http://ignoregon.com/rss/bend Aggregated Blog Posts From Bend Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:08:01 +0000 en http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/29/there_are_35_mo.php http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/29/there_are_35_mo.php Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:15:00 +0000 ...do you recognize them all? Read the comments here to see if you did. I'm not a film buff, so I missed quite a few, but I did get a bunch. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/zVYY/~3/VHkYySwCSX0/i-read-news-today-oh-boy-bp-new-cap.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/zVYY/~3/VHkYySwCSX0/i-read-news-today-oh-boy-bp-new-cap.html Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:16:00 +0000 The oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico appears to be dissolving far more rapidly than anyone expected - NY Times The New Message From The Fed: WE ARE JAPAN - Business InsiderNow that is one fugly chart... - Pragmatic CapitalismApartment Rentals Surge in U.S. on Home Foreclosures, Job Gains - Bloomberg CNBC: Now With More Farting Sound Effects - Business Insider'Embracing the power of the tweet' - @jessefelder featured in the local paper - Bend Bulletin Posted via email from jessefelder's posterous http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/29/this_is_going_t.php http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/29/this_is_going_t.php Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:59:00 +0000 To quote dmoney83: "What happens when the biggest troll on television meets the biggest trolls on the internet?" That's exactly what happened as 4Chan found a pretty huge hole in Glenn Beck's site. While the hole's been fixed, there was a lot of stuff that got exposed (.passwd files, .htaccess files, httpd.conf files, wp-config files, and all sorts of fun stuff), it was a very entertaining read. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HighDesertGalleryOfCentralOregon/~3/DpRZ2hV5-Io/august-2010-arts-on-publication-available-on-line-and-the-streets-of-bend-oregon.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HighDesertGalleryOfCentralOregon/~3/DpRZ2hV5-Io/august-2010-arts-on-publication-available-on-line-and-the-streets-of-bend-oregon.html Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:55:00 +0000 The August 2010 Arts On! publication is online and at the news stands of The Source Weekly. Inside you will find Bend Oregon First Friday Gallery Walk, special artist reception and monthly exhibition information. The guide is published by The Source Weekly and sponsored by The Old Mill District, NorthWest Crossing Group and Downtown Bend. Your resource for everything First Friday Gallery Walk! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/zVYY/~3/O0rwUaE4B0c/david-rosenberg-this-is-depression-not.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/zVYY/~3/O0rwUaE4B0c/david-rosenberg-this-is-depression-not.html Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:08:00 +0000 via ritholtz.com Posted via email from jessefelder's posterous http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/29/christmas-in-july-2-turtle-doves.php http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/29/christmas-in-july-2-turtle-doves.php Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0000 Even though they’re only a couple of years old, The Bruery in Southern California is the current darling of the Brewinati (did I just make up that word?), and everyone online was raving about their 2 Turtle Doves over the holidays—the second in their ambitious “12 Days (Beers) of Christmas” series, where they’ll release a [...] http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/28/time_killer_for_90.php http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/28/time_killer_for_90.php Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:15:00 +0000 Isoball 2 starts with a simple premise: Build a way to get the ball to the hole. But it gets complicated pretty quick. If that game's too easy, this will do nothing but piss you off. If you want to play with some random people, Transformice is pretty fun. Speaking of games, Flash gaming site Kongregate got bought by Gamestop. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AYearInTheLifeOfKrystal/~3/4pehE1Pe8z8/early-death.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AYearInTheLifeOfKrystal/~3/4pehE1Pe8z8/early-death.html Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:03:00 +0000 Ever since our father passed away in March, I've been afraid of death. Not the actual act of dying but leaving this world with so many things left undone. I'm the world's greatest procrastinator so this can be a bad combination. My father called me on my 36th birthday to let me know he was going to the hospital for a couple days worth of tests, that was December 18th, 2009. On December 26th, I was flying down to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix to sit by his side while he was in a coma. He woke up but never checked back out of these facilities, just made the move to hospice and left moments later.Kara walked into my pod as I was getting ready to go have lunch with Jose and the girls. She picked up my pencil and wrote Calvin is dead and went to walk away as I finished my last call. I don't remember when their friendship started but it's long and strange. He is/was in his mid-40's and he'd drive all the way up from Cali to help Kara whenever she needed it, lend her a vehicle to drive, money to buy a new washing machine, you name it. I always wondered what he expected from her since she was so much younger but Kara insisted they were just good friends. Now Kara has lots of friends but the number of good friends that are there for her in thick and thin could be counted one hand and Calvin was one of them. Our work isn't the type to say I'm so sorry that you lost someone dear to you, take a couple days off from work. Oh no, it has to be an immediate relative and then you only get 3 days. Otherwise, you need a note from a psychiatrist saying you have a mental condition that prevents you from working at the moment. A hug from your big sister isn't always going to cut it. Kara took our father's death pretty hard because she was emotionally closer to him than I was. Then she's dealing with Todd being wrongfully imprisoned and trying to help him fight that and it's just exhausting her. She hates working there probably more than I do but she's got Justin to support as well and no help from the sperm donor. It makes me feel a little helpless to not be able to take some of the pain away from her.That is until I get home from work and realize that my daughter Mia must be spending way too much around her Auntie Kara because this is what I caught her doing while I was packing lunches for tomorrow. She pulled the jug of milk out of the fridge, tipped it up to her lips, and started drinking out of it!! This is something that I never do but Kara seems to do it whenever she comes in close range to a milk jug, regardless of whose fridge it might be hiding in. http://www.bendoregonrealestateexpert.com/bend-real-estate-blog/?p=907 http://www.bendoregonrealestateexpert.com/bend-real-estate-blog/?p=907 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:54:00 +0000 This rural financing is not available in Bend Oregon but will be available in some of the out lying areas in Central Oregon.  The National Association of Realtors just released this article. Thousands of Rural Home Buyers Aided by Passage of Housing Funding Measure Washington, July 28, 2010 The restoration of the single-family rural housing program that would guarantee home [...] http://www.monkeyinabox.net/archives/002153.html http://www.monkeyinabox.net/archives/002153.html Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:27:00 +0000 07.28.2010 Just last Saturday the Cascade Cycling Classic featured the premier event (in my opinion): The Downtown Criterium. I always love this event because the action is very close and the pace is very fast. In the last couple of years, they moved the starting time up earlier in the evening. This is probably a good thing for the riders (except maybe the heat of the race) and it certainly drew the usual crowd. I'm still not thrilled with the simple oval course layout. Too boring at the corners and fast straight sections are somewhat boring too. I arrived for the conclusion of the women's race, but got to experience the entire men's event. Nothing against the women, it's just one race is usually plenty. Last year, my stomach was not feeling good, so it made it less fun to hang around. This year the weather was great and it was nice to walk around the whole course, without stomach issues. I took plenty of photos (as usual), since there is always something to look at and shoot. Even if you get great shots, there's always a chance to get something different. Probably the biggest news of this years race... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/zVYY/~3/6u9WBovohXs/our-flag-was-still-there.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/zVYY/~3/6u9WBovohXs/our-flag-was-still-there.html Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:18:00 +0000 I'm still watching this pennant and waiting for the break that should have interesting implications for the stock market for the remainder of 2010. After watching the head and shoulders top form over the past few months it's interesting to note that an inverted head and shoulders pattern (bottom) may now be forming in the S&P 500 Index: Should stocks pull back (1040-50 seems reasonable) and form a right shoulder over the next few weeks without breaking the pennant down in the first chart this may set the stage for a significant rally into the fall (the 1220 high set earlier this year would be a logical projection).  What's more, this sort of action would catch most investors off guard - just the way a contrarian-minded trader would like it. Then again, I'm probably getting ahead of myself. Let's just wait and see how the flag shakes out, shall we? Posted via email from jessefelder's posterous http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/28/the-deschutes-county-fair-starts-today.php http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/28/the-deschutes-county-fair-starts-today.php Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:00:00 +0000 Today is the first day of the Deschutes County Fair, which runs through Sunday (the 1st). In addition to the usual livestock and agricultural and craft showings, and carnival rides, there is also the rodeo and a number of concerts … Continue reading → http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/slap-happy-summer.html http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/slap-happy-summer.html Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:48:00 +0000 Up in our neck of the woods, spring came slowly and haltingly this year. It's always slower than everywhere else in the country, it seems, but this year was the coldest, wettest I remember. Summer finally showed up about July... http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/28/christmas-in-july-25-dodici.php http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/28/christmas-in-july-25-dodici.php Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000 25 Dodici is another beer I’d featured on last year’s Advent Calendar: a strong Winter Warmer from Birra del Borgo in Italy, which I speculated had not been actually brewed since 2008. I must have been wrong about that, because imagine my surprise when this beer popped up at Whole Foods this past winter! Yes, [...] http://www.highdesertmusings.com/2010/07/summer-camp.html http://www.highdesertmusings.com/2010/07/summer-camp.html Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:18:00 +0000 It’s all fun here at the High Desert Museum Summer Camp!Campers are learning from a variety of topics through fun and engaging activities throughout the camp day. Each week camp is themed for two age groups, 5-6 and 7-9 years old. This week our younger group is learning about Cool Communities, having fun with a new community each day. How does a forest community interact? Or how do you play a role in your human community? Our older group is developing their photography skills in Picture the World camp. You can only imagine how many fun things there are to take pictures of at the High Desert Museum! Today campers got a sneak peak at some new additions to the wildlife team; stay tuned to find out what kind of creatures they might be!There are still two more weeks of camp with spots open for your little campers!The youngsters will be learning about animals in Creature Feature starting on August 2nd, while exploring pioneer life in Frontier Fun beginning on August 9th. We’re all booked for animal camp Desert Dwellers starting on August 9th, but we’ve got space available for our week of cultural exploration in Dig It! beginning on August 2nd. To find out more, or to register for camp visit our camp web page or call Erica Benton at 541-382-4754 ext. 320. See you at Camp! http://bendoregonrestaurant.blogspot.com/2010/07/spice-box-bend-oregon.html http://bendoregonrestaurant.blogspot.com/2010/07/spice-box-bend-oregon.html Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:44:00 +0000 Spice Box The Spice Box, located in Bend's Glorious West Side (the best side), is bringing some much needed Indian food to Bend. The Spice Box took over the old Hurricane's spot next to Bend's Favorite Kid Friendly Mexican Restaurant, Baltazar's. As of writing this post The Spice Box does not have a website but rather a Facebook Page in which they update fans on what's available on a weekly http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/27/christmas-in-july-goose-island-christmas-ale.php http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/27/christmas-in-july-goose-island-christmas-ale.php Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:43:00 +0000 This past holiday season was the first year I remember seeing Goose Island Christmas Ale available here in Bend, and was also the first beer I picked for last year’s Advent Calendar—needless to say, it was one I knew I had to try (and had been wanting to for a while). Goose Island is old-school [...] http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AYearInTheLifeOfKrystal/~3/x_l4jhnpkWw/hour-of-american-overtime-days-wages-in.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AYearInTheLifeOfKrystal/~3/x_l4jhnpkWw/hour-of-american-overtime-days-wages-in.html Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:40:00 +0000 I keep reminding myself of this every second that I sit and work and hate my job. I want nothing more than to give my two week notice and walk out of that place without a backward glance but I can't, not yet. The attorney didn't email me back today so I'm still wondering if my misery is going to end in February or not. Maria and Victor are both making about $10-$15 dollars a day for working 8-10 hours and they have no benefits or perks. And I don't hate my job because I'm slaving for little pay or being asked to do anything ridiculous. I hate my job because I'm not succeeding at it and it makes me feel like a failure on a constant basis. For those that are just tuning in, I work as a telephone customer service representative for T-Mobile. I'm marked on the quality of my phone call, how quickly I'm able to take care of the customer, am I ensuring that the customer is on the right plan for their needs, and am I offering them any additional features to add value? To put it in a nutshell, I try to solve world hunger on every call and talk about 30 seconds on average more than I'm supposed to. In turn, this means that I lose my monthly bonus for adding features to a customer's acct, no extra points to earn gift cards, you name it. The great war vet who survived a war zone and led a company of seasoned soldiers can't figure out how to take care of a customer's issues quickly and get them off the damn phone. So I walk into work stressed out about what my call times are going to end up at and when am I going to get fired and be jobless? So every day I make it worse by working as many additional hours as I humanely can because I'm thankful to have a job that offers me so much opportunity for overtime in addition to childcare benefits, medical, cell phone service, etc. How's that for an oxymoron? To make me feel even better, I called Jose on my last break and Erika mentions that Mia got hurt. Jose dropped the girls off at his uncle's house so he could go to the gym for an hour. Mia's nice cousin Gerardo shoved her from behind and she smacked her head on the table and has a huge knot on her forehead. And all of this is my fault because if I was a stay-at-home mom, I would have been home taking care of her and she wouldn't have been at someone else's house. I can't win at this game of life and it makes me sad. Please don't think that I'm whining about how hard life is, I dare anyone to walk a mile in my boots. This is actually the best that life has ever given me and I'm thankful. I'm just torn between preparing for a better future for my family and doing what needs to be done now so we don't have to sacrifice as much in the future. http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/27/rileys-market-is-closing.php http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/27/rileys-market-is-closing.php Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:27:00 +0000 Riley’s Market is the lone grocery store/deli over in NorthWest Crossing, and will be closing after this Saturday (the end of July). It’s in today’s Bulletin. Kacy Logeais, who opened the store in September 2007 with her husband, Shain, said … Continue reading → http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/zVYY/~3/LrqfmuYsFRA/i-read-news-today-oh-boy-is-double-dip.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/zVYY/~3/LrqfmuYsFRA/i-read-news-today-oh-boy-is-double-dip.html Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:09:00 +0000 Is It Really Different This Time? - Pragmatic Capitalism 27 Reasons This Rally Is for Real - Seeking AlphaLinkedIn: Now Worth Over $2 Billion - MashableThe Red Sox may have beaten the Yankees by becoming the first billion-dollar baseball club - MarketWatch Craigslist Genius Trades Cell Phone For a Porsche - ManolithOld Spice Sales Double With YouTube Campaign - Mashable14 Famous Man Caves - The Art of Manliness For links like these in real-time follow me on Twitter. Posted via email from jessefelder's posterous http://www.mikeputnamphoto.com/mariposa-lilies-in-the-central-oregon-desert http://www.mikeputnamphoto.com/mariposa-lilies-in-the-central-oregon-desert Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:15:00 +0000 Thanks to some friends, I was recently alerted that there were a lot of Mariposa Lilies blooming on their property.  Because these lilies are relatively rare and they are truly elegant looking, I was excited about the prospects.  I visited several times and took several images with my Big Rig.  The below image was captured [...] http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/27/ignite-bend-5-on-september-30.php http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/27/ignite-bend-5-on-september-30.php Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:59:00 +0000 This is the official press release for Ignite Bend: Following the incredible success of previous Ignite Bend events, we are pleased to announce that Ignite Bend 5 will be held on September 30, 2010 during the WebCAM conference. We hope … Continue reading → http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/27/christmas-in-july-winter-hum-bugr.php http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/27/christmas-in-july-winter-hum-bugr.php Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000 Portland’s MacTarnahan’s holiday offering is Hum Bug’r: an easy-drinking Porter wrapped up in packaging reminiscent of something you’d see in an indie graphic novel. The “hum bug” part of the name naturally makes you think of Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol—though MacTarnahan’s has someone else in  mind: You know he’s arrived. Wheeling through the party, [...] http://funkiplanet.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-journey-to-losing-my-house-chapter-4.html http://funkiplanet.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-journey-to-losing-my-house-chapter-4.html Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:38:00 +0000 I really should have written before this but alas, life got in the way.  The journey has been continuing and has been quite an adventure so far.  On the home sale front we got another buyer and made it all the way to the inspection phase.  We thought we would be moving in the next couple of weeks but it all fell apart when the inspector said we had termites and the buyer pulled out.  We have searched all over the house, underneath, inside and outside and cannot find these pests anywhere but it is too late.  Our buyer is long gone.But here's where the journey gets interesting.  We've been praying and asking the Lord for direction and by asking Him to guide us we commit follow where he leads. This is not easy.  There is no manual and I have not seen Him writing on any walls as of late.  Therefore,  all we have are the circumstances of life to be our map.That being said an inspection report of pests that don't exist is a pretty clear sign that it is time to do the next thing.  For us the next thing is foreclosure.  In all honesty, it is really sad.  Who wants this for their life?  Not me.  But it is not about me right?  (The correct answer here is: right!)More and more information has been made available to us through this process and we feel compelled to make the best decision we can make for ourselves and our children.  That appears, at this point, to be letting our house go.  Man, what a bummer.Then again, I would rather endure this now and do the right thing than try to take my own path and find myself way outside the will of God.  I know about a guy named Jonah who tried that and it did not work out so well for him.  You remember, big fish and all.Well, we'll keep on our journey - we actually got the letter and our house will be auctioned off on November 29, 2010 (oh joy!).  It is not easy, nor is it fun, but as a friend reminded me recently - God is good.  Regardless of our circumstances and our earthly challenges.  God is good. http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/the-evil-weed-continued.html http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/the-evil-weed-continued.html Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:25:00 +0000 Those of you bored by gardening posts or looking for some anti-marijuana polemic can stop reading now. See you tomorrow. I continue the good fight against the invader on the homefront. The problem is that, when small and not blooming,... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AYearInTheLifeOfKrystal/~3/V6mo3weTXEQ/how-do-you-count-down-to-unknown.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AYearInTheLifeOfKrystal/~3/V6mo3weTXEQ/how-do-you-count-down-to-unknown.html Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:12:00 +0000 I'm ready to move to Mexico but I'm conflicted because I don't know if it's the right thing for us to do legally. I'm selfish for wanting to move because it means that I get to be a stay-at-home mom and be with my children on a daily basis. I want my husband to be able to visit his grandma and grandpa whenever he wants to, I want my daughter to learn to speak and understand Spanish, I want to eat better and learn how to cook better, I want my family to be the center of my world. Part of this immigration process involves money, of course. I have to be able to prove that I can financially support my family and my alien relative when we apply for his "green card". For our current family of 4, I have to prove that I make at least $27,562 by myself each year. This equals out to roughly $13.25/hr full time work. When you subtract my VA benefits of $18K yearly, that means I still need to make about $10K a year which I can't do if I'm living in Mexico so here's where I don't know what to do. I emailed our immigration attorney today with my questions to see what her advice may be. We are currently in phase 1: we've mailed off the I-130 Application for Alien Relative and we're in the waiting 4-6 months for a reply back from the USCIS (United States Citizienship and Immigration Services). Then we'll move on phase 2: request a VISA appointment in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico (about 2-3 months). Next step is to file a request for a pardon in Cuidad Juarez so Jose doesn't have to wait the mandatory 10 years before he'll be able to return to the US legally (6 mos to 10 years). At what point do I take control of my own destiny and say here is what we are going to do and to hell with the rest? Jose wants to return to the US as soon as he's legal so we can work to buy property and build our dream home in Mexico and then move down there. I'm tired of working every single day and watching my kids cry for their mommy when I drop them off at the babysitters. I understand that it will take us years to get ahead in Mexico compared to what we could do here in a few short years but now are the precious years while my girls are still growing.Here is where Jose would also like to remove my rose-colored glasses because we're living the very good life here in Oregon and it won't be the same down there. He doesn't know that I grew up in Alaska without running water or electricity or even neighbors for many years. So until the attorney advises us otherwise, I'm working my butt off and averaging 10-15 hours of overtime every week and trying to get the Escape paid off as we still owe $10K on it and I don't know if they'll let us take it across the border until it's paid off. I guess I could solve those questions with a call to my bank as they handle all our money, insurance, and investments in one stop. Well that was easy enough, we just need to call within 30 days of the move and they'll send us a letter so we can take it to Mexico. Although I still want to pay it down as much as possible because my car payment of $347 is more than rent would cost for most homes we've seen. I owe way too much on my student loans to get them paid off any faster. Now I'll just shift the focus to paying off the credit cards again followed by the Escape. http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/26/christmas-in-july-week.php http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/26/christmas-in-july-week.php Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:00:00 +0000 It’s the last full week of the month so that means it’s time for Theme Week here at The Brew Site! This week I’m being a little rebellious (and a bit lazy) and declaring it Christmas in July Week: all week I’ll be writing up reviews of Christmas beers—yes, some of which I’ve backlogged. It’s not [...] http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/26/reading_materia_23.php http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/26/reading_materia_23.php Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:22:00 +0000 Finally got a new LCD hinge for my laptop and got it installed (way more complicated than it should have been). I've been using the thing very gingerly lately so I didn't put too much pressure on the other one and break it, too, which means not using it much after-hours (which means not using it much at home and blogging). Here's making up for it...Central Oregon Cable Advertising changes name to Zolo Media. Personally, "Zolo" sounds like some sort of prescription medication with a whole host of side affects (either that, or Zorro's drunken side-kick), but considering that COCA owns KBNZ, it makes sense to change the name.A glass of water a day can help keep your fuel consumption at bay.When grotesque war stories like this come out, it always makes me wonder how many more stories there are like this that we don't know about.A humorous solution to your iPhone4 antenna issues.Quicksand is a pretty slick jQuery plugin to reorder and shuffle data around. Useful for staff pages, too (via).UO is waving the white-flag in Central Oregon, conceding to OSU, but there was a time when one of the schools could have been phased out of existence entirely.Meet the man that invented the vuvuzela.Sprint's $10 "Premium Data Plan" that's a requirement of the Evo is for "Shrimp and Crap."Most of the health advice given on Oprah's show is crap, which probably explains why Oprah is getting Jenny McCarthy a talk show -- the woman who gained fame for being repeatedly, publicly wrong about an imaginary link between vaccines and autism, pretending that she's cured her son's autism with "mommy instincts", and perhaps most laughably, that her son has superpowers. More links and more commentary here. Seriously, Jenny, go back to posing for Playboy, as you are utterly worthless otherwise.For the unemployed (or looking): 11 Websites to Make Your Job Interview Successful.I really need to get an Android phone: Android Development 101.Five Apps for Google Voice Greatness (I really need to take better advantage of my account -- will do so when number portability becomes an option).I think I've linked to this before, but it's been a while: Rainmeter is a beautiful, customizable resource meter.How a 15-year-old tricked Apple with a disguised iPhone tethering app.Speaking of teenagers doing cool stuff, this 17-year-old traded-up an old cell phone 14 times to end up with a Porsche (story from local paper).You have to love crime dramas when they cross over into technology. This CSI blip is hilarious enough that somebody made it happen.The Pirate Party is launching their own ISP.Somebody's flippin' out about the system requirements for a really old game.No, you can't lock the gadget to the top of the sidebar.OpenStack launches open source cloud computing software.We have really high forests in the Pacific Northwest.Set up a fully automated, torrent-seeding media center.BP's photos of their crisis command center were faked.Making a Facebook game about Facebook games.Kirby must be angry to come to America.Want to kills some time on YouTube, other than watching videos? Play some Snake. http://bendoregonrestaurant.blogspot.com/2010/07/bourbon-street-bend.html http://bendoregonrestaurant.blogspot.com/2010/07/bourbon-street-bend.html Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:30:00 +0000 Bourbon Street BendBourbon Street Bend has finally opened its doors to the public this past Friday, July 23rd and the following day had a line out the door. Good thing too cause I was getting tired of hearing from the peanut gallery about how the evil empire of McMicheal and friends some how run Downtown Bend like Master Blaster runs Barter Town.There have been a lot of rumors flying around about http://socal2bend.blogspot.com/2010/07/jack-and-very-busy-weekend.html http://socal2bend.blogspot.com/2010/07/jack-and-very-busy-weekend.html Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:48:00 +0000 A few weeks ago Mrs Elliott and I agreed that we were spending too little time with each other on weekends, and need to play together more. And since we'll be apart for over a week starting Wednesday (her to SoCal, me to Montana), we made this weekend into a three-day one and enjoyed being in Bend, where there is plenty to do in summer. So this is the tale of three days of activity.The weekend started on Thursday at the Bend Brewing Company. I rode my little red town bike to meet with a friend and slake my dry, dry throat with a lager and a Pilsner. Neither was Best In Show, but they were both very nice and medically efficacious.Mrs Elliott, in the meantime, found a nice spot to sit in the beer garden in Drake Park for the free Munch and Music event (Eric Tollefson opened, Paula Cole was the main event). There, we chatted with a visiting couple who had just ridden their bicycles up to Mount Bachelor and back (her first time), had some fine healthy kiosk food, and rode our bikes back home.Friday dawned early but we didn't. It being Mrs Elliott's birthday, we slumbered in bed, arising only to drive to the King of the Mountains summit for Stage 3 of the Cascades Cycling Classic (CCC) and park our '84 VW camper van ("Mellow Yellow") along the highway to cheer the riders on.Jack, apparently not having learned a damn thing from last month's getting stuck in the mud escapade, immediately got the van stuck in the loose cinders on the road's shoulder, but was able to pull the van out by himself by using a technique perfected by the white middle class: by calling AAA. We waited until after the racers rode by so as not to add obstacles in an already challenging ride.Freed, Mellow Yellow carried us to Elk Lake where Jack plopped his brand new little red kayak into the water for its (and his) maiden voyage. Mrs Elliott rented a kayak.We paddled about 2/3rds of the way to the south end, turned around, and paddled back. It was beautiful (my reader will recall that Friday's weather was perfect).Back in Bend, we had lunch at Jackson's Corner. I had suggested Parrilla but Mrs Elliott played the birthday girl card and trumped me, asking for Jackson's Corner.As previously said, Jackson's corner is not my fave restaurant. BUT, that was the best Caprese salad I've ever had ... and I've been to Capri.I was told that it was the balsamic glaze that did the trick. Clearly I have to learn how to make a balsamic glaze!A Brief Interjection of Obligations. (or, Wouldn't it be nice to just run off and play?)We made a quick pit stop at the house where we each took care of the things that people who have their own small businesses must do, like paying the elves, checking the emails, making sure the bank accounts haven't gotten out of control, und so weiter, then drove to the movie theater to see Inception. Pretty good, a little stupid, takes itself a lot more seriously than warranted, but interesting nevertheless. It requires paying attention to avoid getting lost. Didn't help that Jack was totally baked on some good local vape, but he managed to hang in there, though I was distracted trying to figure out how Juno (Ellen Page) became a fancy architect.After the film, we went to the 10 Barrel pub on Galveston for dinner, but didn't end up staying for dinner: the wait was long, and truth be told, as much as Jack admires the success of the place, the menu is slanted toward good--even quite good--but overpoweringly large servings of pub grub without a lot of inspiration. I had a couple beers (the blackboard said the Summer Ale [which I like] was on tap, but the bartender poured the glass out of a bottle). While sitting outside on the patio, waiting to be paged to our table, Mrs Elliott wandered over to Brother Jon's, which has a tastier menu, and put our name in.Chilling on 10 Barrel's (or anyone's) patio on an high desert early summer afternoon, with the sunlight mellowing toward orange and the people mellowing toward contentment, is a deep pleasure for Jack. A couple of amateur cyclists here for the CCC, owners of a ski shop in Truckee, Calif., had noticed the posters for the weekend's musical acts, all the restaurants and pubs, how welcome cyclists were, the high level of just-being-happy-to-be-here overall joie de vivre around town, and asked if Bend was like this every summer.Now Mrs Elliott and I have been here for merely two summers before this one, but based on our experience, the answer had to be "yeah."They asked about the winters, but living in Truckee, did not find our paltry snowfall to be offputting.We had dinner at Brother Jon's, and I had mac 'n' cheese, while Mrs Elliott had the more sensible but less critter-friendly salmon on a green salad. One of the TVs was showing the Tour de France. I love this town.Saturday, for me, consisted of a 9am to 2pm kayak course at Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe. I figured that anyone who owns a kayak, plans to use it, but has no experience kayaking would benefit from a little how-to. The lesson was $65 and was worth every penny. By the time we were done, I was a much better paddler.I rode my bike back home, stopping along the way at Newport Market to get an egg salad sandwich -- I was famished.In preparation for the Great Big Trip to Flathead Lake, I needed to get some water noodles for cushioning between my new little red kayak and the lid of our little teardrop utility camping trailer. I ended up driving around town a lot to locate them. I tried (in this order): Big 5, Fred Meyers, and Rite-Aid with no luck. But Target had dozens.During this time, Mrs Elliott was over at her studio on the SW side of town, working on glass art projects, making Saturday the only time we spent apart.By the time I got home, there was only enough time for a quick shower then I had to head right back out to get in line for the Los Lonely Boys performance at the Bend Athletic Club ($16, a bargain).Jack enjoys the "power trio" sound a la the Jimi Hendrix Experience or Cream or early Led Zeppelin and the Los Lonely Boys did it right with a Fender Strat run through a wah-wah pedal into a Marshall amp with a Leslie rotary speaker cab on the back for extra spaciness (that setup right there plus some serious chops on the guitar will get you a serious Hendrix-y and Stevie Ray Vaughn-y guitar sound). The bass player used an Ampeg SVT head with dual speaker cabs for a powerful and tight bottom end, and the drummer was tightly-miced and solid. It's amazing how much music three strong players can make. It's a huge fat sound. We liked it.Even got Jack up to do the old white man boogie. Mrs Elliott started giggling.Stupid girls.Remember a few weeks ago when I commented that I had to see Mosely Watta after learning that they had won Last Band Standing? Well, they opened for the Los Lonely Boys. Mosely Watta (the band) was crisp and tight, with a very punchy drummer. Mosely Watta (the artist) gave a tight, polished performance, but here, again, we had a case of a high-energy artist trying to get a laid-back 99 and 44/100ths percent white audience to participate with call and response singing and dancing, but the day was still hot and the people in the audience weren't ready to get active. I see Mosely Watta as an indoors, after dark act. Unlike the Los Lonely boys, who benefited from careful close micing and careful mixing, the sound crew gave Mosely Watta only a couple overheads above the drums and one on the kick drum, and just a rough mix, so the sound was diffuse and less present than with the headliner.Them's is the breaks when you're the opening act. AND FINALLY, Sunday.Before the day heated up, I got up early to tinker with mounting the kayak atop the trailer . . . I'm not real happy with the setup, but will sort it out. Tinkering with trailers under a full sun on a hot day can permanently cripple a man's brain and cause him to vote Republican, so I made sure to get it over with as soon as I could. All it needed was a trip to Ace Hardware to obtain the needed strappage and hookage to effectively (but not elegantly) clamp the kayak to the trailer lid. After just a few minute's work, my official Work For The Weekend(TM) was done.Around noon, we strapped my little red kayak atop Mrs Elliott's Subaru Outback (yeah, I know it's a stereotype, but I find that car to be perfectly sensible for Mrs Elliott to drive around here), stuffed a little inflatable caravelle into the back of the car, poured 2/3rds of a well-balanced Washington state dry riesling (a fine value at Fred Meyer) into a vacuum flask, and headed out to ride the river.And it was lovely.My reader may recall that I recently wrote that I have never been very comfortable on water, and that our trip of a couple weeks ago had been pretty stressful for me. By contrast, on this float I paddled across the river, explored some creepy old timbers with nasty horrible rusty coils of cable and pointy spikey shafts just under the water, poked around some reeds, drifted silently by bird nesting grounds,  paddled upstream, steered around the considerable crowd of floaters and rafters, avoiding ramming anyone, and found my way in and out of the crowd back to Mrs Elliott. It was easy, relaxing, and enjoyable.The difference was, of course, Saturday's kayaking class. Mrs Elliott, on the other hand, totally gave up on the caravelle's crappy little oars for any control over the vessel and just raised her parasol and floated, trusting in me to keep her moving and safe."Kick back," I told her. Enjoy the day; I'm enjoying paddling, you just relax and watch the sky.(Photo (c) 2010, Malia Ward)At the Colorado Ave dam, I helped her to the put-out spot and managed to get out out the kayak with no assistance (getting out of a kayak is not trivial with an iron knee on one leg and a frozen ankle joint on the other!), did 70% of the hauling of the two watercraft around the dam (a-hem*), and then, after re-launching, had Mrs Elliott tie her boat to my kayak so I could tow her.She watched the sky, I brought us down to Mirror Pond.By the time we put out, the day was overcast, which confounded the National Weather Service's projection of a high of 95 (F). Probably no warmer than 85.Mrs Elliott, not having partaken of the wine, caught the Ride the River bus back to Riverbend Park to fetch her car. While I was waiting a woman in a small pickup truck stopped to say, "I like your coolie hat!" (I wear a superbly-practical though dorky-looking sampan hat when floating or otherwise under sun because it's the best hat ever for keeping a head cool and sun off the face).NB: My amazing daughter bought the hat for me at Comic-Con in San Diego a couple years ago: sending love out to you, Beth!The woman said that she had noticed the hat when we were floating, and that we (Mrs Elliott and I) had a rickshaw thing going what with me towing her. It probably did look like that.But when the woman pointedly pointed out that I had sent Mrs Elliott up for the car while I was lazing away the afternoon in the park, I felt the need to vigorously defend myself and explained that due to the half a bottle of wine I had consumed on the river I was, obviously and therefore, QED, if you will, the less-preferential motor vehicle operator, and besides, the missus has to do something more than just sprawl under a parasol.Jack is not used to strangers initiating conversation with him. Wearing a coolie hat in SoCal doesn't cause people to say, awesome hat, where'd you get it? and otherwise find a hat a sufficient reason to speak to a stranger. Not in my experience, anyway. But It's Different In Oregon.Mrs Elliott shortly arrived in the car, and once the kayak was lashed atop it I got a little sushi (and a Mirror Pond ale . . . okay, two Mirror Pond ales) at Five Fusion, while Mrs Elliott sought gifts for her sisters, whom she will be seeing in SoCal.Well ... that was a lot of writing. The main point here is that we had a very busy and active weekend. We played together as planned, and I believe that in kayaking, I have found a second activity every bit as pleasant for me as bicycling.I don't know if I'll be able to post anything until I return from Flathead Lake. The cabin only has dial-up access, and I've a lot still to do before my departure.============* A-hem indeed. Mrs Elliott pays a trainer to keep her fit. I'm going to have words with her. If Mrs Elliott cannot carry 30 lbs (1/2 the weight of the two vessels & our stuff) 120 meters then the trainer is not earning her keep.  http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/25/three_years_lat.php http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/25/three_years_lat.php Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:23:00 +0000 The Onion made a video a few years back that's resurfaced again, and people are getting hilariously worked up. http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/25/press-release-great-harvest-bread-companys-bake-day-fundraiser.php http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/25/press-release-great-harvest-bread-companys-bake-day-fundraiser.php Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:45:00 +0000 Great Harvest is Making Dough for the Bend Community Center Friday All product sales on July 30th benefit the BCC Great Harvest Bread Company invites residents to stock up on fresh out-of-the-oven breads and treats at a Bake Day fundraiser … Continue reading → http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/sunday-morning-mowdown.html http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/sunday-morning-mowdown.html Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:39:00 +0000 A momentous day today: Henry mowed the lawn. Not all of it, and not quite in the pattern I would choose, but hey, it's a great start. I'm beginning to see the possible benefits of this whole kid thing. This... http://thegrantplant.blogspot.com/2010/07/nonprofit-sector-and-community.html http://thegrantplant.blogspot.com/2010/07/nonprofit-sector-and-community.html Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:05:00 +0000 The Nonprofit Sector And Community Solutions Act, H.R. 5533 I.R., was proposed June 16th, to Congress, by Minnesota's Representative Betty McCollum (D), to "...This bill is one of the first federal initiatives to address the nonprofit sector as a whole. It will take the first steps toward integrating the nonprofit sector into the federal policy making process by establishing formal structures in Congress and federal administrative agencies focused on the success of nonprofits." [http://www.mccollum.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=948&Itemid=146]To quote the National Council of Nonprofits about this bill, "...Despite the importance of the nonprofit sector to the U.S. economy and to the success of many federal, state and local policy initiatives, no federal agency or congressional committee has responsibility for evaluating, building or maintaining the capacity of the nonprofit sector, and government does not collect the data necessary to make sound policy decisions that have measurable impacts in communities." [http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/nscsact]The nonprofit sector is a major part of the United State's economy, as an employer and consumer in our national market; but also, as I state in my blog post Some U.S. States Considering Taxing Nonprofits To Make Up for Empty Coffers , "...the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy's 2009 study, "Strengthening Democracy, Increasing Opportunities" that found "Research on nearly 70 nonprofits from New Mexico, North Carolina, Minnesota and Los Angeles County over a five year period showed that these groups combined generated nearly $14 billion worth of benefits for their diverse communities, and many other non-monetary gains. The return for every dollar invested in these groups ranged from $89 to a staggering $157.""  This is a sector that is also providing a great deal of public service, assistance, research, and more.  This sector is uniquely vulnerable, as well, as most nonprofits raise funds, year round, to provide their services: of course, at no profit. This kind of proactive relationship between the U.S. federal government and the nonprofit sector, as a whole, may not just be better for the American public and other beneficiaries of American nonprofits' work.  It might be an extremely timely relationship building mechanism as the difficult economy has trounced the nonprofit sector.The National Council of Nonprofits, in the middle of their post on this proposed bill, recommends: "What Nonprofits Can Do"Sign up to show your organization’s support for the legislation;"Use the sample letter to contact your Representatives and urge them to co-sponsor the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act. You can click on the map on this House of Representatives page to get a list of the Representatives from your state;"Contact your Senators and encourage them to introduce the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act in the Senate."Take advantage of the August Recess to introduce, impress, and influence your Senators and Representatives." [http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/nscsact]  http://thegrantplant.blogspot.com/2010/07/few-different-grant-opportunities-for.html http://thegrantplant.blogspot.com/2010/07/few-different-grant-opportunities-for.html Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:39:00 +0000 From The Foundation Center...[If you are interested in this grant opportunity, click "Link to Complete RFP" at the end of this post.] Deadline: October 1, 2010 (Online Pre-qualification Form) Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation Offers Instruments for School Music ProgramsThe Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation donates both new and refurbished instruments to school and after-school music programs in the United States that lack the resources to keep up with equipment loss due to attrition, depreciation, and wear over time, and to accommodate students on waiting lists or who have to share instruments.The foundation funds instrument repair and the acquisition of new instruments. It does not provide cash grants. Priority is given to music programs serving low-income communities, programs with little or no budget for musical instruments, and music programs that serve the most students out of the school population. The foundation offers three programs of support:The Melody Program helps K-12 school instrumental music programs that take place during the regular school day. Public, private, and charter schools may apply; however, schools must be Title 1 or be able to demonstrate financial need. Schools must have an established instrumental music program (i.e. concert band, marching band, jazz band, and/or orchestra) that has been in existence for at least three years. Schools must have an existing inventory of instruments. Requests should not exceed $10,000 worth (retail value) of musical instruments.The Special Projects Program helps before- and after-school music programs. Programs must be at least three years old and serve primarily school-age youth from low-income families, or students that attend Title 1 schools. Programs must have an existing inventory of instruments. Requests should not exceed $10,000 worth (retail value) of musical instruments.The Michael Kamen Solo Award helps outstanding student musicians enrolled in grades eight to 12 who cannot afford to obtain an appropriate instrument. Students must have completed at least five years of study on their instrument to be eligible. Instruments with a retail value of up to $20,000 are awarded. Only students who are still in secondary school may apply.Applications are made available by invitation only. Potential applicants must first submit an online pre-qualification form to be considered for an invitation. Pre-qualification forms will be available at the foundation's Web site until October 1, 2010. For those invited to apply, the application deadline is November 1, 2010. Awarded programs will receive instrument donations in time for the 2011/12 school year. Visit the foundation Web site for guidelines and forms. Contact:Link to Complete RFP http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/jicama-days.html http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/jicama-days.html Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:19:00 +0000 First of all, it's pronounced hee'-ca-ma. Not hick-a-ma, like hiccup. Everyone corrects me but I'm right about this one. Irritating. It's Spanish, people! Anyway, it's a big root. I first encountered jicama when we lived in Mexico City during my... http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/23/eastside-library.php http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/23/eastside-library.php Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:58:00 +0000 Good news for Eastside Library patrons: the Library announced on Facebook this week their plans to open up a location on East Highway 20. The Deschutes Public Library is pleased to announce the site of an East Bend Library that … Continue reading → http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/23/next-week-is-theme-week-3.php http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/23/next-week-is-theme-week-3.php Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:51:00 +0000 It seems like I always forget to mention when a Theme Week is coming up and what the actual theme will be… with that in mind, this next final week in July, starting on Monday the 26th, will be Theme Week here at The Brew Site, and I have decided that this month’s theme is [...] http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/23/time_killer_for_88.php http://utterlyboring.com/archives/2010/07/23/time_killer_for_88.php Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:47:00 +0000 This game will drive you nuts in its chaos. It's a pixel-level breakout game, but the pixels you hit become other "balls" you can bounce. It gets nutty really fast. Quoting this guy: "It's like playing Missile Command against the Aurora Borealis." See if you can get rid of all the pixels. http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/blubird.html http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/blubird.html Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:01:00 +0000 Bob better watch his back... http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/22/brewdog-no.php http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/22/brewdog-no.php Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:45:00 +0000 I’ve pretty much ignored the PR stunts of Scotland’s BrewDog because, well, they’re just that—stunts. But this is just offensively crude, in my opinion. I will never drink beer (or anything, really) from a bottle packaged in taxidermy roadkill. http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/caps-at-war.html http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/caps-at-war.html Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:00:00 +0000 caps, originally uploaded by Meltrier. Here it comes again: the most conflicting baseball series of the year. This year, it's pretty clear cut: the Bosox must win to keep their (slim) chances alive. So, sorry, Seattle! Let's not be spoilers!... http://bendoregonrestaurant.blogspot.com/2010/07/letzers-deli-bend-oregon.html http://bendoregonrestaurant.blogspot.com/2010/07/letzers-deli-bend-oregon.html Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:55:00 +0000 Letzer's DeliA Deli like Letzer's has been needed in Bend ever since my favorite deli, good ol' Speedshop, closed its doors. I see on TV where someone goes into a NY style deli and gets one of those crazy high sandwiches stacked with pastrami or corned beef so tall there's no way in hell you can bite it like a regular sandwich. I've always wanted to get a deli sandwich like that. The one time I http://www.bendoregonrealestateexpert.com/bend-real-estate-blog/?p=901 http://www.bendoregonrealestateexpert.com/bend-real-estate-blog/?p=901 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:43:00 +0000 Existing-Home Sales Slow in June but Remain Above Year-Ago Levels Washington, July 22, 2010 With the scheduled closing deadline for the home buyer tax credits, existing-home sales slowed in June but remained at relatively elevated levels, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, fell 5.1 [...] http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/21/oregon-brewfest.php http://www.thebrewsite.com/2010/07/21/oregon-brewfest.php Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:59:00 +0000 Sadly I’m not going to make it to the Oregon Brewers Festival this year, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about it: my last two posts on Hop Press were “field guide” articles, including my annual beer picks. So while this year is no good for me, next year should be a thumbs up: [...] http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/21/more-newer-places-around-town.php http://www.hackbend.com/2010/07/21/more-newer-places-around-town.php Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:45:00 +0000 I wrote last week about some of the new(er) stores I found out about downtown(ish), and promised more. Here are a few more: Looney Bean Coffee: A (chain?) coffee shop that took over the old Balay Coffee location at 961 … Continue reading → http://socal2bend.blogspot.com/2010/07/holy-shit-cosmetic-surgery-and-blondes.html http://socal2bend.blogspot.com/2010/07/holy-shit-cosmetic-surgery-and-blondes.html Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:22:00 +0000 Holy shit!Something far more common in Los Angeles than in Bend is totally freaky cosmetic surgery. I don't know who that woman was who Mrs Elliott and I saw at last night's Ottmar Liebert performance, but she was scary.Not as scary as the woman on the left, but she'd had a lot of work done on her, and was heading in the same direction.Cripes.IN OTHER NEWS, a couple nights ago I'm laying in bed, reading a book, with reading glasses on, minding my own damn business, when Mrs Elliott, head on pillow next to me, starts giggling."What are you laughing at?""You," she said. "Blondes laugh at nerds."Stupid girls. http://www.monkeyinabox.net/archives/002147.html http://www.monkeyinabox.net/archives/002147.html Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:02:00 +0000 07.21.2010 The feverish mad cycle of Summer is upon us at last. Every June I anticipate the upcoming heat of July, and the events that come to Bend. Hands down, my favorite is always The Cascade Cycling Classic. Last year my stomach wasn't feeling that great, so I only hung around briefly taking about 200 photos (compared to the previous years 500 photos). Nothing too special either. In 2008, I was in the zone and got some happy results: Last year, I watched others get the shot, while I looked forward getting home. So, last night the 2010 Cascade Cycling Classic kicked off with a prologue race in The Old Mill District. I figured it would be a good chance to warm up for the big downtown race this Saturday. It's sort of like when Darth Vader tests the carbon freeze with Han Solo before trying to get Skywalker, you have to try something to see if it works. Of course there were plenty of other photographers there with big glass. I'm sure the same will happen on Saturday. There's too much cycling goodness, not to take a photo or two. So, unless I eat a bad taco, or hamburger,... http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/why-i-love-baseball-part-15.html http://www.shesjustsaying.com/shes_just_saying/2010/07/why-i-love-baseball-part-15.html Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:23:00 +0000 The Baltimore Orioles, the absolute worst team in baseball, really stink. They have a .315 record, which means they've lost so many more games than they've won this year. 29 games won, 63 games lost. Pathetic. They played the Tampa... http://socal2bend.blogspot.com/2010/07/ottmar-liebert-at-tower-berry-picking.html http://socal2bend.blogspot.com/2010/07/ottmar-liebert-at-tower-berry-picking.html Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:24:00 +0000 It's Mrs Elliott's birthday this week. Having a fondness for Ottmar Liebert's albums of the '90s, the birthday girl wanted to see him perform. So we went, we saw. I dozed.Not the man's fault -- he's a talented guitarist -- but he is, in my humble opinion, let down by his accompanists, the lifeless Luna Negra.Luna Negra 20-year veteran bassist Joe Gagan is an accomplished musician with good technical chops, but aside from providing the occasional lightweight bass solo and a few new-agey spacey keyboard chords during song intros and outros, he didn't do much that could not be described simply as pleasant.The drummer was the real anchor of the group. And I'm not using the word "anchor" to mean that he provided a solid foundation, I'm using it in a more literal sense: a dead weight. I didn't catch his name, the man might be new, but he dragged the music down with his unimaginative, dull dull dull slogging on the drums. The drumkit sounded heavy and out of place with the faster, more aggressive guitar playing, and sucked the energy out of many of the tunes. I found myself actually growing angry at his lackluster drumming.When you take the grit and sinew out of flamenco, let the fire in the boiler die, tie what's left to a stone and toss it into a lake, it takes a better musician than Leibert to keep the musical ship afloat.It went under midway through the first set for Jack.But they did close with Mrs Elliott's favorite Liebert tune. I leaned over, "I asked them to play it for your birthday." "Shut up," she replied fondly.Berry Picking Season? Last year we drove to the valley to pick berries, but came late in the season for blueberries. Even so, while I sat in the car with a cast on my foot, Mrs Elliott had fun picking. This year we want to go earlier, and Mrs Elliott has her hopes on scoring boysenberries or marionberries* or whatever kind of "seed bomb"** berries she can score. Problem is, we don't know where to go and when is best. Jack's a pretty good Google pilot but can't find any clear answers.Can anyone help?===============Marion Berry* No, not that Marion Berry.** Raspberries, blackberries, whatever -- they all leave massive seed shrapnel between Jack's teeth.