won a tidy sum playing the Oregon Lottery...
* Commemorated what would have been the third birthday of Elle and Quinn - by spending the day with Alexis and Greer at the Oregon Garden.

Suffice it to say, it has not been boring these past few months. Hopefully, I'll find the urge to return to my writing again...since Facebook only slightly satisfies in that department.

I'm crossing my fingers.

Snow!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:17:00 +0000

The year that Greer was born, there were rumblings of snow. As we nested inside the recovery room at Sunnyside KP, the skies fell and blanketed the area with a fine white coat. Thankfully, there was a break in the weather, and we were able to amble home - just before the next wave buried the area in an Antarctic jumble of ice and snow drifts.

Five years later, almost to the date - the big weather has returned. As we placed a plant on top of Schatzi's final resting place, the fat snowflakes began to fall...a harbinger of things to come. For over a week, winter held court in Portland - dumping almost two feet on our home. In true Portland fashion, a little rain fell inbetween snow flurries, turning the whole mess into a skating rink. Streets were sheets of ice and chains were required - just in time for the Christmas rush.

Alex, Greer and I hibernated...much as we did in 2003. Laptops dialed into the office, meetings were held at home, and the afternoons were punctuated with occasional outside visits for a snowball fight with the boy. As Christmas Eve - and our semi-annual family dinner loomed, the subject of the holiday roast came to the fore. The meat was loitering at Safeway, a few miles away across the frozen wasteland.

It was time to shovel the drive.

Wrapped in my green parka and sporting my all-weather boots, I grabbed a shovel and began to dig out. First a layer of powdered snow...then ice....then snow...then another wicked ice coating. The VW was entombed - so much so that it took 15 steaming pots of water to unthaw it enough for me to break apart the ice with a shovel (not good for the paint job BTW). Greer assisted for about 10 minutes, then retreated - as I continued to dig a path to the road. Alexis would peek between the blinds occasionally, to make sure I hadn't expired next to the rose bushes. By far the best workout of the year...or the closest I've been to a heart attack at least.

After high lining the car on an Antarctic snow berm that separated my driveway from the road, I managed to rescue the holiday roast from Safeway. I felt the hunter/gatherer gene surge within, and carefully navigated home - past legions of snowbound vehicles - the car brimming with all manner of sustenance.

An Angel Gets His Wings...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:10:00 +0000

"By associating with the cat, one only risks becoming richer." - Colette

It's been a while since I had a pet pass away.

When I was growing up, we a had a grey tabby named Keylo (I named her, of course) - who followed me around - slept in my bed and was my confidant / furry best friend.

My mom had birds - and I had a cat.

Keylo lived a long life - 17 years years thereabouts....and finally had to be put to sleep after becoming sick and incontinent. My parents had to do the deed - and decided to spare me the heartache by having her euthanized while I was on a church skiing trip. My parents cried in the car after leaving the vet's office.

I mourned that cat for a while. Even though she became distant and crabby near the end, she would always be the one who hid under my covers and purred. The one I had grown up with.

Today, I am my parents.

After 14 years of life, our oldest cat Schatzi had become sick with a tumor on his thyroid. We did what we could to keep him happy and comfortable, but in less than a year he had dropped to only 4 pounds - and had begun to throw up blood this past week.

We made a last ditch effort with the vet to hydrate, medicate and feed him - but he had lost interest in food and was noticeably uncomfortable and sad. The final decision was made this morning - after we found more blood - and came to terms with the fact that he was suffering needlessly.

As Alexis called the vet to make arrangements, we stood together and wept.

Schatzi was the "male of the house" before I made scene - and over time, he had become the "old man" with whom we snuggled, scratched and shared our lives with. When Alexis adopted him from the humane society, he had been hit by a car. The vet who attended to him after the accident couldn't bear to put him down, and put pins his broken back legs pro bono. After Alex picked him up, the vet did all of the post-adoption follow-up work for free. He was blessed from a young age to be surrounded by cat lovers - and eventually found additional affection from me and his adopted cat sister - Pogue.

Before we left for the vet, we all said goodbye. Greer wondered why he was only going to have one cat - and why Schatzi was dying. He touched the old man's head and ears - and gave him one last scratch. Pogue ambled up and sat next to him, somewhat anxious - and wondering if she could get in on the love. I took pictures - and tried to capture this family moment, like I have in the past. Wanting to remember.

I took Greer to school, gave him a hug and then met Alexis at the vet. It was cold, and the roads were covered with melting ice and snow from a week's worth of winter weather.

In the end, it was a quick and peaceful - if deeply saddening moment. The nurse had Alex sign the necessary paperwork and settle the bill, while Schatzi was given a catheter in his front leg. We cried and kissed him goodbye one last time - and then the doctor administered an overdose of anesthetic. The effect was almost immediate. Within moments, he lay down on his side and quietly expired. It was over within a minute.

Outside, snow began to fall in large flakes. Angelic and white.

He was many things to us.

He was the nurse cat when we were sick or sad - and had a loud, purr inside of him.

Once he found his place on you, he was an excellent sleeping or nesting companion.

He was cordial and communicative - and able to "converse" in his own cat language with anyone willing to engage him.

He loved to be pushed to the floor and given a hardy belly scratch. A good push-spin on a linoleum floor was also gladly accepted.

He loved ribbons, wrapping paper and climbed into any open box - especially at Christmas.

He had a beard fetish - and would groom me until I could not longer bear it.

He was Schatzi - our bright-eyed treasure.

-----------------------------------------------------

A good friend of mine died today,
I stood at his side - and cried - as he faded away.

A noble beast of apple face

White fur, velvet paws

He lay still - in a quiet grace.

Dear Schatzi, we knew and loved you so,

but we know you're at rest - so we let you go.

T-Day and after

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:21:00 +0000

Another year, another Thanksgiving in Lacey.

Before trekking north on Wednesday - the car was in the shop, victim of an engine light. Nothing terribly serious - but somehow amazingly expensive. Catalytic converter had bit the bullet and needed replacement. Still driveable, though.

So north to Washington - a little traffic in town, but a fairly easy drive. Arrived before 8pm - and watched everyone else hit the sack at 9pm. I ended up watching TV and crashing the couch.

Thanksgiving Thursday morning brought the odyssey that is dinner prep. Alex was busy with the turkey, sweet potatoes, and everything else. I pretended to look after the boy - some coloring time here, a movie there. Kung Fu Panda was on the menu - along with the inevitable yummy side dishes and pumpkin pie.

After we stuffed ourselves and Greer had hit the hay, I jumped ship for the multi-plex - and a screening of "Twilight" - the film I worked on (as an extra) earlier this year. It was bearable...and I didn't make the final cut. Ah well, I have fond memories of Vernonia and Oregon City. Maybe when the DVD comes out?

Friday brought a little field trip. Around mid-day, Alex, Greer and I left the house and drove to the Nesqually Wildlife Refuge north of Lacey. It was sprinkling out, but endurable for the purpose of bird watching / nature hiking. About half-way through, Greer began to lay on the mustard....complaining about the hike, and "how we will never get back". A and I, prodded him along with the usual amount of baiting and encouragement. Greer would have none of it. He drug his feet, and wailed aloud - like it was the Bataan death march or some such nonsense.

Thankfully, all things must come to an end...

Back home, we retired for the evening - and broke open "The Golden Compass"....a mixed, but ultimately satisfying fantasy -- even if it threatens to put you to sleep.

Saturday was a surprise of sorts. I had spoken with my old college friend, Phil...and we agreed to meet up for coffee in Old Tacoma - near the Museum of Glass. A little morning respite from the womb-like existence in Lacey. Managed to survive a freeway cloverleaf nightmare - and was pleasantly surprised by the great art and architecture that abounded. Much like Olympia and Seattle, Tacoma has an understated northwest vibe....almost European in feel. The Museum of Glass was a definite return visit - and an open recommendation for anyone with an appreciation for glass art. It was great to see Mr. Phil...and I look forward to our next connection.

All in all....another enjoyable turkey day break. We'll be back in December for a post-Christmas stay.

Greermonster loves leaves

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:27:00 +0000

Remembering Harvey...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:19:00 +0000

It was the event that I almost missed.

When I heard that Gus Van Sant would be directing a bio-pic of the late gay rights leader Harvey Milk, I was happy to hear it. If anyone could bring the dramatic and ultimately tragic story of his life to the screen, Gus could do it.

For me, Harvey is a true American hero....a tireless, frank and committed soul who stood up and helped lead the movement for human/civil rights - not just for GLTB folks, but for his entire community. Despite his own insecurities, he answered the call.

Flash forward to last week.....and the Portland benefit premeire of "Milk" at the Schnitz.

I had known about it for a month....asked a couple friends about going....but at the time, I was still jobless and the money needed to go elsewhere. I held back and decided to wait for the release.

As soon as I started back at Regence, the nagging in my head began. I was going to regret missing this one....and besides....it WAS a benefit for Outside/In - an advocacy group for street kids. Before long, I was standing in line at the PCPA...picking up the tickets for Paul, Michael and myself - and getting excited again.

I was not dissappointed.

Van Sant's "Milk" is great marriage of art and history. Instead of a dry portrait of an assasinated leader, we get a beautifully rendered flavor of the times, and an intimate vision of a man finding his place within a community and history. Casting is brilliant. Penn inhabits Harvey Milk in a way that few actors I believe would be capable. His physicality and energy is very believable - and it's easy to forget what actor you're watching. After a while...it's just Harvey. I could go on about the supporting cast...all very solid in their own way. James Franco (Scotty) stands out as well....showing his range and willingness to expand as an actor.

Kudos all the way around...I see this film getting several nods at Oscar time.

Additionally...Rob Epstein's Oscar-winning 1984 documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk" is a definite must for anyone who enjoyed this film. I watched it right after "Milk" - and am still impressed with how affecting it is.

A New Day...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:34:00 +0000

I couldn't be any happier.

It's as if a huge weight has been removed, and in it's place, a hope for something great.

Despite fear, anger, ignorance and eight years of soul-sucking influence within the corridors of executive power - the American people have finally elected a president who just might change things for the better in this country.

It's been a long road, but the mountaintop is within view.

Coming Home to Roost

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:56:00 +0000

So here we are again. On the edge, leaning into one of the most important elections in our nation's history.

After eight years, the chickens are finally coming home to roost for the Grand Old Party. Average citizens are feeling the effects of economic downturn, war and greed - and are looking to shift gears.

Change - whether it be real or imagined, is the winning hand.

Democrats will once again control the executive and legislative branches - and will certainly have their work cut out for them. This is an opportunity for good democratic things to be done. I only hope our elected officials have the courage and responsibility to pursue the potential that is at hand.

Halloween - and Crumpa drops by...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:55:00 +0000

It's been quite a week.

All the hubbub of learning the new gig has turned time back on it's head. My first week back at Regence was a whirlwind of meetings, brain dumps and the usual mental traffic. Suffice to say, time blew by, and we were suddenly knocking on the door of Halloween - and the emergence of Mr. Roboto - in all his silvery glory.

After a long day at the office, we quickly connected at home and headed over to a nearby senior center to see Marcia's family and visit her grandma. The girls were drop-dead cute...especially Keira, who was in full Wizard of Oz mode, dressed as Dorothy...right down to the red shoes.

After a short visit (and and few hundred photos), we headed over to visit Chris, Windy and Ember - and try the house to house routine in their neighborhood. Weather forcasts were thankfully wrong - and instead of slogging through a night rain, the three of us enjoyed a quick and enjoyable night of ghosts and ghoulies. Greermonster cleaned up in the packaged sugar department - and was the frequent recipient of positive comments on his robotic veneer.

Home again....Greer counted out his candy, and then promptly sacked out, just before his Crumpa arrived for a quick overnight visit. While our little beastie cut a few logs, we holed up in the basement, and watched the Blazers win a thrilling home opener against San Antonio.

The next morning we enjoyed a leisurely wake-up, and set ourselves to visit the 72nd Avenue Pub for brunch. Opting for footpower, we hiked the short distance to our favorite new hang and settled in for some fantastic grub. Even Crumpa (and his hollow leg) were satiated.

All in all, a great way to start a weekend.

Blazermaniacs...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:52:00 +0000

A New Place...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:29:00 +0000

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?

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:15:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:21:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:40:00 +0000

Mr. Roboto

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 06:50:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 07:33:00 +0000

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...

Quick weekend makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:11:00 +0000

Since we made our home in SE PDX back in 2003, the house has been in need of a paint job.

My Papa was good about painting a side of the house every year, but that had stopped happening a while ago, and things were starting to bubble, peel and crack. Years would come and go - and the job would be brought up and promptly shelved for lack of time or money. The roof and insulation upgrade were taken care of, but the exterior paint job lingered.

Well....this year we got it done.

With the help of my buddies Dave and Dan, we conquered the mountain of cleaning, sanding, recaulking and window taping that surrounds a singular house painting project. With about a week's worth of grunt work done, my Dad dropped in with his paint compressor unit and painted everything in about 5 hours. Our place on 72nd was built in the 40s - and has always been either white or cream color. In recent years, cream had been the trend, but our latest attempt returns it to white.

Dad stayed over Saturday (we went to see Eagle Eye that evening) and Sunday - until we finally had everything finished and cleaned up. All that's left is the trim, which is currently slated to be black - per Alexis' vision.

Next mission? The reclamation of the basement? You never know...

Feeling Crabby

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:47:00 +0000

In a last ditch effort to enjoy summer, my folks decided to escape to the coast. Things are different now, compared with the long-passed summers....when my family would rent a house near Rockaway Beach. Life revolved around hauling in crab from Garibaldi and Nahalem Bay, and generally forgetting the world for a week.

The feeling of drying sand on my feet as I climbed the graying wood steps to the sliding glass door. Sand dollars in a shoebox. Sneaking cigarettes behind the sand dunes. Baba sitting in a chair - with her small feet on the ottoman - reading a book. Playing ping-pong in the garage with my Papa. Sandcastle fortresses by the dozen.

So I was happy that Greer and I could join them - if only for a couple days. The folks were situated in an RV park about a stones' throw from our old stomping grounds....between Nadonna Beach and Wheeler.

And of course, we would be going crabbing.

My folks are great at spoiling us with good food. Upon our arrival on Friday afternoon, Mom casually mentioned that we would be having razor clams for dinner. While this didn't count much in Greer's sphere....I was very pleased. And so it went, some time for visiting and fun with Greer.....and then the food. Mmmmmm....and discussion of our crabbing plans for Saturday. This would be Greer's introduction to the hunt.

After some fiddling around, Dad and I determined to rent an aluminum boat, crab nets and bait from a nearby dock for $65....a tidy sum for the two-hour privilege of working your tail off for a few pounds (hopefully) of crab meat.

After idling into the bay, we quickly realized something. This was not my father's 26-foot Bayliner. That boat had been sold a while back. We were two big men (and one little guy) in a smallish, moderately stable boat. So be it.

Greer was very anxious to hold a crab, and made sure we understood the urgency. The rings and traps went in, and we waited as long as we could (about five minutes) before making a run. Rings up....nothing but oversize females and kelp. Rings down. Trap up....two old keepers with a deep purple/brown shells. Trap down. Into the long Styrofoam cooler go two future crab louies.

Greer eagerly grabbed at one of the small ones - on his way back to the ocean. Instead of tossing him back, Greer sought to examine - to his undoing.

Pinch pinch....and then the howling.

No matter what I did to try and draw him back in, his interest in our adventure had receded - and he now eyed our harvest with a certain fear. Every ten minutes would hear a pointed question about when we were going home. Sorry, son....buy the ticket, take the ride.

Two hours later, we returned home tired and soaked to the bone - with nine of the crabby buggers. Dad cleaned them and I boiled them near the dock. As the afternoon waned, all four of us sat out on a picnic bench next to the RV and cracked our hard earned crab.

Greer speared the shell of a leg with one of his utensils - as if exacting a measure of revenge. Then he got bored, and went back to coloring.

High times on the coast indeed.