Category: blahblah

The first CD I bought was a used copy of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. It was 1990 and I’d just moved to the city. “He’s the DJ…” was my gateway album to hip-hop. I still listen to songs from it on occasion because, well, I really enjoy Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. I don’t feel the same way about Willenium.

I was listening to a random sampling of hip-hop while painting my daughter’s room and a song from “He’s the DJ…” came on. The song was “As We Go” and it is basically the same as most pop-rap songs; a laundry list of clothes, cars, drinks, and women. The women in question were equally materialistic and started “buggin.” Jeff responds to their requests simply: “I really think it’s time for these ladies to go.”

Maybe it was because I was in the nursery, but it was refreshing to hear a woman simply referred to as “lady.” I’m not sure how it happened, but the use of bitch has become so pervasive in entertainment that it spills over into our daily language far too often. I’m not sure what I’ll teach my daughter about it’s use. “You have to listen for context.” I suppose a lot of the content isn’t that child friendly, so maybe I’ll be using my headphones.

RICE is what the doctor ordered. I have to stop riding for a few weeks to give the tendinitis in my right knee a chance to get better. This will severely impact my chances of winning any prizes in the Carefree Commuter Challenge. I was hoping for a Tri-met pass or something. It may even set me back in my 50 rides for the year. I’m only at 34 and this was going to be the month to get past 40.

The Westside Transportation Alliance has a commuting cost calculator if you’re curious how much it costs you to drive to work each month.

I rocked some brown shoes, white socks, olive green shorts and a black shirt at work. Top it off with sink-washed hair and 6-day stubble. I may be getting too casual. Or lazy.

I get a stupid grin whenever I hear a pedal steel guitar being play well.

In the last two weeks, I’ve seen Johnny Winter and Hank III in concert. Johnny Winter, the albino Texas blues guitarist, was fun, but he’s in declining health and did not put on the best of shows. He could still rock, and he soloed quite well, but he often got tripped up in some of his riffs. Sitting for the whole show can make it difficult for the musician to sell excitement, so his band had to work overtime setting the pace and attitude. His bass player, Scott Spray, was amazing. It’s rare to see a bass player that can solo well in blues music without sounding like a technical-jackass. His solos and the flourishes he added to the show were excellent, and complimented Johnny. Scott also came across as the guy running the show – he seemed to keep time, manage the ailing guitarist, and was just generally all over the place. I went with my dad, whose Johnny Winter albums I’ve been listening to for several years. It was one of those “once in your life” type concerts, and it looks like we made it just in time.

Last night, coworkers Max, Alan and I all went to see Hank III and Ass Jack. I kidded Alan who was still in work clothes before we left that he’d be the only person in a polo shirt, but after the opening act, a relatively normal group of people filled the crowd. It was a bit strange seeing punk, rock, and country music fans all in the same place, but it worked, and everyone enjoyed it. I’ve listened to Straight to Hell a couple of times, but upon seeing the band live, I started to think that maybe the rebel country thing may be a bit contrived. The upright bass player looked like Animal from the muppets, and all the musicians were really good. Like nearly top-of-their-game Nashville good. They had nice equipment, and Hank rocked a set of acoustic and electric Guild guitars.

Towards the end of the set, the genre shifted from country to punk, and it was good. Seeing a fiddle player thrashing with punk music was cool, especially as strands from his bow would snap and hang from the bow. The pedal steel guitar player was also great and sounded really cool in second set. Really a great show – partly because of the strange demographic. I’m glad Max and Alan dragged me to it.

I drove home from PSU last night without having to stop for a single light. The only stop I made was at a stop sign on 26th and Alberta. I’ve driven segments of that route before without stopping, but never all at once. I can only assume the lack of traffic after midnight was the main reason.

So, the day after I realized how much it costs to drive to work, I drove to work. But, I took in a lot of empty bottles and got back over three bucks in deposits – which reduced the commute cost to 9 bucks. Not that great I suppose.

I’ve done some disturbing math regarding my driving to work. The days that I ride my bike, or ride and take the shuttle, I save around $13.

It costs $13 to drive to work.

Here’s the breakdown:

• According to the IRS: “For 2006, the standard mileage rate is 44.5 cents a mile.” This considers more than just the cost of gas.
• My total round trip drive/ride is ~25 miles. ($.445 x 25 = $11.12)
• My monthly parking fee at PCC comes to $.22/day ($6.50/30)
• If I park at PSU, I average ~ $2/day

Total: $13.30

That’s like 3 pints plus tips.

I’ve been a little busy lately, and the few posts I’ve made in the last 2 weeks have been on Rooftop Brew instead of here. Fortunately, classes will be over in less than a month. Holy crap that’s soon.

Yota was in the shop all week getting the brakes serviced (thanks to PCC students it was free) so I rode to work and class all week. It was nice, and I put another hundred miles on Jake. One of the nice things about riding is that you have some time with yourself, though its generally not as thorough as when you’re driving because part of your brain is keeping you upright and criticizing drivers. Here are a collection of the thoughts that came up this week:

• Ford excursion driver – is that “Keep Alaska Wild” bumpersticker a joke?
• How the hell did “Isn’t She Lovely” get rated 5 stars and make it on to my otherwise rocking playlist?
• ha ha… You ran the stop light/cut through the transit mall and I still passed you
• Widmer smells so good. I should call Michelle and have her meet me there for dinner
• How the hell did “Midnight Rambler” get 5 stars. There must be some serious inflation going on
• I don’t care if I’m not supposed to wear earbuds. If I’m going to get hit on Barbur, I don’t want to hear it.
• How can it be windy in both directions
• Should… have…eaten….breakfast….

See. Not much going on.