Category: blahblah

The Chinese restaurant across the street has been in the process of “updating” itself, since before we moved in. I was secretly excited to see a Chinese restaurant becuase its such a rare treat anymore to have Chinese cuisine. However, judging from the opinions of the neighborhood, and the 0.7 customer per day average, its not that fantastic a place.

Anyway, shortly after we moved in, the restaurant broke ground on an addition that would become a lounge. The liquor license was fought voraciously by the neighborhood, but was granted anyway. Construction was epilectic, and there were long stretches where nothing happened. Finally, after the construction permit expired, and a new liquor license was issued, construction ramped up again. The lounge finally opened up in January, and the owners even repainted the jade green building (mostly) to a subdued white. I say it was mostly painted because you can see where the ladders weren’t tall enough and the orignal green still shows. Some rather hasty landscaping has resulted in some doomed plant life such as this guy, who still has a “sold” tag on.

There hasn’t been much business for the lounge. There is usually one one car parked in the lot, and its the owners’. Since adding a cocktail lounge didn’t drum up business, what other addictive pastime might bring in some dollars? That’s right! Video Lottery!

Every side of the building now proudly displays that you can hang with the one-armed bandit. I’m sad to say, there are more cars in the parking lot now.

After some serious consideration, I’ve decided to come out against the Rock & Roll Saxophone. I can only think of one example of an irreplaceable use of the sax in Rock & Roll. Pink Flyod’s Us and Them would probably be 10% less perfect without it.

I tried, but I just can’t think of any other examples. I can think of plenty of examples where the sax is just noisy filler. The instrument had some prominence in the 80’s power-rock scene, but I think we now see what a tragic mistake this was. I think its time to just recognize that the saxophone should be relegated to Jazz and Marching Bands. It certainly doesn’t rock.

Can you prove me wrong?

This morning’s ride on the shuttle was really quite boring. Everyone one else was either trying to sleep, or doing some last minute cramming. I was looking out the window as usual, when I spotted a balloon while crossing the Fremont Bridge over the Union Pacific yard. Weird, I know. But what was weirder? The red balloon was suspending a Nazi flag. I tried to get a picture with my camera, though it doesn’t do it any justice.

Apparently, there was another of these in Tigard on Monday, and apparently someone involved in the creation of these balloons has even posted a few videos on You Tube.

Huh. What’s the word I’m trying to think of? Something like the opposite of effective and the opposite of convincing.

We live near a middle school, which despite the potential for problems, hasn’t been an issue. It means that you just don’t do certain things, like leave temptingly breakable items near the sidewalk. Pumpkins, old windows, bubble-wrap – you get the idea – just simple things to avoid. Overall, its a nice feature of the neighborhood. We have access to a playground, baseball diamond and basketball court. It also means we see the idiosyncrasies of being a child, like getting dropped off by parents 1 block from the school.

One thing I’ve noticed before is the groups of students waiting after school for parents to arrive. They’re usually clumped about, having fun, and usually playfully talking smack. Tonight I was walking home late and was surprised to see that there were still kids hanging out, some just walking home, even though it was after 8 p.m. It’s frightening to think that kids are still waiting that late, and I suppose a sad testament to life these days. The defense mechanism it must take to just hover for hours after school cannot make for a productive learning attitude, and just makes for rough childhood. At least they have a really big map of the U.S. to play on.

It’s so nice to leave for work in the light and return from work in the light. On cloudless mornings, Barley’s walks are even partly lit. It certainly changes the mood.

I’m not sure how, or exactly when, but my stereo remote has gone missing. It’s been a few weeks now and we’ve done some rudimentary searches, but I suppose it’s now time to give up all hope. Too bad, the “tv room” as we call it, is actually the furnace room too. So, since its winter, the furnace comes on every 4-6 minutes. It would be so nice to hear dialog during a movie.

It probably isn’t fair, but I’m blaming the baby. Her shoe did the same number a few months back.

There’s a freighter ship currently docked downtown at Glacier named “Please Please Me” out of Honk Kong. What are they shipping? Nothing sexy, just cement.

Reminded me of a zombie infestation.