Author Archives: Pamela

What I Learned At The Movies Today

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Pamela

Why did the froggy cross the road? I guess we’ll never know.

“One move can set a whole generation free.”

Someone said that in the trailer for a movie called Step Up 3D.

The movie looked so ridiculous it looked like a parody of a ridiculous movie. Something with dancers all living together and loving together and getting ready for this big giant crazy dance-off.

I finally went to see the teens, vampires and angst movie today. The World Cup got me off schedule. There were some moments that were really good and other moments that were so over-the-top stupid I couldn’t hardly keep from laughing to death.

I need to invent a name for the people at every single public event I attend that sit next to me and talk.

Today’s people came in late. There were only 5 people in the theater but they came and sat next to me. And started talking. Then they decided to move to the seats behind me, bump my seat and whisper. They were grown-ups, too, not like sullen teenagers.

The other thing that I learned at the movies is that everything is going to be in 3D which I hate. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie in 3D but I like to violently hate things I don’t really know much about.

Posted in doing it wrong | 3 Comments

Pumpkins and Weenies

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Pamela

There’s been a mild panic going on here about the pumpkins.

Normally I would have had pumpkin vines all over the place by now, but between the long wet spring and then World Cup I never got around to planting much.

I had the front spot all ready to go and I finally threw a bunch of seeds in there and then nothing happened.

I had a spot in the back all ready to go and planted both pumpkin and lemon cucumber seeds.

Plus I had a few volunteers which is where this photo comes in.

I’ve finally got sproutage, but it’s so late, we’ll see how we do.

This the main garden patch which is mostly sunflowers, all volunteers. I did plant sunflowers once but the squirrels and birds make sure there are always lots of sunflowers.

There’s even a cluster of sunflowers on the other side of the yard now.

The garden is pretty pitiful this year. I’ve got 3 tomato plants and they’re doing okay but I don’t have high hopes.

Mostly the garden seems to be prime habitat for slugs and snails. There are a few greens and beets. Most everything has bolted.

I did pick another bowl of raspberries today.

I’m too tired now to do this story justice so here is the short-ish version.

The worst time to talk to me is the first 15 minutes when I get home from work. I need some time with no talking to look at the mail, or email, or empty my backpack, or change clothes or whatever I need to do to transition.

Today I was thinking about watering, trying to set up my laptop, pulling dirty Tupperware out of my backpack and changing out of my work clothes when the doorbell rang.

I went to the peep hole and it was a guy with shiny hair and a clipboard together with a girl with shiny hair and a clipboard. AWESOME! My favorite.

I don’t know why I just didn’t ignore them.

Turns out they are from a security company — he pointed to a logo on his shirt — and their company was going to be doing work on the land lines in the neighborhood and they needed someone to do them a favor and keep a small sign advertising the company in the yard to help them out. They were only picking three houses on my block to do this and they picked mine! And in return for this terrible inconvenience they would compensate me by putting a FREE security system in my house. Free.

I told him to take a hike. But he wasn’t finished. He went on and on, the story making less and less sense as he went along. And he was one of those humorless wanker guys with lots of teeth, I hate to use this term because it’s overused these days, but he was a textbook douche bag.

I finally said if he had information I’d look at it and see if I was interested and he said before he could leave anything he needed to make sure I was the actual homeowner and make sure the home wasn’t in foreclosure or anything. I had to take three calming breaths so I didn’t punch my fist through the screendoor and rip his face off.

I had to close the door on his face because he wouldn’t stop talking. That guy made me mad.

Posted in doing it wrong, garden | Tagged | 4 Comments

Write-A-Thon Week #4 Update

Posted on July 17, 2010 by Pamela

Wow, time passes completely different outside Clarion West than inside. I can’t believe week 4 is over.

I did 3542 words this week. I’m still playing catch up from all that soccer so I haven’t managed to accomplish any other writing stuff. I’m going to aim to put in a good blob of time tomorrow.

Thanks again to all my sponsors.

There’s still time to donate. There’s info about the Write-A-Thon here and my donation sponsor page here.

Nice blurry shot of my berries mixed together with sugar and citrus zest. I intended to add some spices but forgot.

I keep making these pies to give to other people so I promised Bob I would make one just for us.

I very rarely make berry pies but I had this on the brain so I ran down to the farmer’s market this morning and bought the berry trio.

My pie crust disaster last week had a twist that’s new for me. The dough was so wet and sticky it was a splash of water away from being pancake batter. I re-traced my steps over and over trying to figure out how I managed to do that. I didn’t think it tasted spectacular but the gift recipient and other taster thought it was just fine.

Today I tried a different recipe and went back to my usual problem of it being way too dry, like trying to hold sand together. That happens so regularly that I’ve accepted that that’s how pie crust is made.

It smells incredible. I can’t wait to have a piece after the game tonight.

Posted in doing it wrong | 3 Comments

Pie Disaster #791

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Pamela

Last night I made a pie for uncle-former-boss’s birthday today. I think it was one of my top three pie making failures. Regular readers will recall that I screw up 4 out of every 5 pies I make.

Resist the urge to send me your fool-proof tips. I’ve tried everything. Pie making is my kryptonite. Sometimes.

This pie crust was a disaster and I patched together the bottom crust because who cares? It’s filled with pie. But I did a couple of tricks and was very patient and managed to make a decent looking top crust.

This morning I had to take my car back to Toyota (long story omitted but it was less than $100 and totally worth it) and got a ride to work. On the way, a car ran a red light and we had to slam on the brakes. My carefully wrapped and guarded pie slid out of my lap. I grabbed it but ended up with fingers in the pie.

It wasn’t ruined but it was pretty messed up.

Better the pie than me.

Posted in baking disasters | 5 Comments

Write-A-Thon Week #3 Update

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Pamela

Oops. I forgot to do my Write-a-thon update for week #3 which ended on Saturday.

I did 3057 words about half of them at the last minute owing to a miscalculation where I accidentally had applied words from Week #2 to the new total. Now I have three weeks of write-a-thon with no soccer so I’m going to try to amp it up a bit. Maybe finish and submit something.

Thanks to my latest round of sponsors, especially the ones I bullied.

You can still donate if you don’t want to be left out. There’s info about the Write-A-Thon here and my donation sponsor page here.

Posted in doing it wrong | Comments Off on Write-A-Thon Week #3 Update

Big Giant Wrap Up Of All Things (For Now)

Posted on July 11, 2010 by Pamela

Party Beverage Crew preps for the party.

World Cup is Finished: Games 63 and 64

Game 63 between Germany and Uruguay was pretty fun considering everyone was bummed to be there and only wanted to win because it would be better than losing. Germany had a bunch of different players including a goalkeeper named Butt: I hope he names one of his kids Stinky. I liked Uruguay a lot, esp. Diego Forlan, but I was still glad Germany won.

Game 64, the final between Spain and Netherlands, was a turd. The players were whiny and brutish. The pace was clonky. The ref should have gotten the trophy.

I’m glad Spain won.

And I’m glad the tournament is finished.

I went to a Timbers game last night — only 4 more home games plus an exhibition. At least for now. Plus a Sounders in Seattle in August. But otherwise I’m winding down. (Heh heh)

Last night Timbers played Miami. At one point the kids sitting behind us yelled: Put in LeBron. Later when the Timbers scored, this kid who had brought a plastic piggy bank modeled after the World Cup trophy ran to the front of the stands and held it up. He was wearing a Barcelona FC jersey. It didn’t even make sense. He got sent back to his seat.

Cranky bear takes it out on the utility pole.

4th of July Weekend

The night before we left on our trip there was a surprise playoff game between the Timbers and rivals the Seattle Sounders. The stadium was sold out. The scene was insane — loud and boisterous. The game was fantastic and went into overtime and then to penalty kicks. It was a late kick-off anyway and with all the extra stuff I didn’t get home until 11:30pm. So I was completely thrown off schedule by a worthy cause (except we lost by 1 PK).

(Also quick Sounders question: what is that name of that color for the uniforms: “booger”?)

Then I had to get up at the crackass of dawn so I could take care of all my last minute stuff so we could be on the road by 8am to drive to California.

Trip went smooth. We had a big party weekend in honor of my Dad’s 80th birthday. It was perfect weather. Tons of great food. Awesome company. Everyone helped out. Now that I sit here to write this, I don’t have any details. I was so frazzled getting down there I didn’t even have my little notebook. I always have my little notebook. It was an epic party. I’ll put more photos on Facebook.

The Pamily

We’ve had this smoked salmon in the freezer and I keep forgetting about it. I finally went online to look for some recipe ideas.

I found one for smoked salmon and sausage chowder that sounded promising even if it isn’t really chowder weather. The “sausage” part of the recipe was chopped pepperoni sticks. Why would you even think of that?

I ended up making a sort of dip thing to spread on crackers that wasn’t wonderful and a pasta thing that was only okay. I think the problem is that this is some stout smoked salmon. It was like forest fire smoked salmon. I think it would better served as a nibbling snack on a warm afternoon with cold beer to wash it down.

Party! Note my bday gift to my dad: a custom authentic German National Team jersey.

Last note related to the Timbers game. Don’t you love it when you joke around with random strangers? Rather than cracking a joke and having a random stranger look like they’re about to call the police? I joke around with random strangers a lot because I’m uncomfortable in social situations and this is how my coping has evolved.

Before the games, co-worker and I go to this sports bar next to the stadium for burgers and beer. The booths are always full when we get there but we like this terrible little table that’s between the doors to the restrooms and the edge of the bar. They keep the brooms and vacuum right there.

There’s a TV right above the table and there was a guy standing in front watching it. We asked if it was okay to sit down and he said sure.

I struggled to get my chair out with the brooms right there and said: We like to sit by the vacuum.

The guy sad: Well, yeah. That’s the best spot most places.

He stood there a minute longer and then said: I’m going to move along. It’s creepy to stand here while you two are sitting there.

Oh well, seemed funny at the time.

Last item for this post:

I just went through my comment spam and this is my favorite, I wish it was a real comment:

“I didn’t quite get the point this to begin with. But when I read it a fourth time, it all started to make sense. Thanks for the insight. Absolutely something to spend some time on.”

Posted in doing it wrong, pamily, TIMBERS! | Tagged , | 3 Comments

FIFA WORLD CUP GAME 62

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Pamela

Me and my Mentros (sp?). Josa and Fernando made a bunch of these as a fundraiser to take Fernando to Disneyland. I picked this one because it has a hat and magnifying glass. Ryan got Darth Vader. I didn’t know you could do special orders. Like the handy place I keep my camera when my dress has no pockets? Photo from July 4 party by Aileen Wilder.

FIFA WORLD CUP GAME 62

Germany v. Spain 0-1

Wah. My team lost today. They played pretty much doo-doo. During the first half they seemed to have minimal interest in trying to score. And Spain played great.

It’s going to be a fun final on Sunday with Netherlands and Spain. And I get to see Germany play one more time in the consolation game on Saturday.

Then soccer will be mostly finished (still have Timbers) and I can become a productive member of society again which I’m sure will please a number of people but particularly the one I live with.

Tonight I got home from work late and made myself do some exercise. All I did on vacation was eat, drink and sleep. I needed to move around a bit.

Then I did the first major yard watering of the season. While the side part watered I worked on the garden and pulled a ton of weeds, harvested 3 beets — I’m eating the greens for dinner — and 4 little potatoes. I’ll never go hungry again!

Posted in doing it wrong, Orleans, pamily | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Vacation Done, Soccer, Write-a-Thon Week #2

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Pamela

Klamath River Bar, July 4, 2010

We’re home. We had a fantastic trip. Tons of great people and great food.

I had three naps that should have space shuttles named after them.

Photos and details to come this weekend. (Not of the naps. Not much to tell there.)

I’ve got several more busy days ahead.

FIFA World Cup Games 57, 58, 59, 60 and 61

All four quarter-final games were fan-freaking-tastic.

Netherlands sent Brazil home – amazing.

Uruguay and Ghana – heartbreak city.

Germany destroyed my cute Argentina boys in the best possible way.

And Spain and Paraguay – that second half was insane.

I did not get to see today’s game because my DVR was re-setting itself when we were leaving and it wouldn’t let me program something that far in advance. I already know the score but there’s a replay tonight that I have set so I can watch tomorrow.

And I’m going to work super early so I can get caught up and take a long lunch for the Germany v Spain game.

Write-A-Thon Week #2 Update

3953 words this week.

Thanks again to all my sponsors. I think I’ve almost made my goal. I haven’t had time to check all the details since I returned. Still plenty of time to donate if you’re bored and have nothing to do. Info about the Write-A-Thon here and my donation sponsor page here.

Posted in doing it wrong | Tagged , | 1 Comment

FIFA World Cup Games 55 and 56

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Pamela

Look what snuck out since I was out in the garden on Sunday.

Round of 16 is finished. Only 8 more games. And two days off. Quarter-finals don’t start until Friday.

Paraguay v. Japan

The Paraguay kits look like they came from Santa’s workshop. I want red-striped socks like that.

Japan is so cute and so much fun to watch.

Is there anything more heartbreaking that losing in penalty kicks? I didn’t see the entire game but loved the 90 minutes I watched. Sorry to see you go Japan.

Portugal v. Spain

I really like both these teams and hate to see one go home early. Portugal seemed to have it together for the first half and made tons of great shots that didn’t go in. But then Spain took over. Later they substituted with dreamboat Fernando Llorente who had the misfortune of getting his shirt torn and then he had to go change it which ESPN cut away from. What the hell ESPN?

These last phases of the World Cup are so much knuckle-biting. Can’t wait to see Germany and Argentina this weekend and grow another 50 grey hairs.

Bus Accident this morning

This morning my bus got in a fender bender.

I’m too lazy to look for the cite but I’m positive that state law in OR and WA says cars must yield to the bus. Where the commuter bus gets on the freeway two lanes merge into one. Mr. Crazy-Guy seemed to think the bus should yield to him. From what I could see, he invented a 3rd lane in the middle, honked his horn for about 3 minutes and bent his side mirror.

The bus lets him go ahead and he stopped in front of bus, parked and a guy looking the lost Carradine brother jumped out and ran for the bus.

The bus driver opened the door. I thought we were all going to die. Crazy guy started yelling why didn’t the bus yield. Why did he break the mirror. Stop! No one was going to go anywhere.

The bus driver agreed, we’re stopped and he initiated his procedure. He phoned the transit people, made arrangements to get us on another bus and then passed out passenger witness cards.

All the passengers looked at each other and said: “Uh, wasn’t he trying to cut off the bus?”

Meanwhile crazy guy got out his camera out and took photos. Then came back and argued some more.

Our bus driver is cute, sorta like Kal Penn, remained completely calm the entire time. He said, “We have video cameras all over this bus, I’m not going to argue with you.”Â

Crazy guy examined the damage further and decided his side mirror wasn’t really broken and he needed to get going because, you know, “He had things to do.”

The bus driver was like, “Hard cheese pal. We’re in the process now. You can’t run off.”

Meanwhile, the passengers on the bus are seething because they’re going to be late for work. Not me, although I was also seething, it was because I was going to miss the kick off for the Paraguay v. Japan game.

The next bus arrived to pick us up and one of the passengers went over to say something to crazy guy. I almost followed with my camera.

What was he thinking? Don’t pick a fight with the bus. Even if the bus driver is wrong, which I don’t think he was this time, just take your foot off the gas. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he finds out he’s responsible for the damage to the bus.

– – –
I’m going to be offline for about a week. When I return, more soccer updates and Clarion West Write-a-Thon Week #2 Update.

Posted in doing it wrong | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

FIFA World Cup Games 53 and 54

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Pamela

This is the hallway between the restroom and our office. It’s always kinda awkward if someone else is coming down the hall. Do you say hello? Do you ignore them? And it’s awkward to follow or be followed. But it’s awesome for me to practice my tumbling passes like my round-off flip-flop flip-flop whip-back flip-flop double-twisting layout. You gotta be careful at that dog-leg though.

I’m taking actual leave time later this week so I don’t really want to burn through a lot of leave time watching the games. Ionly watched the first half of the Netherlands v Slovakia. I decided to watch the second half of the Brazil v. Chile game which was a bummer because they were up by 2 at the 2nd half when I started and got another goal in the 58th. No point in watching when Brazil is up 3-0. So I tried to get a bunch of work done in anticipation of Spain v. Portugal tomorrow. The other game is Paraguay and Japan and that should be good, too.

There was one point during the Netherlands game that sounded like a parody of Dutch soccer commentary. “Van Hooten to Van Spooner. Van Cucumber picks it up then to Van Harken. Passes to Van Wicket.” Where was Van Halen?

Slovakia needs a new hair-stylist. I’m all for daring hair but those mohawk things aren’t working for me.

This is me at the yoga studio. That tiger means business. No slacking. My arms are about to fall off right now from class tonight.

I didn’t phone my old webhosts today because I was hoping beyond hope that it would be taken care of magically behind the scenes. That’s on the list for tomorrow. Also I ordered an item online that I desperately need before the end of the week. I actually paid the ridiculous charges for 2-day shipping.

Never do this. This is the second time I’ve done it and the item wasn’t delivered in 2-days. It’s not like they give you your money back. I have my fingers crossed for 3-day shipping tomorrow otherwise yet another hysterical phone call I have to make.

Oh. Also, we received a check from the government for approximately half of the ginormous sum we paid for our federal taxes. Seems I missed out on a deduction we were eligible for because we earn our money from working. I’m not making that up.

I love paying less taxes as much as the next person but offering a deduction for earning money “from work” sounds spectacularly stupid. But, we’ll take it.

Posted in doing it wrong | Tagged , , | 2 Comments