One of those days

This fits.  It’s been one of those days, or couple of days really.

This is Photobomb

I’m not much for bloggers who just share websites but this site kills me.

http://thisisphotobomb.com

Basically it is a site of random shit caught in the background of otherwise boring, routine pictures.  Some seriously funny stuff in here.  For example:

Sultry Latinos in Love.

Seriously…WTF is going on here and why are these two couples in the same room at the same time?

Awesome.

YouTube – Total Eclipse of the Heart: Literal Video Version

Really really really funny.  Very clever.

All it takes is one…

Pretty awesome video from the Sasquatch Festival 2009.

It exposes the spectrum of humanity.  The lone guy who is either crazy, doesn’t give a shit and/or on drugs starting off something.   A pioneer of sorts  The couple folks who recognize him/it for what it is – FUN! – and then the sheep who pour in once it is “safe”.

Passings

Went to a funeral today of a good friend from the Timbers Army. General Timber Howie also known as Hartmut Bless.

Here is Howie a few years ago as a media superstar:

Howie was a veteran.

The indelible images from today’s ceremony at Willamette National Cemetery (the vets cemetery here in Portland).

Taps:

21 Gun Salute:

Presentation of the Flag:

I wish I could sit here and write eloquence about this but I’m not feeling particularly capable at this moment. So I will say this.

Rest well Howie. You live and love in our hearts.

When Did Uninformed Opinions Become Facts

Oregonian sports columnist posted a letter today from Andrew and Laurie from Wilsonville, OR decrying the language and behavior of the Timbers Army.

Here is my response:

John,

I wanted to respond to your piece today on the Timbers Army. While I certainly think it is a topic that has been and will probably continue to be an issue at not only Timbers matches but sporting events of all types, I feel that the letter from Andrew and Laurie painted a rather skewed picture of what the Timbers Army is all about and what actually goes on during matches. I would love for you to run my letter as a response from the Timbers Army.

Andrew and Laurie sure seems to know alot of “facts” about a group that they only witnessed from 75 meters away.

The truth is that the Timbers Army is a vibrant and unique part of the sporting culture in Portland and the United States and we will continue to provide the most vocal and visual support we can in order to support our beloved Portland Timbers.

Here are some actual facts about the Timbers Army:

Fact: There are many, many families that are active participants of all of the activities of the Timbers Army. We have seen kids grow up in the Army and come to every match with their parents. They seem to be handle the atmosphere just fine and are as much a part of the Army as any of the “fat, angry white men”.

Fact: There are 4 separate Timbers Army, North End related soccer teams and countless other members who play, ref and coach. But there is no requirement to be a soccer super star to stand with us. We only ask that you cheer and be passionate in your support.

Fact: The Timbers Army has given over $10,000 to charity in the past 5 years.

Fact: The Timbers Army is one of the most diverse groups that you will ever see gathered in one place in Portland, Oregon. Football/Soccer has a way of doing that. While there are certainly a few fat white men (I wasn’t aware you had to pass a fitness test to be a fan) we also boast lots of skinny white men, women of all shapes and sizes, lots and lots of CHILDREN, Mexicans, Bolivians, Japanese, Polish, British, Germans, Irish, Scottish, Brazilians, Argentinians and Serbians. We have hipsters and Beaverton soccer moms. We have construction workers, lawyers, beer truck delivery guys, doctors, political consultants, dock workers, UPS drivers, accountants and an actual lumberjack.

Fact: We have nothing to do with Hooliganism or anything associated with Hooligan culture. That is a very loaded term that is used to prejudice people against any form of soccer team support and it is nonsense. There are no fights in the North End and irresponsible conduct of any manner is dealt with by alerting the proper authorities.

Fact: MLS specifically cited the Timbers Army as one of the prime reason they selected this city for a expansion franchise. In fact, MLS was at the very same game that Andrew and Laurie were at and came away incredibly impressed by the passion, size and organization of the Timbers Army.

Fact: The Timbers Army has actively, and will continue to, work with the Timbers Front office to curb offensive words from chants. It is an ongoing effort but it is important to point out that the language heard at NFL, NBA and Ducks football games can be worse than anything that comes from the North End of PGE on game night. While it is impossible to police language of an individual we will continue to work to provide the most inclusive experience possible.

Fact: While it certainly is going to take ticket holders of all sizes and shapes to make MLS in Portland a success (and unlike Andrew I certainly hope that the Timbers don’t prevent fat people from buying tickets) the Timbers Army currently represent a significant portion of season and game day ticket purchases and that will only increase in MLS. There were about 8,000 fans in PGE Park on Thursday night. About 3,000 of them were standing shoulder to shoulder singing their hearts out for the team in the Timbers Army section. While Andrew and Laurie most certainly are entitled to their opinion, I think the opinion of 3,000 passionate fans count for alot more; as well as the other 4,999 fans who seemed to enjoy the match as well. It is also important to point out there were about 12,000 other seats available for Andrew and Laurie and their family. I know for a fact that the team will accommodate requests for a seat change whenever possible.

Fact: Andrew and Laurie are welcome to come down to the middle of section 107 and actually meet the people they so quickly formed an opinion of and learn what this thing called the Timbers Army is all about.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Wright
Timbers Army

Beyonce 100 Single Ladies Flash-Dance Piccadilly Circus, London for Trident Unwrapped

Awesomeness.  Words fail. Yeah I’m a 35 year old hetero guy and more than bit obsessed with this song and video by Beyonce.

YouTube – FONSECA – Arroyito (Video)

Warm nights, cute dresses, great tunes, cold beer, espanol. That time of my life feels a million miles away. This song takes me there

This is an amazing song, with some pretty cool lyrics. I dare you not to dance. .

Sun

The Sun came back this weekend and I took every opportunity to revel in it.

For many obvious and less obvious resons this past winter was incredibly tough on me. Brutal. I normally just shrug the rain off like a duck but this year it just killed me. I think that it was less the rain or the cloudiness, I’ve been in Oregon for 15 years that shit doesn’t bother me, it was the damn cold. It was just so cold all the time and it got to me.

But Saturday came and along with it the sun and I went and bought vegetable plants and all was right in the world for one afternoon.

Leave Me Out With the Waste

This fits where I am at tonight at 1:00 in the morning.