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RETURNING REVERENCE TO IT’S RIGHTFUL PLACE

There’s a scent of reverence in the air, of returning reverence after a long pause.
It started in my doctor’s office where I’d been called to sit on a panel with others.
One of the others was Roy Pittman, one of my personal heroes.
The next time I saw the doctor he told me he was surprised at the way I acted, that I showed reverence to Coach Pittman.
If I did, I didn’t know it. What I remember is feeling awe-struck. Maybe it’s the same thing?
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NBA CHAMPION CROWNED, AGAIN

Becoming an NBA champion is a lifelong goal for every basketball player in the world.
The best want to play the best, beat the best, to tell themselves they’re good enough.
It’s that along with contracts and money and fame.
All of that goes along the wayside when you stop playing in ninth grade like me, or in high school.
Do I blame the coaches that I didn’t become a star, a substitute, or even a benchwarmer?
Noooooo, but . . .
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CLEAN LIVING FOR A QUIET LIFE

Clean living is an art form, and like all art it takes practice.
Yes, we’re talking about practice.
It takes practice to talk without a particular tone, without too much edge.
Do that and you may have a productive conversation.
Go ahead and save the tone and edge for people you don’t know, who don’t know you.
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I READ THE NEWS TODAY OH BOY

The news today is all about world events.
News organizations deliver it every day with the same hype and urgency.
News hounds consume every detail and load it onto the pile they carry in case someone asks them ‘what’s up?’
That’s when you brace yourself for the headlines as if they’re coming from an anchorman. Or woman.
That’s the big news story you NEED to know.
The small news, the stories that make us step back, come out another way.
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PREDICTION BETTING FOR THE CLAIRVOYANTS IN THE CROWD

If you listened to a clairvoyant’s advice watching the 4th game of the NBA Finals last night you would have cleaned up on prediction betting.

 

Clair: Sure they’re twenty-nine points down, but just wait.
You: Yeah, okay swami, I’m turning it off. I can’t take it.
Clair: Don’t do that. You’ll be sorry. What you should do is bump your bet for the big payout.
You: Maybe toss in the pink slip on my car while I’m at it?
Clair: Go all in is all I’m saying. Bet your house.

 

‘Click.’

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toughen up

Connecting Boomer Exercise And Writing

Talk writing with a boomer, with anyone, and you hear a common story. “I’m going to write my novel (memoir, short story, or poem) when I retire. Or, “I’ve got it all figured out in my mind. Now all I need to do is find the time.” Or, “I’d like to write something, but all […]

CANCER ESSAY GIVES DIRECTIONS TO ‘CANCERLAND’ AND BACK

    The ties that bind us are few and far between. Instead of vines like Tarzan’s jungle swing time, they’re more like rope climb in junior high gym class.   You get to the top and back down and collect your honor: another chance to climb to the rope top and touch the roof […]

Self Glossing Portland Writer Gives Cancer Warning

  “Warning? We don’t need no cancer warning,” said everyone who’s never followed directions even once.   With cancer warnings around every corner, every speck of asbestos in the ceiling, breath of air, drink of water, it gets wearing to the point of being normal.   More people with cancer? More young people? More millennials, […]

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boomer years

FATHERS DAY MILLENNIALS LEARN THE ROPES FROM OLD DADS

Fathers Day millennials start with a walk in the forest. The Oregon Forest. Dark, green, and deep. The ‘find a park’ map is dotted nearly solid around here. This forest stuff is all over the place. But it is Oregon, you expect trees. What you also expect is no snakes, bugs, bats, or wild animals […]

MESSAGE TO AGING MILLENNIALS: STAND TOGETHER

Eventually you figure out where you stand. How does that work? Look around. You’re not standing alone. Even when if feels like no one notices, they do. What they notice is context, where you are, and the nearest identifier. The biggest thing is if they decide to join you. You might call it selfish to […]

WHEN FOREVER YOUNG GOT OLD

Bob Dylan Knows The Drill   Few poems and song lyrics speak to the baby boomer generation better than Dylan. People listened to his early work and it changed their lives. Why should it stop? Because his later work doesn’t compare to the early days? If that’s the best you’ve got, spin the old vinyl […]

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buckle up

BOOMERPDX WORLD IN WRITER TIGARD

    Like Mr. Trump, I own property. Unlike Mr. Trump, I don’t license property. Would I like to license property? Sure, who wouldn’t like the passive income of licensed property, until things go off the tracks.   Is boomerpdx a licensed property? Yes. Licensed to me, based on the internet rules of the game. […]

Portland Welcome Mat: How To Walk Around Downtown Portland

    One of the great things about sponsoring foreign exchange students after your own kids have been out of college for years is rolling out the welcome mat.   The Portland welcome mat. And dragging everyone possible along the Portland Trail.   My wagon train always starts with Saturday Market and the sort of […]

FIVE DIAMOND VIDANTA MEANS FIVE DIAMOND DAVE?

    Five Diamond Vidanta is my first five diamond resort. Until then I was a four diamond guy.   Did I need an upgrade? Who doesn’t.   I’m a basic one diamond guy in real life, but when needed I can fit in.   I explained this to my wife. She started pointing out […]

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