Sherman Alexie, Clive Barker and Chris Jericho

Sherman Alexie, Clive Barker and Chris Jericho

Author events are really a hit or miss phenomena. A writer that enjoys the public side of the business of writing and things are great with the crowd is worth seeing. If you get one that really only is enduring it, then it is not so much fun.

Recently, I had the good fortune of listening to, meeting, and getting books signed by three writers in a short period of time. All three of these guys are interesting and even charismatic, so the events were well worth my time.

Chris Jericho is indeed that Chris Jericho, the pro wrestler. He is a great promo guy (meaning he can talk and make you listen). He also wrote a book about breaking into and clawing his way up the pro wrestling ladder to the big time. I look forward to reading it, because I haven't yet, but will soon. He was funny, great with the crowd just like in the ring, and seemed like a genuinely good guy. He threw us a lot of hints about his comeback to the ring, which occurred about a week after this signing ... and, he signed my Wrestlemania XIX program ...

Clive Barker is one of the most interesting readings or speakers I have ever seen. He has this deep gravelly voice with a think English accent. Instead of simply reading from his most recent novel (Mister B. Gone is quite good) he simply opened the floor to questions from the audience about any of his works. His answers were ... interesting. At one point I summoned the courage to get up and ask him a question; one about spiritual themes and alternative takes on conventionally accepted roles of religious figures ... and he went on very excited about my question, looking me in the eye for what turned out to be about eight minutes. My brother whispered, "Is he still answering your question?" and I did not feel like I could break eye contact to answer him with something other than and light nod and grunt. And he signed my copy the The Hellbound Heart, too ...

And then there was Sherman Alexie, who actually came first as this list is in reverse order of when I saw them somehow ... Sherman was joined by artist Ellen Forney for a discussion of his award winning novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. Sherman is clearly comfortable in front of a crowd and did a nice job of creating a monologue using the materials in the novel. I had to wait until near the end of the autograph signing to get mine signed, but it was pretty cool to discuss the closure of The Combine in Pullman with him, since I saw him read poetry there when we were both at Wazzu ... Go Cougs!

Oxymoron Project - notes and excerpts ...

Oxymoron Project - notes and excerpts ...

***

1994

Seattle Storm PCSL game at West Seattle Stadium

The feeling of being manic obsessive was not lost on me. The stadium was actually condemned and had more bird shit on the seats than wood stain. I wasn’t entirely certain about the league I was watching. The play was okay. The crowd was so small the PA guy was holding a conversation with someone else in my section and you could hear sideline conversations between an angry player and an assistant coach slash older player who had put himself in to the younger – and frankly weaker – player’s dismay.
A week earlier I was at the Rose Bowl with about a hundred thousand people at a game with a worldwide audience.
This was my summer of 1994.

***

1984

Regrets of a sort

There are very few things I really regret. Most of those regrets are things that I did not do, not the things I have done.
There was a cheerleader. We were friends and on our way to a party the summer just before our senior year. I had soccer practice the next morning so I begged off staying late and went home, leaving her at the party with her friends. To this day I know it was because I just was not ready for a serious girlfriend, but this was truly stupid, and part of me thinks that she holds it against me to this day whenever I see her.
This was my summer of 1984.

***

2006

World Cup notes

WCQ is now actually expected and being first in the group demanded.
We used to wonder if we ever COULD qualify and now there are expectations.
Times Change.

Sounders and Sonics

The Sonics have had a German, an Argentine, and players from Yugoslavia, Lithuania, considered a Brazilian, and drafted a guy from Senegal. Shouldn’t that be the Sounders’ roster?

***

2001

Rose Bowl

I ate the place the people who spoke Spanish ate at. My brother in law looked at his hot dog and my Mexican food and wished he had too.

Sounders Opener

The 20K+ spoiled me in the 1970’s. I assumed it was all like that since Vancouver and Portland drew well and the TV games from Minnesota and San Jose had big numbers.
Looking up at a Sounders crowd in Memorial Stadium in 2001 was an unhappy experience. It hurt to go.

***

1998

Kuwait game

We ran into Eric Wynalda. He signed our program, but was clearly not real excited about Coach Steve Sampson. His body language and tone gave him away, although he was trying not to sound critical of his coach.

Coaching

At one point it was going to be my profession. And then it just stopped. I’ve never emotionally recovered in the workplace. Not getting the PHS job hurt.

***

1994

New Sounders

I was sort of apprehensive about them bringing back the name.

Cameroon vs. Sweden

I left several hours before kickoff because of the reputation of LA traffic and I had never been to the Rose Bowl before. I got there and was parked, at the stadium, and in my seat something like four hours before kickoff. There were more ushers there than people. It was hot.

***

1992

Tacoma Stars Wake

It was a funeral for a friend. “This really sucks,” I told the GM. I think he felt threatened. But, I didn’t mean to come across as angry with him; it was my frustration at the situation.

***

1991

CSL Final

I took my cousin Brian up to Vancouver for the day and we went to the CSL Final. He gave me a hard time for getting a teal colored San Jose Sharks sweatshirt. I look back on that day fondly when I think of him or see his daughter.

WWC

The 1991 World Champions poster at my desk caused people to pause and ponder. Eight years later it would be a source of pride.

***

1985

NCAA Final

I realized in the 6th overtime that going alone to games was okay and likely to continue to happen. It has not bothered me since.

Heysel

In a weird way, the English ban from the Heysel Stadium disaster paved the way for a new league in the US and Canada as the Storm and other teams on the West Coast had to scramble to fill in dates and formed a small league; The WACS.

***

1983

1983 is hardly a year of regrets; I did not catch a single Seattle Sounders final NASL season game at the Kingdome. I did not have my WDL until late in the season and there was no way my folks were going to let me drive into Downtown Seattle at that point.

***

1977

Harry Redknapp

He was just sitting there shopping with his family and I am not mistaken now, that little kid with him played for Liverpool and England; Jamie Redknapp.

Junior Booster Section

There is just no way parents would send nine and ten year olds off on their own to a section of a stadium any more. We were right near where Dave Gillet broke his leg. We saw Jimmy Gabriel sub himself in. Pele was right there in front of us.

Soccer Bowl

The guy got caught because he tripped over a ten-year-old boy in the way … me. I got to run around the field with a flag in a parade of people. We made flags and signs to bring with us.

Airport

We went and met the Sounders at Sea-Tac. Mike England said, “Is that yer mum? You’ve got a pretty mum.”

***

1974-76

Sounders and the Kingdome

I missed the first game with the Cosmos and Pele that year.
My first impression of the Kingdome was how huge it was and to wonder if it was finished. I had to touch it.
After shaking hands with Tony Chursky after a game during a victory lap I didn’t want anything to touch my hand. Maybe that was the root of my left hand abilities and not just the broken thumb I got later.
When the US played Canada I learned what the World Cup was and that Canada was a different country. I also learned I had to root against my favorite player if he played for the other team.
North Seattle Community College will always be a prison in my mind. As we would drive into games my father would threaten to drop us off on the way in, leading me to believe that the ugly gray buildings at Northgate were a prison. It was not until high school that I bothered to read the sign and realized it was a community college and not a jail.
I fell in love with the Kingdome in a way. I grew up there. Its death hurt me.

***

Being an American soccer fan has often felt oxymoronic, unpatriotic, openly sarcastic, self-righteous, and frustrating. Yet I was STILL downright obnoxious about it in college with a chip on my shoulder.


American soccer fans need to quit “educating” the public. It’s just not necessary any more. I watch old NASL highlights and wonder if it ever really was and how much the educational mentality was part of the problem. The play by play of renowned broadcaster Jim McKay was insufferably bad. It had to have actually hurt the “cause”.

The American sporting public needs no explanations; they get it better than soccer fans think. It’s part of the arrogance problem. Most just don’t like it. So freaking what? Yes, there are those in the media that actually try to kill it. This has gone on a long time.

Teaching my kids to play is sheer joy. I have promised myself I will be a good sports parent.
I drive past an old school or two sometimes just to go past the fields I played on in my first years of soccer. The kids have now each played on fields I played on, which is very cool.

Compared to his hatred of Notre Dame, I can respect my brother’s ongoing rooting interest for Roma. A South Dakota stripper stage named Roma with hair of a similar color as Roma’s jerseys? That makes sense to me. His support for Arsenal I still cannot fathom.

I have never taken a penalty kick in an outdoor game in my life.

I have never been carded in my life, even if I have deserved a few.

***

Reffing

I love the game too much to ref it. I reffed three high school JV games in my life. There is just a part of me that hates to call fouls.
The little kids games I reffed where the ref stops and explains stuff and gives them a do over is more like coaching.

The ridiculous soccer games lists # 2 - FC Seattle Storm (Oxymoron Project) ...

The ridiculous soccer games list # 2 - FC Seattle Storm (Oxymoron Project) ...

FC Seattle Storm filled in the outdoor gap in Seattle between Sounders franchises. They "folded" after the 1990 season, but briefly re-appeared in the PCSL a few years later and I caught a couple of those games too.

This is an imperfect list as there are a few omissions that I cannot yet account for. I know I went to more games in 90, for example. Somewhere along the way my Storm game programs got tossed and it vexes me to this day. Also, games were generally played at Memorial Stadium in Seattle from 84-90, with the exception of a few games at Renton HS when the AstroTurf in Memorial caught fire in 86. In 93, the game was at Everett Memorial Stadium. In 94, it was at West Seattle Stadium.

07-06-84 L 1-2 New York Cosmos
04-24-86 L 2-3 Canada
05-27-86 L 0-1 Manchester City
xx-xx-86 L 1-2 Dundee FC
07-19-86 W 2-1 SC Cleveland
07-26-86 T 1-1 FC Portland
08-08-86 W 2-1 Los Angeles Heat
06-05-87 W 2-0 Norwich
07-10-87 W 2-1 Her Folge
07-15-87 L 0-1 Vancouver 86ers
06-xx-88 W 2-1 Middlesbrough
06-24-88 San Diego Nomads
06-26-88 W 2-0 Neza
07-09-88 W 3-2 (OT) Portland Timbers (w/Sounders reunion game)
07-30-88 W 5-0 San Jose Earthquakes (WSA Championship)
04-29-89 L 1-2 California Kickers
05-07-89 W 2-1 Vancouver 86ers
05-21-89 W 5-1 Arizona Condors
06-03-89 L 2-3 (OT) Portland Timbers
06-30-89 W 1-0 Real Santa Barbara
08-03-89 W 3-0 Victoria Vistas
05-21-90 W 1-0 Bournemouth
05-29-90 L 1-2 Dnepr
06-02-90 W 10-2 Arizona Condors
xx-xx-93 Okanagan Challenge
07-16-94 FV Storm



---

Oh ... and I decided to tuck this little list onto the end of something ... so I am going to just tuck it in here ...

Teams - Club & Country

Country (M)
Canada
Costa Rica
Cuba
Honduras
Colombia
Venezuela
Argentina
Cameroon
Italy
USSR/Russia
Czechoslovakia
Sweden
Hong Kong
Kuwait

Countries (W)
Mexico
Panama
Trinidad and Tobago

Clubs (non-US/Canadian based leagues)
Middlesbrough
Manchester United
Manchester City
Bournemouth
Norwich
Sunderland
Chelsea
Cardiff
Hearts
Dundee FC
Dundee United
Glasgow Celtic
Stuttgart
Benfica
Real Madrid
Her Folge
Dnepr
AS Roma
Pumas
Neza
Santos
Vasco da Gama
Rosario Central



This Peru thing pictured here is a piece of memorabilia that I cannot for the life of me place. I don't remember ever seeing a team from Peru. I don't remember the Sounders or any other local team playing Peru. I vaguely recall it as a gift or something ... any information would be cool ...

Archive Project - College Essays #2

Archive Project - College Essays #2

This is the second of a series of essays I found on old floppy discs ... This is from an English 201 class I took while working on my second BA from 95-96 ...


The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence:
Seeking Credibility and Little Green Men


Residents of a planet circling Alpha Centauri should be celebrating the Chicago Bulls 1991 NBA Championship any day now. It has only been a few months since CNN broadcasts about the end of Operation: Desert Storm could have traveled the four and a half light years to our nearest stellar neighbor to be picked up by possible residents. If those people are out there we could pick up their broadcasts as well. Listening for possible extraterrestrial life is a worthwhile venture that promises to probe the very real question so many people ask, “Are we alone?” Astronomers refer to the listening to interstellar radio frequencies The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence or SETI. In essence, we are listening to static from space while trying to tune in a station we only hope is actually out there.
Radio astronomy is a sub-discipline of astronomy that looks at the cosmos via radio waves and other carrier wave frequencies. Telescopes for radio astronomers search the non-visible spectrum for radiation signatures of stellar bodies and other radio transmission sources. Originally radio astronomy developed as a means for searching for hidden treasures in space like black holes, quasars, Big Bang background radiation, and pulsars. Today many radio astronomers are convinced that radio astronomy could be the tool that helps humanity determine if there is intelligent life beyond earth. Utilizing several massive radio telescopes and sophisticated computers an active search for extraterrestrial intelligence is underway. The program originally begun by NASA has been shifted to the private sector (Shostak 28).
Current technology allows radio astronomers to monitor over eight million possible frequencies. Computers then sift through the accumulated data for any possible repetitions or patterns that could indicate a non-natural source. The greatest scientific hurdle for radio astronomers is sorting through the static to rule out reflected radio transmissions from earth and natural interstellar emission sources like pulsars. A big fear for radio astronomers in active SETI search is that they could “discover” alien life only to have it turn out to be an Australian Top 40 station. Considering the vast amount of terrestrial radio wave activity, sorting through the static is a sizable chore (Shostak 29). Despite these daunting tasks radio astronomers continue the painstaking search through the millions of frequencies in hopes of finding out humanity is actually not alone in the universe.
The search for extraterrestrial intelligence faces other problems as well. NASA funded a large scale program that began scanning the heavens on October 12, 1992, the 500th anniversary of Columbus arrival in the Americas. Hopes were high in the astronomical community that a proper search could finally be done that could put to rest the extraterrestrial question one way or another. The plug was pulled within a few months by Congress in a bill sponsored by Nevada Democrat Richard Bryan, who was openly critical of the very nature of the project (Helmers 17).
Public funding for NASA projects is under the microscope due in part to NASA’s much publicized series of problems and tragedies like the Challenger explosion. The current political climate toward the federal budget and cutting spending by the government has NASA pondering the future of the organization itself, let alone a project such as SETI. After the federal plug was pulled private sources were able to get the program to continue running (Helmers 18). Using the sizable clout of Carl Sagan, the Planetary Society and the SETI Institute were able to raise the several million dollars necessary to run the program for at least a few years (Sagan, The Search 98). With or without NASA support the search for extraterrestrial intelligence continues.
The possibility of extraterrestrial life remains. Stories of UFO abductions and government conspiracies have turned a reasonable scientific venture into a scientific venture in search of credibility. Where UFO conspiracy theories focus on humanity as a victim of an evil alien presence they fail to take into account the known laws of physics in relation to time, speed, and space travel. As far as is currently understood true interstellar travel could only be accomplished over generations. Thus, the likely best chance of finding out if humanity is alone or not is by listening for their presence, not looking for hidden FBI files about evidence of alien infiltration in the United States government (Sagan, Dot 351). SETI researchers must stick with known physics and cannot afford themselves the luxury of ignoring physical laws if they ever wish to be taken seriously by the general public.
Humanity has reached a stage of technological development in the 20th Century that allows us to use carrier wave frequencies for communication and entertainment. A civilization in another part of the universe that has reached a similar stage of technological development could conceivably need to use carrier waves in the same way humanity does. An assumption regarding the laws of physics being universal and a society discovering the carrier wave must be taken into account. There are unimaginably many star systems out there where life could have arisen. It does not seem unreasonable to think that another species has developed radio (Sagan, Dot 66). The vast distances involved in interstellar communication mean that even if intelligent life exists and has reached our level on Alpha Centauri we would only be hearing their Top 40 from four and a half years ago today. If the nearest extraterrestrial life is not in the local group of stars but is instead tens of thousands of light years away and arose at roughly the same time as humanity to this technological level then it could be ten thousand years of listening to eight million channels of static before we hear the first songs from the alien equivalent of Elvis. Of course, if the supermarket tabloids are right we could hear any new songs Elvis has been working on any day now.
Even if we don’t hear them interstellar neighbors within fifty light years are beginning to hear us. Transmissions from earth have been strong enough since the 1930s to leave the earth and travel the vast distances to the stars (Sagan, The Search 96). Humanity’s wars, politics and entertainment programs go out into space every day for consumption by anybody out there interested in listening.
It is easy to view the SETI Project as a silly quest for little green men. Science fiction aside most people think of aliens being out there as a vague possibility at best. It is difficult to get people to admit that they think aliens exist. The very notion of such a thing is still viewed as childish fantasy.
Implications on humanity’s very nature of existence are brought up to the surface by the SETI Program. Humanity is currently the highest form of intelligent life known to exist in the universe. Religions discuss life after earth but not life other than on earth. The implications on theology should extraterrestrials actually exist are potentially quite staggering. It is safe to say that there are people who don’t want little green men to be out there.
Searching for extraterrestrial intelligence is a worthwhile venture for a variety of reasons beyond simply finding out if humanity is alone in the universe. The technological advances involved in breaking down and shifting through radio frequencies to over eight million discernible frequencies will have long term influence on telecommunications worldwide. The ability to shift through the static and narrow frequencies is going to allow greater worldwide communications networks to emerge (Helmers 16). As with most scientific endeavors a sort of fringe benefit exists with breakthroughs impacting other areas of technology and society.
We may not detect evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence during the current search or within our lifetimes. In fact, detection may never happen. Not detecting anything is not conclusive evidence that extraterrestrials don’t exist, it only means that we can’t hear them if they do. If they are out there and we do eventually detect them we will be faced with many new problems. What would we say in response to an interstellar message? How will we explain the Village People?


Works Cited

Helmers, Carl. “SETI as a Way to Encourage Public Awareness of Science.” SETIQuest Sept. 1994: 16-18.

Sagan, Carl. Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space. New York: Random House Inc., 1994.

Sagan, Carl. “The Search For Extraterrestrial Life.” Scientific American Oct. 1994: 92-99.

Shostak, Seth. “Listening For Life.” Astronomy Oct. 1992: 26-33.

Archive Project - Previously Unpublished Work #1 - "G.W.N.B."

Archive Project - Previously Unpublished Work #1 - "G.W.N.B."

This is the first in a series of previously unpublished work that I am posting here on the blog. This was an idea I had one night that I thought would make a good SNL skit ... that did not happen. Since I found it on an old floppy disc, this seemed like as good a place as any to post it.


"Girl With Nice Butt" (c)1998

Actress: I'm listed in the credits as the "Girl With Nice Butt"!

Agent: Yes you are.

Actress: This is humiliating ... !

Agent: That was your role.

Actress: I don't think you understand ...

Agent: ... no, I don't think you understand.

Actress: Puh-lease! This is my career that we're talking about here.

Agent: Yes we are.

Actress: Now do you understand?

Agent: I already told you that I understand.

Actress: RRRRRR!!!

Agent: Listen ... there's no need to overact here, that was your role and you knew it.

Actress: I had no idea it was going to be listed in the credits that way.

Agent: How did you think it was going to be listed?

Actress: I don't know ... "Girl On Street" or "Girl In Blue Dress" or something. Not "Girl With Nice Butt"!

Agent: "Girl On Street" was Jenna Grant.

Actress: You are kidding.

Agent: Nope.

Actress: Then why not "Girl In Blue Dress"?

Agent: Probably because you were wearing black hot pants.

Actress: I know what I was wearing and you know what I mean.

Agent: Your role was to walk down the street strutting your stuff so the male lead could rubberneck and have the female lead punch him in the shoulder. Whereby he says, "What? She had a nice butt."

Actress: I know what my role was.

Agent: You performed your role well.

Actress: Kiss my ...

Agent: Cute.

Actress: Never mind.

Agent: What are you so worried about anyway? It was a ten second non-speaking role. At least it was on a hit show. Maybe they'll ask you back for a dream episode or something.

Actress: My dad was there when I first saw it.

Agent: He didn't like the hot pants?

Actress: That was not the problem.

Agent: Go on.

Actress: I had him help me check the credits and he blurted out, "There you are, you're listed as the girl with nice butt." He called everybody to tell them.

Agent: That would be embarrassing.

Actress: It was humiliating!

Agent: You'll get over it.

Actress: No. I won't.

Agent: Years from now you'll laugh about it.

Actress: Years from now, one of those before they were stars shows will go and show this.

Agent: So? Be happy you got big enough for one of those shows.

Actress: So. I'll be referred to as the girl with nice butt forever.

Agent: I doubt that they will list that on any of those shows.

Actress: No?

Agent: No. They'll just show the scene of your ass wiggling down the sidewalk in hot pants. That's what you'll be known for.

Actress: Thanks, I feel better now.

Agent: At least you weren't crossing your legs for a bunch of slobs. You would never live that down. Years later even.

Actress: She ended up with some decent roles, a Golden Globe, and an Oscar nomination.

Agent: See ... you have nothing to worry about then.

Actress: What am I gonna do?

Agent: Wear baggy sweatpants so nobody can recognize your butt.

Actress: Thanks.

Agent: People will say, "Hey, I know that nice butt from somewhere."

Actress: That's not funny.

Agent: Actually, it is.

Actress: That's it then?

Agent: Yep.

Actress: I'm doomed.

Agent: No you're not.

Actress: How can you be so sure?

Agent: Because I called you in here for another role.

Actress: Really?!

Agent: It even has a line. You'll be "Girl With Tan Lines". Best of all, it's for Baywatch.

Archive Project - College Essays #1

Archive Project - College Essays #1

This is the first of a series of essays I found on old floppy discs ... This is from an English 201 class I took while working on my second BA from 95-96 ...

The American Dream, the United States Economy, & the Central Planning Elite:
You’ll Only Get as Far as They Let You

Bill Gates is the luckiest man in America. Not only is Bill Gates the wealthiest individual in America, but he did so despite significant odds and a system that does not desire for Bill Gates’ to happen. The United States economy is supposedly based upon the free market system and the notion that anyone can make themselves wealthy with a lot of hard work and a little luck. In fact, that is not true. The United States economy is a closed system with hurdles that are designed to allow for limited movement and the constant dangling of the proverbial carrot in front of those who wish to pursue the American Dream. This paper will discuss the notion of the American Dream as it relates to a supposedly free market economic system and the central planning elite that keep things the way they are.
The American Dream is generally accepted to be true. With a lot of hard work and effort, a little luck, and perseverance anyone can build the personal economic base to lead the good life (Calian 23). To an extent this is true. There are numerous cases of individuals going from rags to riches in the American mythos (Stockman 69). The economic system of the United States allows for the occasional millionaire to sprout from seemingly out of nowhere. Literature is continually pouring off the presses attempting to sell this idea to the public.
In other areas of media this is also true. It is difficult these days to turn on television without an infomercial on how to make a personal fortune in only a matter of minutes in your home with no money down (Miller 800). Of course, you have to send $39.95 to get the whole story. Selling the American Dream to those eager enough to plunk down the money could be the best way to make a quick buck in this country legally. Perhaps the best way to get rich quick is to write a book on how to get rich quick and sell it to anyone else who wants to get rich quick.
Many people seem to believe that the economy is a living entity. However it is more likely that what is generally accepted as the economy is actually a collective set of statistics based upon a somewhat chaotic system of trade. The terminology somewhat chaotic is used here because it is impossible to predict with any real degree of certainty how things will pan out in the economic sphere. Since there are parameters in place for trade it is possible to argue that the somewhat chaotic system of trade is actually a controlled dynamic (Munkirs 122).
No economic system could be measured if there was not a definable and accepted set of parameters from which to measure and of which to measure. Economies are measurable in that they are defined by specific economic activities (Carlstrom 1-4). The flaw in this notion is that not all activities are economically measurable. It is possible to place a quantitative measure on time spent engaged in a productive activity. It is possible to place a price for trade on a tangible item. It is even possible to place a price on an intangible activity or concept like service. What all of these ideas share is that the measure is based on accepted societal values (Munkirs 140).
Central planning is the design for the economy on a large scale from a focal point. In the United States central planning on the day to day level is at best a loose concept (Munkirs 45). However, on a large scale the economy of the United States is defined and controlled by a select few which we can refer to as the central planning elite.
The parameters of the United States Economy begin with our currency, which is determined by the Federal Reserve. Federal Reserve Notes are printed and valued and placed in circulation in increments of dollars, a concept called fiscal policy (Dederick 2). The Federal Reserve has a significant impact on all aspects of the American economic system since “The Fed” sets interest rates and fiscal policy that the rest of the main players in the economic system follow.
The economy is an accepted set of parameters. It is interesting to think about what it would be like if people simply stopped using money and went back to barter. In the modern era where virtually all economic activity is taxed it seems impossible. Any economic activity, be it sales of physical items, interest accrued, time worked, insurance purchased, services provided, or anything else is taxed (Stockman 230). If a piece of land is owned it is taxed on the value on an annual basis, whether it is in actual use or not. The government of the United States at all levels sees to it that all economic activity is reported and defined for taxation purposes.
Large corporations and a handful of wealthy individuals control the wealth in the United States and the general direction of the economy. With wealth comes power. Since the economy is defined in the terms accepted by the elite few they also can determine who gets access to capital resources. It takes money to make money. In very few instances is wealth created out of thin air (Lutz 122-123).
Bill Gates found a niche in the world that had not been economically exploited and went from a $75,000.00 investment in a computer program called DOS to being the richest man in America. He saw beyond the plan of the corporations and the elite few and the floodgates opened for him. Getting back to the concept that it is impossible to predict with absolute certainty economic trends it is possible to see why Gates was able to step in and make his fortune. The computer software industry today is now part of the central planning elite.
Banks could not exist without a significant degree of central economic planning. The financial system requires that there be rules and regulations and a definable measure for economic activity. Here the fiscal policy of the Federal Reserve rears its head to show where its impact is the greatest. Without the specific rules and constant tinkering by the Federal Reserve the United States economy would be subject to the radical swings in other nations (Dederick 2). Even in a country where the free market economy is revered there are few who would be willing to completely deregulate the financial system and take the risk of another 1929.
The central planning elite are those who have. It seems safe to assume that those who have wealth want to keep it. The concept of a central planning elite does not include a massive conspiracy theory of a handful of bankers and others in a dimly lit room planning the future of every citizen. The notion that we have a central planning elite is not a paranoid reaction to the economic status of the majority. What the central planning elite concept says is that there are a few people and corporations that control the majority of the wealth and therefore have the ability and power to keep things moving the way they want to. It seems logical to accept that people become defensive about there status and power when there is a risk of losing it. The central planning elite potentially have a lot to lose. To argue that the wealthy and powerful do not do everything in their collective power to stay that way in both actual and relative wealth ignores aspects of human nature having to deal with power relationships (Lutz 3).
The free market system has historically lead to periods of massive economic growth where individuals could rapidly gain wealth and power. Unfortunately those periods of economic growth have been punctuated by periods of massive and swift economic decline. Those who have the most to lose in a period of economic decline are those who have the economic power in society. By planning out a system with fewer abrupt economic changes the risk involved in economic life is lessened. Unfortunately for the majority it is harder to break in to the central planning elite as a result of more restrictive economic growth (Stockman 189).
We do have a limited free market economic system. Our economic system has parameters for competition and allows for most to enter the market arena. Anti-trust regulations do not allow for complete monopolies of industry except in specific areas deemed necessary as a matter of public policy. United States laws allow for monopolies in areas of utilities and other essential public services, but those areas are not areas in which personal fortunes or creativity is often focused. A competitive environment is allowed for in the economic system of the United States, but there are boundaries. Most of the boundaries have to do with how far upward an individual can move in economic status without throwing the entire system out of whack.
Competition does not always bring out the best in people. Many proponents of totally open free markets point to competition as the be all and end all for economic activity and growth. To many, a competitive environment only allows for prosperity. This blind faith in competition does not seem to take into account that competition also brings out the worst in people. When faced with the prospect of economic ruin or wealth people will do what is necessary to protect themselves and gain the wealth. A survey of those in poverty is not likely to find many saying anything at all about the glorious wonders of economic competition. It would hardly be mentally reassuring to wake up in poverty and think about how it’s fine because in a competitive environment people sometimes lose. Competition seems therefore as likely to bring out the worst in people as it is to bring out the best.
Since competition brings out unpredictable human responses it is necessary to create parameters for that competition. The anti-trust laws are but a part of those parameters. The United States Government has other laws on the books that allow for individuals to benefit from the fruits of their labor should they find a new economic niche. Patent laws and other intellectual property laws allow for new inventions to remain the property of those who create them (Feltenstein 16). Individuals have access to the court system against major corporations. Even with these laws on the books there are limitations. The resources of those in economically powerful positions allows for them to buy their way out of many problems.
There is a difference between making a living and making a life. Even in a planned system there is room for some movement in economic status. This room for movement is where the true American Dream resides. Even though the central planning elite generally do not allow for massive gains in wealth for the average citizen it is still possible to build a better economic life. Playing by the rules and within the parameters set is essential for this to happen. It is therefore no surprise to find that people are constantly buying in to the notion of the American Dream. The phrase buying in is used here instead of selling out. Selling out is in fact giving up. When someone sells out they are symbolically throwing their hands up, giving up who they are, and going on. Those who buy in are playing the economic game by the rules established but do not give up who they are at heart. It is all a matter of perspective
Central economic planning is generally assumed to exist on micro levels in corporations and only on macro levels in autocratic states (Bennett 36). The generally accepted view of the centrally planned economy is that of the former Soviet Union (Dembinski 23). Critics of Soviet economic policy point to the eventual economic collapse of the Soviet Economy as a proof that the free market economy is necessary (Bogomolov 145-147). However, this is a false dichotomy. It assumes that since the Soviets failed and the United States has a different system that the presumed failure of one system validates the continued existence of the other (Ladd 7-8). Free market theorists conveniently forget about the depressions caused throughout American history by unregulated economic activity.
The centrally planned economy in the Soviet Union based itself on predicting every detail of economic life in the country. The massive planning apparatus of the Soviet Union did not take into account the inherent unpredictability of economic activities. In the later years of the Soviet Union attempts were made to reform the system into a semi-open economy with specific parameters. The parameters of the Soviet system that were attempted were still more restrictive in regards to fiscal policy and intellectual property laws than the United States (Gorbachev 190). Essentially, the Soviets forgot about the carrot (Voinovich 214).
The United States economy is not as restrictive as the traditional Soviet model or even of the modified Soviet model under Gorbachev. The parameters set by the central planning elite in the United States leave room for the occasional glitch (Blazyca 21). Even though it upsets the status quo the occasional Bill Gates is necessary to continue the notion of the American Dream and to be consistent with the laws on the books. The belief that if one works hard enough they can be like Gates is a powerful motivating tool for the American public.
Even though it can be argued that there is a central planning elite in this country that controls the basic direction and sets the parameters for the economy it is also possible to argue just the opposite. An economic system on the scale of the United States is a dynamic that is beyond accurate measure at any one time. Without there being an actual conspiracy group in coordination it can be argued that this entire concept is just a paranoid delusion on the part of those who are bitter over the size of the slice of the economic pie that they were given. A strong argument can be made that it is simply impossible to control as much wealth as the United States has. To a point this argument has merits but it forgets that since the Great Depression of the 1930’s the United States Economy has not had the massive economic highs and lows that have punctuated its history. Only since the legal changes in the 1930’s and continued growth of regulations and corporate power has their been a period of relative economic peace. This is simply no coincidence. Those in economic power will simply not allow the United States economy to sway to the winds of radical changes in economic conditions.
The central planning elite in America control the parameters of the United States Economy. In this way they control the movement within the economic system as well. In this paper we have looked at the basic philosophical aspects of our economic system and studied how that economic system currently operates. Our economy is only what we choose to place definable measures upon. Basically, Bill Gates found a way though the system to become the wealthiest individual in America. A good life can be made within our economic system, but don’t expect to be another Bill Gates.

Works Cited
Bennett, John. The Economic Theory of Central Planning. New York: Blackwell, 1989.
Blazyca, George. Planning is Good for You: The Case for Popular Control. London: Pluto Press, 1983.
Bogomolov, Oleg. Market Forces in Planned Economies. Hampshire, England: MacMillan, 1990.
Calian, Carnegie. The Gospel According to the Wall Street Journal. Atlanta: Knox Press, 1975.
Carlstrom, Charles. “A Monetary Policy Paradox”. Economic Commentary 15 Aug. 1995: 1-4.
Dederick, Robert. “Understanding the Federal Reserve in 10 Easy Lessons”. Economic Times April 1995: 2.
Dembinski, Pawel. The Logic of the Planned Economy: The Seeds of Collapse. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991.
Feltenstein, Andrew. “The Role of Interest Rates During the Transition to a Market Economy”. Economics of Planning 27 (1994): 1-19.
Gorbachev, Mikhail. Perestroika: New Thinking for Our Country and the World. New York: Harper & Row, 1987.
Ladd, Everett. “Philosophical Differences Between the U.S. and Europe”. Economic Times June 1995: 7-8.
Lutz, Vera. Central Planning for the Market Economy. New York: Harlow, 1969.
Miller, Edythe. “Economic Regulation & the Social Contract: An Appraisal of Recent Developments in the Control of Telecommunications”. Journal of Economic Issues Sept. 1994: 799-818.
Munkirs, John. The Transformation of American Capitalism: From Competitive Market Structures to Centralized Private Sector Planning. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 1985.
Stockman, David. The Triumph of Politics: Why the Reagan Revolution Failed. New York: Harper & Row, 1986.
Voinovich, Vladimir. Moscow 2042. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1987.

Yo! Adrian!

Yo! Adrian!

(This is an open letter to Seattle Sounders and MLS Seattle owner Adrian Hanauer)

The way the Sounders franchise has been run since you took over the franchise in 2002 is something that deserves to be commented on and commended for.

I look at how various sports franchises are run and compare that to the Sounders and I can't help but think how much better off the Mariners would be. The M's have an amazing facility and solid revenue streams yet seem very content to be okay and not go after the Angels in the AL West. There seems to be a very complacent culture that has taken over there. Not so with the Sounders.

Yes, you have had to work within the realities and confines of being in USL-1 and the constraints that reality places upon you. However, the Sounders franchise has seemed to be a magnet for players that want to win, be showcased for bigger stages, and for those that wish to develop. The Sounders have managed to consistently find and develop young talent and hold onto solid players that like being here. There is evidence that there is a winning culture in the current organization. Given that it appears from the outside that the future MLS Seattle franchise will be manned by many people associated with the current Sounders franchise I feel it bodes well.

For years I have argued with friends that the simple fact that there is a Major League Soccer and Seattle was not in it was the primary reason for the attendance figures seems to be playing out to be true. I have never felt it was a coincidence how many more people would show up to see the Sounders with very short notice for Open Cup matches involving MLS teams. Seattle fans are many things; prissy, spoiled, etc ... but they also really only support what they consider to be big league teams in a big way. Other sports franchises can find their niche and survive and the Sounders fell into this category. The reported numbers are 11K+ of season tickets deposits in a very short time. These people all knew about the Sounders, they just would not go to the USL. Sad, but true.

There are those that question Qwest Field as a long-term solution. Qwest is huge and not the model that MLS teams seem to be going for. But, Qwest was built for soccer and the place is very loud when 10K show up to see the Sounders play FC Dallas. I would prefer a 25K venue myself, but I cannot imagine how it would be built in the political climate so prevalent in this region. Take the upper decks off and it would be perfect ...

In regards to the name Sounders ... I have a fond affection for the name. I really do. But ... let's face it, the arguments for starting with a new brand name are just as strong as the arguments for keeping it. The notion of a fresh start is valid so I will not be upset with the name Sounders being retired. I will be sad to not be going to Sounders games per se ... but I went to Stars, Storm, and Seadogs games too. I'll get past it.

There is one thing though that is really bothering me. I saw the MLS Seattle bus ad the other day and I had to cringe. "The World's Sport" marketing gimmick has been a failure in this country for decades. It actually feeds the anti-soccer fire much more than it brings in people. Everyone knows soccer is big elsewhere and those that hate the game actually point to that and use it as an example of why it should not be big here. Tell the marketing people to try and come up with something better than a slogan that failed for the NASL. I still have my "Sport of the 80's" NASL poster ...

In any event. I was excited to be there at the George & Dragon and listen to the announcement, shake your partners' hands, and finally feel a surge of optimism ... good luck ... I look forward to 2008, even as 2009 looms large ...

Auditions ...

Auditions ...

I told myself that I needed to audition for something in 2008. It really didn't matter if it was a play at The Driftwood Theatre, for one of the indie films in the area that post for actors, or something as an extra through an agency; I was simply going to do it ...

Well ... I did it. I went and auditioned on Thursday for a television commercial.

There is something both frightening and thrilling about standing there in front of a camera being grilled by a casting director (or two in this instance) and then waiting by the phone to see if you get the part. Maybe I would feel differently about it if I had big grandoise acting dreams, but that is not the way I am ...

... and then the phone rang a little while ago ... I got the part! Woohoo!

The ridiculous soccer games lists #1 ... (Oxymoron project)

The ridiculous soccer games lists #1 ... (Oxymoron project)

This is the first post of the ridiculous lists that I have worked on for over five years as part of the Oxymoron Project ...

This list includes the now defunct teams like the original MISL Tacoma Stars, the CISL Seattle Seadogs, the USISL Everett Bigfoot, the PDL Spokane Shadow, and others ... the FC Seattle Storm and Seattle Sounders lists will be their own posts later ...

Some games show up on more than one list where there is overlap ...

There are a few details missing ... I left things out rather than be wrong ...

When the stadium has changed names I have left the name it was when the game was played ...

There are a few items where I have added information or notes to the lists ...

These lists are thanks to this wonderful internets thing, media guides, tciket stubs, programs, and my own bizarre and disturbing memory ...

Tacoma Stars – all at Tacoma Dome


02-16-85 W 11-4 New York Cosmos (Rail Concert)

01-25-86 W 4-3 Kansas City Comets

02-07-86 W 5-4 (OT) Dallas Sidekicks (1st Zungul game)

02-16-86 W 6-5 Wichita Wings

03-03-86 W 5-4 (OT) St. Louis Steamers

04-05-86 W 4-3 Los Angeles Lasers

04-18-86 W 3-2 Wichita Wings (Playoffs)

05-07-86 L 5-8 San Diego Sockers (Playoffs)

11-26-86 W 6-2 Cleveland Force

12-20-86 W 5-2 Los Angeles Lasers

03-08-87 L 3-6 Kansas City Comets

05-22-87 L 5-6 San Diego Sockers (Playoffs)

12-23-88 W 5-2 Los Angeles Lasers

03-30-91 W 10-1 San Diego Sockers

11-01-91 L 4-6 San Diego Sockers

11-30-91 W 8-7 Cleveland Crunch

12-26-91 L 4-6 Baltimore Blast

01-04-92 W 10-8 Dallas Sidekicks

02-08-92 W 9-5 Cleveland Crunch

03-27-92 W 5-4 (OT) – Cleveland Crunch - Final Home Game Ever

– (+ "wake" 06-07-92 @ Exh. Hall)


Seattle Seadogs

07-29-95 W 7-6 (OT) Monterrey La Raza – Mercer Arena

08-26-95 W 7-4 Pittsburgh Stingers – Mercer Arena

07-26-97 W 10-5 Detroit Safari – Key Arena


Everett Bigfoot

06-09-95 L 2-3 Inland Empire Panteras - Everett Memorial Stadium

06-02-96 L 2-3 Spokane Shadow - SVCC


Spokane Shadow

07-25-95 L 1-2 (ot) Portland Firebirds – SVCC - Inaugural Season

06-02-96 W 3-2 Everett Bigfoot – SVCC - Reg

08-10-96 W 2-1 Puget Sound Hammers – SVCC - Playoffs

08-02-97 L 0-1 San Gabriel Valley Highlanders – Albi - Playoffs

06-13-97 W 1-0 Bellingham Orcas – Albi - Reg

07-05-97 L 1-2 Vancouver 86ers – Albi – Exh

05-15-99 W 3-2 Willamette Valley Firebirds – Albi - USOCQ

06-10-00 L 0-4 Seattle Sounders – Albi - Exh



SPU (M)

11-29-86 W 2-1 Bridgeport – Memorial Stadium – NCAA Semi

11-07-91 W 3-2 UW – Memorial Stadium

10-27-93 W 1-0 (OT) UW - Newport HS

09-04-99 L 3-4 (OT) Chico State - Interbay

10-16-99 W 2-1 Wheaton - Interbay



Cup Finals

08-28-76 Toronto Metros 3 Minnesota Kick 0 - 1976 NASL Soccer Bowl - Kingdome

08-28-77 Seattle Sounders 1 New York Cosmos 2 - NASL Soccer Bowl - Civic Stadium

12-16-84 Indiana 1 Clemson 2 - NCAA M D1 - Kingdome

12-14-85 UCLA 1 American 0 (8OT) - NCAA M D1 - Kingdome

07-30-88 FC Seattle Storm 5 San Jose Earthquakes 0 - WSA - Memorial Stadium

10-06-91 Vancouver 86ers 5 Toronto Blizzard 3 - CSL - Swangard Stadium

10-01-05 Seattle Sounders 1 Richmond Kickers 1 (5-4 PK AET) - USL-1 - Qwest Field

09-29-07 Seattle Sounders 4 Atlanta Silverbacks 0 - USL-1 - Starfire


USA (M) Friendlies

02-03-79 L USSR 1-3 Kingdome

01-29-94 T Russia 1-1 Kingdome

05-23-98 W Kuwait 2-0 Civic Satdium

03-02-02 W Honduras 4-0 Safeco Field

03-29-03 W Venezuela 2-0 Seahawks Stadium



World Cup - Finals and Qualifying – Men and Women


M WCQ 10-20-76 Kingdome – USA 2 Canada 0

M WCQ 09-07-97 Civic Stadium – USA 1 Costa Rica 0

M WCF 06-10-90 Stadio Comunale – USA 1 Czechoslovakia 5

M WCF 06-13-90 Stadio San Paulo – Argentina 2 USSR 0

M WCF 06-14-90 Stadio Olimpico – USA 0 Italy 1

M WCF 06-19-94 Rose Bowl – Sweden 2 Cameroon 2

M WCF 06-22-94 Rose Bowl – USA 2 Colombia 1

W WCF 06-23-99 Civic Stadium – China 7 Ghana 0

W WCF 06-23-99 Civic Stadium – Russia 5 Japan 0

W WCQ 11-02-02 Safeco Field – Mexico 2 TnT 0 (Gold Cup)

W WCQ 11-02-02 Safeco Field – USA 9 Panama 0 (Gold Cup)

W WCF 10-02-03 PGE Park – Germany 7 Russia 1

W WCF 10-02-03 PGE Park – China 0 Canada 1



USA (W) Indoor vs. World All-Stars

12-12-99 L 2-11 Tacoma Dome

12-13-00 W 8-7 (OT) Key Arena



2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup (M) @ Qwest Field

07-07-05 USA 4 Cuba 1

07-07-05 Costa Rica 1 Canada 0

07-09-05 USA 2 Canada 0

07-09-05 Costa Rica 3 Cuba 1



2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup (W) @ Safeco Field

11-02-02 Mexico 2 TnT 0

11-02-02 USA 9 Panama 0 (Gold Cup)



CANADA (M)

10-20-76 USA 2 Canada 0 - Kingdome - WCQ

04-24-86 FC Seattle Storm 2 Canada 3 - Shoreline Stadium

05-28-94 Seattle Sounders 1 Canada 0 - Tacoma Dome

07-07-05 Canada 0 Costa Rica 1 - Qwest Field - Gold Cup

07-09-05 USA 2 Canada 0 - Qwest Field - Gold Cup



Vancouver 86ers (in Canada)

06-15-94 L 1-2 vs Benfica - BC Place

09-01-91 W 1-0 vs Hamilton Steelers – Swangard Stadium

10-06-91 W 5-3 vs. Toronto Blizzard – Swangard Stadium - CLS Final

07-04-92 L 1-2 vs. Hong Kong - BC Place

- (86ers games will also appear on the Storm, Sounders, and Shadow lists.)


MLS Teams

06-21-98 Colorado Rapids 4 Seattle Sounders 1 - MPHS (Exh)

04-07-01 Los Angeles Galaxy 2 San Jose Earthquakes 3 - Rose Bowl (MLS)

07-17-02 San Jose Earthquakes 4 Seattle Sounders 3 (2OT) - Interbay (USOC)

05-28-03 San Jose Earthquakes 0 Seattle Sounders 0 - Seahawks Stadium (Exh)

08-05-03 San Jose Earthquakes 0 Seattle Sounders 1 - Husky Field (USOC)

08-27-03 Los Angeles Galaxy 5 Seattle Sounders 1 - Seahawks Stadium (USOC)

06-05-04 Metrostars 0 Dallas Burn 2 - Giants Stadium (MLS)

05-11-05 Real Salt Lake 0 Seattle Sounders 1 - Qwest Field (Exh)

05-07-06 CD Chivas USA 1 Seattle Sounders 0 - Qwet Field (Exh)

08-09-06 DC United 1 Real Madrid 1 - Qwest Field (Exh)

07-18-07 Seattle Sounders 3 CD Chivas USA 1 – Qwest Field (USOC)

08-07-07 Seattle Sounders 5 Colorado Rapids 0 - Qwest Field (USOC QF)

09-04-07 Seattle Sounders 1 FC Dallas 2 (AET) - Qwest Field (USOC SF)


WSU (W) - since 1998 ... pre-98 in Pullman not included

10-24-03 L 0-2 UW - Husky Field

08-29-03 L 0-4 North Carolina - Husky Field

10-10-99 L 0-3 UW - Husky Field



UW (W)

10-29-99 W 2-1 (OT) Arizona State - Husky Field


UW (M)


10-11-74 L 0-3 Saint Louis - Husky Stadium

09-13-91 W 4-0 Southern Methodist - Interlake HS

09-15-91 W 2-1 (OT) UCLA - Interlake HS

10-11-91 L 1-2 San Diego - Newport HS

10-20-91 W 3-1 Whitworth - Husky Stadium

09-20-92 T 1-1 South Carolina - Husky IM Field

11-07-91 L 2-3 SPU - Memorial Stadium

10-27-93 L 0-1 (OT) SPU - Newport HS


Misc. College (M)

10-07-07 Seattle U Redhawks 4 CSMB Otters 0 - Championship Field

09-20-92 Simon Frazier vs. Portland - Husky IM Field

09-15-91 Portland 1 Southern Methodist 2 - Interlake HS

09-13-91 UCLA 3 Portland 1 - Interlake HS

09-20-90 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Evergreen State College - Upper Field

10-11-74 Hawaii vs. (?) - Husky Stadium


Misc. College (W)

10-30-04 Portland Pilots 2 USF 0 - Merlo Field

09-06-04 Seattle U Redhawks 1 Chico State 1 - Championship Field

10-25-95 Gonzaga Bulldogs 2 Hawaii Rainbow Wahine 3 - Lower Field


Misc. Pro


06-17-87 Vasco da Gama 1 AS Roma 1 - LA Memorial

06-17-87 Rosario Central 3 Dundee United 1 - LA Memorial

08-10-96 Bay Area Seal 2 Puget Sound Hammers 1 - SVCC

08-16-96 Dallas Sidekicks 11 Indiana Twisters 4 - Reunion Arena

07-22-03 Manchester United 4 Glasgow Celtic 0 - Seahawks Stadium

07-24-04 Chelsea 4 Glasgow Celtic 2 - Seahawks Stadium


Seattle Hibernian Saints - incomplete 99-00 listing at Interbay

06-13-99 W 6-0 Kamloops Heat

07-01-00 T 4-4 Victoria United

05-12-01 W 2-1 New Westminster Khalsa

05-19-01 W 2-1 Skagit Valley Rapids

05-04-02 W 5-0 Penticton Pinnacles

07-13-04 L 2-4 Seattle Sounders - Seahawks Stadium

"2.19.1989"

"2.19.1989"

Oh, the things we find when we finally clean out those old boxes in the corner .... 40-45 minutes of a group of us in Waller Hall at Wazzu with a guitar and a songbook killing time late one cold weekend evening ....

This was not a drunken group either ... this was a group of guys just hanging out and singing in the halls of the dorm late one night ... and I think I have pics of it somewhere too ....

Now ... I just need to find these guys and to get this micro cassette audio converted to digital ...

Taking over the Big Screen ...

Taking over the Big Screen ...

Why I like Arena Football ... (Ephemera Project tangent)

I broke my ankle on August 8, 1993. I know this for two reasons; first of all because it had a huge impact on me, and second because it was my first wedding anniversary. Not long afterwards we went on a family trip to Reno. My folks used to love to go to Reno. But, I had this huge cast on my foot and was on crutches. So, Ron and I decided to head down to the sports book and watch some tv and bet on a game or two.

It turned out that it was Arena Bowl time and the game was on cable and there was a point spread. We each picked a team, plunked five bucks down each and took over the large screen in the middle of the viewing area. We had bet on the game, it was early, we were the only guys there and so the tv was ours. As the game progressed and other sporting events kicked off or whatever and more people joined us, the other tvs came into use. A few guys complained about what was on, but the sports book would not change the channel since we were there first and were betting on the game. I remember a lot of grumbling, but I also remember a number of guys watching and joining us. It was cool.

I had to look up Arena Bowl 1993 (all hail the google!) in order to find that the Tampa Bay Storm beat the Detroit Drive 51-31. If memory serves I won as I had Tampa and the points.

I have managed to attend a grand total of three arena football games, but only because there was a team in Everett for three seasons. On none of my other - albeit few and far between - trips have I managed to attend a game.



Everett Hawks (@EEC) - (06/07 AFL2 - 05 NIFL)
06.23.07 vs. Arkansas Twisters - (L) 60-64
04.30.06 vs. Central Valley Coyotes - (L) - 41-60
04.21.05 vs. Tri-Cities Fever - (W) - 64-62

Funny Subbing Stories (#2)

Funny Subbing Stories (#2)

These are excerpts from emails I sent out over the past half year or so about the misadventures I often have as a substitute teacher ...

Names and locations have been omitted for obvious reasons ...

---

Actual excuse from a 7th grader

"my mom recycled my math assignment"

---

in one day I overheard the following at a HS ...

"Oh my god, I just misspelled my own last name"

"You know who has long eyelashes? ... Robert."

"It's not a zit. It's a part of my ear. It's been there since I was born. Leave me alone!"

"No. wouldn't. I was raised better than that."

---

These are just random things I have been asked or have overheard recently ...

"Is Greece in Italy?" (HS female student)

"I'm a Tomboy, do I go with the boys or the girls?" (4th grader)

"I didn't realize Kentucky was a state. I thought it was a city." (7th grader)

---

email I sent to friends back in October:

today is Pajama Day at the middle school ... subbing all week

so ... I grabbed my Gene Juarez robe and wore sweats underneath and a pajama top ...

this is how my day is starting ... with a pipe you could call me Hef

---

Some of the boys were having a discussion about pop stars ... who's hottest ...

actual convo (9th graders)

"Man, did you see Freaky Friday? Lindsay Lohan was so hot."
"No, she had me in parent trap."

I cant make this stuff up ...

---

all in one week:

So ... there are aspects of subbing that they don't really give you a lot of help with ... one of them is when there is a special event, like last week when I had to try and help monitor a pep assembly at ***** ... go sit with your students in the Northeast corner bleachers ... by the time I get to the gym through the halls I have no idea which 33 kids are mine ... I am not certain where these mythical Northeast bleachers are ... and so I just go stand next to other teachers by the door ...

and then there are days like today ... when they have a fire drill ... I am at **** HS in **** and the alarm went off during my planning period, 2nd ... nice ... I grabbed my jacket and followed the crowd figuring this would be simple since I dont have a class ... nope ... I get to the Upper Field ... first finding out that they have an upper field ... and I discover that the classes are all lining up alphabetical like with the teachers holding these big signs with the teacher's name on it ... nice ... hmmm ... turns out the kids are not with their 2nd period teachers ... no, they are with their home room teachers ... home room is based on 4th period, something to do with splitting them up for 1st and 2nd lunch I guess ... so I now need to do several things ... I need to remember the name of the teacher I am subbing for ... I need to talk to a teacher to let someone know that I don't have a sign .... and I need to find the kids ... the math teacher next door sees me looking very confused and I decide to just fess up and tell him the above ... he walks me over to where my students are supposed to be .... and there they are ... whew ... suddenly, it appears to the administration that I know what I am doing under adverse circumstances like this and they compliment me on helping with the fire drill ... I think I owe the math teacher a beer ...

---

Last Fall:

let's see ... yesterday the students stood up when the announcements came on and faced the corner and did the Pledge ... nothing unusual, except that I could not see anything in the corner ... I saw a fish tank, a poster showing various fungi, another poster of a forest, an electric pencil sharpener, and a cd player ... turns out if I had opened the blinds I would see that there is a flag pole outside the window, visible from the room when the flag is raised ... in the meantime, it looked really random, like they were pledging a poster about mushrooms

also, there were two little chinchillas in the room, one with a very bad attitude that would nip at anyone that came near ... one kid was there so I told him, "be careful, you wouldn't want rabies shots," and he replied, " I know, I've had those, they hurt," very matter of factly, and went and sat down ...

it gets better

this period I am proctoring an algebra test for HS freshman at ***** HS ...

last year I subbed a bunch at ***** in ****, the 8th grade ... several of those kids are in the class and remembered me, very happy to see me, and asked if I had my dancing boots on ... I actually am wearing my boots today for the first time in a while given how my foot was feeling ...

---

More to come ....

Holy (^@?, I actually won this year !

Holy (^@?, I actually won this year !

In the annual Ron and Jeff bowl bet ... I actually won this year ...

Given how random our selection process is for who we get, it is really actually kind of impressive how Ron usually wins. It is sort of statistically improbable, yet it happens. Every year I find myself going over the opening scene of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990)

(from IMDB)

[first lines]
[Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are riding horses down a path - they pause]
Rosencrantz: [to Guildenstern] Umm, uh...
[Guildenstern rides away, and Rosencrantz follows. Rosencrantz spots a gold coin on the ground]
Rosencrantz: [to horse] Whoa - whoa, whoa.
[Gets off horse and starts flipping the coin]
Rosencrantz: Hmmm. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads.
[Guildenstern grabs the coin, checks both sides, then tosses it back to Rosencrantz]
Rosencrantz: Heads.
[Guildenstern pulls a coin out of his own pocket and flips it]
Rosencrantz: Bet? Heads I win?
[Guildenstern looks at coin and tosses it to Rosencrantz]
Rosencrantz: Again? Heads.

Nope. Not this year.

So ... thank you New Mexico, BYU, East Carolina, Texas, BC, TCU, Oregon State, Penn State, Alabama, Cal, Fresno State, Oregon, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Missouri, Virginia, USC, Kansas, and Rutgers ... I will enjoy the Cougs Vs. Oklahoma State at Qwest Field on August 30th just that much more this year ...

Finishing a long series ...

Finishing a long series ...

I hesitate now ... my reading list is long and my reading time is somewhat limited. So, I see a book by an author I like or that looks interesting or that is recomended to me and I am uncertain ....

I have read the entire Harry Potter series, the Jack Whyte Camalud Chronicles, the Artemis Fowl books, Jean Auel's Earth Children ... and if more books in those ever came along I would read them so that I would keep up. But, there lies the problem, do I really want to start a new series given that there are so many books I want to read?

I like self-contained stories. However, the publishing industry likes series for some really good reasons that are simply obvious as those are the same reasons that Hollywood makes sequels. So, I hesitate.

I have read some first books of series and really liked them. Books like Redwall or the vampire series of Kim Anderson. Ringo likes the Pendragon books so I read the first book. For shorter or newer series' that I have dabbled in and am current in it is much easier, just pick up the new book and keep current. But, to look at a nine book series and just jump right in makes no sense to me ...

So, I will read the second book of Jack Whyte's Templar Trilogy. I will read the fifth Earth's Children book if it ever comes out. I will continue Clive Barker's Abarat series this summer. The third Eragon book is a given.

If someday my reading list allows it, maybe another series that is already established ... just not right now.

Ephemera Project 2007 updates ...

Ephemera Project 2007 updates ...

Year in Review

I did not get to see The Police after all, or Loreena ... or Amy ... or Steve Earle ... but I did see Lacuna Coil (w/ Within Temptation), Buttrock Suites ... Live!Bucky Covington, and Ozzfest ...

Baseball - Major League
06-20-07 Seattle Mariners 7 Pittsburgh Pirates 0 – Safeco Field – W (Inter-League)
06-24-07 Seattle Mariners 3 Cincinnati Reds 2 – Safeco Field – W (Inter-League)
09-13-07 Seattle Mariners 8 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7 - Safeco Field - L (AL)

Baseball - Minor League
07-24-07 Everett Aquasox 5 Vancouver Canadians 2 - Everett Memorial Stadium - W (NWL)

Football
06-23-07 Everett Hawks 60 Arkansas Twisters 64 – Everett Events Center – L (AFL2)
06-30-07 Snohomish County Vikings 21 West Sound Saints 20 – Edmonds Stadium – W (NWFL)
10-20-07 WWU Vikings 7 CWU Wildcats 24 - Qwest Field - L (NCAA DII - GNC Regular Season)
09-08-07 Washington State 45 San Diego State 17 - Qwest Field - W (NCAA D1A Non-Conf)

Basketball - Women
12-16-07 OSU Buckeyes 71 UW Huskies 54 - BOA Arena - W (NCAA D1 Non-Conf)
08-24-07 Seattle Storm 84 Phoenix Mercury 101 - Key Arena - L (WNBA Playoffs)

Basketball - Men
06-18-07 Everett Explosion 146 Chicago Heights Soldiers 105 – W (IBL Regular Season)

Soccer games ...
(plus 11-12-07 at the George & Dragon for the MLS Seattle Announcement)

(USL1 Regular Season)
05-05-07 Seattle Sounders 1 Portland Timbers 0 – Qwest Field – W
05-18-07 Seattle Sounders 1 Rochester Raging Rhinos 1 – Qwest Field – T
08-01-07 Seattle Sounders 2 Portland Timbers 0 - Qwest Field - W
08-04-07 Seattle Sounders 1 Puerto Rico Islanders 0 - Qwest Field - W
09-06-07 Seattle Sounders 4 California Victory 0 - Qwest Field - W

(US Open Cup)
07-18-07 Seattle Sounders 3 CD Chivas USA 1 – Qwest Field – W (3rd Round)
08-07-07 Seattle Sounders 5 Colorado Rapids 0 - Qwest Field - W (Quarterfinal)
09-04-07 Seattle Sounders 1 FC Dallas 2 (AET) - Qwest Field - L (Semifinal)

(USL1 Championship)
09-29-07 Seattle Sounders 4 Atlanta Silverbacks 0 - Starfire - W

(NCAA D2 Men Non-Conference)
10-07-07 Seattle U Redhawks 4 CSMB Otters 0 - Championship Field - W

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Live Theatre
"The Skin of Our Teeth" - Greenstage - Mugnuson Park - March
"The Little Mermaid" - Missoula Children's Theatre - Hollywood Hill - May
"Don't Drink the Water" - The Driftwood Theatre - June
"Merry Wives of Windsor" - Wooden O Theatre - Lynndale Park - July 19
"Merchant of Venice" - Wooden O Theatre - Lynndale Park - July 26
"Richard III" - Greenstage - Lynndale Park - August 2
"Two Gentlemen of Verona" - Greenstage - Lynndale Park - August 9
"To Kill a Mockingbird" - Intiman Theatre - October 17
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" - The Driftwood Theatre - October 18
"High School Musical" - Disney - Seattle Children's Theatre - November 4

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Football Ephemera

Snohomish County Vikings @ Edmonds Stadium
7-24-99 W vs. King County Jaguars 36-6
9-19-99 L vs. Puget Sound Jets 24-36 (NWFL Championship Game)
8-24-02 L vs. Eastside Hawks 0-57
6-30-07 W vs. West Sound Saints 21-20

The Eastside Hawks became the (now folded) Everett Hawks of AFL2
(Apparently the Hawks needed points for point differential in a tie breaker and so they ran up the score with onside kicks and deep passes over and over again.)

Everett Hawks
06-23-07 vs. Arkansas Twisters L 60-64 AFL2
04-**-06 vs. L AFL2
04-**-05 vs. Tri-Cities W NIFL

They always turn to the old dude ...

They always turn to the old dude ...

Earlier this week I noticed a large number of those in the media seemed completely and totally shocked and stunned by the results of the New Hampshire Primary.

How could John McCain win?

How could Hillary overcome a double digit deficit in one day?

First of all ... the results of the Iowa Caucuses and the general indifference to the other major candidates amongst Republicans means that Republican Voters will do what they always do ... they will return to the old dude ...

So ... when the good voters of New Hampshire went to the polls they did what they typically do ... they thought about who they like, then they thought about who else they like, and then they voted for McCain ... the old guy that has been around and that they know and that they generally think could actually win suddenly becomes their choice and "poof!" all the polls and the lack of money suddenly do not matter ...

Does anyone really think that with McCain as an option that Republicans will actually nominate Huckabee or Romney or Rudy or Fred?

Secondly, polls in primaries are so volatile as to really need a disclaimer on their margin for error that reads, "Really, our margin for error is about 20 percent."

Hillary Clinton brings with her a frightening amount of negatives, but she is also the one that is generally perceived to be a national candidate. The polls reflect what people "prefer", but people do not always vote that preference. They "prefer" Obama or Edwards or whoever ... and then they vote for the frontrunner ... when Edwards drops out, even if many of his supporters "prefer" Obama, they will not be with the losing candidate twice in the same election cycle ... they will turn to Hillary ... and so will more and more of the super delegates to the convention ...

The New Hampshire Primary results merely reflect what was obvious last January ... Hillary vs. McCain in November ...

New Hampshire actually ...

New Hampshire actually ...

Every once in a while I actually read those forwarded emails we all get. I try not to, but sometimes I do.

Well, recently I received one railing about Hillary's candidacy ... hardly shocking ... but I read it ... and it was actually clever ...

Bear in mind ... I am NOT a fan of Hillary ... even though I am a Democrat I have commented previously how I just would prefer the Clinton's were out of public office just to clear away the polarizing influence they have on American politics ... and I am not really a fan of the other candidates this year ... and I have posted that I would almost prefer a single term of McCain just to clear out this slate of candidates ...

The email has previously been deleted so I am going to recreate it to set the tone ...

"Please forward this to encourage Hillary to run. Just ad your name to the list and forward to all of your friends.

1. Bill

2. Chelsea

3. ____________"

The obvious intent of this email to comment how no one really wants her to run.

HOWEVER ... it is also easy to fill in the blanks and counter it ... since, she didn't raise all of the money in a vacuum ... she didn't lead the polls on accident ... she didn't win statewide election in New York to become a two term US Senator with no one voting for her ...

So ... here goes ...

3. New Hampshire primary voters

4. The majority of the declared super delegates to the Democratic Convention

5. The next groups of primary voters

6. all those donors

I am not looking forward to her being "The Next President of the United States" ... but a year from today I will be shocked if she is not preparing to take the oath of office on January 20, 2009 ....

Dear Sonics New Ownership Group (#4)

Dear Sonics New Ownership Group (#4)

You sold the Storm. You said you wouldn't. Good for us. You lied again.

Given the pattern of lies that has pretty much dominated the past year and a half, perhaps we in the Seattle area should take some comfort in your lies. If you weren't going to sell the Storm, perhaps the Sonics sale is coming soon. You say you won't. We know you never tell the truth. It must be in the works.

See, when you lie, and then lie some more, you become known for being a liar.

Why do I take comfort in that? Because the pattern of behavior of fighting to get out of the lease at Key Arena is consistent with trying to sell the team more than it really is about moving the team to Oklahoma City. All you have to do is coast, do nothing, and in two and a half years you take the team and there is nothing that is likely to be done about that. Wait! You have petitioned to move the team next season. True. But, it is also true that the Oklahoma City Council is voting to make improvements you claim are needed to the Ford Center. If those improvements are needed and must be done then the building will need to be closed for a period of time in order to complete them. Can they be completed before the start of next season? Doesn't seem likely. So, you couldn't really play there next year and get your improvements anyway. So, you are lying again.

Do nothing. Get your improvements. Then move. You win. But, that is not what you are doing. You are keeping the issue on the front burner and driving up the price for the franchise. We hear about how big money is making offers to keep the team. Even that idiot mayor of Seattle has said there is still a way to get the necessary improvements done at Key Arena. No, you aren't counting on moving the team, you are just waiting until the price is high enough.

If the real big picture is to be in Oklahoma. If the long term goal is to hold on to the team. If Seattle really is out of things ... you should be doing absolutely nothing. The fight you are waging is more consistent with the notion of driving up the price than with really expecting to move it next season, which you really could not do anyway given how much you also say the Ford Center needs to be improved.

You win no matter what. You win if you sell the team at a profit. You win if you somehow get a new building here. You win if you get the improvements to the Ford Center and move the team. You win if you simply wait it out and take away Seattle's bargaining chip in regards to the Key Arena lease. You aren't stupid so you know all of this.

The only really logical move to make for the big picture of being in Oklahoma City long term is to let the improvements be voted on and then let the work on the building be done so that when you do move in it is all ready. No, you are liars, so I have to imagine the team really is for sale, just like the Storm turned out to be.

Elsa Klensch

Elsa Klensch

Back in high school, my mother would watch a style program on CNN hosted by Elsa Klensch. Elsa had this really stern German (I guess) look and accent.

Well, my brother and I would scram, since it generally followed the sports highlights show. One night my mother joked that she would give us a dollar if we stayed and watched. We both did. To my mother's credit, she paid up. The next week, you guessed it, Ron and I hung out after sports highlights hoping for another dollar. Mom caught on, but she paid and it is a story she never seems to tire of telling.

Recently, I discovered that Elsa was a writer. I think the conversation had to do with whether or not she was still on the air so I googled her and found out she had three novels.

You know what I had to do, don't you?

Yep.

For her birthday recently, my mother received one of the novels written by Elsa Klensch. I have since located another of them for her.

Sheer morbid curiosity REQUIRED that I read one of them. So, I did.

Elsa, for you genre, you do just fine. Not my taste, per se, but so be it, I am hardly your target demographic ...

Good Fortune (Part two) ... aka ooops!

Good Fortune (Part two) ... aka ooops!

Okay ... during my recent manic obsessive and massive reorganization of everything I own ... I found the fortune ... which is almost an admission of just how organized and obsessive this past couple weeks has been ...

Good Fortune?

Good Fortune?

See ... taking the break from this blog that I took for a couple months caused me some problems upon dusting off the cobwebs ...

I have a number of blog entries to finish, some of which might actually have been timely at some point. Most of them are okay to spread out over time like this, but a couple of things have been lost to the mists.

For instance, I received a fortune from a fortune cookie on July 25th that informed me that in 3 months time I was to save the date for something special to happen. I saved that fortune and was going to scan it in and post it on October 25th to see if there was anything noteworthy to report. Didn't happen.

Then the other day I grabbed said fortune and went to scan it and somehow lost it in transit and so I do not have it to scan in any more. Lame. Had I simply scanned it at the time, this would not have happened. I cannot recall previously scanning it.

So, the report of October 25th is that nothing noteworthy occurred and I have no visual aid that would be relevant to this posting.

My bad.

I am being a good Democrat by writing this ...

I am being a good Democrat by writing this ...

Make them all go away ...

It would be worth a single term of a Romney or a McCain if it meant a new slate of candidates for 2012.

This might explain her shaking legs ...

From page 14 of Seattle Weekly December 19-25, 2007 ....

I am not defending dirty players ...

I am not defending dirty players ...

... but The Mitchell Report is crap ...

Bud Selig needs to resign. It happened on his watch. And, when they finally start making SOME measure of progress he lets a report go public that only has the testimony of former employees and no actual evidence. Nothing can be proved. Nothing can be disproved. The players are never going to cooperate with owners ever again after this ... and shouldn't ... at least as long as Bud Selig is in charge.

You cancelled the World Series. You stopped an All-Star Game as a tie. You let the steroids into baseball when the game suffered due to the strike and needed a boost. Then, when everything became obvious and politically difficult, you acted all indignant. You are a bafoon and need to go for the betterment of the game.

Bud Selig must resign.

Rejoice!

Rejoice!

Seattle is getting an MLS team in 2009!!!!

Me and my new best friend Drew Carey at the George & Dragon Pub in Seattle's Fremont on Veterans' Day 2007 ...

US Bank Sucks ...

US Bank Sucks ...

A $100 check is written on a bank account. The person who receives the check goes to the bank it was written on and finds out that for the first time ever the bank is going to charge to have the check cashed. So, the $100 check is actually a $95 check. The person with the check used to be in banking and knows that directly cashing a check is simple, safe, and with ID a very simple transaction. The bank is now double dipping, charging on both ends, despite the fact that the industry standard has always been different. The teller has to apologize for their corporation because they are clearly embarrassed to have to charge to do the transaction. The company receives a comment and tries to convince the person with the check that the company actually considers its policies to be some sort of five star customer service. The person with the check has a hard time not laughing while reading the response from the company, but will never do business with them ever again.

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Comment or Question

My mother has been a long time customer of your bank and previous incarnations which merged to form US Bank. She is a senior and has limited mobility due to near blindness. She wanted to pay me $100 without having to run out of the house in the dark so she wrote me a check. She has done this numerous times over the years for me running her errands and the like. Today I go to cash the check as I have done for years and am now informed that there is a $5 fee, since I do not have an account. All the teller must do is clear the check, perhaps the single simplest transaction they will perform that day.

Were I to open an account the fee would go away. Nice. However, if there are fees of this kind associated with US Bank accounts, it is not possible that I would ever want to bank with your company. Were I to bank with you and write my nieces or nephews checks, they would be charged this utterly ridiculous and unjustifiable fee.

There is no chance of me ever banking with you now. I have encouraged my mother to take her banking elsewhere and she is considering doing so.

It is clear that customer service is simply not something US Bank is concerned with. What is clear is that US Bank is trying to end the era of paper checks and discourage teller based banking by making it as inconvenient and costly as possible.

Bad word of mouth generated by customers such as my mother will hopefully cost US Bank far more in the long run than the accumulated $5 fees will be able to offset. I am certain this will be a topic of conversation amongst her circle of friends as she was severely upset upon receiving my call about the fee.

There simply comes a point where corporate policy makes it impossible to view a company in a favorable light. It is clear that US Bank is on the wrong track and I will be passing along my story to everyone I know.

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The next day a convenient response is in the email folder ...

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Dear (Deleted),

Thank you for using U.S. Bank® email.

I apologize for any disagreement with U.S. Bank®'s Service Fees.

Please note that at the branch's discretion, a $5.00 fee may be charged to provide a check cashing service to a non-U.S.
Bank® customer. This fee may of course be avoided when the Payee cashes or deposits their check with their own
Financial Institution, or by establishing a U.S. Bank® account. Please understand that the cashing of a check for a non-
U.S. Bank® customer is a service being provided, and as such, has a fee.

I am truly sorry to hear that this fee has resulted in your decision not to do business with U.S. Bank®. We value our customers
and hope that you will reconsider this decision, however, we also respect your right to choose your bank.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns.

Have a Great Weekend!

Sincerely,

(Name Deleted)
Email Operations
U.S. Bank 24-Hour Banking and Financial Sales

If you need further assistance, please feel free to call (DELETED) or go to (deleted) and select the 'Contact Us' link.


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Don't do business with US Bank.

Check cashing fees are a reasonable fee under many circumstances, this is not one of those circumstances.

Tens

Tens

Pele and Diego Maradona both wore #10
Both quarterbacks in the 2007 Apple Cup wore #10
Bo Derek was a 10.
Pearl Jam has a record titled "Ten"


And now Jefferson has completed Marathon #10 ...

USL-1 Championship

USL-1 Championship
Seattle Sounders 4 Atlanta Silverbacks 0
Tukwila, WA - Starfire
09-29-07

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Was going to do a minute by minute thing and take pics but the camera had no batteries and I just ended up enjoying the game instead ... so this will have to do ...