Smoke and Oakum

I was so happy to be able to be at the Timbers match on Tuesday, July 3rd. I love going no matter what, and defeating San Jose just made it that much better. I had a great night beginning with a smooth ride on the light rail down to the front door of Jeld-Wen Field. Before getting in line I went over to Coffeehouse Northwest a block away and read quietly for a few minutes. Then I went back over to the stadium to wait for admission. While in line I met four interesting people who are OSU students. I even got to share with them what I am studying and how I believe God has a will and plan for everyone. As the time for us to enter got a little closer they even shared their Hot Lips pizza with me, which I greatly appreciated.

Finally I made it into the North End and found seats for the three of us who would be there that night. About an hour before the match, the team came out on the field to warm up. Thousands of us sang and cheered for them, calling out specific players by name hoping they'd respond with a hand in the air. When the teams went back into the dressing rooms, we knew it was close. A short while later they emerged again, arrayed in the Timbers first choice green and white match apparel. At one corner of the stadium a ladder truck had its bucket hoisted high above the stadium featuring our beloved American flag while the national anthem dedicated to it was sung in fine Timbers Army style (complete with "whooshes" in between lines). At last it was time to start. I spent the rest of the match standing, jumping, singing, cheering, and screaming toward the pitch for my Timbers. We scored first on a perfectly placed cross by Songo'o to Mwanga who deftly flicked it past the 'Quakes goalkeeper and into the net. Just prior to that the TA were singing "Goals." Now the entire stadium erupted in a single unified and very loud cheer. Smoke bombs were set off, and I confess I couldn't really see what happened for the next minute or so. Flags could be seen flying high through the swirling green smog, and the fans fervor intensified. After halftime the team came out once again with a fine performance. This time the goal was scored from a headed combination off a free kick. The ball came flying in, and Futty jumped heading it past their keeper. As Bingham scrambled back to try to save it, Captain Jack was one step ahead of him as he came sliding in low to smack the ball into the back of the net. Filled with elation and yet wondering what the Timbers would do with the lead for the next thirty minutes, we in the Timbers Army sang on in support. Unfortunately, the Earthquakes were able to bring one back on a shoddy defensive clearance. Thankfully it was their only goal leaving the final scoreline at Timbers 2, Earthquakes 1.

After the match and the log slice hoisting by the players, I and those with me made our way out of the stadium and back to his car. I ate some of his chicken and rice in the car. My sister-in-law motioned that we stop by Salt & Straw for some ice cream instead of heading straight home. So I found myself standing in line again. But the Coffee and Bourbon, Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache cone was worth the wait, as was the victory inside Jeld-Wen earlier that night. Now I can't wait for the next match I have tickets to, Chivas vs. Timbers.

Rose City Rewind

This is really a great video to remember a wonderfully special event in Timbers' history. I love it. John

Portland Quest

I've been having a lot of fun and doing a lot of stuff lately. Unfortunately I haven't written about much of it. One of the really cool things I was able to do recently is what I've called Coffee Quest. That is where one goes to as many gourmet (third wave in coffee jargon) coffee roasters and espresso bars in Portland to find the best purveyors of the delicious brew. Well, while we were out on the town we hit up a few other popular attractions including Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie and Salt and Straw for amazing ice cream. So our Coffee Quest morphed into more of a Portland Quest. We ended the day with a little calorie-burning climb up some secret stairs in the West Hills for panoramic vistas of our lovely Rose City. The following day I returned to downtown to see the Navy ships and went to Old Town Pizza with Sara and some friends for lunch. That's also a story I should have told but delayed doing so too long.

Next up, Pizza Quest!

John

Edit: I thought I'd include a few of the coffee places we visited:
BARISTA on NE Alberta
Extracto Coffee Roasters
Starbucks
(Was it really so few? I had plans to go to more, but not all my compatriots were as interested as I was in coffee. Beside I can only handle so much caffeine =D. But we did experience multiple different roasters' coffees at BARISTA, including Heart, Stumptown, and a Canadian roaster whose name does not come to mind.)

VR6 with straight pipe

     I know it's been a while since I've written anything here, and I always say that I'm going to write more but often don't follow through. Well, I have been thinking about it more, which I suppose is a step in the right direction. So here is my latest escapade.
     Long story short, my car has lots of problems. On Monday (or was it Tuesday) it wouldn't start... in the middle of the intersection. Great. For more details click here. Today I finally got it towed home and got to work. After removing my exhaust system and catalytic converter, I got my car to start, and it makes the narrow angle V-block engine sound even better. I'm posting this video for your viewing (and listening) enjoyment.

The Other Side of the Camera

My picture taking face.

Mighty Columbia River

Mt. Hood

I climbed this

Mt. St. Helens

You remember her, right....?

Cascadia

I know it's been a while since I actually posted anything here. I decided I'd get back into the swing of things by writing about my trip back from school. I was really looking forward to coming home this last Monday, but I wasn't so excited that I had layovers in Chicago as well as Seattle before I got home. Looking back, however, if I had a chance to fly into Seattle and then from there to Portland again, I would do it. If flying into one Pacific Northwest airport is good then flying into two is better. After living in the Carolinas for the majority of the last three years, coming home to Oregon reignites my love for the splendor of the NW. Carolina isn't bad, it just doesn't have the same power to me that I find here at home. I took several pictures during my (wonderful) short, 50-minute flight from Seattle to Portland. I apologize for the quality of the the pictures; they were taken on my iPod, so the resolution isn't that big. The Mountains I was able to see on that one flight were (North to South): Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Jefferson. There just isn't much that compares to the Cascades and home. Flying into Portland was very exciting for me as well. I love to see the verdant green of the moderate rain forest in all directions.

Humility

This is a test to

This is a test to ascertain whether I can text to my Blog. That would be of interest to me. You'll hear more from me soon