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‘SECURITY THREAT ASSESSMENT (STA)?’ I’LL HANDLE THIS ONE

When an agency sends an email about a security threat assessment that is ‘underway’, I feel sort of special, but I can save a load of time if it includes scanning the internet for clues.
In this photo I’m a threat to all decent hotel bellhops.
Jed Clampet don’t need no bellhop. Git away from my travel sacks.
Hotel luggage cart threat?

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MODERN RUNNING FOR YOUR LIFE

Running for your life used to be pretty simple.
There’s something that might kill you if it gets close enough.
And it’s a surprise, a big surprise.
No one needs to tell you what to do:
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PDX WOOD A WELCOME SIGHT

Call it PDX wood, Portland wood, Oregon wood.
Or call it what it is, Douglas Fir from the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua.
And call it a nice wall.
It’s nice in a way, but unfinished looking.
Your call:

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PORTLAND TRAVEL NOTES: THE BOOKENDS

This is the flat spot in the river bank where people used to take a break.
Whether coming up from the Columbia River, or down on the Willamette, this was the original rest stop for paddlers.
Then it grew, grew some more, and for those of us who’ve traded punches on her streets, it’s all grown up.
And it has bookends on the part people think of when they hear the word ‘Portland.’

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MISTAKEN IDENTITY? MAYBE NOT

It could be a case of mistaken identity if you’re in an outfit led by a naked lady and winged horse all clad in gold.
Where’s the plan? What’s the goal? Is it safe?
No one gives a good answer.
Where’s your plan, what’s the goal, is it safe?
If the plan is to paint yourself gold and get a winged horse you might want to take another look.
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toughen up

The Best Medicine Not In The Cabinet

When the New York Times posts on Facebook you know it’s an important subject. Newspapers in the digital age can’t afford to waste print. Is it war in the Middle East? Famine in Africa? Economic doom in America? Is sweating good for you? It’s all of the above, but the last one is tricky.

Health Writing? Start With Cancer And Drill Down

  Health writing is about bringing hope to the afflicted. Cancer writing, not so much. One is about the future and the steps to make it better. The other is layered with dread.   One is about improving conditions, about personal bests, about gains; the other is layered with dread.   Health writing brings nutrition, […]

HPV16 EXPLAINED BY WASHINGTON POST, HPVANDME.ORG

    There’s no fake news about HPV16 explained in the Washington Post, even if you wish it weren’t true. A story headlined, “What men should know about cancer that spreads through oral sex,” ran April 2 this year. Impressive stuff to jump start Head, Neck, and Throat Cancer Week. What should they know? What […]

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boomer years

Millennial History Break: WWII-era

    It’s been a long time since history delivered WWII. A long time to learn what happened, too.   But not all are interested in the lessons of WWII, particularly the death camps where those deemed undesirable by the German authorities were warehoused until further notice.   Further notice was death for six million […]

A SEXY BOOMER

Do You Need Statistical Support To Prove There’s Such A Thing As A Sexy Boomer? What looks like a nice website for baby boomers posted “Baby boomers had more sexual partners than today’s young adults.” Wouldn’t you hope a page call oversixty.com had a better handle on this? The writers used data from the Archives […]

IN PRAISE OF GOOD DRAINAGE FOR THE NEW YEAR

One of the highlights of Army basic training is a week long camp out. Everyone needs to enjoy the outdoors this way. You learn new skills and meet new friends. New friends come with the other half of the tent you’ll spend the week in…together. It’s called a shelter half. If you can’t get along […]

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buckle up

PDX BRIDGES NEW & OLD

The new pedestrian bridge brings new views of Portland. The view of the freeway looking south. To find it from I-5 north, take the Ross Island Bridge exit and snake around. Park your car before you make the right turn to the Ross Island ramp and you can’t miss it.           […]

ABIQUA FALLS DREAMSCAPE, OREGON TREASURE

  Who knew of the Abiqua Falls dreamscape? The last thing a know-it-all wants is something new, something they don’t know. It’s a problem for some, a challenge for others. A short walk to a river and waterfall? That’s what the listings say, but not if you like your car. Then it’s a longer walk, […]

SHARING EARTH WITH LIVING THINGS, EVEN THE CREEPY ONES

    “Quick, where’s my camera?” he said. “What?” she said. “Birds.” “Camera? Here it is.” “These birds are huge. Look at that formation.” “What are they?” “Birds. Really big birds. What are they?” “I don’t know.” “You don’t know these birds? Since when would you even admit it?”

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