photo update

I almost forgot I had a camera.

View from my bathroom window. Sometimes I pretend I'm in Tuscany.

Crazy light at sunset.

Natty in the orchard.

Baby beefa makes my list of top ten toddlers. She's hilarious and so polite!

Dabby finally realized his long talked about dream of bacon wrapped bacon. In this case rare flank steak wrapped in bacon marinated in honey wrapped in bacon marinated in black pepper. 

I found this photo buried on the memory card. One sunny afternoon this spring the phone would not ring at Magpie. I was working with Meghan, Dee and A.J. One of us suggested that we should call off work and have a cookie party instead. We had a quick nextel poll : who makes the best cookie in central Portland? The answers : the Pearl, Pearl, Pearl Bakery, Pearl. So we went there. 

Rip City, baby.

Another glorious Blazer win tonight.
I admit I woke up in a lousy mood today and it only got worse as the day went on, but despite having to watch the game on the internets, in a tiny 4 inch window (fuck you, Comcast) by the start of the 4th quarter I was pumping the French techno and having a dance party with Natty. Victory is sweeter than prozac.

Capsule Reviews!

The Wire, season 5
Somehow I forgot to watch the last season of the greatest TV show ever.
I want more. The wrap up was solid, though, and I was glad to see a few characters turned out OK. Now I can catch up with Heaven and Here.


Ironman
Let me say first of all that I'm glad Robert Downey Jr. is finally a big movie star, he's earned it. Jaden talked this film up so much that I might have been a little underwhelmed. I did have problems seeing Jeff Bridges as a super villain, he'll always be The Dude to me. I think the final 10 seconds were my favorite part. "I am Ironman", and cue the Black Sabbath. Awesome.

Snowflake Ritz
As you well know Ritz is the official snack of Team Wreck. I was stunned when I saw this new product on the endcap of my local Roth's. So stunned that I purchased a box. It turned out to be just like normal Ritz but each cracker was 5% smaller. Seems like a ripoff unless you really love snowflakes, then it might be a deal.


Twin Peaks season one
My DVR has been catching this and I had forgotten how great it is. Nadine's silent drape runners, Albert the forensics expert, Audrey's dance at the diner, Cooper's dreams and of course Leland/Bob, super creepy!
"I've got good news, that gum you like is going to come back in style."

30 Rock
The Kid told me I should watch this and he was right. Funny!

Wow, not only does Sherman Alexie post on my favorite Trailblazers forum but two of his 21 points concern corndogs! We have so much in common!

Beefa's Kickball Challenge is a go for next Saturday, rain or shine. Followed by the TW holiday party at Mace and Junko's. It'll be a day to remember.

Rev. Phil writes in with more updates from the Bikeporn tour of the West.

Mmmm....Cheese Lover's Napkins....

Is this turning into a basketball blog? I hope not, I need to diversify my interests...

Garbage time all-stars

For those (like me) who love basketball, comics and snarkiness this is a rich vein.

Conservation in the hood

Oregon White Oak, "Messenger Oak"
Quercus garryana

Location: Heritage Mall, Geary Street and 14th Avenue SE, Albany, Oregon

B&K pointed out this great news for our neighborhood. I like vineyards but I love oak woodlands.

Swap Meet

This is always a good one. If anyone wants to meet up before I'll be at Joe's Cellar around 9:45.

Steve Nash

Yes we can!

"He was a man of his time and he limited it. "

David Foster Wallace, RIP.

When DFW killed himself last month I was shocked and saddened. I wrote some dreck and then deleted it and tried to forget about it. Then today I happened across this McSweeney's page of rememberances and was ensnared for an hour or so. According to my informal count I laughed out loud 7 times and cried 3 times. Why? I don't know. I mean I really enjoyed his writing and read all his books (except the one about infinity), but we weren't friends, I never met him or even saw him at a reading. I guess I just identifed in a twisted way: "That's how I would write, if I were smarter and a better writer", maybe I'm just super fucking anxious about the election tomorrow. Maybe it's that I started Infinite Jest just as I was falling in love for the second time. Maybe I am just a sap, or carrying so much sorrow that it's inclined to leak out at the slightest provocation.

Capsule Movie Reviews!

Religulous - Jaden's Grandpa, Bop (a fairly liberal Roman Catholic), suggested that the 3 of us see this together and have a discussion afterward. We ended up talking about politics instead but the movie was good. I doubt it will change many minds though. What's the opposite of preaching to the choir? Cursing towards the atheists? Asking difficult questions of the agnostic? It was like that but also funny.

Into the Wild - I devoured this book, staying up late to finish it even though I knew how it ended. Maybe that's why I waited so long to see the movie, I didn't want to be let down. For once I wasn't. The photography was fantastic and the casting inspired. Hal Holbrook was perfect as Ron Franz. What I did not like was the music. Eddie Vedder does nothing for me. Also, is Slab City a real place? If so I'm putting it on my list of places to visit.

Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull or Whatever - Disappointing. I should have watched "Raiders" for the 20th time instead.

Grindhouse : Deathproof + Planet Terror - Awesome. Kurt Russell was great and I really appreciate seeing Rose McGowan in both films.

House of Games : Not as good as I had remembered it. I almost hope The Spanish Prisoner never comes out on DVD.

Charlie Wilson's War - Another book I enjoyed. The movie was more of a trifle but Phillip Seymour Hoffman was terrific as usual.

Superbad - Hilarious. I finally get all the McLovin refernces I've heard over the past year. I watched this one twice and laughed just as much the second time.

NBA Update!

I'm glad G.O. is staying busy.

Nicolas Batum has been a real surprise. He defended both Parker and Duncan in the Spurs game, that's versatility. If I get a new jersey this year it will be #88 for sure.

Mailbag

Beefa writes in : 

I officially challenged Team NUTRIA to a game of kickball. I'm still working out the details and the prizes.

 Could you post this on the PUMA site? The gauntlet has been thrown and, with vigor!

Steve Hearty

It sounds like this may happen Saturday Nov. 22, before Mace's party. Stay tuned.

A missive from Sweet T : 

ryan let me know when we are building some sweet jumps at your house i got a new bike i want to go huck and i think i am gonna get it custom painted TEAM WRECK 
Sweet T

Soon, very soon. This afternoon Uncle Bill clued me into a possible backhoe connection and showed some interest in helping, so I've got that going for me, which is nice. I am still lacking a comprehensive master plan but I've been making sketches and putting little pink flags in the ground and I feel ready for phase one. Plus it makes sense to get started before mud season and as soon as things are laid out I can start thinking about where to plant trees.

So...assuming we can get a backhoe and moderately skilled operator for 3 to 4 hours this is what I would do :

scrape down a few inches with the bucket, describing whatever path we decide the track should take. This will give us a smooth riding surface and make it easier to lay out the berms and jumps.

retrieve some of the huge logs we pushed into the fence row and place them where large things will be built, that will save some dirt moving.

moving to the southernmost oak tree in the annex I would push the blackberries into the fencerow and retrieve whatever logs are buried under the brambles for use in construction, then scrape all the blackberries out. That is a beautiful tree and a nice shady spot in the summer.

next we move to the low spot in the annex and dig a giant hole. I have plenty of crazy plans for lined ponds, dirt velodromes and sandy beaches but for now I'll settle for lots of dirt being moved into piles.

then if there's time,use the bucket to move as much dirt as possible and maybe do a little wheel rolling. Compaction is key.

Maybe next weekend or the one after...I'll see what I can work out.

An expansion of the brand

Rev. Phil, provocateur.

NBA Update!

I was a little bummed at how the Trailblazers started the season but this more than makes up for it. My favorite Canadian NBA geek podcast is now a video podcast!

Ep. 330: Video Killed The Podcastin' Star from The Basketball Jones on Vimeo.

Random Links

"I believe WRAPZ will benefit everyone in sports and everyday life."

Michael Jordan

Athlete Of The Century

I'd like to thank Wrapz for aiding my speedy recovery from the latest knee sprain. I hesitated in the aisles of Rite-Aid. It seemed like a lot to pay for a glorified ice pack, but Michael Jordan's smiling visage won me over and I wasn't sorry for long.

Did Dwight Jaynes get on the prozac? He offers a very optimistic season preview.

Milkshake has a blog!

Oh shit, we made the Urban Dictionary.

A good idea.

I was googling where to find fresh tortillas in Independence when I ran across this great memoir by Martha Gies, an old friend of my Mom's.

I found the tortillas, by the way, not far from Green Villa at Caniceria mi Casita. 25 of them, homemade that day. Plus a pound of excellent flank steak, a fat avocado, a bunch of garlic, a lime, an onion and a huge bunch of cilantro all for less than $7. Screw West Salem, Independence is where it's at.

Yet another Team WRECK

From a Times article on the global financial crisis :

Aleksander Kluzniak, its chief lobbyist, said he saw no need for a regulatory clampdown on derivatives , like a registry of hedging positions...

“I doubt it would lead to the required results. New types of derivatives or trading techniques would emerge that were not subject to this regulation,” Mr. Kluzniak said.

Just like in pro cycling. Why test for performance enhancing drugs when the racers will just move on to the next one? Floyd Landis = Merrill Lynch = Bill Bellicheck

Team WRECK Holiday Party

Don't miss the first ever Team WRECK holiday party.

 Saturday, Nov. 22nd at Mace and Junko's house, on SE 62nd S. of Powell.

You may have some questions, such as "what time?" "address?", "is it formal?", "what should I bring?" and "will there be a bunch of jerks I can't stand there?" Probably. For the rest, ask Mace or check back later.

Tim Mason's first attempt at video editing. He asks "don't be too harsh"

My constructive criticism....

tilt the helmet cam up a few degrees, I want to see the trail ahead

your decent 9 minutes could be cut to an exciting 3 minutes

I liked the commentary in the beginning ditch segment. Maybe get someone else to film you and the crowd

I wasn't sure about the music at first but I realized it matches Drew's cadence on the Fat Chance and works well during the woods helmet cam segment near the end

NBA preview

I've been reading a lot of NBA preview pieces but the one that really stands out is from FreeDarko, a preview of every single game in the entire season.

Zipping Through the Treetops

Step 1 : Build mountain bike trails, a pump track, tree platforms and zip lines.

Step 2 : .....

Step 3 : Profit

“Early systems were very primitive,” he said, “basically a mattress tied to a tree.”

wood party

With the onset of fall I felt a need to replenish the woodshed. I invited some friends down, Dabby, Disco and the Ringer. They helped me split and move 3 truckloads of seasoned oak.

I let Jaden drive the Blue Honey.

His first time in reverse. 

We got tired of stacking wood and decided to add to the skills course in the annex.

The Ringer at work.

Dabby on a test ride.

the giant killer

The NYT profiles Dave Wiens. Didn't I tell you endurance mountain biking was the new fixed gear?

Armstrong, who finished nearly two minutes behind him, said he had never in his career told another cyclist he was done during a race

Never Forget the Feeling

I saw Chase Orrick's premiere last year in Durango and it was awesome, this looks even better.

NOISE

NOISE! Jacob Furniss writes a love note to PUMA
"To all that ride one speed bikes, like to keep dirt under their tires and don't suck at life...
Saturday, October 18th, for those not familiar, the ride will feature some of, but not all of, and certainly more than the following:Single track,Booze drinking,Sweet jumps,Park shredding,Public urination,Cheap beer,Chevil wasted,Swag,Condemned buildings,A skeleton skinsuit,Joy and prosperity,Primus,A Canadian (it's an international event),Roadie mocking,Racing,After party,Human sacrafice,Feats of strength,And a really fucking sweet belt.
Meet at The Fresh Pot (4001 N. Mississippi Ave.) at high noon!"

Veloshop Rickreall Rampage pt.6

I like these three shots of Bridget, who won the Women's A race. Look how she's back on the bike by the middle of the bridge,

dropping in smoothly,

and already applying the power as she hits the flat. Textbook.

The two routes through the polo court worked out well. I was hoping it would be cold and wet and we could have a giant bonfire but the weather turned out hot and dusty.

I think that's Jennifer behind the sunglasses. If so, she helped with the trails, swinging a mean machete.

Tiahdactyl navigates makeout clearing. I think that's Megan behind her, who was part of Project Underpass.

Drew reported that Timmy rode the RWD each lap and finished with a wheelie drop each time.

This guy was smooth over the RWD

I saw several crashes but this was the only one  I captured on film.

Baby Beefa challenged Tiahdactyl to a game of "pawns"

The Oregon Manifest

I'm still not sure what the Oregon Manifest is but I'll find out Friday night. Sacha called a few days ago to ask to borrow my Strawberry track bike for his exhibit. Of course I've never been able to say no to Sacha so I superushed it right up. In return I get a free pass to the show, so I'll be there before heading to Big Al's Ball at Dante's, featuring the return of the Moxy Love Crux.

Who's laughing now?

When Jaden was trying to talk me into buying an Xbox 360 he described it as an investment. I laughed at the time but I just realized that if, instead of investing in the stock market, I had purchased 100 Xbox from Wal-Mart, opened them all, played each once and then sold them on Craig's List I would have come out ahead of where I am now. Cue Nelson Muntz, Ha, ha!

Doom

Doom writes in :

rk!!
what's up just checked out the team wreck page 
so sweet the course looks so killer!
well i just want to know if you will be gracing us with your presence this year for the rally???
it's going to be off the hook
and i really hope you can make it out
 
so as always i miss you all so much 
seeing those pictures of everyone, damn such a great crew...................
 
bring people!!!
 
also i'm very seriuosly considering coming out for the single speed cross worlds
 
hells yeah
doom
 

Rickreall Rampage pt. 5

video by Uncle Bill

Volcanos!

I just came back from a fun 2 day field trip with Jaden's class to Mt. St Helens. This photo was taken deep in the Ape Caves.

When we got to the Johnstone observatory there were signs warning of a toad migration. We found this little guy languishing in a sea of ashalt and gave him a careful lift onward to the pumice.

Jaden forces a smile as we set up the tents in steady rain.

A rare glimpse of the sun on the way up to Johnstone.

I'd like to give props to my study group and campsite group. 
Especially the 8th grade tent for the guitar stylings and instant mashed potatos and also Richelle, I knew our skit would be funny but she took it over the top.