Posted inEntertainment Family

“La La Land” — inspiration for rebels and fools who dream

My wife and I saw "La La Land" on Christmas Eve. Great movie. I'm a sucker for films about people chasing their impossible dreams, facing down their fears and insecurities, being kicked in the butt by life then turning around to ask for more.  Watching the climactic scenes of La La Land, I was moved by how dedicated jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) pursued their passions in the face of daunting obstacles.  At one point I remember thinking to myself in the darkened movie theatre, "I want to be like them!"  Then a second…
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Posted inHome life Neighborhood

Why two inches of snow can be a big deal here in western Oregon

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. So in this blog post I'll be sharing photos of how my wife and I have been dealing with, and enjoying, a seemingly minor storm that dropped two inches of snow out here in rural south Salem. I italicized "seemingly" because people from cold-weather states who make fun of how us Willamette Valley Oregonians panic over snow that they'd consider a dusting don't realize that our snow here usually isn't like their snow there.  This photo was taken today on a dog walk that led the family canine and I…
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Posted inEntertainment

“Plaid Tidings” at Grand Theatre: meaningful fun escapism

Ever ready to accept free tickets, I jumped at the offer by Enlightened Theatics' Carlos Barata to see their current Plaid Tidings production gratis in exchange for a blog post review.  In case you're wondering whether what I'll say here is colored by the hue of those two $25 tickets, I reply: "Of course it is! I will add in one extra laudatory adjective beyond what I would have written otherwise, because I want to assure other entertainment enterprises in Salem that, yes, my blogging can be bought in exchange for free tickets. However, you won't get much in return,…
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Posted inStreetStrider

Buy the Streetstrider 8r I donated to The Northwest Hub

For about three years I've been riding my Streetstrider outdoor elliptical bike at Minto Brown park several times a week. I've gotten countless (more or less) smiles, thumbs-up, and positive comments: "Cool!" "Looks like fun!" "I want one!" Well, that I want one sentiment is now much more easily within grasp. I've donated my yellow 8-speed Streetstrider to The Northwest Hub, a not-for-profit community bicycle co-op here in Salem. So here's your chance to get a great deal on my 3-year-old Streetstrider AND help out The Northwest Hub, a Salem organization that enables low-income and no-income people to own a…
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