rose city journal

oregon craft beer month

2008-07-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

I've always been a bit of a "beer snob," according to my friend Anna. Yup, it's probably true. I'll take a Rogue Dead Guy, a Skinny Dip or a Full Sail Ale over a non-microbrewery beer any day of the week. And since I've moved to Oregon, I've already found several new favorites, including Laurelwood Free Range Red and Drop Top Amber Ale. I practically dropped to my knees when I saw the microbrew selection at Fred Meyer on Barbur. Instead, I just stood there in awe until the distributor stocking one of the shelves laughed and said, "impressive, huh?"

The Oregon Craft Beer Month celebrates beer snobs by giving them more than 100 special events at Oregon breweries throughout the month of July. In addition, grocery stores everywhere will be getting in on the fun by providing beer tastings.

Learn more about Oregon Craft Beer Month events in your area at the Oregon Brewers Guild.

the punk years: jockey club remembered

2008-07-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

A story that I wrote for you all will be published this fall in Stories for Shorty: A Collection of Recollections from the Jockey Club. The book is about the now-legendary, now-defunct punk nightclub that featured bands like Bauhaus, Black Flag, the Circle Jerks and The Ramones.

The Jockey Club has become somewhat mythological in the years since the bar closed. There were really only a few punk clubs in the U.S. worth going to at the time, and absolutely none in the central states, save Northern Kentucky. The Jockey Club was an excellent venue to watch a band and it was just always a lot of fun.

If you're a Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky reader of the Rose City Journal and you have stories about the Jockey Club, photos or art that you'd like to submit for the book, contact the publisher, Aurore Press.

the fix-up

2008-07-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

I was chatting with my friend Mark when he suddenly exclaimed, “Hey! I’ve got an attorney friend that I’d like to fix you up with.” Oh, God.

My emotions, as usual, must have been all over my face because I quickly received an uptight “What?! You’re too good to be fixed up?” No, Mark, I patiently explained. I am not “too good” for blind dates. But here’s the thing. If you want to fix me up with someone because he has that sarcastic sense of humor that I love, he’s interesting, smart and just seems like a person that I would be interested in, that’s great. I’d love to go.

But if you’re fixing me up with someone because he’s single and I’m single, well. You can just forget it.

There’s nothing worse than the fix-up. And I don't mean where you keep thinking two people might be a good match for each other so you make a suggestion. That’s great. I appreciate it. But the whole “let’s push these two lonely people together because they have nothing better do” is just not happening. At least not for me.

I've never believed in dating just for the sake of dating. Honestly? I’d rather watch my DVD of The Big Lebowski for the gazillionth time than waste my time in an awkward situation, with someone I’m not interested in. why bother?

True story: Sometime during my senior year of high school or thereabouts, I was fixed up on a blind date by my friend Mel. He was nice. I liked him. But he wasn’t at all my type and I could tell, I wasn’t his type either. A day or two later I am on the phone with one my friends.

“So what did you think of him?”

“Well, he’s nice, but not my type.”

“Ah, too bad.”

“But I’ll tell you something. I think you would really like him.”

“What?! Are you kidding?”

“No. I just have this feeling that you two would really hit it off.”

They went out. Got married. And actually, they’re among the few people I know who stayed married.

How ‘bout that?

justice is served

2008-06-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, I got a call from the Justice Department. I had a moment of sheer panic before I remembered, I contacted them first. For over a year, I’ve been getting harassed by a collections agency. A dim-witted collections agency that thinks that I am someone else. Yup, they had the wro-o-o-ong number. A fact that I had repeatedly explained to the half-wit who called me the most frequently: “Dude. The only Nellie Oleson I’ve ever heard of was on the Little House on the Prairie.”

Clearly, there was some kind of mix-up. Someone was playing a joke on the debt collections agency. But no matter how many times I explained myself over the phone, they refused to believe me. Highlights from the phone calls I received include the collections agency (later revealed to be Northland Group) calling me a liar, calling me very late at night and oh yes, refusing to identify the name of their company. For a year, I was unable to report them because they had a blocked number. But they started calling me again this month and voila! Their number suddenly appeared on my Caller ID.

Since my phone number is on the do not call list, is an unlisted cell phone number and as I’d told them over and over that it was a wrong number anyway, I filed an online complaint report with the Oregon Attorney General. They followed up tout suite, calling Northland Group and telling them to take me off their list. Immediately. Ding!

I’m going to double-dip and post this on some of my business blogs too, as a cautionary tale. Companies that hire collections agencies have to be very, very careful of whom they entrust with their business. From a customer retention perspective, you don’t want to hire someone who is rude or unpleasant to a current or future customer. Companies like Northland Group give the collection agency industry a bad name. There are collections agencies out there who work hard, remain pleasant on the phone and who won't do anything to embarrass a client or to offend customers during a phone call.

There are rules that collections agencies have to follow and Northland Group ignored all of them: refusing to self-identify, calling a cell phone number, calling a number from the do not call registry and continuing to call back after being told it was a wrong number are just a few of the things they did wrong. From a marketing perspective, using a collections agency like Northland Group won’t help your bottom line.

There’s an easy way to prevent abuse by a collections agency that you hire for debt collections. It’s called “seeding,” and it means including your name and a few key staff members on the list of customers to call. That way, you can find out first hand if the debt collections agency is following your instructions, and representing you in the way that aligns with your company’s marketing and PR initiatives.

If you're being harassed over the phone by a company that you did not authorize to call you, your local Attorney General's office can help. The AG is the original consumer's advocate, going to bat for citizens under siege. You can file a complaint online with the Oregon Attorney General and make the harassment stop.

Well I Never (said with my Kentucky drawl: Ahhh Neh-verrrr)

2008-06-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

So Friday we hung out at Cheryl’s and I did three stupid things:

Said sure, I’ll drink margaritas instead of beer
Something else I can’t tell you about here
Suggested that we play that time-honored drinking game, I Never.

No one else had ever played, amazing, so it was great fun. I love introducing unsuspecting people to worn-out drinking games. One of the women was pretty racy (no, it wasn’t me) which always makes for an especially good game. We went through the usual rounds that showed off our dissolute pasts and then moved on to confessions, an inevitable part of the game.

I mean, it’s pretty difficult to drink on some of the I Never statements without offering some sort of explanation: I was under the influence. I was in love. I was under the influence and I was in love. That’s basically what the responses, however they were couched, came down to. Mostly, it was love that motivated us to be wild. Be bad. Be stupidly stupid.

And that’s so often the reason why I’ve made bad decisions. I even said that at one point, after another double shot found me looking up from the bottom of the glass to a ring of raised eyebrows: I can’t help it. I fall in love a lot.

Three hours later, I woke up to love’s hangover.

Next time I think I’ll just show them how to play euchre.

rotten neighbors

2008-06-23T16:25:00.000-07:00

The rotten neighbor website gives people an opportunity to publicly kvetch about their beer-chugging, drug-selling, skanked out neighbors. A quick search on Portland, Oregon’s rotten neighbors unearthed these gems:

A “religious cult” operating out of a residence on NW Kearney terrifies nearby neighbors.

A guy who gets “very angry at anyone who does yard work” on NW Lovejoy. This may be the same guy who is also called a “terrible, loud alcoholic” on the same street.

The most fantastic news man to ever broadcast news works at one lucky neighbor’s location on SW Naito. “Just make sure not to acknowledge, greet or touch him if you pass him on the sidewalk around here. Most of us are not worthy of his gaze.”

In addition to posting complaints, rotten neighbor also encourages comments from site members. A complaint about a homeless man who hangs out at Pioneer Square Park, eyeballing someone with a “JuJu eyeball” while they try to enjoy their morning Starbucks latte netted these comments from helpful site visitors:

JuJu eyeball? Is he a freaking warlock or something?

Have coffee somewhere else...or be nice, give him a new set of clothes and a hot cup of coffee. Try being nice, not some stuck up ho.

My guess is where the little green house is. I don't know which homeless guy he is referring to because that max stop is usually swarming with them.

The rotten neighbor website helpfully integrates information about sex offenders in the area, too.

For more info about skank alerts, rude parkers and awesome peeps in your town, check out rotten neighbor.

she blah-blahed over the important part

2008-06-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from an actual conversation I had with one of my friends before moving to Portland. We were debating going to a new bar in Northern Kentucky:

Me: “Susan’s band is playing at the “Blah Blah.” Do you want to go?”

Friend: “No. The Blah Blah is owned by a stripper.”

Me: “Do we not like strippers now? What’s wrong with that?”

Friend: “The stripper shot my cousin.”

I’m not kidding. Of course, after we talked I was dying to go. New bars open right and left in Northern Kentucky, but how many of them are owned by gun-toting strippers?

Defining your place in the world is never easy. And I should know. For a long time now, I’ve been wondering where my place is supposed to be. That will come as a shock to regular readers. Ha. Prone to self reflection doesn’t begin to cover it. I spent years trying to figure out where I might go wrong. Protecting myself from potential mishaps and missteps. So much so that I may have actually missed out. On a few things. But no regrets, right?

A woman I met recently was telling me a story about a relationship gone wrong. She ended the story with a warning, and some well-meaning advice: “Never date your best friend’s brother.” I know where she’s coming from.

But I spent so much time in the past not doing things because they seemed like a bad idea (never date someone you work with, never go out with a neighbor, blah, blah, blah), and I don’t know that those were always the best decisions for me.

And if you’re reading this and you think that you moved here (wherever here is for you) to be with family, or for a job, or a spouse or whatever, well, that may be true. I did one of those things. But it may also be true that you had to move here for something really good to happen with a business that you didn’t know you would ever own. Or maybe you’re supposed to meet the love of your life here. Man, I don’t know. But rather than reflecting on what you did that was right… what you’ve done that was wrong… Maybe you should take care not to miss what’s right under your nose.

You know?

Sometimes I think, why didn’t I move to Portland five years ago… ten years ago… why I ever left Oregon to begin with. I remember feeling down some months ago, when I’d made the decision to move but felt too saddled with medical bills to ever make it happen and annie said, “you feel this way because you’re meant to be somewhere else. You’re in the wrong place.”

But then I think, maybe I wasn’t meant to be here until now. Maybe there’s some reason why I didn’t show up before.

Instead of running wildly all over the state this month (like I have ever since arriving) I’m contemplating spending some more time in Portland. Have some quiet weekends to catch up on work. Amble over to the farmer’s market on a Saturday. And just relax and enjoy the city.

I told someone recently, it’s 50/50 whenever I leave the house… sometimes I can find just what I’m looking for and sometimes I get lost. Not too bad after a couple of months. Portland is a lot smaller than where I lived before but it’s chopped up. Uneven. Streets sometimes just stop, for no apparent reason. I’m figuring it out. These days, when I drive over the Ross Island bridge it’s because I want to, not because I have to. Finding my way around town always reminds me about being open to finding my karmatic path too.

And at this point, I feel open to anything… Regardless of whether or not it’s a good idea.

is that all there is?

2008-06-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

Sitting outside with Jul at Cusina downtown a couple of weeks ago, I had, well, a moment.

The starlight parade was starting in a couple of hours and already, families lined the sidewalks, in anticipation of the nighttime celebration. Mothers cuddled small children and fathers hoisted sons to their shoulders. And meanwhile, the usual suspects wandered the city streets, providing plenty of fodder for people-watching. The sun was still coasting overhead and the white tablecloths gleamed as I raised my microbeer to toast Jul’s water. And suddenly I realized:

It’s perfect.

I’m exactly where I want to be. Doing exactly what I want to do.

I tried to explain it all to Jul and I think she got it, we hadn’t seen each other for a while but she knows how I am, recognizing moments, feeling fanciful and just generally being a died in the wool romantic. She smiled at me in indulgence but I caught an eye gleam that told me she understood something of what I was feeling. It was just perfect, I explained. Sitting at an outdoor restaurant in Portland toasting my dear old friend and just, you know, being.

And it’s taken a long time to get me to this place.

So many people search for that moment, that feeling of pure happiness and when-will-it-start that I think they miss out on what’s happening all around them. I’ve been called a risk taker by some, who know my history of quitting my really good job to freelance, and, I suppose, of upping and shifting my gear cross-country.

But I don’t think you have to wait for momentous things to happen to have a momentous life.

Those people on the sidewalk. Those families. They were all having their own moments, and making their own memories.

I wonder if they knew.

At what point in your life do you say, this is my life. This is what I’m going to be doing from now on. And, I’m happy. Recently I was having a conversation with a friend and he told me that when he woke up that day he had the feeling that he liked his life. That’s a good place to be, I told him.

And sometimes I think, what if I would have gotten married, the times that presented itself? Sometimes I think, then I would live in a big house on a golf course and not “have to do” anything at all. But then I think. What do you do in a big empty house? Stare out the windows. Think about how once, a long time ago, people said my writing showed promise.

Then I feel fine again.

Picture of the Day: Corvallis

2008-06-11T14:08:00.001-07:00

Shot on the streets of Corvallis with my crackberry. My sister, a Corvallis resident for more than 20 years, breezed by it without a backward glance. But I had to go back and snap this shot.

Destination: Lisa.

2008-06-06T14:29:00.000-07:00

So I’ve been practicing my tour guide skills on out of town guests and trust me, my smile is stretched so tight my teeth are bared. But I went to a lot of fun places, some old favorites and some all-new, in just a few days’ time.

I had friends in from Cincinnati this weekend, also a friend in from Washington for a day or two and then another round of guests starts this weekend. Next month a friend has said he might visit and countless other friends, one who is expecting, all promised to visit over the next few months. And everyone else is just trying to jockey for my time.

Ah, the life you live when you reside in a destination city.

Places to go when you’re visiting Portland, Oregon include:

The Portland Rose Garden features yup, acres of roses in all colors and sizes, one of Portland’s classic fountains and many lovely walking paths, all set against a backdrop that has breathtaking views of the city.

The Portland Saturday Market, open until 5 on Saturdays and until 4:30 on Sundays, is a worthwhile stop. Especially around lunchtime. I grew up going to the Saturday Market in Eugene. My next door neighbor’s dad had a booth at the open air market and he’d scoop us up and take us with him before the market opened. We got a behind the scenes peek at how things work at the Saturday Market and then ran wild all day, drinking lemonade and noshing on the amazing food. The Portland Saturday Market is just as good.

Powell’s bookstore, as everyone knows, set the stage for all of the other chain bookstores to steal their ideas and to create homogenized versions of the Portland bookstore. My friends, upon seeing Powell’s for the first time, liked the bookstore’s vintage “library or schoolhouse” feel.

Rogue, or any of the many breweries around town, offer great food and oh yeah, they also have beer. I always go for Dead Guy Ale but one friend tried a sampler and the rich, dark brews seemed to go down pretty easily.

Good eats that are very, very convenient when you visit in or near downtown Portland include:

Greek Cusina- We sat outside and dined here on Saturday and it was quite good. I’m waiting until Ann visits to try to the Lebanese restaurant. If I can wait that long.

Mamma Mia’s had the biggest antipasti plate ever and a jovial staff. We arrived very, very early so had no problem getting seated but the Italian restaurant filled up quickly.

Huber’s, the oldest bar and restaurant in Portland, is a classy joint with a friendly staff. Hopefully someone will order the over the shoulder/behind the back-prepared Spanish coffee when you visit.

I’ll keep updating the rose city journal with ideas of places to go in Portland as new visitors- with varying ideas of a good time- arrive in town. There are so many fun neighborhoods and so many things to do in Portland that it’s hard to decide where to take people. Thankfully, Google Maps makes finding everything easy. And alcohol makes playing hostess a lot easier.

my love, my stalker

2008-06-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

Dating someone who was essentially, well, your stalker is kind of a strange experience.

Before you start lecturing, understand that when this has happened to me, I didn’t know the person (maybe persons, but that’s another blog) in question was stalking me. I just thought that he had a crush.

I really had no idea. Not until we went out and he started talking in great detail about my life, things that I had done, people I had known, whatever, he just knew far too much about me and my daily patterns. Clue #1.

In addition, he quickly started in about “our” future plans. You know. Talking in April about a trip to Hawaii at Christmas. Clue #2. I am all about the instant connection. Don’t get me wrong. But talking about plans that are months and months into the future that may or may not happen early on in the relationship always makes me a little… skittish.

Clue #3. He is far, far too willing to accept all of my quirks. I know I can be a pain in the ass. So being around someone who just accepts it all as part of me, and never, ever gets ruffled at my sometimes outlandish behavior, seems a little phony. I can be annoying. Just like you can be annoying. I’m not going to stomp out of the room because you say I’m getting on your nerves. Or at least, I would probably come back. Eventually.

Clue #4: He is always available, whenever I need him to be around. I’m sorry. But this is an obvious clue that either you have no friends or that you’re completely willing to throw them over when a new “potential” enters your life. Either way. I don’t like it.

Clue #5. He talks too much about my blog. It’s a darn good blog. But truth be told, it isn’t necessarily representative of my life right now. Sometimes it is, vis a vis my writing about the move to Portland. But sometimes, I had a moment, and then I never got around to writing about that moment until a year later. So it really no longer applies and talking about it ad infinitum is kinda pointless. It doesn’t help to hear months after the fact how I should have handled the situation.

Persistence is a really good way to get a woman to go out with you.

For Love of the Game: Part I

2008-05-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

When I lived in greater Cincinnati, I went to Reds games all the time. I could walk to the stadium from my place in Northern Kentucky. When I worked for someone else, I was in marketing and I often got the company seats for games. A few people that I worked with or were friends with had season tickets but couldn’t go to every game. In addition, I’d occasionally be glad-handed by clients, and then there was always the general “we have one extra ticket” that comes from friends.

Somehow, I ended up being the recipient of free tickets to baseball games from just about anyone who had extra tickets, ever. Kind of funny, now that I think about it. I can’t remember my personal best for the number of Reds games attended in one week. I think it was six. And I have no recollection of ever paying for a ticket. Ever.

I love baseball. Love it. And it’s just, IMO, a great way to spend an afternoon or an evening with friends and family. My brother has season tickets to Giants games. He and his friends are doing that thing that people do where they visit all of the stadiums. One time, they flew from San Francisco to Boston for one game, and flew back the same day. Cool. It’s on my list, you know? Calling my brother to talk about an upcoming trip to the Bay area quickly ran into a “well, when do you have tickets?” discussion. Because as long as I am there… we might as well go.

My brother and I call each other from sporting events. I don’t know why. I think he started it. But now, whenever I am at a game, be it major league baseball or college football, I have to call him and tell him about the seats, the terrible calls and where I am sitting (when I was at Reds games and thought he might see me on TV).

People back east keep asking me why there’s no MLB in Portland. My response: Well. Did we all FORGET what a BIG FREAKING DEAL it was to get a new stadium? How many people had BIG HUGE conniptions over the costs of TWO stadiums? And you can’t understand why a town like Portland that has never had a MLB stadium can’t get behind getting one stadium built?

It costs $200 to watch MLB from most markets on TV through Comcast, the local cable company. I really only want to watch Cincinnati, San Francisco, the Cubs and maybe the Indians. Cubs games pop up on WGN fairly frequently. Indians not so much. Cincinnati and San Francisco, not at all. $200! I don't know if I can justify that expense. But I didn’t realize how much I would miss watching the games.

I have been trying to get on board with Seattle. But I just can’t get any enthusiasm for their team. So meanwhile, I am trying to get interested in the local Triple-A team, the Beavers. Maybe it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: Portland needs an MLB baseball stadium.

Build it, and they will come. Yeah, I know. That’s pretty hokey. But there are so, so many benefits to having a major league baseball team in the rose city. I’m going to have to keep reading to learn more about the purported pros and cons to find out exactly where Portland stands on building an MLB stadium. It’s right up there with trying to figure out why there hasn’t been enough riverfront development here. Meanwhile, sigh. I’ll catch the Mariners-Yankees game on TV today. And keep planning that trip to San Francisco.

I know this topic will continue to perpetuate the blog. The longer that I live in Portland, the more that I’ll learn about the MLB stadium backstory. So for now, this is just Part I of what is sure to become a regular blog kvetch on the rose city journal.

Recycled Vintage Jewelry: Kathy Shea Designs

2008-05-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

I attended Kathy Shea's one-year anniversary reception today and picked up three pieces of repurposed vintage jewelry: a sweet little citrine tennis bracelet, the insanely gorgeous, hugely oversized architectural necklace shown here and a third piece for Cheryl's birthday, that I can't show you or tell you about. She claims to read the blog (total bullshit) but others that we know do read so I have to keep it a secret. Suffice to say it's one-of-a-kind jewelry for a one-of-a-kind friend.

I am always impressed by the spirit of entrepreneurship. I love. love. love. self employed people. We are working hard to compete in a world where there are no boundaries for what people will accept as "decent" payment, and it sometimes feels like pretty stiff competition. People who take a risk... who believe in themselves, well. They're to be lauded.

Kathy Shea's work is laudable, practical, and wearable. I know a number of people who just don't cotton to the recycling of vintage jewelry but I am all for it. I think it's smart, timely and, when done well, sexy. Kathy's jewelry designs are statement pieces and not for the faint of heart. She has shows here and there and occasionally consigns to local stores but mostly, you can just email her if you are interested in one-of-a-kind jewelry for a special occasion.

maybe I do, maybe I don’t

2008-05-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

All of my friends know that it’s pretty easy to talk me into doing things. Typical conversation between Lisa and a friend:

Cheryl: “Let’s go here and do this.”

Me: “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

Cheryl: “Come on. You know you want to.”

Me: “No! No way am I doing that.”

Cheryl: “Come on, Lisa.”

Me: “Oh… Okay.”

The thing is, most of the time I want to do whatever it was that I was asked to do in the first place.

I just feel like I shouldn’t want to do it.

I want to not want to do it.

You know?

Letting go of old habits… It’s hard. It’s the one thing about growing up that has been a struggle for me. If you knew me in person you’d think I was cool and collected. Well. If you didn’t know me very well that’s what you’d probably think. My friends know better. They know too much.

Over the years, I’ve usually ended up doing the “right” thing. And I love the idea that I might be living my life by example today. I really do want to do that. But sometimes, being an adult, and doing the right thing, just feels so… cumbersome. Like the coat I have to shrug on to walk to my car. I’ll take it off again as soon as I get behind the wheel. Otherwise it makes me crazy. It just gets in the way. But for a few moments, I have to have it on my shoulders. That’s how I feel about being grown up sometimes.

And I don’t want to relive my teenage years. Like most kids, when I was in high school I wanted nothing more than to grow up. I’m comfortable in my skin. More so than in my teens or my 20’s, yes, I’m just in a really good place now. Cheryl and I were talking about that over dinner this weekend- just being this age, in this place of discovery and wonderment, forever.

But growth is important. Increasing your base of knowledge. Continuing to change and learn and to try new things. Not becoming complacent. Learning to let go of old habits. But sometimes, when it comes to growing up, it feels like you’re giving up, too.

I hate that.

blog crush: overheard in PDX

2008-05-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

My blog has a crush on Overheard in PDX. Rich Brueckner posts random comments from random conversations all over the city. Making you feel like you’re a part of things, no matter where you live or what you’re doing. One of the funniest blogs I’ve come across in a really long time.

I was going to send Overheard in PDX a post about my friend Chris, who told a lady working at the make-up counter yesterday that her "special plans for the evening" included seeing friends for the first time since completing rehab.

Sweet old lady at Estee Lauder counter: “Why were you in rehab, dear?”

Chris: “Meth and Heroin.”

Not “Because I wanted to make some changes.”

Not “Because I had some struggles.”

Not even “None of your beeswax.”

No. Balls-out Chris has to tell her, “Meth and Heroin.”

I wanted to send it to Overheard in PDX but some of my friends are getting pissy about seeing their stories posted on the blog. They might get even more worked up about seeing them somewhere else.

Blog crush: Overheard in PDX
Rated: Addictive

Planning Calendar: 2008 da Vinci Days in Corvallis

2008-05-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

One time I was couching at my place in Mansion Hill after a night out and I watched an entire TV show on cable access with nothing but a guy flipping cards from a card deck. 30 minutes. Flipping cards from a deck. It’s the perfect commentary on the value of television watching in general, don'tcha think? But that’s just one more embarrassing Lisa-addiction: late-night local television.

I was visiting my brother in Portland a few years ago, and insomniac-me woke up at 3 am and turned on the TV to check out the local cable access talent. I’m flipping through channels and who do I see but my brother-in-law, being interviewed by an esteemed member of the cable access channel's news team. The man is somewhat famous for his legendary affiliation with Corvallis’ big summer festival, da Vinci Days- I think he’s participated every year since the beginning of the festival. I was so surprised to see him on TV that I barely caught the questions he was asked. The interview had to do with the kinetic sculpture his team had created- and raced- during da Vinci Days that year.

Yup, I said racing kinetic sculptures. Each year during the Corvallis, Oregon da Vinci Days summer festival, teams create kinetic sculptures which must be able to go on and off road, through sand, through water… and through mud. Pedal-powered only, of course. The da Vinci Days festival claims to have “Oregon’s oldest” kinetic sculpture race. It’s rollicking fun for everyone involved and a colorful tribute to the laid-back town of Corvallis.

And the splashy sporting event is but one of the many things to do over the da Vinci Days festival weekend: You’ll also find a wealth of science and technology exhibits, tours and lectures; a film festival, live music and yes, art exhibits and projects will be on display throughout the celebration. This is the 20th annual Corvallis da Vinci Days summer festival, so it promises to be extra special. Check out the website to read the plea for volunteers and to get involved, find information about getting to the festival and more.

da Vinci Days summer festival in Corvallis
July 18- July 20, 2008
Festival Venues are located Everywhere, but mostly on or around the OSU campus

IMing Part I

2008-05-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

Transitioning from being in love to not being in love has to be one of the hardest things we have to deal with in life.

Especially since our parents didn't prepare us for this eventuality.

Even if they divorced,

Usually it's "a" divorce.

Not like how things are for us.

Not that this is their fault;

Or their responsibility~

Just interesting to think about.

Our parents never told us we'd have to go through several painful break-ups during the course of our lives, because it was different for them.

It sucks. I mean, who ever thought we’d be going through this shit at this age? I thought I’d have my future wrapped up when I was 24.

That’s what I thought when I was 12, anyway.

And the people who did wrap it up all seem to be on the verge. Telling me they are unhappy. Talking about when they will be divorced. Cheating. Or they are already divorced. I only know of a handful of people who really seem to have found what they needed. And made it stick.

It never ends.

Or does it?

get smart

2008-05-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

Not too long before I moved, I was out with friends at Molly Malone’s, the tavern wench’s new favorite bar. Inevitably, the more black and tans we drank, the more intense the conversation became. It got a little sparky though, when for some reason, this question was asked (maybe by me): “So, who’s the smartest one at the table?”

“I’m sorry,” said Jo, facing me head-on. “But you’re not in contention for this at all.”

What!? Sputtering and smacking my hand down on the table, I listed several qualifications that I thought put me in contention for the elite title.

“Yes,” she replied. “You are all of those things. But Lisa, you’re too trusting. You let people take advantage of your good nature.”

Interesting. I never thought of that as something that would take points off of my IQ. But then again, my vote for the smartest person at the table (and the third smartest person I know) went to a woman who is incredibly pragmatic, with exceptional street smarts, even bordering on psychic abilities: Patty.

Typical conversation with Patty:

I met someone recently and was debating whether to ask him out.

“Why don’t you do it?” was the puzzled question from Patty.

“Well. He’s not really my type.”

“Maybe you should try going out with someone who isn’t your type, Lisa.”

Woah. I did not see that one coming.

Patty often leaves me with my mouth hanging open. And of course, thinking about her shrewd comments for days afterward, much to her never-ending aggravation (think of someone who repeatedly asks the same question, beating it into the ground long after everyone else has lost interest).

Even my new landlord got into the act. “I can tell, Lisa, you’re smart about work but you don’t pick the right mens,” she pontificated, her lovely accent emphasizing every word. I like deeply charismatic men, I explained. They aren’t always very nice to me. “You probably need to figure that out,” she said seriously.

No kidding.

I know there’s some truth to what they were trying to tell me. The fact that I tend to date men who borrow money (often without paying it back), borrow my truck (and don’t fill up the tank) or who in general seem to take advantage of my good nature is something that I acknowledge and that I am trying to get past. I want to grow up, start dating adults and find someone who’s right for me. I really do want to do that.

But the thing is, no one starts out by being a jerk.

In the beginning, it’s holding hands. Taking naps together. Generally walking on air. No one asks if you can lend them fifty bucks on the first date. There’s no indication that at some point, they’re going to turn into a rude, ranting drunk. No. That happens later.

And you can never go back to holding hands.

I remember that one from high school sex ed. And there’s some truth in that statement. Sometimes, the more complex our relationships become, the more the sweetness seems to drain away. Instead of talking for hours on the phone, getting and sending flirty emails and sexy text messages and rejoicing in little romantic gestures, the relationship becomes a drawn-out, difficult battle of wits that always leaves me feeling worn out.

I think that I’m pretty good judge of character. But I also know that I often choose to ignore the red flags that are waving all over the place, saying that this isn’t the right person for me.

I want to be smarter about who I allow into my life. Make intelligent decisions. Be the brightest one at the table.

But I also don’t want to lose my wide-eyed optimism... Even if it does make me stupid.

letter from mayor potter to portland homeless protestors

2008-05-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

I haven't yet heard the outcome of the meeting that went down between homeless protesters and Mayor Potter this afternoon. Here's the letter from Mayor Potter to the homeless that outlined the meeting agenda, with a few caveats:

To the Protest Committee,

Thank you for your invitation to continue our discussions. As you have suggested, I will meet with five representatives of your group at 3 p.m. Tuesday (5/13) in the Mayor's Conference Room.

I understand that there are a number of issues you wish to address. I also want to make you aware of my concerns as we begin our conversation:

I will not tolerate illegal behavior on public property. I believe this reflects your concerns as well. As you know, the organizers of this protest approached my office with reports of drug activity and other illegal behavior last week, and the sale of heroin was verified Friday night (5/9). Drug activity is not only illegal, it attracts people who prey on those who are most vulnerable.

I will not tolerate behavior that raises public health concerns for both the protesters and the public. The bathrooms in City Hall have been opened for almost 10 months with few reported problems. However, since the protest began there have been conditions in the bathrooms that endanger both the protesters and public. The safety of those charged with cleaning the restrooms is an issue, and if this behavior continues I will shut down the bathrooms to outside use.

I strongly support your right to protest. However, the City has the right to make reasonable time, place, and manner rules for the conduct of protests in public spaces, and can also act to protect the public from unnecessary obstructions as well as health, sanitation, and safety problems. Protests must comply with the City's camping and sidewalk obstruction ordinances.

I understand these illegal actions represent the work of a minority, but it concerns me that the leadership of this protest appears unable to prevent these illegal acts. And while I believe in your right to express your views, I also believe that every right comes with a corresponding responsibility to respect the law.

The meeting in my office is not open to the public.

donate used prom dresses in Portland

2008-05-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

Abby’s Closet in Portland accepts donations of used prom dresses, bridesmaid gowns, formal gowns and accessories that are new or gently used, clean and in good condition. In addition to formal wear, the organization also accepts monetary donations. Donated prom dresses are provided to high school age girls throughout the greater Portland area who would otherwise be unable to afford a gown for a special occasion. Formal and prom dress donations are tax deductible.

For more information about donating used bridesmaid’s gowns and formal wear to Abby’s Closet in Portland or to get a dress for a special occasion, visit their website. Abby’s Closet accepts formal gown donations at multiple locations throughout Portland and in outlying areas including Eugene and the Coast.

more updates: homeless protest in Portland + a letter from protestors to Mayor Potter

2008-05-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

Some more details from Danielle Kidd, one of the student supporters of the Portland homeless + students protesting at Portland city hall this week:

"There have been new developments... the police posted warnings of an upcoming sweep on Tuesday night, so the group has sent a letter to Mayor Potter requesting a meeting open to the public where they can discuss the issues before the sweep. They have given him a deadline of noon tomorrow to respond and inform them of a meeting time. So we are planning on staying out there tomorrow night (Monday) to show our solidarity."

update: homeless protest in portland

2008-05-11T21:21:00.000-07:00

an update on the protest happening this week at Portland city hall from one of the student supporters:

Hi friends, I wanted to give you the update on last Wednesday and let you know what we have in the works for this coming Tuesday and Wednesday.

About 10 of us went out to the camp with the folks outside Portland City hall who are protesting their rights to affordable housing and/or a safe place to stay outside. We met people of all ages, genders, some of whom have been homeless for a few weeks and others for 30 years, and many with jobs. They all have compelling and unique stories of triumph and loss. I assure you, if you could take the time to listen to their stories for a few minutes, an hour even, you could see some reflections of your life in theirs. My evening spent sleeping on the hard cold cement with trucks and buses bustling by was one filled with love and solidarity.

I asked Larry, (an organizer and spokesperson) what we as students could do to help and he replied to please come and listen to their stories, to show compassion, love, and support. They want to know that they haven't been forgotten, they want their voices to be heard.

Not much, huh? But it means the world to them.

So here's the plan: Wednesday morning at 9:30 am 4 of the main organizers for the movement will be going into city hall to put forth their requests at the city council meeting. Here are two links, one with the agenda and the other explaining how city council works:

http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm? c=26997&a=196476 http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=27481&a=9113

We are trying to mobilize at least 200 people (you know what Saul Alinsky says, you've got to have the numbers) to be out there before 9 am supporting them as they go into city hall to let Mayor Potter know that we are paying attention, and that we care what happens to these people. And if you are feeling real ambitious, you could spend the night with us Tuesday night adding to the numbers of blue tarps and signage on the sidewalks, making it more difficult for others to turn their heads. I feel like this is our chance to give breath to the voices that are going unheard and overlooked.

In their own words:

Why are we protesting at City Hall?*

Our Civil rights are being violated in that we are asked to be on the move continuously, never able to stop and rest. This is cruel and unusual punishment for a crime not committed. Being homeless is not a crime, and Portland is our home. We are human and we are your neighbors. WE are trying to live our diverse lives with dignity and respect. We have nowhere to go, no houses, some of us have been living under bridges and have been swept out, and that is why you see us here in front of City Hall; it is the only safe place to sleep in Portland.

We are not allowed to camp within city limits and shelters are not an answer to our houselessness, only a band-aid that continues to keep us dependent on the system that needs us to survive. WE are tired and weary: we are not looking for a hand out: we are looking for creative solutions that involve our entire community. This is not just a homeless issue; this is a community issue.

*What Do We Want?*

Short-term – the immediate repeal of sit/lie ordinances and the decriminalization of homelessness
Long-term- affordable and safe housing in Downtown Portland REAL dialogue where we can share and listen to each others' creative ideas and solutions

*Want to Support Us?*

Housed and houseless UNITE! Many have already come to sleep with us on the sidewalks; but we need more allies to spend a few hours, a day or a night, or three in our shoes, hear our stories, and then spread the word far and wide.

Tell the Mayor's office at 503-823-3597 as well as your neighbors, co-workers and friends that we want open participatory communication, not just forums for talking to one another!

Make Wednesday morning’s city council meeting standing room only. On May 14th, 2008 at 9:15 in the council chambers, stand in solidarity as we collectively demand that our unalienable rights to life, justice and equality are upheld by OUR representatives.

Additional Links:
- Call City hall and express your concern:
* Mayor Potter's 24-Hour Opinion Line: 503-823-4127
* Mayor's Office Front Desk: 503-823-4120
- Write a letter to Mayer Potter (this week!)
- Find out more about the issues and post so we can get a well rounded idea of the issues at hand, and share them with folks in your community. Here are a few links:

http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=764715&category=22101

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1210130710124480.xml&coll=7

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/05/mayor_tom_potter_meets_with_ho.html

http://www.portlandonline.com/mayor/index.cfm?c=38500&a=195308

Planning Calendar: The 2008 Oregon Country Fair

2008-05-10T14:17:00.000-07:00

From an earlier post:

The Oregon Country Fair remains uncommercialized. Still held on private land. Still has plenty of available drugs. Beautiful hippie girls going topless with painted breasts. Music that makes you want to gig. They camped overnight and found what they needed behind the canopy of an old tree.

It's almost time for that most-demented, weirdest, strangest and most enjoyable freakfest, ever: The Burning-Man-Wishes-He-Could-Be-the-Oregon-Country-Fair is, as always, during the second weekend of July. And this year, well, this year promises to be extra special: Yes. I am going!

It will be the first time I’ve been back in many years. I’m excited about camping out under the stars and at the prospect of catching up with old friends from Eugene- there’s no better place to find old friends than the Oregon Country Fair. Family members, too, because when you have a big fan-damily and you is from uh small town like You-jeene, youze go to the country fair, man. It’s the apex of the counter-culture that still exists in Eugene and definitely not everyone’s scene. Some people in my family and some of my friends have just flat-out outgrown it. Luckily a lot of my friends are still really immature. Ha.

There have been years when I felt like I’d outgrown the Oregon Country Fair... And Eugene. But it’s been just long enough since my last visit to make me want to go again. See if it really is still uncommercialized. See if all the sights, sounds and smells really do bring it all back for me. I checked the fair's website and since video cameras are banned, I’m guessing that not much has changed. We’ll see.

My niece and I were talking the other day about growing up in Eugene. I have a love/hate relationship with the town. It’s small. I often felt like I couldn’t make a move without having it reported back to someone in my family. On the other hand, no matter what you do, people in a small town will always forgive you. They’ve known you since kindergarten. They don’t know what else to do but forgive you. And when you have a big family, well, quite literally, no one is a stranger, in a small town. But towns like that will suck you in.

My neighbor told me that he thinks Portland is like a bubble. I can’t imagine what he would think if he ever lived in Eugene. My friends that stayed, I worry about them. But they’ve selected their paths and they seem to be surviving. And yet… And yet: When a child of a family friend recently passed away, 500 people showed up for the funeral in Eugene. When our favorite cashier, who had worked at the Payless drug store for as long as I can remember, passed away my mom hung the obituary on the fridge. It’s a town that cares, quite deeply, about its people. And like so many things that are really, really important to us, I love it- and hate it- all at the same time.

I can’t wait. If you see me there, be sure to say hi.

2008 Oregon Country Fair
July 11 – 13
Location: Just outside Eugene, man. Look for the handpainted signs, VW buses and hitchhikin hippies.

update

2008-05-09T21:24:00.000-07:00

verse for verse, an email I sent today to my beloved friends back east:

Dusk comes softly to Portland. Lilacs lay heavily on crisp, clean sidewalks. Flowering blooms make gray concrete a thick pink shag carpet and I skip and kick, laughing at this crazy, flowering zoo. My hand trips over pink blossoms that make ugly old broken down fences beautiful. Smile and nod at the man with the dog, he is a different man and a different dog than I have seen over the last few days, but still, I bend to rub the pet’s adoring face.

And I climb the tall stairs for the tenth day in a row. Today, I barely feel the burn. Not until I reach the very top, more than 70 steps in the sky, where I laugh and wave at the passing tram overhead. I turn, and see the neighborhood spread out before me. I am here.

Greetings, dear friends. If we haven’t talked, don’t feel slighted. No, it’s not just because I am busy. But many trips (3 hours each way) to my parents’ place, unpacking and organizing and the rest of it, yes, have meant a busy three weeks.

Actually, the biggest reason I haven’t called has to do with the three-hour time change. By the time I feel like talking, it’s 10, 11 or 12 your time. So for now, an email.

But things are good here. I am dodging pedestrians who step off of sidewalks whenever the mood strikes them, knowing that they always have the right of way. I am also terrified of the day I cut off a streetcar, though I know it’s inevitable. I am, without a doubt, completely enamored of Portland. I feel like the changing season is changing within me, too, and I have shed my sweaters too early, since the nights are cool, even after a day that reached 70 degrees.

I am busy with writing and optimization work and more work is on the way. Oddly, new business opportunities continue to enter my life and at this point I just embrace them. The worst I can do is fail… No. The worst thing would be not taking a risk. Not trying something new.

And I have to laugh at all the pretentious pups carrying messenger bags in Portland. Am dumbfounded at the endless march of bicyclists on every street, alley and sidewalk. Still in a slight culture shock over the dearth of a really good G&T (or a really smooth Kentucky bourbon), OTB instead of racetracks and the total lack of sophistication in every prime rib and steak joint here. Vegans and almost-vegans, like my neighbor, rule the day, and they are rapidly becoming influential to my diet, too. Today I ate sushi off of a moving train. My niece, slightly awed, asked me in an undertone if I’d ever eaten at a moving sushi restaurant before. I laughed it off but felt slightly in awe myself, of something I’ve only seen in movies.

So far, so good.

Love,

Lisa