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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

BABY BOOMER FOOT ISSUES SOLVED

Do you have Baby Boomer Foot Issues? Yesterday I jammed my pained tootsie into about twenty shoes. The pain comes with plantar fasciitis, which is supposed to be a heel thing, but got my middle toe instead. I blame a famous shoe brand for bending my foot the wrong direction, then myself for thinking the […]

WORK ON HABITS, COMPULSIONS, ADDICTIONS, NOT GOALS?

Work on habits, not goals? What about goal oriented people?   Long term goals don’t happen overnight. You achieve them by doing the little things. For instance, you decide you’d like to run a marathon. Do you find the nearest race with the closest date and just sign up? Some people do, but what would […]

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

TALK WHEN THE TIME’S RIGHT, LIKE NOW

To Baby Boomers, Their Parents, And Grandparents: Talk when the time’s right. A recent read revealed the sad tale of one person wishing they had taken the time to speak to their parents more often. They wished they knew their folks better. Of course the person was a baby boomer. They had more regret than […]

Oregon BrewFest 2018 Featuring Famous Mandy Hat

  In a tradition unlike any other, the Oregon brewfest is more than tossing beers down on a hot day. It’s civic involvement. I’d like to think every big beer event carries similar goals.   If it’s only about drinking beer you can do that in your garage, or living room, or backyard. But it’s […]

D-DAY PRACTICE: DIEPPE, SLAPTON SANDS

History of D-Day practice neither grand or glorious. The real D-Day turned the tide in World War Two, but the two D-Day practice events left more dead than the real D-Day. Through those deaths communications improved. Coordination improved. And suppressing news improved. No one wanted it out that commanders had screwed up a D-Day practice […]

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buckle up

2 PROBLEMS WITH THIRD PARTY HOTEL BOOKING

    Hotel booking in Los Angeles is easy. Fly in for sun and fun, then…   What’s not to love about an LA trip. You’ve got the weather, the beaches, the beach town. Don’t forget the palm trees. Palm tree lined streets just scream LA in a a touristy way. For the locals it’s […]

NW Boomer Travel, pt.1

The Oregon Alps If you look back at Portland from LaGrande, the miles pile up. But you’re not done. You can’t drive to the Swiss Alps on Interstate 84, but the Oregon Alps are a tank of gasoline away. Look for highway 82 and read the signs to Joseph.

A LIKE FOR OREGON

What Brings You To A State Isn’t The Same As What Keeps You There. Take Oregon and New York for example. You stay around Portland for different reasons than people stick around NYC. Size is important. For hundreds of miles around Manhattan people won’t leave, never think of leaving, because of the island. “Oh, we […]

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