Way Late Update: Portland Adult Soapbox Derby!
My bad. The event was August 22nd, but I had sold my laptop and then we moved back to the Midwest two weeks later. I finally got these pictures recovered off of the extra laptop drive and processed. Working with these photos made me miss Portland even more. How long will I go before I ever see a random naked cyclist riding around the block on my way to the grocery store? Like everything else in Portland, this event was full of crazies expressing themselves constructively. No one died that I know of, but the ambulance did put on quite a few miles. Check out the gallery bellow.
Soapbox Derby,
August 2009
PDXLAN: Pre Game Bawls Fortress
Bill flew in late last night and we crashed out after taco bell. Damn you authentic staff member that didn’t understand what we ordered…
This morning we went in to help set up at PDXLAN. After having positively too much fun with duct tape we decided to take the 5 pallets of Bawls and make a play fort. All I can say is that when this thing falls over and kills someone, it won’t be the corner that I constructed that does it.
And boom goes the dynamite…
Another 4th come and gone. I didn’t see anyone get maimed, but that wasn’t for a lack of trying. The people watching was good and this time I actually had a tripod for the fireworks. I also have some more pictures from when Nick and Xeng swung through town, and should have those up later this week.
4th on the Water,
July 2009
Community Activism and EMS Response Time
Another year of Pedalpalooza has come and gone, and what good is a farewell party without a few death defying, jaw dropping, concussion granting feats of lunacy? (The spellchecker has Unicycle immediately under Lunacy by the way…) I could talk more about the event, but the 49 photos and one concussion (WEAR YOUR HELMETS KIDS) just about sums it up.
Mult Co Bike Fair,
June 2009
June’s Last Thursday on Alberta st.
I think that I am starting to learn the secrets to this Last Thursday thing. They are as follows:
- Get to Alberta early for The Know’s Happy Hour. $1 PBR tall boys and Iron City Pints.
- They will let you bring food in, I recommend the home made Polish Dog with Kraut and Bacon for $6.
- At 7 the street has been blocked and Happy Hour is over. Hit the street!
- Look for anything and everything out of the ordinary.
- Get $2 Fries and a Tequila or Whiskey drink if you can find the dirty hippie house off Alberta.
Last Thursday,
June 2009
Rose Festival Parade and Dragon Boat Races
Laura’s best friend from elementary school crashed the party Friday night and drunken Midwestern political discussion ensued. I am happy to report that no one sustained any life long injuries from the events that unfolded, although I am not too sure we can go back to the oyster bar for a few months. The next morning we all groggily awoke and dragged ourselves to the Rose Parade and Saturday market. Here are a few snaps…
Applying for everything…
It has been kinda tough applying for all of these jobs and not hearing back from any of them… I understand that places like Craigslist draw more applicants than an HR staff can sift through, but I would have expected at least a nibble by now. I am beginning to think that maybe people need to stand out more with their cover letter and resume. Forcing people to think outside the box may cut off most of the lazy applicants and allow you to find the creative individuals in the stack… Check out this posting for a computer repair technician.
RED STAR MACHINE WORKS, most glorious of all Portland computer shops, is looking for new talent. We’re a Mt. Tabor neighborhood shop that repairs and builds computers, provides on-site and telephone support, and sells parts. We are looking for someone special. We need experienced, knowledgeable, conscientious, psychologically stable technicians who take pride in their work and provide excellent customer service. Patience, drive, education, and social skills are a must. We are not interested in basement dwelling virgins. Instead, we are interested in good natured people with a variety of PC hardware, networking, and software experience with a varied background. Apple Macintosh knowledge is prized but not absolutely necessary. Successful candidates can expect long hours, lousy pay, hugs, and an endless supply of company-subsidized caffeinated beverages and cupcakes. Salary depends on ability. Bonus availability. Pay is negotiatable. Flexible hours. Send resume and cover letter to info@redstarmachineworks.com or mail them to RSMW, Division of Information Retrieval, 4505 SE Belmont, Portland, Oregon 97215.
And here is my cover letter:
Dear Recruitment Overlord:
I am writing in response to the Computronic Human listing on Craigslist, and am incredibly interested in interviewing for this position.
I believe that my years providing support to the less technically endowed combined with my ability to handle drunks in a courteous and timely manner makes me the perfect candidate for this position. Having lived for the last few years without a basement and with a girlfriend who detests technology, I find that I am perfectly acclimated to the outside world. While living under these constraints I am still quite capable of sifting through technological problems for solutions. My recent ventures involve building several Wordpress websites and installing OSX on my Dell laptop. The lure of low pay and subsidized calories is an incredibly draw for this systems builder and technical support specialist.
Thank you for taking the time to read and review my attached qualifications. I am eagerly awaiting your response, and a chance to discuss possible cupcake stipends and this opportunity further.
Respectfully yours,
James Schmock
No reply yet…. What do you do?
Last Thursday!
Found another event which I will have to be at every month. Man it is hard to find an excuse to hide in the apartment. There are three or four events every night this week. I seem to be spoiled for choice… Check out the Last Thursday Gallery in the Photo Repository.
Last Thursday,
May 2009