January 28th 2012 was a good way to spend an afternoon and evening at the Diva sponsored Open Lens film festival. It celebrated independent short films with a wide selection of selections including drama, comedy, documentary, thrillers, experimental film and animation.
The crowd pleaser was a comedy and rightly so. "Sudden Death" was a spoof of a famous masterpiece from 1957 called "The Seventh Seal". Al Kline turns that film's famous scene where a knight of the Middle Ages plays chess with death............Kline uses a henpecked husband, Sherman who plays basketball with a be-robed death.....one who calls Sherman piggy and the one on one hoop moves were very entertaining. Impossible not to laugh at this one and the broom and sweeper wielding wife were very effective in the film.
The documentary was called "Fight: Arena of Gamers" which depicted the Portland gaming community. Showing clips from actual games and competitions it was easy to understand the attraction of this activity in a digital age.
Other films were very entertaining and thought provoking. One 7 minute presentation was called "Will". A man facing a death sentence adds a clause in his will that his best friend, a bbq master prepare his body for cremation by first adding his famous bbq rub.............Folks just let their imagination run wild on this one. This was droll rather than amusing.
There was opportunity to meet the film makers and Davis catered the after film fest activities.
Earlier in the afternoon Doug Hennessy gave a seminar "how to watch a movie like a film critic" It was very entertaining as he illustrated his points with actual film clips. I , who go to the movies just to enjoy and be entertained now have a new way to understand film. Doug also has a blog The Movie List Blogster and has written about movies in newspapers and magazines for the last 30 years.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Winter Rains
The Monsoons are here and although I am not a big fan of January weather in the Pacific Northwest......I can't complain when I wake up and find the temperature is 50 degrees F. There is no snow on the ground or in the foothills around our street. It is in the mountains where it belongs so if you miss the white stuff you can always drive to the snow, ski or just have a look, turn on the car heater and then come back to the valley.
Rivers are rising and they are releasing water from some of the dams and some folks are driving boats around town and not cars. It won't last all that long and we have lots of year round firs and bushes that need a good long drink.
I drove past Lowe's yesterday and the garden stuff is all out. Spotted a robin on the weekend and the daffodill bulbs are shooting up. I am ready for another long Oregon Spring .
Rivers are rising and they are releasing water from some of the dams and some folks are driving boats around town and not cars. It won't last all that long and we have lots of year round firs and bushes that need a good long drink.
I drove past Lowe's yesterday and the garden stuff is all out. Spotted a robin on the weekend and the daffodill bulbs are shooting up. I am ready for another long Oregon Spring .
January 25 2012
Last week at our BOGS meeting, Bill Burwell, a Naturalist and author spoke on the history and ethnology of the McKenzie River watershed. He also shared stories of the Kalapuyan Tribe and the early settlers entering the valley.
The tribe lived in winter villages here close to the river and used rock faces for additional shelters while using gill nets to catch salmon as they were skilled fishermen. Women gathered berries and made unique baskets from cedar bark to not only carry them back to the village but to store them. Bill brought a replica for us to see....and it was not only functional but artistic and we were able to "try them on" as they had a fiber rope to hang around the neck . This was enjoyed by everyone as usually these objects are behind glass in a museum or "you can't touch".
The women also used a digging tool to harvest camas which was the source of their starch in the diet. Camas has a root bulb and they learned to cook it on heated rocks. Men hunted using obsidian tools which came from the Obsidian cliffs nearby. They were also used as trade goods and were quite beautiful pieces. We also learned that due to being out in the elements caused dry skin as did their cedar bark "clothes" rubbing on them so from the lamprey eel they were able to obtain an oil they called oolachon pronounced oooolaajohn. Some settlers called them the P.U. tribe which probably meant the oil did not smell all that great.
Burwell also had a book called "Kalapuyan Texts" stories about the tribe colled by a man studying native tribes in the valley in the 1930's...and he told us one about Coyote, the trickster which had a message we could all relate to in 2012.
This was a lecture day at BOGS aka Birds of Oregon and General Science and is a birding group that meets every week . Every other week is a field trip somewhere different to walk and observe birds. We are really enjoying this group and finding new friends.
The tribe lived in winter villages here close to the river and used rock faces for additional shelters while using gill nets to catch salmon as they were skilled fishermen. Women gathered berries and made unique baskets from cedar bark to not only carry them back to the village but to store them. Bill brought a replica for us to see....and it was not only functional but artistic and we were able to "try them on" as they had a fiber rope to hang around the neck . This was enjoyed by everyone as usually these objects are behind glass in a museum or "you can't touch".
The women also used a digging tool to harvest camas which was the source of their starch in the diet. Camas has a root bulb and they learned to cook it on heated rocks. Men hunted using obsidian tools which came from the Obsidian cliffs nearby. They were also used as trade goods and were quite beautiful pieces. We also learned that due to being out in the elements caused dry skin as did their cedar bark "clothes" rubbing on them so from the lamprey eel they were able to obtain an oil they called oolachon pronounced oooolaajohn. Some settlers called them the P.U. tribe which probably meant the oil did not smell all that great.
Burwell also had a book called "Kalapuyan Texts" stories about the tribe colled by a man studying native tribes in the valley in the 1930's...and he told us one about Coyote, the trickster which had a message we could all relate to in 2012.
This was a lecture day at BOGS aka Birds of Oregon and General Science and is a birding group that meets every week . Every other week is a field trip somewhere different to walk and observe birds. We are really enjoying this group and finding new friends.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
January 18 2012
Today is my brother Mike's birthday and I can't wish him a Happy one as he is no longer with us so I thought I could share some memories of him because as they say he is gone but not forgotten.
I was the oldest of five children growing up in the Midwest. Mike was my childhood playmate. I was considered a tomboy and was duly influenced by both my brother and my father. They taught me how to catch a baseball, dribble a basketball, hit a golf ball, and even throw a football. We had favorite baseball teams. Mike loved the Cardinals and I was wishy washy but went with the Cubs as my Dad said.........they are the hometown team Bird. Sigh....yes that was my childhood nickname......and still have some family members who call me that. I even got a christmas card from my brother Pat addressed to Bird Miller.
My dad would be listening to a baseball game on the radio while watching another one on tv. He taught me how to keep score and did I forget the bowling ball? Mike loved to bowl and was very competitive as we all were. We loved to win and that extended into board games. Monopoly was a huge fave and some folks who won't be named would hide big money bills up their sleeves and appeared to be broke and then pull it sneakily out and land on the property they had been "saving" the money for.
Dad was Irish and my brothers had the names. Mike, Patrick and Rob...........but I was Bird. I once asked him why he called me that and he said I flitted around like one and reminded him of birds and the way they moved.
Me and Mike also watched boxing on the tv.......I knew the names of all the great fighters. I also knew the NBA teams and watched the greats. It was a golden time for sports.........a big travel day for the family was to go to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals as it was easier to get around that town than Chicago . We were thrilled to watch Stan Musial play. I only remember one game at Wrigley Field but knew I was in the big time. Yes, the 50's were a great time to be a kid.
Today I wish my childhood companion and brother a big Happy Birthday in heaven. Love you Mike and "Tanks for the memories" (private joke)
I was the oldest of five children growing up in the Midwest. Mike was my childhood playmate. I was considered a tomboy and was duly influenced by both my brother and my father. They taught me how to catch a baseball, dribble a basketball, hit a golf ball, and even throw a football. We had favorite baseball teams. Mike loved the Cardinals and I was wishy washy but went with the Cubs as my Dad said.........they are the hometown team Bird. Sigh....yes that was my childhood nickname......and still have some family members who call me that. I even got a christmas card from my brother Pat addressed to Bird Miller.
My dad would be listening to a baseball game on the radio while watching another one on tv. He taught me how to keep score and did I forget the bowling ball? Mike loved to bowl and was very competitive as we all were. We loved to win and that extended into board games. Monopoly was a huge fave and some folks who won't be named would hide big money bills up their sleeves and appeared to be broke and then pull it sneakily out and land on the property they had been "saving" the money for.
Dad was Irish and my brothers had the names. Mike, Patrick and Rob...........but I was Bird. I once asked him why he called me that and he said I flitted around like one and reminded him of birds and the way they moved.
Me and Mike also watched boxing on the tv.......I knew the names of all the great fighters. I also knew the NBA teams and watched the greats. It was a golden time for sports.........a big travel day for the family was to go to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals as it was easier to get around that town than Chicago . We were thrilled to watch Stan Musial play. I only remember one game at Wrigley Field but knew I was in the big time. Yes, the 50's were a great time to be a kid.
Today I wish my childhood companion and brother a big Happy Birthday in heaven. Love you Mike and "Tanks for the memories" (private joke)
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Flashback
I noticed the sign as I was sipping my steaming cup of coffee. It was an old sign from the early days of this restaurant franchise and it was almost in disbelief I read the offerings.
Coffee 10 cents. Coke 10 cents. Hot chocolate 15 cents.....Guess that exotic chocolate was more spendy than coffee beans or Coca Cola's secret formula.
Jumbo fried shrimp 75 cents. Green salad 25 cents. French fries 20 cents. I could have had a feast for a mere buck and some change......today January 10, 2012 that doesn't cover the coffee I am currently sipping. Intrigued I read on........chili dog 30 cents. Hot dog 25 cents. Fish and chips 75 cents. Tacos 25 cents. Tamale with chili 40 cents. Special burger 50 cents. Tuna fish sandwich 35 cents. Junior burger 25 cents. A family oriented place and this is almost a free spot for kids to eat like certain places would advertise today.
The only "free" offering I had was a glass of ice water with a slice of lemon thrown in......I wonder if we ever understood how reasonable those prices were and not have the sticker shock we see today on menus for inferior food that is better prepared at home.
May be wishful thinking but I know the quality of that burger, malt, shake, french fries was very good and well prepared and served with some style....not handed out a window in a bag in a hasty manner.
This was a good flashback and made me realize how I long to sometimes slow down the pace of modern life and just be......not have to be on a treadmill.
Coffee 10 cents. Coke 10 cents. Hot chocolate 15 cents.....Guess that exotic chocolate was more spendy than coffee beans or Coca Cola's secret formula.
Jumbo fried shrimp 75 cents. Green salad 25 cents. French fries 20 cents. I could have had a feast for a mere buck and some change......today January 10, 2012 that doesn't cover the coffee I am currently sipping. Intrigued I read on........chili dog 30 cents. Hot dog 25 cents. Fish and chips 75 cents. Tacos 25 cents. Tamale with chili 40 cents. Special burger 50 cents. Tuna fish sandwich 35 cents. Junior burger 25 cents. A family oriented place and this is almost a free spot for kids to eat like certain places would advertise today.
The only "free" offering I had was a glass of ice water with a slice of lemon thrown in......I wonder if we ever understood how reasonable those prices were and not have the sticker shock we see today on menus for inferior food that is better prepared at home.
May be wishful thinking but I know the quality of that burger, malt, shake, french fries was very good and well prepared and served with some style....not handed out a window in a bag in a hasty manner.
This was a good flashback and made me realize how I long to sometimes slow down the pace of modern life and just be......not have to be on a treadmill.
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