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High water

Ain't no kidding. Things are floating away all over the place.

Rollercoaster

Went to see Lucero at Bossanova last night. I'd hoped to have some pictures to post, but a strict bag check ruled that out. As usual it was a great show, though the band's sound has changed noticeably with Todd's departure and Brian's return -- less country, more rock. They played a few new songs, and it seems like their new album might be a second coming of 'That Much Further West,' which could be hit or miss, depending on how they've worked it.

It looks like it's been a tough time for the boys: Ben's Epiphone seemed to have suffered some sort of serious mishap (the lower bout is more duct tape than wood) and his usual Fender amp was missing, replaced by a less-than-stellar example of Peavey solid-state technology. John looked like death warmed over, leaning against the stage railing for a good portion of the show, eyes closed, fingering the notes but not playing.

It was a strong -- if short -- set, but there were more than a few signs that they boys weren't at their peak last night. I hope this isn't a preview of what's to come...

-----

G and I have finally decided to call things finished. The last few months have been marked by too much hurt and confusion, and we've been back and forth on this issue for longer than that. We've both known this was coming, and ultimately I think we've made the right choice. It's just going to take some time to get used to.

Steel

Finally someone talks some sense.

Read this at Kottke.org. Then figure out how to put what you read into use.

(And while you're at it, take a look at this too. I've loved this document since I first saw it a few years ago, but I can't say that I know anything about the folks who put this out. That's about to change.)

0-ticket Ride

Went on the Code Pink post-election Critical Mass ride last night. KBOO was reporting 1000 people in the streets and 100 police in riot gear on the way downtown; tensions were high. When I arrived, there were already a dozen or so motorcycle cops waiting across the street for us, and a helicopter was circling the area, dividing its time between the main gathering in the South Park Blocks and our location.

We debated for a few minutes, then split the group into twos and threes and left going in all directions. A few minutes later we met up under the Hawthorne Bridge (sans police) and took the bridge to East, where we rode for an hour with no difficulties and lots of public support.

A few police cruisers finally stumbled across us around 8:30 or so, and issued a few ominous -- if not terribly specific -- warnings over the loudspeaker. The Mass deliberated for a moment, then turned eastward, riding on the sidewalks of one-way streets and otherwise generally making it difficult for the police to follow us. We paused briefly at a park, then crossed the Steel Bridge back into downtown and met up at Cap't Ankeny's for microbrews, pizza, and networking for future action and rides.

Total ticket / arrest count: 0
Total riders: probably close to 100

Total fun.

On the election...

Fuck.

Anti-gay measures passed in 10 states tonight, including Oregon. Including Oregon.

And now it looks as though we're set for another 4 years of failing international relations. And more people dead in the Second and Third Worlds to support a nation of SUVs and the investments of Big Business. And a coming attack on Roe v. Wade. And continued environmental destruction in the name of the almighty dollar.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.


Tell me I'm wrong.

It's been a long few days...

Went downtown Friday evening in hopes of catching the alleycat race, but ended up hooking up with the Critical Mass folks instead. As usual, all went well until the police felt that they had to make their presence known through harassment. They issued tickets and made arrests for improper reflector and light use, threw people to the ground, and tried to shove me off my bike for standing where they didn't approve.

So now I'm in the process of gathering witnesses and testimony for a formal complaint against the officer pictured above (that's not me, by the way, but another poor sod who got in the way of Officer Taylor's massive ego). I'm one of several people at the front of some serious organizing to respond to this sort of unwarranted bullying. (See the Portland Indymedia bikes & transportation section for more info.)

Went for a hike Saturday in the Columbia River Gorge NSA with Paul, Paul's friend Ron, and Ron's coworker Ono-san. The trees were in full fall colors and we had the trail to ourselves for the better part of 3 1/2 hours.

We ascended via the Angel's Rest trail, got caught at the summit by a storm that was moving up the gorge, and connected with the Wakeena Falls trail, following it across the top and down to the trailhead.

Entering the clouds.

Just below and to the south of the summit at Angel's Rest.

The view from the top: a storm line moving up the Columbia.

On the way out: the descent to the Wakeena Falls trailhead.