Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Police chase ends at Convention Center Red Lion Hotel

I haven't gotten any details about this yet - I haven't seen anything posted online, that is - but a KXL reporter I spoke to said that there was a police chase that ended at the Red Lion Hotel next to the Oregon Convention Center. I don't know where the chase started or why, but I did notice a Gresham Police motorcycle on the scene. When I find out more, I'll put up some links.

Sorry for the crappy photo quality. All I had was my phone.

Update: Story link
KATU (2) report

1 Talked Back:

At November 30, 2005 at 11:51:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

Oh what day was this?? I was just over there last week and there were cops all over blocking off roads! Then again maybe that sort of thing happens often in that area... Scary.

 

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"I'll take one case of TV Guides"

This is the setup my dad needs. He's quite the avid TV watcher.



From this story in the Beckley, WV Register-Herald.

3 Talked Back:

At November 30, 2005 at 2:33:00 PM CST, Blogger Jim said...

I like the Astro-truf on the front steps -- what do you supposed he has all over the front of his outhouse?

 

At November 30, 2005 at 2:55:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

Beer cans

 

At November 30, 2005 at 5:50:00 PM CST, Blogger Jim said...

LOL

 

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Paris says roofing and patching potholes are "hot"

Found on the wine list at Assaggio last night:

1998 Barolo Castallero, Brezza.
A solid and richly textured Barolo. Hints of strawberries, raspberries, dried flowers and tar. Smooth and sexy....

That's right, tar. Do you have to heat the bottle up to loosen the tar before drinking it? And what makes it sexy?

1 Talked Back:

At November 30, 2005 at 2:30:00 PM CST, Blogger Jim said...

stan -- you're so used to tar and feathers that you don't see the possibilites of tar and dried flowers

 

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Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Hey you kids! Get offa my lawn!

Hilarious video of goats' reactions to a guy opening an umbrella.

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

Thanks to foldedspace for the tip-off (on his 11/28 post). And ImageShack for hosting an animated GIF without converting it to a static JPEG, unlike Blogger or flickr.

4 Talked Back:

At November 30, 2005 at 1:10:00 AM CST, Blogger Jim said...

great new pix at top

 

At November 30, 2005 at 1:46:00 AM CST, Blogger Jim said...

oh, it changed, it was a streetcar, now it's the belly of a bridge

 

At November 30, 2005 at 10:00:00 AM CST, Blogger stan said...

It makes me wonder what happened to the template code recently, that suddenly Firefox users are able to see the photos. You're the second one in the last week or so to mention it.

Glad you like them Jim :)

 

At November 30, 2005 at 5:11:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

I (a firefox user) still can't see the header photo. Hmmm.

 

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How's about another list?

I haven't done a themed list for quite a while, because I guess it didn't seem right without Jim around to help. But now, I think it's high time we got another one going!

The theme: Music Acts Whose Members Work For The Power Company. This one could be a challenge, as there are some existing names out there (e.g. Tower of Power, Zapp & Roger, Electric Light Orchestra, Switchfoot?); those names would be disqualified, as they would take zero creativity on your part. It's all about the puns!

As before, your submission gets a link to your site. Hover your mouse over the name to see whom it's based upon, if it isn't obvious. I'll start it off:

1. Belle and Substation (stan)
2. Linkin Spark (stan)
3. Coil and the Gang (stan)
4. Joule (stan)
5. Britney Sparks (Jim)
6. Bon Jolt (Jim)
7. KC and the Solarpanel Band (Jim)
8. Alice Copperwire (Jim)
9. Blink-220 (Ashman)
10. The Rolling Blackouts (Ashman)

5 Talked Back:

At November 29, 2005 at 4:42:00 PM CST, Blogger Jim said...

I'm so confused...
like Britney Sparks
Bon Jolt
KC and the Solarpanel Band
Alice Copperwire
Ricky Martini <-- oops, sorry that's from the list of Music Acts Whose Members Work For The Shower Company [obscure reference to Ricky's lastest attempt to get into the tabloids]

 

At November 29, 2005 at 4:59:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

I'll just leave Ricky off the list then.

 

At November 29, 2005 at 10:51:00 PM CST, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fuse

 

At November 29, 2005 at 11:37:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

Who's the real band that Fuse is a pun of?

 

At November 30, 2005 at 9:53:00 AM CST, Blogger Scott said...

I know, they are dumb, but it's all I could come up with:

blink-220
The Rolling Blackouts

 

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Monday, November 28, 2005

The boss wondered why the left half of my keyboard was orange

I was eating some Baked Cheetos this morning, and of course, my fingers quickly became stained orange. This is not convenient for office work, because I have to clean off my fingers thoroughly after handling every Cheeto. When I was in high school I got in the habit of eating with my left hand whenever I was going to use my right for writing, etc. So to this day, I'll really only have the "doodle dust" problem on one side. But at work, my desk is set up for left-hand mousing, so I'm really not avoiding the issue at all.

What I really need is a little pair of tongs, just big enough to handle one Cheeto, so I can munch on them while working and be more productive. I am going to write a letter to Frito-Lay asking them to sell Cheeto Tongs. (Cheeto Tongs, to paraphrase Dave Barry, would be a great name for a rock band.)

2 Talked Back:

At November 28, 2005 at 6:32:00 PM CST, Blogger Shirley said...

Cheetos are the ultimate computer-nerd food. Hope you were able to wash it down with a Jolt Cola!

 

At November 28, 2005 at 10:09:00 PM CST, Blogger Jim said...

so, we could pretty much follow the orange fingerprints and find out how you spent your day

 

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UPC nerdery!

I was taking a look at the Winco receipt that I scanned and posted on the 185 blog last night, and saw that some of the descriptions of what I bought are abbreviated to the point of no recognition. So just for kicks, I typed in one of the Universal Product Code (UPC) numbers into a Google search, and I actually got a result.

Now I know that 071464260606 = Perfectly Protein Vanilla Chai Tea with Soy Protein.

So if you have finished doing the online jigsaw that Jim posted about this morning, and still want another way to waste some time, just find some random products lying around, type in the UPC number here, and be amazed.

Or, just take a nap.

2 Talked Back:

At November 28, 2005 at 4:21:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

I guess I share that trait of UPC nerdery with you as I have done that before! When I make my expense reports for supplies I buy for the church sometimes I can't remember what I bought and, as you said, the abbreviations can be beyond recognition!

 

At November 28, 2005 at 10:07:00 PM CST, Blogger Jim said...

this means that you bought 'Perfectly Protein Vanilla Chai Tea with Soy Protein'?????????????????????????

 

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Better finish eating before you read this

God sure knew what He was doing when He designed the human body. I was just thinking about this as I was once again forced to overhear Chimp-bo talking about being pregnant. She's the only woman who's ever been pregnant, dontcha know.

Just the fact that babies' digestive systems do not get used until they are born, and therefore they will never poop while inside their mothers' bellies, is reason enough to believe in intelligent design.

1 Talked Back:

At December 1, 2005 at 11:20:00 AM CST, Blogger Jen said...

They do pee, though. I was also edumacated this weekend by a pregnant woman.

Great blog, by the way.

 

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On loan from the Louvre


Click to find where I really saw it.

2 Talked Back:

At November 28, 2005 at 3:30:00 PM CST, Blogger Jim said...

Was glad to learn that "Dick's fries come from real potatoes" -- I hate when a restaurant make their fries out of turnips

 

At November 28, 2005 at 4:20:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

:-) Why?

 

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Sunday, November 27, 2005

The most amazing commercial ever made

Yes, I know that this is a couple of years old by now, but this was the first time I have seen it in a non-broken website for quite some time. Plus, there are probably a few people out there who haven't seen it.

Honda Accord Ad "Cog"

This was filmed in one continuous take by Portland's award-winning Weiden + Kennedy ad agency. According to this site, it took 606 takes to get it right. That's a lot of film, not to mention patience.

Best commercial of all time, hands down.

2 Talked Back:

At November 28, 2005 at 1:24:00 AM CST, Blogger Jim said...

makes those things with the dominoes seems kind of lame

 

At November 28, 2005 at 4:19:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

I had not seen that before. Thanks for posting it. Sure a lot of patience for the 606 film takes, but it must have been THOUSANDS of times setting it up and practicing before filming even began!

 

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I'm guessing Metallica or Slayer (but with soft horns and synthesizers)

Friday afternoon, when we were on the freeway heading toward Seattle, we found ourselves next to a Muzak van. Muzak, as you probably know, is most commonly associated with elevator and supermarket music, corny instrumental versions of popular hits.

I couldn't help but wonder what the driver of the van was listening to on his CD player.

3 Talked Back:

At November 27, 2005 at 7:56:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

it does sound so good...

 

At November 27, 2005 at 8:31:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

Are you saying Slayer with a lisp?

Hey sorry I wasn't more chatty on the phone today. Its been a long weekend. I'm glad you had fun in Seattle!

 

At November 28, 2005 at 1:38:00 AM CST, Blogger Jim said...

The Girl From Ipanema plays over and over in every Muzak van.

 

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Wednesday, November 23, 2005

But I got the sandwich unwrapped in a jiffy

I blog on the most mundane things, don't I?

Lunchtime! I bought a small container of tuna cheddar pasta salad from the deli across the street, and I am now finally eating it. For a few seconds there, however, I didn't think I'd get the chance. The deli recently changed the type of plastic container they use to sell product in. As I began lifting the lid of the new style container, I began to realize that the only way I could get the thing open was to pry it up a little at a time, going all the way around, like a paint can, until the whole lid was free. The problem is that as I was undoing the lid on one side, it re-closed itself on the opposite side. This went on, noisily, for quite a while. It really was the lid-opening equivalent of a cat chasing its tail. Finally I had the presence of mind to hold my index finger in the gap to keep it from resealing, and I got the lid off, but this resulted in getting pasta salad all over the finger. And, when the lid finally let go, I nearly dropped the whole darned thing on the floor.

So for future reference, next time you need a bomb dismantled in a hurry, I'm obviously not your guy.

3 Talked Back:

At November 23, 2005 at 4:48:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

This brings to mind my efforts at popping the rear tail light out on my car. The exact same frustration and the light popping back into the hole. Grrrr...

I'm glad you were finally able to consume it. I would hate to see you go hungry due to ridiculous packaging. ;-)

 

At November 24, 2005 at 9:59:00 AM CST, Blogger meagan said...

In this modern world of quick conveniences, I find it quite frustrating to have to work so hard to get ready-made food!

 

At November 25, 2005 at 12:31:00 AM CST, Blogger Jim said...

they do that to help you burn calories -- you're supposed to burn more calories getting the container open that are contained in the food in the container

 

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Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Like high-pitched death knells

Once again, the microwave in the office breakroom sits empty, with three seconds left on its cooking timer. I have noticed this phenomenon no less than ten times since I started here. Clearly, somebody here has a phobia of the microwave's finishing three beeps.

7 Talked Back:

At November 23, 2005 at 11:39:00 AM CST, Blogger kristen said...

or else they don't have enough patience to wait those last 3 seconds before they starve to death without their special nuke-em meal!

 

At November 23, 2005 at 12:10:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

oooh oooh i see the banner on the top of the window for the first time ever! it's the kitty! hooray! ps. i like your fancy buttons too.

 

At November 23, 2005 at 12:24:00 PM CST, Blogger historymike said...

Yes, what a lazy habit.

If they have this 3-beep phobia, at least they could be kind and hit the CLEAR button.

 

At November 23, 2005 at 12:29:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

I went back later in the day and the same microwave had 49 seconds left on it. Talk about cautious!

 

At November 23, 2005 at 12:37:00 PM CST, Blogger Scott said...

Stan, how did you make those "buttons"?

 

At November 23, 2005 at 2:08:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

I looked for another button that looked like it, that was 80 x 15 pixels, and saved the image to disk (right clicking on it). Then I opened it up in MS Paint and tweaked it around a bit. It's really really basic, low-resolution work that pretty much anyone can do.

Then I uploaded the image to flickr.com, where it gave my a permanent link to the image that I can use elsewhere, like in the links list.

 

At November 23, 2005 at 2:09:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

I used MS Paint because that's all the computer at work has available. It's all you need anyway.

 

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Monday, November 21, 2005

Nike corporate jet lands safely, to nobody's shox

Today the Nike corporate jet had to make an emergency landing after one of its landing gear failed to operate correctly. I have a super-secret source who tells me that right before the landing, one of the crew members climbed outside the plane and installed a pair of Nike Shox shoes to the faulty gear, which allowed the jet to land safely. A testament to the quality of their products, for sure!

1 Talked Back:

At November 22, 2005 at 5:46:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

You are funny! They actually got the landing gear to go back up and all was well... Phew! But I'm sure the Shox could have handled it if they'd had too.

 

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Only 3 more shopping days 'til Thansgiving

Christians, let's do a little comparison here.

Thanksgiving: Gathering with family, eating a large meal, maybe watching a football game. Secular holiday.

Christmas: Gathering with family, eating a large meal, exchanging gifts, celebrating the birth of Christ. Religious holiday mixed with the secular traditions.

I propose that the tradition of the giving of gifts should be moved up to Thanksgiving. That way, those of us who feel conflicted and dismayed by the over-commercialization of the religious holiday can still have the enjoyment of giving and receiving gifts with our friends and families, and then devote more of our spiritual time to the celebration of our Savior's birth.

(Yes, I know that I am being Christian-centric here, and that there are other religious holidays celebrated around the same time. But I don't practice those other religions.)

9 Talked Back:

At November 22, 2005 at 4:02:00 AM CST, Blogger kristen said...

if you move up the presents to thanksgiving, when would black friday be?

 

At November 22, 2005 at 9:55:00 AM CST, Blogger stan said...

I don't know...what's black Friday?

 

At November 22, 2005 at 12:40:00 PM CST, Blogger Christian Prophet said...

The greatest gift is given when we gather in spirit and join with each other. I really loved a message over on the Holy Inheritance blog regarding making Thanksgiving a real spiritual blessing.

 

At November 22, 2005 at 2:41:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

Maybe it's like black lunch?

 

At November 22, 2005 at 2:42:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

that "a christian prophet" comment looks suspiciously like spam to me...

 

At November 22, 2005 at 6:42:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

If it's spam, it's definitely not bot spam. I read some of it...it's interesting.

 

At November 22, 2005 at 11:43:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

Black Friday is the biggest retail shopping day of the year. Just so you know... ;-)

 

At November 23, 2005 at 12:05:00 AM CST, Blogger Katie said...

The Christian Prophet doesn't seem really Christian. He's refering to a Budhist as a good example of "spiritual" awareness and stating its from the Holy Spirit. Not something the Spirit of the One True God would say.

My Multnomah education is bubbling up...

 

At November 23, 2005 at 11:37:00 AM CST, Blogger kristen said...

black friday is the day after thanksgiving. it's when all those big sales are, when stores open at 5am to sell as much stuff as they possibly can. christmas shoppers go nuts for all the sales, and thus, get up before dawn to get their shopping on. :D if we move christmas up to thanksgiving, when would we go crazy and buy all the christmas presents? on all saints day?

 

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Nice purse, dude

I bought a new set of flannel sheets recently. The packaging for the sheets is a good quality vinyl bag, with a zipper and a rope handle. Why do they package sheets so fancily? Do people re-use those bags? I cannot imagine people saving them to store the sheets when they're not being used. Although hmmmm, it is about the perfect size for a lunch bag...but no, I think I'd raise too many eyebrows if I walked into work carrying a clear, vinyl, rope handled bag containing a sandwich and chips (heck, containing anything).

3 Talked Back:

At November 21, 2005 at 11:03:00 AM CST, Blogger meagan said...

I use those bags to store sheets, etc.

Yep, I am one of those people.

 

At November 21, 2005 at 3:36:00 PM CST, Blogger Jim said...

sweaters

 

At November 22, 2005 at 5:48:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

I keep the sheets back in the bag when not in use... I too am one of those people. Hey it keeps the whole set nicely in one place. No more missing pillow cases!

 

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Sunday, November 20, 2005

To protect and serve...laughs?

This just in:

There's a new Police Academy movie in the works. Interestingly, its title on IMDb is not followed by a Roman numeral. It makes me wonder if Warner Brothers is going to try to "re-invent" the franchise, like it did with Batman Begins. Looking closer, though, it seems that some of the old charter members are signed on: Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow (the sound effects guy), etc. So maybe it isn't a re-invention.

Despite my strongest influence of common sense, I'm going to predict that this new Police Academy, which looks to be released in 2006, will be awesome.

Friday, November 18, 2005

Put some pants on, Doug

The big annual Christmas holiday tree has arrived in Portland, and workers are preparing it for the lighting ceremony that takes place at Pioneer Courthouse Square next Friday. It's quite a tall Douglas Fir, and there are many, many lights, so the job of stringing and powering those lights can be difficult.

However:


Where in the heck are the lower branches? They're in a big pile on the bricks below. That's right, the majority of the branches have been removed from this gigantic tree. Presumably, they will re-attach the limbs in some fashion before the lighting ceremony. I hope none of them fall off accidentally.

Does anyone else feel cheated here?

Gus was always eager to visit his payroll officer

Chimp-bo has a funny way of saying certain words, due to her always sounding slightly drunk. For her, "payroll" sounds like "parole".

Imagine the confusion if she were to work in the state corrections department.

Let not the left armpit know what the right armpit doeth

I ran out of deodorant this morning, after only applying it to one side of my body. I opened a new tube - or stick, I'm not sure what it's called when it's a gel - and applied it to my other side. The new deodorant is a different scent than the old one. So, depending on which side I'm facing, or the direction of the wind, you'll either smell the "Active" me, or the "Fresh Scent" me.

3 Talked Back:

At November 18, 2005 at 10:36:00 AM CST, Blogger stan said...

A note about those drugstore.com links - I find it hilarious not that there are photos of the individual toiletry items, but that you can zoom in on them.

 

At November 22, 2005 at 4:00:00 AM CST, Blogger kristen said...

which side seemed to attract more ladies, i wonder?

 

At November 22, 2005 at 10:30:00 AM CST, Blogger stan said...

If only you knew, Kristen, if only you knew. The young lady I was with on Friday was sitting on my right side, so....

 

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Thursday, November 17, 2005

I'm only gonna say this once

I turned 33 today.

8 Talked Back:

At November 17, 2005 at 11:20:00 AM CST, Blogger Shirley said...

Happy Birthday! Wow, you are young!

 

At November 17, 2005 at 3:31:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

Does "I'm only gonna say this once" infer that you don't want us to mention it either? :-)

Happy Birthday!

 

At November 17, 2005 at 4:21:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

No, I dont mind that at all, and I certainly appreciate your birthday wishes!

I just didn't want it to be a big "look at me" fest. Sometimes people go overboard with telling the world that they went another year without dying. Not me. :)

 

At November 17, 2005 at 5:41:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

Thanks for not dying.

 

At November 17, 2005 at 9:02:00 PM CST, Blogger Scott said...

My bad, I forgot it was your birthday, sorry.
Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Stan!!!

 

At November 18, 2005 at 6:10:00 AM CST, Blogger Shirley said...

Nothing wrong with talking about it. Unless maybe you buy yourself a cake and party hat, and sit by yourself and take a picture and post it showing how alone you are on your birthday, and beg for gifts - now that's overboard!

 

At November 19, 2005 at 6:07:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

happy birthday, sorry i have delayed birthday reflexes! did you have a party?

 

At November 21, 2005 at 2:00:00 PM CST, Blogger Samuel John Klein said...

Congratulations on meeting your double-trinity in such terse fashion.

Happy birthday, you person you.

 

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Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Zrharc!

Many Blogger or Blog*spot blogs require a person to type in a random string of letters before their comment will go through to a post. (This blog doesn't have one because of the above spam-trapper post.) Many times, that "word" resembles an actual word, and inspires the commenter to make up a funny definition for it, tacking it onto the end of the comment like so:

gfygbrz <---- Blogger's version of goofy goobers

It occurred to me that there should be a sort of anthology of these wacky words and their definitions. A llxycn <--lexicon, so to speak. Named after the word that inspired the idea, I have created Zrharc! The Comment Word Verification Dictionary.

Obviously, the posts are few (one so far), but hopefully there will be many contributors once this catches on. I want you to be one of those contributors - I just need your e-mail address so I can send you the team-blog invitation. If you've ever played Balderdash, you already know how this works.

Oh, I forgot to mention: Naturally, that blog also has word verification turned on.

Ten bucks says he's a pizza delivery guy


Come to think of it, he probably isn't, since he apparently knows where the brake pedal is.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Yet another reason I need headphones

Within my one-cubicle radius sits a guy (one of the few guys in this office) who I call NPR, because his voice sounds like about a half dozen of the news announcers on that network; most notably Robert Siegel, and to a lesser degree, Linda Wertheimer.

NPR is one of those 40-something guys who still thinks he's living his university glory days. His cubicle is decked out with just about every imaginable piece of OSU licensed merchandise that will fit inside and still allow him access to his chair. I can (sort of) understand supporting a school because you are an alumnus, or you are still a fan of one of their sports teams. Or maybe you have a close family member attending that school now.

But what I overheard in another overly loud conversation today (which, creepily, sounded like a bizarro-world "All Things Considered" story) put this guy right over the line into obsessive insanity: He has not one, but two, recent tattoos of the OSU logo and the Beavers mascot on his body.

Now try to get that image out of your head.

1 Talked Back:

At November 16, 2005 at 1:21:00 AM CST, Blogger h-i-p said...

Gosh. I think I'm having too much fun thinking of all the different places beavers DON'T belong permanently inked on the human body. The worst thing is that it was recent.

 

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He was definintely "cool"

This morning on the way to work I saw a guy driving a Mazda Miata convertible (that's right, a guy) with the top down. But, because it was 35 degrees outside, he was wearing a wool cap and a full winter jacket. Am I the only one who sees the problem here?

1 Talked Back:

At November 16, 2005 at 12:52:00 AM CST, Blogger Katie said...

Those are some of my favorite morning sights! I love funny commute moments. Don't they realize how ridiculous they look?

 

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Monday, November 14, 2005

The all-temperature cheer

Oregon Public Broadcasting has been running these specials on the "pioneers" of television lately. The other day I was on my home computer (which, unlike Meagan's Poppy Isabella, has no name), and I heard an episode on TV in the background. Some of the clips they showed had parts where the audience was applauding the performers, and when I heard that applause, something occurred to me: There were no screams of "WHOOOOO!!" and few if any whistles. It was just clapping.

Today's audiences always seem to scream, cheer and whistle while they clap. Watch any sitcom with a live audience. Go to any concert. It's always more than clapping. It's as though there was once a law against yelling and screaming, which at some point was repealed.

Or, perhaps back then, audiences would only cheer if something was actually worth cheering for, but just clapped the rest of the time. Maybe today, our standards have dropped, and we'll call anything "great" even if it's mediocre, yelling and screaming at the most pedestrian of performances.

Whooooo!

3 Talked Back:

At November 14, 2005 at 4:59:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

Maybe OPB can only afford the signs that say "APPLAUSE NOW" and not the "CHEER NOW", and "WHISTLE NOW" signs.

love meagan

p.s. bummer about your no-name computer. You could name it Dinglemunch...

 

At November 15, 2005 at 8:27:00 AM CST, Blogger Jay Noel said...

I think there are just some individuals that want to be heard above the crowd. So when that episode of Seinfeld comes on, that guy can say, "Hey Ma, that's me yoo-hoo-ing there."

 

At November 16, 2005 at 1:28:00 AM CST, Blogger h-i-p said...

I was reading the other day just about that: how people are so willing to look like idiots at a (name your favorite boy band) concert but so self conscious when it comes to worshipping God. The author cited this as evidence of the human's capacity for adoration and the need to have it focused on the One who deserves it all.

However, I wouldn't mind going back to the days of our founding fathers where instead of clapping they just tapped their walking sticks or hands against their desks or thighs. The sound of one hand clapping filled Independence Hall on July 4, 1776. At least in the movie.

And sadness -- they are really adamant about having people NOT whoop and holler at the Dave Letterman show. And no one did. I wanted to be the one saying "Hey ma that's me!" but I felt so out of sorts I didn't want to stand out. They do have the professional clapper though to cue the audience. Good gig if you ask me.

 

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Grant me serenity

Two years ago, I worked as a temp for an electronic security system manufacturer. I was in the Purchasing department with about seven or eight buyers. Once the Christmas season hit, one of the buyers brought in an Amy Grant Christmas CD (Home for Christmas), and played it nonstop for two solid weeks. I am not exaggerating here. Every day, for nine hours each day, her CD was playing on the CD boombox in the center of the room.

Naturally, this drove me insane, but there was nothing I could do, as I was just the lowly temp. Never before had I anticipated December 26 with such fervor.

This morning, I came into the office and sat down in my cubicle, refreshed from three days off and ready to start the week. Not five minutes into my workday, I heard, from two cubicles away, the very same Amy Grant CD that tortured me before. And yes, it's set on repeat.

It's gonna be a long month.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

And while I'm asking simple questions...

Why does Kentucky Fried Chicken (just KFC nowadays) use the song "Sweet Home Alabama" in its commercials?

2 Talked Back:

At November 13, 2005 at 10:20:00 PM CST, Blogger Jill Homer said...

Especially since it was started in Utah

 

At November 14, 2005 at 9:21:00 AM CST, Blogger Jay Noel said...

Probably because the Kentucky Derby bugle theme isn't very appealing.

 

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Joe wondered why the CD was covered in X's

Simple question: How do the Blind Boys of Alabama sign autographs?

1 Talked Back:

At November 14, 2005 at 9:26:00 AM CST, Blogger Jay Noel said...

Dang...that's a really good question. How does Stevie Wonder do it???

Maybe they just use thumbprints.

 

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Thursday, November 10, 2005

Perhaps I am down by a few points

You know how, In some NBA games, when the home team's down by a few points and the other team has the ball, the PA system does that slow, two-bass-drum cadence and the crowd yells, "De-Fense"? *BOOM-BOOM* De-Fense! *BOOM-BOOM* De-Fense!

Well, that's the "song" I have on my head right now. I don't know why. This is the first time that I can remember where the stuck song isn't a song at all, but a sports chant.

Call Guinness.

2 Talked Back:

At November 10, 2005 at 11:57:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

maybe you're down more than a few. tee hee i'm in a silly mood. probably cause i just pretty much broke my second to smallest toe and it's turning purple as i write this.

 

At November 13, 2005 at 11:03:00 AM CST, Blogger historymike said...

It might be syncing up with the human heartbeat.

 

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Just a minor managerial oversight

I just found out a few minutes ago, via the earsplitting voice of Chimp-bo, that tomorrow is a company holiday. Nobody, my manager included, has actually told me that the office is closed; I would have come in to work as normal, finding the office empty and dark, miffed that I could have slept in, one less gallon of gas in the tank.

In the 16 years that I have been in the working world, as far as I recall, this is the first employer that has been closed on Veterans' Day.

So thanks, Chimp-bo.

3 Talked Back:

At November 10, 2005 at 6:03:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

Yipeee!!!! An unexpected day off! As annoying as that is that no one told you, isn't that a fabulous surprise?!? I hope you have a very fun day tomorrow.

love meagan

 

At November 10, 2005 at 11:56:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

as the state of california is shutting down for the day, i guess i'll take the day off too. have a fabulous 3 day weekend and try to be good about your eating!! :D

 

At November 11, 2005 at 12:51:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

We're working today... Notice that I'm making blog rounds. Ssshhh!

I heard recently on the news that they are estimating that something like 20% of the work week is now "wasted" on blogging. Though I can bet there are people in the company I work for getting paid to blog and read blogs. I need that job!

 

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Nomenclature impressionante

Say what you will about the French, they have some really cool looking names.

Question: Is it traditional for French or French Canadians to have two middle names? I seem to be seeing a lot of that lately.

I wonder if Letterman has this problem

I have a tiny gap between my two upper front teeth, and I'm slightly obsessed over it. It's not overly diastematic; it's just a fraction of a millimeter. Still, I'm obsessed with making sure there's a good air flow in the gap at all times. After eating anything, if there's any sort of matter left behind in the gap, I will stop whatever I'm doing and work on clearing it out. I usually keep floss in my desk, and when I don't have that, I'll use a piece of paper. Sticky notes work well, business cards even better. All day long, I'm testing the air flow; anything that gets in that gap will make it squeak a little bit, which has to be annoying to my coworkers.

8 Talked Back:

At November 10, 2005 at 1:01:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

i would be willing to bet letterman does have that problem. i don't have much of a front gap, but my side gaps are enough that i can put my tongue to the top of my mouth and blow air through them, to see if anything comes flying out.

benefit: don't need random pieces of paper, no squeaking.

disadvantage: spraying nearby people with random bits of food!

 

At November 10, 2005 at 6:05:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

This is just so much fun that you both shared about these gaps in your teeth!

 

At November 10, 2005 at 11:56:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

do you want to share something about your own gap teeth, meagan?

 

At November 11, 2005 at 8:39:00 AM CST, Blogger meagan said...

:-) :-| :-=
I was trying to get creative and draw what looked like a gap-toothed emoticon, but I guss I'm not creative enough yet. But thanks for asking!! :-)

meagan

 

At November 11, 2005 at 10:33:00 AM CST, Blogger stan said...

Disgusting "proof" that Letterman has this problem:

Joel and Steve, May 12, 2004

 

At November 11, 2005 at 12:49:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

I've been looking at you for years now and I've never once noticed a noticeable gap... Though this does explain why you are always looking for toothpicks etc.

 

At November 11, 2005 at 1:10:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

You just haven't been close enough to my face to see it, that's all ;)

 

At November 12, 2005 at 6:31:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

I suppose thats true!

 

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You feel a breeze in here?

It seems like every weekday morning there's one thing I forget to do, or take with me. Sometimes it's my security badge. The other day it was my glasses. Today I forgot to put on a belt. And let me tell you, I need a belt now more than ever, because I have been reducing my girth as of late, and I haven't yet bought any new slacks. Hopefully my pants won't fall down during our morning stretching. Well, if they do, at least I'm not wearing tighty whities.

8 Talked Back:

At November 10, 2005 at 10:32:00 AM CST, Blogger Scott said...

Hey Stan, let's hope your not going commando!!

It's just wrong I'm even talking about this!

 

At November 10, 2005 at 10:36:00 AM CST, Blogger Scott said...

Oh by the way, Congrats on breaking into the 198 range!

 

At November 10, 2005 at 10:42:00 AM CST, Blogger stan said...

No, I leave the commando stuff to Rambo.

Oh my gosh, that's such an old reference now. *weeping*

 

At November 10, 2005 at 10:49:00 AM CST, Blogger Scott said...

I noticed Jim is posting again, I wonder why he won't allow comments?

I know, I'm alittle slow, he's probably been back for some time now, but just noticed the other day, well yesterday.

 

At November 10, 2005 at 10:56:00 AM CST, Blogger stan said...

It's only been three or four days, I think. I seem to remember on his retirement post that he said he was getting too many negative comments from jerks telling him that he wasn't funny, that he should find a new hobby, something like that. So I can understand why he wouldn't want to open himself up to that again. Although it'd be nice for his old blog friends to be able to welcome him back.

 

At November 10, 2005 at 6:08:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 

At November 11, 2005 at 12:47:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

I'm sorry...morning stretching?? Seriously?

 

At November 11, 2005 at 1:11:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

Yep, at 9:30 we stretch for fifteen minutes. Not every day, though.

 

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Wednesday, November 09, 2005

They're hooked on God

More proof that God exists: Coat hangers.

Nobody but God could come up with so many humorous and creative ways for coat hangers to get tangled up with each other. It must be a daily source of entertainment for Him every morning when I am pulling that day's clothes out of my closet, just watching my befuddled reaction when I grab an extra hanger or two along the way.

2 Talked Back:

At November 9, 2005 at 6:59:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

tee hee

*envisioning you trying to untangle coat hangers without your glasses on*

 

At November 9, 2005 at 9:45:00 PM CST, Blogger Jay Noel said...

Sounds like a Clark Grizwold moment there. That's really weird, by the way, we have a lot of the same blog links.

When I first started, Jim introduced me to a bunch of other bloggers. When he decided to quit, I was pretty down about that.

Looks like he's picking up again, but not allowing comments.

 

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Maybe they know where the best local handicapped parking spots are

Over in the right column of this blog is a link to Weather Underground (labeled as "portland weather"). On that site, underneath the five-day forecast, is a little ad with a tagline of Meet Locals. This is almost always accompanied by a photo of an alluring young woman, implying that Meet Locals means Maybe Get Lucky With Locals. Then it says that you can read their hotel tips and travel guides, which tells me that it's actually more like a Frommer's than a dating service.

Anyway, the random photo that came up on today's page was pretty much the same as the others:

But look a little closer. It's actually kind of disturbing:


Clearly, there is something anatomically wrong here. This woman has a disproportionately huge right arm, and no left one. She also appears to be missing the left half of her rib cage.

What is the message here?

1 Talked Back:

At November 9, 2005 at 6:58:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

i wonder if she is holding up her left arm and her hand is on her own shoulder, which is blocking her rib cage.

or that locally in portland, all you're gonna get is people with missing parts. did you try to meet any locals yet?

 

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Speaking of English-Spanish translations...


Uh, no, I'm pretty sure it's Spanish for "The Villa".

1 Talked Back:

At November 9, 2005 at 7:52:00 PM CST, Blogger Samuel John Klein said...

Maybe so. But I have it on good authority that the French phrase je ne sais quois actually translates to I am an Indian.

Or something. I don't know what.

 

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Scarred by the babysitter, part 2

In the summertime, we had to be at the babysitter's place all day long. At lunchtime, we were required to eat our food one item at a time: We had to finish the sandwich before we could eat chips; finish the chips before we could have kool-aid; and finish the kool-aid before we could have the cookie.

To this day, I still eat most meals in the same sequential manner; 99% of the time, I don't even think about it. If I want to "mix and match", I have to make a conscious effort to do so.

1 Talked Back:

At November 9, 2005 at 8:34:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

That's actually kind of sad... Why would you care how the kid ate his lunch? Look how it messed your head.

 

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Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Explain this one

Just for fun, I put the word "taco" into an English-to-Spanish translator. It found no matching words in either language.

1 Talked Back:

At November 9, 2005 at 7:54:00 PM CST, Blogger Samuel John Klein said...

Yeah. What's funnier is that burrito actually is supposed to mean little burro

Language is a terrible way to communicate.

 

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I thought twice before finishing my yogurt

There's an lady in a nearby cubicle who talks extremely loudly, in a voice that can best be described as a cross between a drunk bimbo and a deaf chimpanzee. I made reference to her in this blog's description line recently. Not only does she assume everyone is always paying attention to her (she just asks questions out loud to whomever will answer her in a three-cube radius), she also will take very personal calls throughout the day without reducing her decibel level.

Today, one of those calls was to inform her that her daughter is unable to poop. She spent the next few minutes describing to the caller detailed ways to remedy the situation. Did I mention that this was during the lunch hour?

And yes, I drove to work without them

Today I am Squinty Man at work (aka Sit Really Close To The Monitor Man), because I accidentally left my glasses at home. There really should be no excuse for this, as I have three pair to choose from. Yet there they sit, all of them, on the top of my bookshelf, next to the fingernail clippers and the old mayo jar full of really small junk.

Monday, November 07, 2005

Ten things that take me back: November

$5 mail order survival knife w/compass
M:P Club
Matchbox cars
“Hi-diddle-dee-dee, the kitty ran up the tree”
Paperback Traders on Halsey
The "77" shirt that I wore until '85
Lunch tickets
Yellow Nerf soccer balls
Kenny, the retired mailman
Drinking Fresca at the soccer tournament

1 Talked Back:

At November 9, 2005 at 12:30:00 AM CST, Blogger Stacy said...

My lunch tickets were red... back in the day.

 

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Fighting the power of stuck songs

I've posted more than once about songs that have gotten stuck in my head for days at a time, causing me much grief and anguish. But once in a while, a good song will get in there that I want to keep, because the rhythm or the bass line is so great. Today that song is Public Enemy's "Fight the Power"; I'm pretty sure that song was in Jarhead, which I saw on Friday. (I could be wrong about that.)

Coincidentally, that song contains samples from James Brown's music. A couple of weeks ago, Brown's "Get Up" was another one of those good stuck songs.

Just a little house cleaning

I have cleaned up some of the links that I don't really check up on anymore. I added a new one, Special Fried Rice, which I began reading and already like. I'll try to catch up on that one this week. I added the Anonymous Lawyer, which I have commented on before, and Lo's blog, which I keep up with but haven't linked until now.

It also appears that our friend Jim may be meandering his way back into the blogosphere. His previously-retired blog, It's Jim, now has some of its earliest posts up again. There's one that's dated October 30, but I am pretty sure that it's one of the old ones, too. I hope he comes back in earnest soon.

Two other friends, Chicken Little and Scott, have slowed down their blogs considerably. Chicken Fried Life looks to be on a solid hiatus, while Ashman, who has another worthy way to spend his time, still gives us the occasional photo once in a while. Edit: See the first comment for the C.F.L./S.F.R. connection.

Also, I have kind of slowed down my own updating in the last few weeks. I'd like to start posting with a little more frequency, perhaps inspired by Jim's earlier, short-but-sweet posts. We'll see.

That's the nature of the blogging life...it comes and goes, speeds up and slows down. Friends say goodbye, and new friends are discovered. It's all good.

4 Talked Back:

At November 8, 2005 at 3:59:00 PM CST, Blogger Shirley said...

chicken fried life = special fried rice. Same fried stuff, different takeout container.

 

At November 8, 2005 at 4:23:00 PM CST, Blogger stan said...

Hear that? That was the sound of a light bulb dinging above my head. :)

 

At November 8, 2005 at 7:24:00 PM CST, Blogger Shirley said...

LOL, sorry, thought I told you!

 

At November 14, 2005 at 12:10:00 PM CST, Blogger Samuel John Klein said...

Special Fried Rice? Mmmm, that's good readin'...

And Jim! Jim sure looks back...no comments tho'...still, [[[[[happy dance]]]]].

Given the choice between no Jim and rerun Jim, I choose rerun Jim. But it does look like there's some new stuff in there.

 

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Friday, November 04, 2005

Next thing you know, they'll be playing "Deck the Halls" on Labor Day

I went across the street to the deli to grab some lunch, and they had Mix 106.7 playing on their radio. The station was playing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's version of "Carol of the Bells." That's right, folks. It's November 4, 2005, and a local station is already playing Christmas music.

I think that sets some sort of record. If not the Earliest In The Year Christmas Music Is Played record, then at least the Earliest In The Year I Have Become Sick Of Hearing It.

Call Guinness.

2 Talked Back:

At November 6, 2005 at 1:13:00 AM CST, Anonymous Anonymous said...

That reminds me of something a local radiostation here in phoenix does. This station says the amount of days until christmas everyday, but they start doing this in july, so they will say things like "9*.* the holiday station! Only 162 days until christmas!"

 

At December 10, 2005 at 1:36:00 AM CST, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hiya ##NAME##, just thought I'd say great post titled ##TITLE##. I'm looking for ##LINK## and I ended up here accidentally but I will make sure I return soon. Looking for in addition will keep me busy for a few hours.

 

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Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Somewhere, after reading this, a 971'er will sing "We Shall Overcome"

Someone called me this morning with a number I kind of recognized. I thought it might've been Dave, but his name, which is stored in the phone, didn't come up...just a raw number. I don't answer calls from unrecognized numbers. Whoever called left me no voice mail.

I checked my phone book, and sure enough, Dave's number is very similar to the one that called me. This was the text message conversation that followed:

Me: Dave did you call me earlier with another phone? If not do you recognize 971-xxx-xxxx?

Dave: Not me. Not my number.

Me: Just very close. Those 971 numbers all look the same to me. Does that make me a 503 snob, or a prefix bigot?
:)

3 Talked Back:

At November 2, 2005 at 7:13:00 PM CST, Blogger meagan said...

Hah I love it! I feel like I am still a 503 snob, even though my whole region is now 541. I'm still getting used to it. After 10 years, or whatever it's been since Oregon decided to have two area codes. Those 971's are quite confusing. Couldn't they at least have gone with 543 or 504 or something semi-similar to the original numbers?

love meagan

 

At November 3, 2005 at 10:19:00 AM CST, Blogger stan said...

That's funny, from the links list on the right, it works with the www in the URL. In the post, it didn't. (I just did copy-paste.) Guess I'll just update the links list for the future.

Yeah, yeah, I know that J&S are a year out of date. Remember when it was supposed to be a flash-forward? Now it's a year flash-back. Me lazy.

 

At November 4, 2005 at 8:39:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

Everytime I see 971 I think someone is calling from out of state, like Cali. Theirs is 916 so I get confused and don't ever pick up. Of course I never pick up unknown numbers... Its safer to let them leave a voicemail and call back when I know its safe.

Another similiar thought... Have you ever mis-dialed a number and hung up and then had the mis-dial call you back and ask what you want? I hate that! If I didn't leave a message I probably got the wrong number. Its always awkward.

 

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Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Maybe I should just drive in the river

In addition to the apparent doubling of traffic on my morning commute (which requires me to leave ten or more minutes earlier to get to work at the same time as before), now we've got the rain. And wow, is it raining a lot lately.

McLoughlin Blvd. has problems with rainwater drainage. For literally miles of the main thoroughfare, standing water is along both shoulders, and it's causing visibility problems. In the left lane, massive quantities of water splash over the top of the barrier and onto the windshields of opposing traffic. It's unnerving when I already have the wipers on full speed, then a wall of white water hits the glass, blinding me for a second or two. And in the right lane, standing water is twice as deep, so traffic crawls along.

I know that this isn't New Orleans, so I can't complain too much, but we're still keeping more water on the streets than we should.

2 Talked Back:

At November 1, 2005 at 1:37:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

what is the root of all these drainage problems? doesn't portland have tons of rain every year? too many leaves in the gutters or what?

 

At November 1, 2005 at 10:38:00 PM CST, Blogger Katie said...

Amen brother... It took 45 minutes today to crawl in on the Banfield and that's only 1/2 of my nasty commute!

 

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My yogurt made the grade

So I'm eating a cup of yogurt right now, and I look at the printed label. It says that this is Grade A Nonfat Yogurt. Grade A. Is there any point to putting this on there? Seriously, does anyone even sell Grade B or lower?

It's like Fancy ketchup. Every ketchup I have ever seen is Fancy. Why is even called Fancy? Does that mean that it's suitable for consumption at a formal dinner in a mansion? Because when I'm squirting it over a paper plate piled with tater tots, I'm really not thinking, "By Jove, this is Fancy ketchup. I should be using the fine china!"

Hmm, maybe I should have poured the yogurt into a fancy crystal goblet before eating it.

1 Talked Back:

At November 1, 2005 at 1:36:00 PM CST, Blogger kristen said...

i don't think heinz is labeled as fancy...unless it's in a packet form...maybe...

i don't think grade b or lower is sold at regular supermarkets, but i bet if you went to some kind of dairy store they might have it.

i like that you said "by jove!"

 

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