Pearl District: The Big Country Lyrics Come To Life

The lyrics to the classic Talking Heads tune is what comes to my mind every time I have to think about that obnoxious idiot in his BMW who confronted me because I couldn't move my Pontiac fast enough out of his way so that he could get home to his precious condo near Powell's. "Enjoy your life in the ghetto!!! are the words that will forever echo in my head as a result of that encounter, one that took place on the typically crowded streets late one afternoon by that iconic bookstore. How sad and sorry of me not to recognize the fact that living in the Pearl District is the highlight of man's achievement on this planet, I just don't know how I'll be able to live out the rest of my days knowing that I'll never be as advanced as that enlightened soul was.



All of this came back to me upon receiving a flier in my NW Natural Gas bill this week. What's it like to live in the heart of the Pearl District? Here's your chance to find out. This chance to check out the views on this year's Street Of Dreams and live next to assholes like the one I encountered is one that I will gladly pass up. And yes, I do enjoy my life in the "ghetto" here in the valley just fine.

Braves 7 Mets 1: Definitely Not Great Men

Another day, another disheartening loss. (It's too bad the Mets can't replicate Johan Santana and have him pitch every day; but even if that were physically possible, the Mets would still be barely contending for the wild-card playoff spot given the paucity of the Mets offense of late.)


The false hopes that Saturday's 5-1 win against the Braves raised were blasted away by another woeful offensive performance, punctuated by yet another injury with starting pitcher Fernando Nieve pulled up lame with a hamstring injury whilst trying to beat out a throw to first base in the second inning. Given that the Mets wasted a lead-off double by Angel Pagan but failed to send him home has typified the Mets offense in the last month.


In another series of song titles describing the feelings of this Mets fan, today's offering is from the Gang Of Four performing Not Great Men live in Japan in 2005, the same year I caught the band at Coachella performing a white-hot set after being introduced by Anthony H. Wilson. A damn good performance even if the majority of the crowd were waiting for New Order and Nine Inch Nails.




ESPN RECAP

Braves 11 Mets 0: Our Love Lies Limp

Not much to say at this point of the season after tonight's woeful performance in Atlanta, other than to recall the great song from Alternative TV, whose title pretty much sums up my feelings at this time. Bonus positivity: yet another injury, this time in the form of Gary Sheffield's right hamstring.....what could possibly be worse? Well..........in this era of relative parity in major league baseball, being the Washington Nationals would certainly qualify.





THE GORY DETAILS

More Raging Controversy: Did Pujols Dig In The Dirt?

In a similar style of critical analysis that deals with the big issues, ESPN's popular pick-em game STREAK FOR THE CASH recalls the heyday of the National Lampoon magazine's take on nuclear war by debating on whether or not President Obama's ceremonial first pitch at tonight'sAll-Star Game in St. Louis hit the dirt or not. The purpose of the game is to try and pick 25 consecutive winners and win a million dollars by doing so. Several choices are offered every day for those who play. One of tonight's choices was whether or not the first pitch from President Obama would land in the glove of ceremonial catcher Albert Pujols. It seems that the result was somewhat inconclusive for a large number of people, who couldn't agree on whether or not the ball hit the dirt before landing into the glove of Pujols. What....controversy surrounding anything that President Obama does? Perish the thought! The entertaining in-game thread can be read HERE , with the comments relating to the first pitch starting in the 2000 level. The fact that hopes are riding with the continuation of various streaks, of course, plays no small factor in the writing of some of the participants.

Dodgers 8 Mets 0: Minor League Team At Major Leagu Prices

Last night's pitiful performance from the Mets in the series offered absolutely no assurance that the June swoon the Mets experienced will change any time soon. No hitting, woeful pitching and shoddy fielding have continually lowered all expectations of the fan base over the last six weeks, and an early lead garnered by the other team usually guarantees a victory for them. Yesterday's gory details can be read about here , a continuation from the listlessness the Mets exhibited on the field from the previous series, a three game sweep at the hands of the Phillies. In fact, the highlight over the past four games has been that of Manny Ramirez getting tossed in the fifth inning for tossing his batting equipment in the air near the home plate umpire, with whom he had previously argued calls over in the first inning. This lovely AP photo from Frank Franklin II gives us the highlight of the game for us disgruntled fans.


TODAY'S UPDATE: Oliver Perez returns to the line-up for the first time in two months and has looked better than he had, but that wasn't a particularly hard thing to accomplish. The Mets even scored their first run in 23 innings, so all things might be possible, right? I'll believe it when I see it!

Someone's Knocking At The Door, Better Let 'Em In: Long-Haired June Beetle Wants To Come In

Just another guest for our Fourth Of July family get together, this fellow spent most of the day on the front porch still as could be, finally leaving late in the afternoon. Yes, more proof that God must indeed be inordinately fond of beetles.




BEETLE INFO

Oh No! It'll Be Off To The Underground Sugar Mines For The Likes Of Us!

The Ants Could Hardly Do Worse Than Humans Have, Eh?