Inside the West Wing of my mind

Here's Johny!

willowRage — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:54:29 GMT

I'm back in Portland! Yay, rain. I missed rain and gray skies. Whew, it's a good thing the weather didn't let me down with more of that excessive sun that I've had to endure.

WWZJD?

willowRage — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:31:30 GMT

Happy Zombie Jesus Day! Let us all rejoice. Jesus is a shining example how to not let a little thing like death keep you down. Did he just give up and compost? No! We should all aspire to follow his example. Personally, I'm hoping to return from dead during my memorial service. It would be a great way to surprise my friends and to reconnect with folks. I just hope they'll have lots of chocolate on hand as I much prefer chocolate over brains. What would zombie Jesus do?

Bear Alert!

willowRage — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:58:52 GMT

My car got broken into last night. A bear busted out my passenger side window. There is glass everywhere. Stupid me, I left some dog food in the back of the car. As if not bad enough the window was left down about 1.5 inches. The bear pulled on the glass a bit and it shattered outward on to the ground. Thankfully the food was all eaten with some dirt tracked onto the seats. How do I know it was a bear? The giant bear paw print in the snow and brown hair scraped off the window edge.

Is it solstice yet?

willowRage — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:55:16 GMT

The days are short and gray clouds roll in one after another drawn like unending box cars behind an engine. By 6:00 PM I find myself not ready to settle down for the day, yet looking out the window into the darkness I wonder what to do without finding resolve. A trip to the park with the dogs won't do, they don't run like they need to when there is so little light and muddy trails in the pitch are less then appealing. Cold and wet the simplest pleasures of the summer are beyond me. Winter feels not unlike a prison, regimented and with few options. And it's only just started. This year I hope to have a different mindset as the day drew shorter though I find breaking out of that annual pattern more challenging than I'd expected. As the sun moves toward perihelion I wish to battle the prevailing gloom. Your company is requested. Camaraderie provides the light and levity one needs to help abate the long nights. I invite the opportunity to share beer, tea or food with you. Let us come together - drop me a line if you want to connect. Perhaps as simple as coffee in the afternoon or a more involved affair. I welcome it.

Renaming Streets?

willowRage — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:58:31 GMT

I love this town but sometimes it's political figures do stupid or annoying things. For a while now City Hall has been trying to push the idea of renaming Interstate Ave to Cesar Chavez. After that idea tanked they now want to rename 4th Avenue downtown instead Personally, I'm against that idea. One of the things I like about downtown Portland are numbered streets, and the directional quadrant system. Seems that if you want to rename a street then do it to one that has a name and not a number. Keep the logic and beauty of the grid system intact. If you [City Hall] insist on renaming a street why not rename Broadway?

Left at my door

willowRage — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:52:02 GMT

Fedex used to be trustworthy. Now they just seem fly-by-night. According to their computer they confirm a package was left at my front door at 11:45 am today. I've been home all day and know that no package was left. There was never even a van in front of my house. Our dog gets very excited by the mailman and deliver drivers. as they generally have doggy treats and she loves to see them. Had someone even been halfway down our street I would have known. Now they say they'll look into and have the driver come by tomorrow. I'm not feeling confident about the outcome.

Hell of a deal!

willowRage — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 01:40:45 GMT

So I'm at Bi-mart today picking up supplies and I pass by an end cap that is selling 60 and 100 watter compact fluorescent bulbs for 99 cents. Yes, for less than one dollar you can bye one of those cool spiral highly energy efficient bulbs. Typically they go for about seven bucks. They even have 300 watt fluorescent bulbs. Nice to use in your craft area when you need extra light. I currently use a 300 watt halogen when I need good light for sewing and such. Halogens are power hogs though. Bi-mart will have .99 cent bulbs while supplies last and I don't imagine that will be very long.

Going my way?

willowRage — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 15:08:11 GMT

Putting the finishing touches on our pimped out structure, packing the gear and almost ready to hit the road August 16th. I have space for one person and gear. Would be nice to travel with someone else. August 17th though is a strange time I know for most people arrive on playa. If you're out there and want to hop on board let me know.

Betty has fallen and she can't get up

willowRage — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:12:23 GMT

I need a mechanic to change out a forward input seal on a transmission for a '96 Ford Explorer 4x4 4.0L Can you recommend someone?

Contact is coming.

willowRage — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:21:27 GMT

Betrayed

willowRage — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 18:25:25 GMT

I want to be believe in people. I need to believe in people. I know there is good in the world and that humanity is capable of so much. It seems though that life if replete with reminders not to trust too much... not to care too much. Those that paint a happy smiling face it seems are just as likely as anyone else to be the one that drives the knife into you when you least expect it. The latest is not first time and don't know I can prevent it from being the last. The only way to prevent betrayal is to not let people into your life and that is at best a lonely proposition. So what is one to do? How do you protect yourself from the twisted or hurtful actions of others while not withdrawing to a safe and lonely cave? Is it possible or must you accept betrayal of others when you immerse yourself in community? Humanity has always been a mystery to me and while I've learned so much about them I realize that there is still volumes I will never know. What are the rules on betrayal? How does that work, do you ever forgive? Can it be forgiven? If you do is it a mistake? Do you deserve to be hurt again in the future because you so very much want there to be trust and love between you? I don't know the answers to these questions. It seems the only way to project your heart is to walk away. Walking away troubles me yet sense of safety compels me to do what I must to protect myself. This does not lessen the pain in my heart of losing what I thought was good person, a good soul, in my life. Was my perception about that person clouded then, when I thought they were a pure heart, or is it clouded now by not wanting to believe they can be malicious? Confused. Hurt. Sad. Regrettrable feelings to be having on such a warm and beautiful day.

Trance in San Fran?

willowRage — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:09:16 GMT

I'm going down to SF this weekend. I love to meet some of the tribe down there and dance. Any psy trance events going on?

Pulling the Plug on a Legacy.

willowRage — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 19:33:54 GMT

Just an FYI to you that our home number, that retro novelty from last century, is being permanently disconnected. Yes, we are finally letting go of the 20th century. I'm sure there is a small pang in Alexander G. Bell's side each time a land line is disconnected but the future waits for no one. So if you want to free up a few bytes of space in that cell phone or address book just go ahead and delete the 1884 number. G and I will of course continue to use our cell phones. Cheers!

Into the out of

willowRage — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 21:07:31 GMT

For a while now I've been biking (again finally). My road bike is out of commission until I can replace the rear derailleur cable so I'm stuck with my mountain bike outfitted with off-road tires which are thick and nobby. Overkill for city biking and sucking up my energy needlessly. The hills once a challenge to go up are finally now just a good warm up for me. As I was standing in a line today waiting I could feel the strength of my leg muscles supporting my weight. It felt strong and sturdy like tree trunk yet flexing easy as I leaned side to side. It felt good... Felt right. I'd like to be able to bike all winter but I'm neither that tolerant of the cold and wet, neither is my bike nor am I accessorized for daily winter biking. C'est la vie. Guess I'll have to find some other way to travel and stay in shape.

To live and work in LA - periodically

willowRage — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 18:03:00 GMT

I've been kicking this idea around for a while and hope someone here might be able to provide some insight. I work in television as camera op, DP, and producer. Regrettably I've come to accept the fact that LA is where one must eventually go to work (at least for a little while) if they want make any real progress in their career. Living in the Pacific Northwest I have a rich life and environment I do not wish to give up by moving to LA permanently. What I've been considering is perhaps traveling to LA perhaps a month at a time, work there for few weeks and travel back back home for a month or so. I would rent a room some place to call home for the duration. Since so often film and television work is project based this seems like it might be reasonably possible. What is the best way to go about finding work in LA? Having visited websites like www.media-match.com/jobsboard_more.php I see many new jobs posted daily so clearly there is lot of work in the area. In exploring this idea of working in LA periodically I'm trying to find information pertaining to living, working and traveling in the area. I've never even visited LA. Does this sort of arrangement seem like it might be possible to do? Has anyone done this sort of thing before? I don't want to live in LA year round but I could work part of the year there and thus I'm exploring that option. Have any advice or tips that might be of help?

SOAKed, dried, folded and put away.

willowRage — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 18:29:33 GMT

Thank you all for being part of such a great compression! What a great time in a wonder place. Truly seemed like eden to me. Special thanks from me to those who helped build the bridge. I can NOT imagine having to had to cross that creek at night in the state I (and a few others I know of) were in. Already I was passing out in strange places and the creek would have been hell to cross over so many times. Thank you everyone for doing such a great job on leave no trace. Beyond a few little odds and ends around the pagoda the entire placed looked great. The areas where people were camping were all in great shape. Kudos to our Rangers for building and clearing the burn platform. Fire was an issue for the owners and we proved we could it right. The Miller family was pleased to have us there and we'll be back again for sure.

Help - my lawn is almost an Old Growth Forrest

willowRage — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 17:34:05 GMT

The electric lawnmower I had has died. Electric mowers are want to do that. My yard is getting overgrown and I don't have any disposable income. I'm in need of lawnmower. Might you know of one cheap? I have a gas powered leaf blower that I don't need. Want to trade?

Hex

willowRage — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 02:00:10 GMT

Yay, I'm so happy. I've found a new show that is just awesome. It's called Hex and it's on BBC America http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/drama_mysteries/hex/hex.jsp The acting, editing, and cinematography totally blows away shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed and yet is in the same genre. It's a superb show and I would encourage you to check it out. I have the pilot saved on our DVR.

Consumption

willowRage — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:22:08 GMT

Preparations for the regional event for Burning Man - SOAK are in full swing and it has me doing lots of crazy stuff. Never been to Burning Man but want to sample what it’s like? A veteran Burner and just wanting to get compressed? Are you an artist and just need a place to express yourself or seek the inspiration of fellow artists? If so….. Then SOAK is the place to be!!! Near Salem, Oregon. July 14, 15 and 16th. Gates open at Noon on Friday the 14th. This year at least three sound camps will be rocking through the night and into the day, Center Camp will be open 24 hours to serve up your pleasures. We be having a rubber ducky race in the creek, a J-lube, naked slip and slide, theme camps, Snuggletown! and a whole lot more. The venue is just outside of Salem so it’s a quick drive for many parts of the state and only an hour from Portland. The location is VERY private and this is sure to be the most outstanding event. There are 110 acres of camping, hiking and all out fun. So bring your tent, your costumes and put your party hat on! Tickets are now available. I have them in hand and they are also available at http://burningmanportland.com. If you don’t want to go through Paypal just message me and I can set you up with a ticket. It’s $35 for the whole weekend and small bipeds under 18 years of age get in free with accompanying a parent or guardian. Beyond SOAK my life is super busy. Working on show called Single in Portland which will be aired locally. The show explores being single in Portland and how to go about finding that special someone. Each episode will feature a short video profile of a single person in the Portland area. If you would like to post have a video ad on the show let me know and I can see that your ad gets shot and aired. The shows into is here http://youtube.com/watch?v=PlBAujcKCWQ

Jobs ads a real pain the ass

willowRage — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:21:55 GMT

I really hate those advertisements that say "bilingual" somewhere in the title. It compels you to open the ad and read through the body of the message to find out what they really want is some one who speaks Spanish as well as English. It's as if there are only two languages in the entire universe. HELLO, TO ALL EMPLOYERS. If you want Spanish speakers then put that in the title. Many of us speak a second language OTHER THAN Spanish. I know, I know... it's a huge surprise I'm sure. Why don't you save us all some time and be clear from the start.

Better to have than to have not?

willowRage — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 22:06:37 GMT

For years I had dentists telling me that I should have my wisdom teeth taken out. To me it seemed more like greedy doctors just wanted to bill for another item. My thinking was ‘If it isn't broke then there is no reason to go mucking about in there and causing me unnecessary pain’. Now many years later one of my wisdom teeth had finally developed a cavity. I always knew some day the wisdoms would have to come out... I just wasn't in a rush to experience it. This morning at OHSU Dental School I had the upper two wisdom teeth (#1 and #16) removed. Of course the word "removed" is a warm and fuzzy way of saying that the bone was ripped from my face. I'm not sure if the student doctor was disturbed or comforted by my medical knowledge. He commented on how much I seemed to know and I informed him of medical training, in particular, my experience doing extractions, root canals, scaling, applying composite, etc. Certainly uncommon knowledge and experience among those who are not trained in the dental field and are now a dental patient. As he worked at elevating the gums and then removing the tooth I gave him feedback. Finally at the end of procedure I politely reminded him about avoiding the front teeth when instruments like the rongeur. He was pressing a bit too much, metal on teeth, using it as leverage. That was one of the first errors I learned about and corrected back when I was doing dental. All in all not a bad experience. OHSU Dental School is a good place to go when you don’t have insurance. It requires a little more time investment (no quick in and out of office) but well worth it. Today was fortuitous in that I was evaluated by a dental student, Hana, who will be taking her board exams in few months and needs a patient to demonstrate on as part of the examination. For me it means some free dental. Well, if I get accepted. She has to submit my case history to her attending to see if I have the appropriate qualities. I certainly hope so considering I have not dental insurance and my income is not what qualifies as disposable.

Goa Gill Is coming!

willowRage — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 19:59:13 GMT

DJ Master Goa Gill to spin in Portland Sept 23, 2006 Portland http://www.goagil.com/ A must see show for sure.

Printing

willowRage — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 21:48:34 GMT

Does anyone have a place they can recommend for business card printing? Own a shop? Are you a burner? Let's keep the money in the family.

Making the best of an unusual situation in Portland

willowRage — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 22:52:03 GMT

Dear diary, It has been so very long since the clouds have broken. As time has worn on we've become conditioned to the perpetual drumbeat of rain and find solitude in the consistency of the dark days and darker nights. Like a Buddhist monk we have come to find living with the most minimal of things purifying and ultimately comforting. Once you give up hope and find contentment in these unending cool, wet and dark days life becomes easier. That gray shrouded peace was shattered today. Mustering courage at the first onset of a cloud break this morning I will attempt venturing into the blinding rays. For security I shall take with me my faithful canines. Perhaps together we can push through this awkward radiance and make our way finally to the park where we can rest under the protection of brave trees who stand in defiance of the ungodly sun.

Gah!

willowRage — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 06:51:44 GMT

I hate RLS. My legs have been spazing all day. Please stop the creepy, crawly feeling!