Say Goodbye..................

.......to 2009.......as the sun sets on us this last day of the calendar year. Photo taken near the Hwy 20 overpass in Albany.......not today cause it rained.......but the general idea remains.



Here's Aussie faves Hunters & Collectors saying goodbye as well.........

Last Seconds Of The 2009 Civil War

.....from my seat in section 13. I'll never forget the growing buzz in the stands as it became clear that the Beavers could not stop the clock to get the ball back.





the best video I've seen is the one below, taken from behind the OS bench as the clock winds down. Thank you very much Ross102591........this one perfectly captures the excitement as the realization of a Rose Bowl dream for the Ducks takes hold of the frenzied crowd.

I supported my local hip indie record store............

.....and I had to do the walk of shame with my purchases in this bag. I guess there's a price to pay somewhere.

The Ridiculous And The Sublime

The first would be the NFL game on Sunday between two hapless teams, the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills, won by the Browns 6-3 despite a 2 for 17 for 23 yards outing from former Beaver quarterback Derek Anderson. Just great for me, now I don't have to hear Beavo fans harp on the lack of success of Joey Harrington.


The latter would be the final touchdown scored by the Seattle Seahawks in their 41-0 route of the Jacksonville Jaguars, a 79 yard touchdown run by former Duck Nick Reed, a man who will always live on in the hearts of Oregon fans for his incredible desire to succeed.


Here's the Nick Reed touchdown, thanks to akfirecat for posting this!



.......and HERE'S the gory details about the first game, I will provide feedback from a friend of mine who actually attended this debacle.

Dodgers 3 Cardinals 2: Heh.........

"That ball got lost in 50,000 white towels shaking in front of Matt's face," Adam Wainwright said. "It doesn't really seem fair that an opposing team should be able to allow their fans to shake white towels when there's a white baseball flying through the air. How about Dodger Blue towels?"

Bitter much? As I've often been told by my "superiors", life isn't fair. Dodgers up 2-0, but the NLDS is far from over. Still, today's game developments couldn't have happened to a better set of fans. Go Blue!!!



ESPN RECAP

Nationals 7 Mets 4: I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts

I blame myself for Wednesday's loss, I really do. In a crazy season where it seems that the Mets have lost about one game a week in an unfathomable manner, last night's meltdown in which ace reliever Francisco Rodriquez gave up five runs including a walk-off grand slam as the Mets blew a two run ninth inning lead was maybe a microcosm of the season.


Laying on the couch after a very long work day, watching K-Rod struggle to get Nationals batters out to the point where he walked in their first run of the inning whilst leaving the bases loaded, the thought came to my mind that the only natural way for this game to end would be on a grand slam. After other jarring losses had left me fuming and mumbling to myself loudly, when Justin Maxwell's hit landed over the left field fence, the sense of karmic balance quieted my mood rather quickly. There was no throwing of things at other things, it was just the inevitable acceptance of this year's team imploding upon itself, finding another way to lose a game they clearly had in their grasp.


At any rate, here's the song that came to my mind, I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts by X, shown here from Denver in April of this year.







ESPN RECAP , METS RECAP

Oregon 42 California 3: So Happy To Be Wrong

Well.....duh!!!





Mostly based on the woeful passing attack exhibited by Oregon in previous games, there seemed to little to expect that the Ducks would have enough offensive firepower to match that of the number 6 ranked California Golden Bears on Saturday, so it was with some slight trepidation that I picked Cal for a 34-20 win. I mean, how often does a real fan expect his team to lose? The signs were there that Oregon could indeed win at Autzen, but only if things went right: if the young offensive line provided enough time for the attack to get started, if the offense avoided costly turnovers, if the defense (often employing the "bend but don't break" motto to the fullest) did not totally break down against Heisman Trophy hopeful Jahvid Best, if..,..if.....if.....



What transpired, of course, was one of the great wins I've ever seen the Ducks garner, a total team victory led by an amazingly stout defense that basically shut out a Jeff Tedford-coached squad and limited Best to just 55 yards on 16 carries.



The costly turnovers occurred very early on, the first kickoff of the game in fact, and left most of the Autzen crowd with a sense of uneasiness as the Bears set up shop at the Oregon 22 yard line, ready to take a lead they would never vanquish. Kenny Rowe sacked quarterback Kevin Riley for an 8 yard loss, followed by two incomplete passes and the Bears were limited to a field goal to take a 3-0 lead. The Bears may have won a small victory with the points, but it would prove to be a battleplan that foreshadowed their loss in the war, based on an attacking Duck defense that disrupted the timing on a number of Bears offensive plays.



There were a few moments of nuttiness that had a lot of people shaking their heads: both teams fumbling away to each other on consecutive plays and both teams exchanging punts with single digital yardage being the prime examples.



The reemergence of tight end Ed Dickson in the Oregon arsenal proved to be the key for the whole offense flowing fairly smoothly, catching 11 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns, the first passing touchdowns for the Ducks this year.


Have to give a hand to the crowd for being into it the entire game, seeming to gain intensity as the reality began to set in as there was nothing the Cal offense could do to move the ball significantly against the Duck defense.




ESPN RECAP

Giants 5 Mets 4: Blankety Blankety Blank Blank Blank

The willfully naive part of me that still thought the Mets could somehow manage to make a run for the wild card spot (and I won't even go on about lowered expectations altogether) was finally put to rest today, hitting the ground the same time David Wright did after taking a Matt Cain pitch to the head this afternoon. The post title is a nod to whatever self-control still in my possession after watching the Mets find yet another way to find misery on the baseball diamond.



WRIGHT GETS HIT , GAME RECAP










The only song title that describes my current status.........NUMB

John Hughes, R.I.P.

Goodbye to a man who wrote one of my favourite stories in National Lampoon ever, a story that went on to become a wonderful film. The story, VACATION 58, appearing in the September 1979 issue of the Lampoon, was of course the basis for National Lampoon's Vacation in 1983. I also much appreciated his story that became the basis for their Christmas Vacation movie, a case of which I liked the written version better, for me nothing could top the ending where the fighting family gathers in the freezing cold to find out what has happened to a stolen car. Looking up, the mother of the family, realizing the significance of the day and what the turmoil that the clan has experienced in this time of supposed joy, notices a bright light in evening sky. She fancies it to be a sign along the lines of the star of Bethlehem.......until a policeman dashes her faint hope with the reality that "it's an airplane."



Oh yes, he also directed some films that were wildly popular such as Sixteen Candles and Pretty In Pink but my introduction to the man via his stories where nothing ever seems to go right for a well-meaning man certainly struck a chord that I've always kept in my mind to this day. From the same issue of the Lampoon is Hughes and his son John III "discussing" the benefits of "growing up". Thanks for the laughs John, you will be missed.


BBC OBIT

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?

Spain 0 U.S.A. 2: "Oh, this'll end well!"

Such was my Facebook posting just minutes prior to the start of the Confederations Cup semi-final between Spain and the United States, but it was more than compulsion that had me tuning into the match. After all, what could most reasonable spectators expect with the Spaniards, ranked number one in the world in the FIFA rankings, shooting for their 36th straight unbeaten match in international competitions versus a scrappy American team that barely managed to make it this far?


What resulted, of course, is the stuff of legends, a true high point in the development of U.S. soccer on the national stage. Surely, the 3-0 win over Egypt to advance from the group stage was a bit of a nice salve after the disappointing results against Italy and Brazil, but they were now facing Spain.


The first half was certainly an energetic affair with good movement from both teams, but it was the U.S who struck first when Jozy Altidore blithely tossed aside a Spanish defender to score the first goal of the game, a strong shot that deflected off of the hands of Spanish goalie Iker Casillas midway through the half.



Clint Dempsey was able to deliver the knockout goal late in the second half, off of a Landon Donovan shot/cross that took a fortunate bounce off of a Spanish defender. Dempsey was quickly able to thread the ball between another reacting defender and Casillas for the goal, the finishing touch on the goal was something that Spain lacked throughout the match. Spain certainly had their prime chances that came along with the lion's share of possession, but the stout U.S. defense and goalie Tim Howard were able to respond without a lot of fuss and bother.



Admittedly, the first 20 minutes of the second half were the most nerve-wracking for me, with Spain putting on a determined effort to break down the defense, but it was certainly a joy to watch every ball coming forward being knocked back to frustrate the Spanish side, and when Dempsey scored the second goal in the 73rd minute, the feeling that there was no way Spain could score two goals in the remaining time was quite palpable.




We'll see Sunday how the U.S. team responds when they face Brazil again for the championship, hopefully the thrills from Wednesday won't overshadow the obstacle that faces them.




SOCCERNET REPORT ,
LIVE BBC COMMENTARY AS IT HAPPENED.

Different Strokes For Different Folks: Portland Swing Club Opens Today

Yes, depending on how one view's the world, today's opening of an adult swingers club in downtown Portland, with involvement from porn star Ron Jeremy is either another sign that this country is indeed riding the hot rails to hell, or is a sign of enlightenment between consenting adults. I'd imagine the maybe the divergent views between the two sides could be illustrated with a couple of images; the first view represented by the infamous Royal Trux album cover, and the latter with the beautiful image of sexual union on the Sensuous Path To Bliss.












Club Sesso

With Apologies To Jack Buck: "I Don't Believe What I Just Saw!"

YANKEES 9 METS 8: THAT REALLY, REALLY SUCKED!

"Say hi to your mom!"

Normally I'm not particularly fond of commercials, but this current promo for SNY with Keith Hernandez still makes me laugh with every viewing.