pearl jam, check...

I have a shirt just like that Eddie. So do millions of Boy Scouts.

So, this past weekend I was able to cross off a big thing on that massive to-do list of mine, go see Pearl Jam!!! Basically, I'm not going to write up a huge music review cause really - who wants to read that. Just know that:

1. I got to the Clark County Ampitheather late and missed Ben Harper who opened for PJ. booo :(

2. I haven't been to a venue like the CCA since I went to a few Lilith Fairs back in the day.

3. There were way more dudes at Pearl Jam than there were at Lilith Fair, go figure.

4. Those dudes were way more drunk than the Lilth Fair crowd too.

5. I am spoiled by getting to see so many bands I love up close and personal in small venues.

6. On the lawn, I spend most of my time not watching the stage... but watching the large screens.

7. I realize, I might as well be watching a concert on TV at home.

8. However, at home I can't get the REAL CONCERT EXPERIENCE of the rampant smell of pot and drunk dudes spilling beer on my shoes. (Or maybe I just need to find different friends to watch the concert at home with? )

9. Jaleah, my concert cohort, said that regardless of how far away from the stage we were sitting, you could still see Eddie Vedder's huge head pretty well.

10. The highlight was during encore #1, Eddie brought Corin Tucker, from Sleater Kinney fame, who currently lives in Portland, out on stage to sing a favorite song of mine, Golden State.

11. I first heard this song when John Doe and Kathleen Edwards sung it together at the Aladdin last fall.

12. Eddie rarely gets a chance to sing it. In fact, I couldn't find any video's on youtube of it aside from this:

(in case you don't know what Eddie and Corin look like... this is a photo. You can stare at it for close to 3 minutes.)

13. The rarity of it as a cover really makes me wish I would have brought my video to shoot it.

14. However, I was sitting in crap lawn seats watching the big screens. So, no video for me.

15. Even though getting to hear Eddie and Corin's cover on Saturday was the highlight of the show for me... I still think I could watch and listen to Kathleen Edwards and John Doe sing it over and over and over again.

16. I left early to avoid horrible I-5 traffic.

17. I'm glad I can cross Pearl Jam off my list.

up in the Northwest we've got it good...

This afternoon, I'm going to take a few moments to recognize a very influential moment in my life... the early 90's. I speak of this because not only am I pumped about going to see Pearl Jam tomorrow night, but I've noticed a trend this year in the return of plaid (which in my book, never goes out of style), and I feel like adding Northern Exposure back to my netflix que. Maybe it's just me always having a little infatuation with the Pacific Northwest long before I knew that all these things were interconnected here.

I mean, when Pearl Jam first came on the scene in 1990, I was 10 and living in Ohio and still rocking out to Madonna (which I still do) but suddenly all these bands came out in the early 90's like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots and Smashing Pumpkins and I found myself in an alternative love. Add in flannel, plaid, boots, lumberjacks, pine trees, animals bigger than deer, kayking, biking, Ken Griffey Jr., Sleepless in Seattle, snow capped mountains and good coffee and good beer - long before I could appreciate it - it's really it's no surprise why I ended up where I did.

So, this is my tribute to the early 90's and the great land I love to call my current home... the Pacific Northwest, mecca.

Northern Exposure

A big part of my love affair with the PNW lies in the many seasons of Dr. Joel Flieschman and his adventures amongst the cute, weird, and lovable people of Cicely Alaska (the show was actually filmed in Roslyn Washington). Add in that the character of Maggie always reminded me of my friend Beth, I loved Chris in Morning at KBHR and that I loved the Red Hook neon beer sign that hung on the back wall at the Brick, I made a point to watch it whenever it came on TV.

Northern Exposure taught me lessons about relationships:

And lessons about randomness:

PEARL JAM

So, I've always got to give Pearl Jam kudos for being anti establishment and big company. While I kinda scratch my head as why the band that eschewed Ticketmaster would team up with Target for the promotion of their new album (read some of the hubub here)... I'll overlook that cause I like the new tune, the Fixer. For once, Pearl Jam has released something in the past ten years that reminds me of how much I loved rocking out to Ten.

So, I bring you this new tune that I love rocking out to, the Fixer:

And here is a classic older tune or theirs Alive. I really wanted to post the ground breaking video for Jeremy, but all those wouldn't allow you to embed them. So, you'll get this instead:

PLAID

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Delia's has a great selection of plaid shirts for women this fall, but I always got mine from LLBean:

BEER

And in case you were wondering, Red Hook Beer still uses this logo:

MOVIES

And yeah... after seeing Julie and Julia last weekend, it reminds me that no one can make a cute movie like Nora Ephron. Sleepless in Seattle was the first one of hers on my radar. She even spoke at a SCAD graduation one year that I was there.

Another great movie set in the PNW was Kindergarden Cop. Never again is someone going to say "It's NOT a TUMOR!" without an accent ever again.

BASEBALL

And even though I was a Ken Griffey fan from back in the day and was uber excited to see him get traded to the Reds (on February 10, 2000... no doubt, my birthday to be exact) Seattle is where he belongs and I'm so glad that he was able to go back and that I was able to go up to Seattle and catch him the other year with my good friend Tig while he was still playing with the Reds.

Hipster or Hillbilly? it's hard to tell these days.

I as well, have a hard time telling the difference between Hipsters and Hillbillies.

Thank you Bikesnobnyc for bringing this troubling and confusing issue to the hearts and the minds of people everywhere.

going squirrelly

I too, prefer deluxe nuts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFS3FGQCKVo

LIST #2: Things every girl should own.

I've always been a bit off kilter when it came to items I wanted for christmas and my birthday. When other girls my age were asking for dolls and ponies, I was asking for baseball gloves and flashlights. I thought that by joining girl scouts, they'd teach me how to fish and make a campfire, but all I ever seemed to learn was how much I detested selling cookies. It was never about ribbons and jewelry for me. I'd rather wear a hat and a watch and consider it good. It was never about the smell of perfume, for the smell I loved was the smell of my grandfathers pipe and the sweet smokiness of the tobacco wafting through the air. I also loved the feel of his leather work gloves and how whenever anyone needed anything cut... he was johnny on the spot with his pocket knife. These things, knifes, watches, leather, etc... are what I consider "tools for life": small quality items that may cost a little more up front, but were made to use year after year and last. Things that you should have on you, for whenever the need arises.

These are the things I admired and asked for, but whenever I had to dip my hand into the women's basket at our family holiday gift exchange, I always hated pulling out another scented candle or decorative towel set while my brother pulled out a mini wrench set from the men's basket. I have always been frustrated that these tools, marketed for "sportsmen" were always geared towards the boys. While prissy, fluffy, soft, shiny things, the cheap things of one time usage, made for mere ornamentation, were geared for girls. There was injustice in what was marketed towards females and what was felt appropriate to give boys as gifts.

Sure, I knew I was tomboyish and would rather play with sticks in the woods, building forts and playing ball than make mud pies and barbie houses. I would rather make maps of my imaginary kingdoms and go on treks to the furtherest stretches of my neighborhood to the edge of town.... through the woods, over the streams, past the cow field all the way to the abandoned railroad track. I'd follow it till the brush got to thick, till it got dark and dinner was on the horizon. And standing there, on the cusp of going back to everything I knew.... I'd wonder how far the tracks went, what towns did they pass through, and what other adventures laid beyond? Also, there had to be more girls out there that, just like me... were not satisfied by playing house and sticking close to home with their scented candles and matching towel sets.

So, over the years I've compiled a mental list of essential things that every girl with a hankering for adventure should own. Classic items that will never go out of style, always come in handy, and always make you adequately prepared for any occasion... even if it's just everyday life.

things every girl should have:

a good coat:

It should be a coat that will warm the coldest breeze, keep off a light rain, and be able to ball into a pillow for use on long drives and layovers in airports. As well, it should be versatile and look good whether you're picking up flowers in the city or repairing a fence post at the farm. I personally, am always on the lookout for the perfect coat... which is probably why I own about twenty of them.

a leather belt:

Season after season, pants after pants. Black or brown, they should match your shoes.

a pair of good boots:

Ones that will take a romp in the woods or a jump through a puddle without grimace or doubt of their steadfastness. Black or brown, they should match your belt.

a knife:

If it's a Leatherman all the better as it's one of the most versatile knife combinations out there, but one should have a knife that is large enough it can get the job done, but still small enough that it can fit in your everyday bag (but remember to remove it from your checked luggage at the airport). However, don't leave your knife at home while traveling since it is an essential tool in slicing an apple, cutting some brie, salami, and crusty bread and removing a cork from a bottle of wine during an impromptu casual dinner on a park bench in Copenhagen, Denmark or Bar Harbor Maine.

a flask:

Either kept in the glove box of your car, at your desk or in your pocket during a snowboarding trip... sometimes you just need a little nip.

a flashlight:

Be it a maglite or a headlamp kept in your car, at your desk, or in your bag... be the light when the lights go out.

a bike:

Self reliance at it's best. You can go fast, you can go hard, you can go to the store or across the world. Get where you want to faster than running and without depending on anyone but yourself.

wool blanket:

From cowboys to soldiers to the foot of a cot at summer camp.... a quality wool blanket is one item that is essential from chilly summer evenings to the deepest darkest days of winter. Personally, last year I treated myself to my own little Oregon luxury, my first Pendleton Blanket.

good dress:

Hands down, there is nothing that a girl should have in her travel and adventure bag than a very versatile sexy little black dress. You could find yourself in a country with a dress code, decide to crash someone's wedding or maybe it's just what that night of dancing or candlelit dinner calls for. My go to dress is the Patagonia Morning Glory Halter Dress. Just the right amount of spandex and right amount of sass. Plus, it dries quickly, packs well and comes in a multitude of colors.

good hat:

One that shades the sun and keeps your little noggin warm. Baseball hats are so bland... but if you must you must. Personally, I'd opt for a little bit more style and once again, something that works in the mountains and in the little cafe on the corner. I'm a big fan of coal headwear, its just like leatherman, another cool company straight outta the PDX.

a journal:

Record your thoughts, your plans, your ideas, your sketches, your newspaper clippings, your numbers, your stories, your life. I'm a fan of these little black books by Moleskine, I use their blank books and their planners to chart out my daily life. They also make some pretty cool little city guides that much like the NFT Guides, can help you travel a new urban landscape without looking like a tourist.

a camera:

You can kick it 35mm style with your Pentax k1000, you can go luddite and whip out your Holga, you can switch up your interchangeable lenses on your digital SLR, you can travel small with your iphone or stylish with your Leica (that which I covet). However you do it though, go out and shoot and record your adventures and the world around you. After all, your mom needs to see proof of what you've been up to since you haven't called her in two weeks.

a good watch:

Once again, it's gotta look good with the little black dress, easy to wind as you past through time zones, and take a little water here and there. For my high school graduation my parents got me a Fossil watch and ten years later it still looks as good as the day I tossed my cap into the air.

a good bag:

Indiana Jones had his leather satchel. I have my Timbuk2. In fact, I have my Timbuk2's I like them so much. Small, medium and large they are easy to carry while riding my bike, stuffing into an overhead compartment on a cramped air plane and they are big and durable enough to take the every day rough and tumble and overload of my life. And... as an added plus, they keep my stuff dry. I got my first one back in 2003 and it's still just as durable as it was then. As well, you can be creative and build your own bag. That way, if ever you meet someone with the same bag as you... not only is it a good conversation starter, but you'll know that person is a kindred spirt or just damn plain unoriginal.

a good pen:

I personally can not say enough about each person having their own "pen". One that feels right in your hand, writes the way you want it, doesn't bleed, doesn't run out when you need it most. Seriously ladies, make your mark in the world (and don't do it in purple ink). My personal favorite pen write now is this little pilot number. - nice pun eh?-

good sunglasses:

If it's been a rough night and an even rougher morning, or you just have really sensitive eyes like I do, one item that I am lost without is a good pair of sunglasses. In the winter and in the summer, I am naked and blind without. Personally, I still have yet to find my favorite pair of sunglasses that I can wear for sport and for casual, are polarized and fit my face well... which is another reason, just like a good coat... why I have about ten pairs of them.

good button down shirt:

Whether it's a shirt you stole from your dad, your brother, an ex or just something you picked up along the way... you should have a good button down shirt. Regardless if its a chambray, a plaid, or a stripe... if it's got a collar and sleeves that can be rolled up when getting down to business, it's a good thing to have when a t-shirt just won't cut it.

zippo lighter:

Fire is one of the best gifts you can give someone. Be the light when the lights go out and there are no batteries. A classic zippo also doubles as the perfect thing to have in your back pocket during a rock concert, when you need to light a campfire and when that cute mysterious person outside the coffee shop asks if you have a light. You may not smoke, but that doesn't mean you can't strike up and fuel a good conversation. (As well... don't buy cheap plastic bic lighters. There is no class there.)

a bandanna:

Be it in your back pocket, favorite bag or worn around your neck, a bandanna is one of the most versatile and functional items of anyone's arsenal. Wipe your nose, keep your hair back, stop the bleeding, or clean your glasses.... the possibilities are endless.

a good baseball glove:

Timeless. You can play catch with your grandpa, your dad and your kids. I got my Nokona baseball glove from my grandfather on my 11th birthday. I still use it to this day. It was one of the most memorable times I got exactly the gift I wanted and when I use it, I think of my grandfather.

Next in this list, is "skills that every girl should know". It'll include tying knots, fixing a flat tire, and making a killer omelet. Recently, a book was published that if ever I wrote about book about this kinda subject... it would pretty much be like this book published the other year called The Daring Book for Girls. If ever you were a girl or know of one, who longs for the types of adventures that your neighborhood couldn't provide or skills your family didn't have... you should look into this handy little book. As well, I'm not knocking the Girl Scouts as I spent some great years with them, but I often felt the outdoor skills I wanted to learn were not really taught. I understand this has more to do with the troop you're in rather than GS it'sself... but.... Southern Ohio being what it is, cookie sales and crafts were pretty much the week to week agenda.

Semi related vein: a dream vacation every girl should want to take:

Traveling around New Zealand in a VW Camper Van.

that's the best news I heard all week!!!

(even Obama is a fan!)

The best thing that I read this week was a study by some researcher who discovered using data from a Government health survey of American Adults, is that people who drink regularly seem to exercise more often than those who shun the "drink". It also determined that folks who average more than a drink or two a day may be the most active. As well, the researchers found that in general, the amount of time people devote to exercise seems to correlate with the amount of alcoholic drinks they have each month. Compared with those who 'abstain', those who were considered "heavy drinkers" (46-76 drinks in the past month) exercised for an average of 20 more minutes per week while the "moderate drinkers" (15-45) averaged an extra 1o minutes more each week! And when those drinkers exercised, they usually were more cardiovasculary intense than the light drinkers and abstainers.

The lead researcher, Dr. Michael T. French had this to say about the results:

"We certainly would not advocate that abstainers should start drinking or light drinkers should start drinking heavily as a way to increase their exercise," lead researcher Dr. Michael T. French, of the University of Miami. But, he added, the fact that people who drink, at varying levels, are all generally more active than non-drinkers is a finding "worth exploring further." One potential reason for the link, French noted, is that some regular drinkers use exercise as a way to counteract the calories from alcohol. It's also possible that drinking at "responsible" levels is a maker of a generally healthy lifestyle, the researcher said. For its part, relatively heavy drinking might be part of a "sensation-seeking" lifestyle for some people, French and his colleagues speculate. Some heavier drinkers may, for example, be the types who tend toward more-adventurous outdoor activities like skiing or rock climbing. Others may play team sports, which often includes a trip to the bar after a game. French pointed out that excessive drinking and alcohol abuse — any drinking habits that are harmful to a person's work, relationships or health — are well known to have "serious psychological and physical consequences." Moderate drinking, on the other hand, has been linked to potential health benefits, including a decreased risk of heart disease. While part of that might be attributed to moderate drinkers' overall lifestyle — which, based on this study, includes higher exercise levels — research also suggests that alcohol has some direct benefits, like elevated levels of "good" HDL cholesterol. -msnbc

Well then, it looks like I'm not the only one who's motivation to work out is fueled by beer. And, that's good to know but not really that all surprising since most of the folks I'm involved with in playing sports are also the same people that I'm involved with when it comes to drinking. I guess it's just nice to hear some truth and facts behind what I've known all along. I just want some kid to bring up this study to his health teacher when they talk about drinking leading you to lose all ambition in life. Drinking, just kinda lubricates it I've found.

Also in the same vein... was this study by Spanish researchers who discovered that a pint of beer post workout or match is better at rehydrating the human body than water. It's believed from the tests that were conducted, that the sugars, salts, and bubbles in beer may help the body absorb fluids more quickly than flat water. I mean, yeah... gatorade probably does the same thing... but it's not as much fun as grabbing a pint at the pub with your teammates after the game. Of, if your on my soccer team.... why wait till you leave the field?

And... while we're on this delicious topic, tomorrow in Portland is the one day Biketobeerfest at Hopworks Organic Brewery. What is biketobeerfest you may ask? Well, it's a totally carfree and free event for everyone from noon to 10pm that features things like a huffy toss, marching bands, live rock bands, bike crafts, handbuilt bicycle show and tell, bmx trick riding expo, roller races, bike dancing, and a rodeo for bike shop employees -whew- and that's just one day!!!! And... what event at a brewery would be complete without beer? Yep, Hopworks has even brewed up two limited edition beers for the event.

So, it looks like with all this beer laden news, most likely I'll be doing what i mostly do on the weekends and everyday during the week... engage myself in heavy exercise and then have a beer afterwards. To health, right?

prost!

it's kinda like Epcot, but about coffee

So, you've heard of greenwashing... how about localwashing?

In a recent trend to buck big corporate chain retailers, large companies are working hard at rebranding themselves to a appear softer, gentler and more "local". They want you, as a maybe slightly educated consumer, to feel perfectly okay about going to them as if they were your backyard neighbor to borrow a cup of sugar. Whether it's Wal-Mart selling a "local" potato from Idaho or a NYC Whole Foods selling local coffee beans roasted a few miles away but actually grown in Ecuador, it's getting a little rampant. In a similar situation, Starbucks, the company responsible for coffee on the map across the US, has tried to not just soften their image... but to erase it in some cases.

Seattle, Washington.... home to Grey's Anatomy, rain, Pearl Jam and Starbucks has noticed that business in some of their stores located in more independent and alternative spots around town... has fell off to a trickle. It's not that people are not drinking coffee in these locations, they'd just rather go to the homegrown local coffee shop on the corner than go to the big green. In order to compete with the mom and pop joints, Starbucks has closed those stores and later reopened them under another name... such as 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea.

At 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea, there is no Starbucks logo to be found anywhere on the premises, not on the door, not on the bags, not on the coffee and not on the website. As well, the stores use a manual machine to make espresso rather than the automated type found in most Starbucks stores. 15th Avenue, which still carries Starbucks roasted coffee... was created to give a more rustic, organic, and home grown community feel.... much like your local coffee shop on the corner. Serving beer and wine alongside the coffee as well as offering poetry and open mic nights, Starbucks spent over a year sending coffee shop researchers to popular Seattle coffee joints for the purpose of "observation". In fact, several Seattle coffee shop owners who saw the researchers there day in and day out, feel a little cheated that Starbucks ripped off some of their atmosphere.

What I find most amusing about all of this is that I find that Starbucks is literally trying to cheat and fool the customer on their "coffee experience". And if that's not the intent.... I don't really understand the purpose for these stores, granted... placing "inspired by starbucks on the door" is a little transparent, but I just don't get it. While some people chose to go to Starbucks because the green apron is familiar and everywhere they go, there are even more people who chose not to go to Starbucks since they are everywhere you go. Are these are the people in which Starbucks is trying to cater to? I think, that if you want to support local businesses and you're smart enough to not go to Starbucks on a regular basis... then you'd be smart enough to not go to a place like 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea if they are in your neighborhood. And really, aside from tourists... who else is going to be duped by this? Is this for the customer who shamelessly likes Starbucks but feels bad about going, and really... they'd like to go to one of those little mom and pop places but finds the baritisa's with the tattoos and piercings slightly intimidating? Is this so they can feel better? Will they feel better as a result or will they just feel like they are cheating themselves? And if Starbucks is trying to appeal to tourists who don't know any better... is Capitol Hill in Seattle really the best place for that? Don't they make enough money off the people who go to Pike Place Market in order to go to the original Starbucks just to say they've been there? I mean, maybe something like this in Tulsa could work.... but in SEATTLE? I find that highly unlikely.

As my friend Heather pointed out... its kinda like going to visit Morocco at Disney's Epcot when really you're just in exotic Orlando, Florida.

Oh, and check out their awesome (cough) unpolished and unprofessional looking website and blog, cause you know... mom and pop coffee shops can't afford good design.

________________________________________________

-metblogs review of the place along with photos!

-When the 15th Ave store opened up, some kind protesters showed up outside the store in green aprons inviting people to the new, rebranded, neighborhood Starbucks. It's kinda funny.

-another review with some scathing commentary.