The Weather Gods are Oppressing Me

For the moment the wireless connection I'm stealing borrowing seems to be working speedily. My modem, however, is still blinking helplessly on the other side of the room.

It's hot out. It's hot in. It's just fucking hot. Yesterday I had the dubious pleasure of traveling nearly 400 miles through the desert in an old Subaru with four people and a dog. And the air conditioning was broken. I've been across the country and back in that car, twice, with five people (and no dog) and let me tell you, it's a great time.

First off, Dad is usually driving. As I've mentioned in previous posts, my dad is even more of a moody bitch than I am and he has some peculiarities about driving (well, everything actually, but let's just focus on the driving aspect). He exists in a constant state of near panic that something is going wrong with the car. He hears noises that no one else does which causes him to turn off the radio, slow down to about 20, jerk the steering wheel around and scream at Mom, "Do you hear that???? What IS that?? Does it always do this? Dammit, it's YOUR car!! What's wrong with it?" Usually, what's wrong with it is the air conditioning. One time the compressor blew out and forever more at the slightest hill, and I mean the smallest rise in elevation, he will shut off the AC and won't turn it back on again for another thirty minutes. It's only at the moment when I'm starting to see spots and am certain that I'm about to black out that the air will come back on.

Then there's the radio. Both of my parents are a little nuts about sports. Mom insists on listening to every baseball game from all of her favorite teams (don't even ask me who they are) and Dad has a hearing problem or something and cranks the volume until the sound waves are reverberating around my skull. I hate baseball. I think it's the most boring sport outside of its cousin cricket, and it's even worse on the radio.

In previous trips both of my sisters sat in the back with me. Being siblings, they had a tendency to annoy the hell out of each other and it occasionally turned into a fist and elbow fight with me the mediator getting clawed with fingernails. All three of us crammed into the back were red-faced and sweaty, slowly suffocating in the heat.

Also, as the oldest, it was my job to be Dad's assistant when it came to packing the car and the truck. On long trips we required a tarp to cover the things on the roof or in the back of the pickup. Dad has an elaborate system of ropes and knots that require at least a half an hour to put together. It lasts for about twenty minutes and then the tarp goes flapping about and we have to pull over and do it all again. Naturally, this causes my mom to sigh and bite her lip and ooze irritation. Dad then curses and hollers, "hold this! Dammit Sara, pull harder! Ughhhhhh, nevermind, I'll do it!" This goes on for the entire length of the trip. It's five days across the country. A good camping trip is around two weeks with at least two six hour drives thrown in.

It was with all of these memories that I offered to take my car and drive myself over to eastern Washington to visit relatives this weekend. "Pffft, that's ridiculous! Why on earth would we need to take two cars??" my mom asked incredulously. She really meant it, too.

World Cup Whining

Has the refereeing in the World Cup always been this bad? This is the first Cup I've been able to sit down and watch nearly all of and I absolutely can't believe all the poor reffing. Last fall when I had nothing to do but loaf around my parents house with the TV set on the soccer channel, I watched a whole lot of English Premier League, the German League, Argentine, Italian, blah blah blah, and with the exception of the Sudamericano Cup, the refs were flawless; I hardly even noticed them. When one of Italy's players took a dive in the penalty box yesterday, with four seconds left in the game, and was subsequently awarded a penalty kick that won it for them, I nearly decided to stop watching the Cup entirely. What a joke. There have been so many - sooooooo many! - bad calls in these games it's unbelievable.

A Dehexing is in Order

I've been having some serious connectivity troubles this past week and therefore haven't been able to post much, comment much or even read much. I haven't been able to check my email, check my grades, apply for a job, find an apartment or anything else important or trivial that requires an internet connection. I'm about to start chanting and dancing around the modem. Anyone know any good moves that properly honor the Gods of the Internet? I seem to have annoyed them greatly.

In any case, I'm heading out to a place that barely has a phone signal, let alone an internet connection, until Monday. Fortunately, there is a TV, so I'll only miss a few World Cup games. Perhaps the connectivity issue will have fixed itself (hey, if it broke itself it can sure as hell fix itself, right?) and I can post again.

In the meantime, here are a couple good sites to visit:

Thank You Lt. Ehren Watada A U.S. Army officer who has refused to deploy to Iraq on the grounds that it's an illegal war and participating would be following an illegal order, which, as we all know, is illegal itself. Ok, what that means is that you are required to disobey an illegal order. It's in the Geneva Conventions. It's also a fine way to screw a soldier, by making too many rules for them to possibly remember and then reaming them with "you obeyed an illegal order and it's therefore YOUR fault for not knowing the law." In any case, this a brave guy. Who the hell knows what sort of punishment he will face. All I know is that it will be ugly. He's already confined, under a gag order, and being held without charges.

An Inconvenient Truth Or, the Al Gore movie. Or ClimateCrisis.net. I just saw the movie today and thought it was great. It's depressing and uplifting all at once. He does an excellent job of taking boring data and bringing it to reality in a way that doesn't make you want to gouge your eyes out. AND it's easy to understand, even for this non-scientist!

DMV

You know that feeling you get when you walk in to the DMV (or drive up to, as the case may be) and you see the impossibly large line? Well now you don't have to wait until you get to the DMV to experience the stomach churning anxiety of playing victim to bureaucracy, as they have a webcam so you can view the line from home!!!!! Isn't that wonderful????

Today is going to suck.

Sexy Kicker: Muskelparade

Another reason to watch soccer... The shirt exchange at the end of the match!

Yes, I'm trying to see the bright side of the U.S. (probably) losing again today. However, as annoyed as I was this morning when my sister texted at 8am wanting to know when the game started (not until noon), this site reminded me that ALL the games are fun to watch, regardless of the outcome, and that it's a good thing she woke me up before the early match started.

But seriously, it's a great site... if you like shirtless men, anyway!

Update: Holy shit, Ghana won!!!! We have a chance!!! What a game!

Update 2: Well, I was about to post that "Wow, the U.S. are really playing well!" and then Italy scored. Crap. The Italians, I must say, are gorgeous. I'll bet they'll be even more adorable when they're pouting after their 2-1 loss, heheheheh. That's what ya get for playing dirty, USA. Pope totally tackled that guy, US football style. He deserved the card and Italy got a good shot as a result. Onyewu need to be careful as well; he has a card from the previous game.

Three second later: HOLY SHIT!! WE SCORED! AND ITALY ARE DOWN A MAN!!! AAAA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!

Last Update: I need a nap. We eeked out a draw. I'd hate to whine, but man, that ref.... I dunno.... wayyyy too many cards. The Italians are notorious divers, floppers, actors and it worked out well for them today. The US are now down two players for the next game. I was jumping up and down screaming when Beasley scored, only to have it withdrawn. I despise Beasley ordinarily, and I was glad he didn't start. Although I was initially happy that he came in as a fresh set of legs, he was lazy and was walking like he had played the whole game and was tired. *rolls eyes* "Dammit Beasley!" is the mantra when watching him at the parents' house. They should have started Eddie Johnson, or at least put him in at some point. But we're still alive! Here's to next week!!!!!

Last update for real this time: Lest I give the impression that I whine too much about the ref, I will say that Arena should have taken out Pope at halftime. He wasn't doing much good, had fouls, and had a previous yellow card. We had a damn good chance of winning at 10 on 10. Hell we were giving them a tough time at 9 on 10! Again, here's to next week!!

What do I do now?

School is over for the summer. Finished my last final in twenty minutes. In retrospect, I should have gone slower on it, but oh well. That instructor writes some evil, evil multiple choice tests. Seriously, I'm impressed. (Someday there may be a post on the Panel of Evil Test Makers that work for the Defense Language Institute's Korean department.)

Anyway, now that it's over with I have no idea what to do. I went out for lunch, took a really long nap, read a while.... now what? I suppose I could do some of those mundane tasks I've been ignoring, ie laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, dmv, etc yawn etc. But I have all summer to do these things. Maybe I'll just meander around the neighborhood this evening.

There are only two things I really care about in the world of sports: soccer and the Steelers. So yesterday when the U.S. played like a high school rec team, and was embarassed by the Czech Republi,c I was a little upset. And when at halftime it was announced that the Steelers QB, Ben Roethlisberger, was in a motorcycle accident in which he wasn't wearing a helmet, I was really upset. I mean, this is the time of year in which I don't need to even think about the Steelers, and their QB has to go and nearly get himself killed during a U.S. match? Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez! As my sister said, "Ben, you wear a helmet for you JOB! You couldn't wear one when RIDING YOUR FREAKIN' MOTORCYCLE????"

At least South Korea won. I was a little nervous as I had to leave at halftime when they were down 1-0. I mean, they were playing Togo fer chrissakes! I'd have to have given my 'Be the Reds' shirt to Goodwill if they had lost.

It's finals week. This means I sleep little and spend the days procrastinating when I should be studying. It's all over Thursday, though! Then it's freeeeeeeeeedom! A few weeks of my first summer vacation in over five years!

(&$^%$%#^%&*^$^%#((_)U)^&$@#!!!!!!!!!

So.... tired....

After the snore of an England match (Charlie already commented that, indeed, the goal I missed was the only one of the game) Lena (youngest sis) and I went down to the parade. Actually, we went to downtown to sit around for four hours before a parade came through. It was not as cool as the Starlight parade of last week, but enjoyable anyway. Highlights for us included the old Japanese ladies who did a traditional dance to Japanese techno, and the fiesta float with a band playing on top.

We came back in the afternoon, supposedly just to drop off our chairs and things, but we both ended up crashing for two hours. As soon as we woke up, we rushed back downtown to watch our semi-pro team, the Timbers. Real live games are even harder work than the ones televised in the middle of the night. You actually have to clap and cheer and stuff. I'm actually kind of embarassed that I hadn't been to a Timbers game yet; even Lena has and she doesn't even live here! Anyway, they're quite fun. The mascot runs around with an actual chain saw whirring over his head! The game ended 0-0, but it we got some exciting near-misses, one of which caused me to fall out of my chair (it was one of those that flips up when you stand, and I kind of forgot that and sat back down again.... straight onto the concrete).

After the game, we walked down to the water to witness the Rose Festival madness, and to walk across the Hawthorne bridge and look at the city at dusk. We got home at around midnight. No sleeping in though! Mexico started at 9:00 and I think my whole neighbhorhood had on their radios/televisions by 8:30 (I live in a pretty immigrant dense area). So far it's a good game!

grumble, groan

This World Cup watching is hard work. It's 6:15am on a Saturday. Bleh. Bleh! Worse, I was slaving away over the coffee pot when Beckham scored 3 min into the game. Damn it all! Watch that be the only goal all game. And I missed it!

!#%!@#% BLOGGER!!!!!

ATE MY POST!!!!!

I wrote something incredibly insightful and witty about soccer earlier today, but then Blogger shut down 'round the world, just for me. Grrr. Anyway, here's a link to a really good article written about American soccer by a Brit (why do outsiders always seem to nail us better than ourselves?).

Too bad I wasn't really on campus yesterday, 6/6/6, as it seems to be loony season in the Park Blocks; there were different people with different signs about the second coming, today. Part of me was hoping that Monday's showing was all Portland had to offer in the way of religious nuts. It would have been interesting to see what they had to say about The End on such a special date. Maybe someone started an imprompu Slayer session! Wouldn't THAT have been cool!

Went to the anthro party, reluctantly. There was beer, so all of the awkward moments spent avoiding Hot Guy and wishing someone would talk to me were made tolerable by sucking down the free brew. And a few people *did* talk to me, to be fair. I just felt I spent an inordinate amount of time peeling off the label on my beer bottle.

Oh, and Hot Guy has a fan club. I expect that this will provide endless amusement in the terms to come.

Why is it raining in Portland? Pt II

Finally, the saga continues. Sorry for the overdramatic wait, it's not really THAT exciting.

Anyway. I decided to not go to the Timbers game, as there was another one the next weekend, and the Starlight Parade is an annual event. I got downtown an hour early and there were already throngs of people. Many, many people seemed to think that it's ok to put some chalk or tape on the ground saying a piece of the public sidewalk is "reserved." I think these people should be peed on. What laziness! How bout ya save your spot like the rest of us.... by SITTING IN IT!!!! I finally found a spot near a corner with a wall to lean on and watch the kids playing catch in the street. There were cops and news crews everywhere.

The parade itself was preceded by a "fun" run. I spent many a day explaining to my superiors while I was in the army that just because the words "fun" and "run" happen to rhyme does not mean that they have anything to do with each other. However, this run did seem kind of enjoyable. I may even sign up next year! It's basically a 3.1 mile costume contest. Many cute boys with very little clothing came streaming past, followed by other cute boys wearing things ranging from Pabst beer boxes to togas. One team of people wore a mock up of the new, overpriced streetcar that is causing such turmoil in Portland. I was already glad I came down.

The parade itself was fantastic! I really don't think I've ever had so much fun at a parade, even when I was a kid and the firemen would hand out candy to me. There were three contingents of bagpipers - the Portland Police Bureau has its own Highland Guard (WTF? How far are we from the Highlands?). There were four - FOUR - contingents of pirates. Who knew? Remember when I blogged about the Stormtroopers who were marching around downtown around Christmas? They were in the parade, too! I wasn't hallucinating the first time! (They even have a website!) Other highlights for me were the Mexican laredo dancers, the Master Gardeners (old people dressed up as vegetables, carrying rakes and pitchforks) and the dragon boat float. Yes, a dragon boat. How cool can you get? Of course there were about 20 high school marching bands as well. I was not in the marching band in high school, but that was only because we didn't have one. I'd have joined in a heartbeat. Of course, I was even more jealous of the school with the pipe and drum band!

About two hours in it started raining. I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. By the time the parade ended an hour later, nearly midnight, I was drenched and shivering. Not to worry though, as the train was so crammed that being cold was not an issue. All kinds of drunk, happy people smiled and told jokes and helped each other find seats and get out the door at their stops. I heard at least four foreign languages and everyone seemed as content as I was. I ended up having to walk a mile home, as the particular train I was on wasn't going as far as my stop, so I didn't get home until about 1:30am.

I immediately got online to badger my little sister and insist that she come stay with me the following weekend for an even bigger parade, dragon boat races and a soccer game (whew!). It's the weekend before finals, though, so I've got to get my studying done before she shows up.

There are many great photos of the Starlight Parade by a guy named pdxjeff. (after the fireworks pics)

Internet Woes

My internet connection has, once again, gone haywire all day, only to fix itself after I scheduled an appointment with the cable company. If they come out here and find out that nothing is wrong on the company's end, then I get charged $50. Fuckers.

On an embarassing note, I found two old webpages that I ran in high school. They're pretty amusing, mostly to me, as I was SUCH A NERD! It's no wonder I did so poorly in school; I seemed to spend all of my time going to shows and writing about them on my stupid website. Here's my original website, Jack Ate Jill (don't ask) and here's one I did for a school project about the Corvallis punk scene. I've decided to leave them up for the memories and the chuckles.

Slice of Campus Life

Before I get to finishing part two of the "Why is it raining in Portland?" series, I just have to share this scene. My university straddles the South Park Blocks, which is several North-South running blocks of trees, benches and statues. Because it's a park it's a public area and any sort of lunatic is welcome to hang out here and campus authroities can't really do much about it. A few weeks ago Shouting Jesus Man was present for lunchtime and was screaming doom upon the hapless students trying to enjoy their lunch in the shade. Today there is a man holding a sign that says, "WARNING baby killing women, so-called Christians, prideful people, homosexuals, porno freaks, muslims, rebellious women, drunks, mormons: JUDGMENT COMING." One hundred feet away a student band is playing "Keep on Rocking in the Free World." I love this place.

Update: Now a lady is standing on a bench, waving her hands around, probably talking about Jesus (although I can't hear her). In response, a group has formed an impromtu jazz ensemble to drown out the nonsense. Again, I love this place.

Why is it raining in Portland? Pt I

Because it's the Rose Festival! Duh! What is this Rose Festival, you speak of, Sara? Good question. It's a two and a half week party with parades, fireworks, boats, flowers, art and various other fun things. The best part is that it isn't a celebration of government, or business, or war, or religion. Nope, this is Portland, and we celebrate... roses. Seriously.

It kicked off on Thursday and I knew something was up the instant I left the house, way out here in 'burbia. The traffic with thick and snarled, even more than usual. "Hmm, looks like the bridges came up," I mused. Portland is centered over the Willamette River and when barges come through, some of the major bridges have to be raised to fit them through. Traffic is messed up throughout the region. I got on the extra-crowded train to hear some guy tell stories about how when he was fifteen he jumped off the back of one of the ships at the Rose Festival. Light bulbs went off. Guess I was right about the bridges!

Friday there was a huge firework show, the biggest in Oregon, down on the waterfront. I was almost too close to it, kinda like at a movie theater when you sit in the front row and have to crane your head to see both corners of the screen. But I love fireworks and the show was pretty impressive.

[[[And to the ASSHOLE(s) firing the cannon BEHIND the crowd, without warning...... you SUCK! The old hippy who was standing next to me and I both ducked and nearly screamed. "Whoa! Man, Whoa!" the old hippy hollered. It took several minutes for my heart to regain its normal rhythm and the first part of the firework show was tainted with the remnants of panic adrenaline. Thanks a lot, dicks.]]]

After the show I walked up the Hawthorne Bridge to get a look of the city and the river. While I was up there they raised the bridge, stranding me on the other side. It worked out well, however, as they raised it to let through two PIRATE SHIPS!

Saturday, the pirate ships were to have a battle, so I came back downtown excited as hell. Alas, the info was wrong and there was no battle, but I did get a better look at the boats and the pirate crew. I also got in a nice walk along the waterfront, through downtown and then through campus.

I then went home to contemplate whether I wanted to go to the Timbers soccer game or this 'Starlight Parade' I was hearing everyone on the MAX talk about.

...to be continued...

New Blog!

It's just a place to post pictures, so as to not clog up this space. It has the original title of "No Accuser's Pictures." Clever, eh? So far we have some shots of Seoul... more to come!