February 8, 2012
Ignite Portland 10
Ignite Portland 10 kicks off tomorrow night –Thursday — Feb 9, 2012 at the Bagdad Theatre on Hawthorn and 37th at 7:00 pm. Door open at 5:45pm.
February 2, 2012
Ignite Portland 10
Ignite Portland 10 is one week from today.
Ignite Portland 10 is upon us! On Thursday evening of February 9th we will be congregating at the Bagdad Theater for some great company and stellar talks. Admission is free, of course, and you won’t want to miss this one!
If this is your first IgnitePDX or even your tenth (whoo! double digits!), we’re sure you will still want some guidelines for how to make it a great night:
- Doors Open at 5:00 PM for those with OFB donations. We are partnering this year with the Oregon Food Bank to get some donations out to those in need. Bring a can or two and get in early!
- Doors Open at 5:45 PM for everyone else – as usual, No Ticket Needed. As of IP7, we’ve done away with the ticket system. Too complicated. Just come on down, and we’ll let people in until the Fire Marshall says we can’t anymore.
- Overflow next door at Back Stage. If you’d rather take in the proceedings in the Back Stage bar environment next door to the Bagdad, we’ll be showing the talks on the big projection screen there.
- Live Video Stream. As has become tradition, we’ll have a live video stream of the night’s proceedings. Come back here to IgnitePortland.com on the night of and you’ll see a stream where you can watch LIVE and hang out in the chat with the other cool kids who are watching. This is for our friends who couldn’t make it in person to the Bagdad, and for any Ignite PDX fans out of town.
- Please, No Seat Saving. We know you’re excited to watch the show with all your friends. And maybe they couldn’t make it down as early as you did. But it’s not fair for one person to squat on a whole bunch of seats with coats, etc. so their friends can saunter in late. Please don’t be a jerk about this. We’ll have ushers milling about to help you remember. We want everyone to have a fair chance at getting a good seat. It’s fine to hold a seat for yourself, so you can get up and order drinks/food, but if your friends come a little later, they’ll have to find their own seats. It’s only fair. Thanks for understanding.
- Keep the Beer/Food Lines Moving. One of the awesome things about the Badgad Theater is you can your favorite beverage with a slice of pizza, a burger, or some cajun tots in the lobby, and have ‘em bring it right to you inside the theater! Please do order as much food and drink as you’d like. Just try to keep the lines moving smoothly. Doors open at 5:00 PM, but the show doesn’t start until 7PM. The smart patrons will get themselves some food before the show at a nearby restaurant (hint hint).
January 23, 2012
Chinese New Year
Tonight, Jan 23, 2012 is the beginning of the Chinese New Year. Midnight will usher in the Year of the Dragon; it is a celebration that lasts for 15 days culminating with the Lantern Festival. Maybe we should all go out for Chinese food!!!!
January 16, 2012
Reductive
Well, the reporter did as well as Portland Firefly :
Reductive:
| 1. | the act or process or an instance of reducing |
| 2. | the state or condition of being reduced |
| 3. | the amount by which something is reduced |
| 4. | a form of an original resulting from a reducing process, such as a copy on a smaller scale |
| 5. | a simplified form, such as an orchestral score arranged for piano |
| 6. | maths |
| a.the process of converting a fraction into its decimal form | |
| b.the process of dividing out the common factors in the numerator and denominator of a fraction; cancellation | |
December 29, 2011
Doggie Diary – Happy Dreams
Well, my cute little ball of fluff likes to sleep a lot. Usually when I am working at the computer, she will beg to sit on my lap and other times she just wants to curl up in her extra bed in the office and take a nap. When she naps, Mercedes tucks her head down so the light doesn’t bother her eyes!
So today, there she is napping away. I have heard her make little sounds and little barks and growls while sleeping so I know that she is dreaming. But today she did something I have never heard or seen. Picture this…. my little white ball of fluff is all curled up in her little bed sound asleep and there is no sound but the sound of her tail wagging as it hits the floor repeatedly! Then the wagging gets faster, then slows, then gets faster again! She is such a happy little doggie! She even has happy dreams!
December 27, 2011
Christmas Returns!
Ah, yes. The day after Christmas…. The day to return those presents that don’t fit…. I bought my son some shirts for christmas gifts; two of them didn’t fit and the clerk forgot to remove the security tag off of another one. So back to the store I had to go.
But not without planning!!! The night before I mapped out my route for the stores that I wanted to go to on Monday. I then checked their store hours on-line. Luckily for me, one store opened at 8:00 am and the other one opened at 9:00. They were about 20 minutes away from each other, both near different major shopping malls.
With my plan in mind I went to sleep ~ clothes all ready to jump into early the day after Christmas. My plan was to arrive at the first store as close to 8:00 am as I could possibly manage. I wasn’t going to be unrealistic –I just wanted to get in and get out before the crowds and traffic started.
I woke up a little before 8:00 am… plan still in place, I quickly dressed, applied minimal makeup (I wasn’t going to see anyone I knew, right?) and put my tea in a togo cup and grabbed some yogurt to eat in the car. At the first long light, I just enjoyed my yogurt and tea…. This is going well, I thought! With almost no traffic, I arrived at the first store about 8:25. Not bad. There was no one in the returns line. Yeah! I returned one coat and headed out the door.
Instead of backtracking the way I came, I headed out to get on the freeway from the other direction… and there was the other store I needed to go to! I was going to drive another 20 minutes to make the returns to that store because I didn’t realize that there was another one RIGHT HERE!
Returns made and other shirts purchased, out the door to head on home. And I even arrived home before the traffic started! I was tired… time for a time for a little nap before attending my dinner party.
December 19, 2011
TIE ONE ON Radio Interview
Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 20, 2011 I will be interviewed by radio talk show host Georgene Rice . You can hear the live interview (which is scheduled to begin) at 4:15 pm on 93.9 KPDQ FM / TRUE TALK 800 AM.
Oh my goodness, what shall I wear for my interview?!!!!
November 8, 2011
Asteroid Tuesday
The asteroid 2005 YU55, which is wider than an
aircraft carrier, will pose no threat when it makes a close pass by Earth.
Check out how to catch all the action.
Whew! Looks like we dodged the bullet on that one!
November 1, 2011
When is a Dog a Frog?
Mercedes Frog Dog by Pdxfirefly
When is a dog a frog? On Halloween!
October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween to all you ghosts and goblins out there! The sun will set about 5:00 pm so your little ones can go out trick-or-treating nice and early and still get to bed by 8:00 pm! (Yeah sure!) Hey! Don’t eat all their candy while they are sleeping!
October 26, 2011
Christmas is Coming!
Look at the date!
October 26th!
Christmas is just two short months away!
October 25, 2011
Ticket to the Ballet
When young, I took ballet lessons in Whittier at the Mona Frances School of Cecchetti Ballet (for many years). Mona Frances was a Ballerina of the highest caliber. At our little Whittier ballet school, she brought in George Balanchine and his New York ballerinas to teach us his new ballet “Graduation Ball’. Mr. Balanchine returned for the opening performance and he ran into my girlfriend and I while we were waiting in the green room at Whittier High School Auditorium for our entrance on stage. He said that we “looked too beautiful to be little school girls”. I guess we were just natural beauties and had never really worn much make up so the stage makeup really made us look very pretty… which was NOT what he wanted. So, back to the make-up room we went and put freckles on our faces and that pleased him. I have never forgotten that vis-a-vis encounter with that great ballet choreographer.
At rehearsals at the ballet school, Mr. Balanchine’s new York Troup wore very revealing short cropped tops (quite risque for the early 1960′s) and he chastised them in front of the ballet school dancers. I think he wanted to impress Miss Frances (as we always called her). She had red hair and always insisted that we dance to live music and there was always a pianist present at each class.
My pink toe shoes are from that time and there is a very unflattering photo of me in costume for Graduation Ball. Oh, and I have performed in the Nutcracker as well, so I am very familiar with the choreography and beautiful music! Also somewhere in my important papers you will find my Cecchitti Examination certificates. I worked very hard to achieve the different grade levels and each one took several years of training to even be eligible to take the hours long dancing exam.
October 2, 2011
The Hungry Hawk
As you know I love to go and watch the Swifts at Chapman School. The nightly show is a Portland exclusive and a special tradition! Every fall, I try to go at least once; and it is usually only once a year. But this year it is different. My PEO Chapter attended earlier in September however my family couldn’t come that night. So last night the family (and a few friends) went to see the spectacular air show by natures creatures.
There were a lot of birds early in September, but not as many as there were last night! Also the first time we went this year, we never saw one raptor (hawk) getting his dinner. But last night was a different story! It was more fun last night because there was more action.
The Vaux Swifts were just beginning to fly down the famous Chapman School chimney when the crowd saw the big black bird come swooping into the flock of Swifts. The crowd ‘oohed’ in unison as the flock scattered in the air. Disoriented, the hawk kept flying then disappeared. But only for a while. Soon he was back for another try. No luck this time either. And it actually looked as if the flock of tiny Swifts were chasing that big old black hawk away! They circled and dodged each other for many enchanting seconds. Then nothing and the crowd went back to watching the birds fly into the chimney.
And then I felt it…. at the same time I saw it … the Hawk was on a diving run and just a few feet right over my head! Zoom! I think I heard the rush of wind on his wings he was so close to us on this dive bomb run! Again it looked as if he missed.
Ah. But Mr. Hawk was still hungry and was not about to give up. The crowd was in for two or three more thrilling hunting passes. The flock scattering each time. Finally the hawk gave up (did he get his fill?) and the last of the little Swifts went into the chimney for their nightly rest. The crowd applauded in joy and appreciation and collected their picnic baskets, blankets and trash and headed home with smiles on their faces.
September 29, 2011
Coffee Day
Today is National Coffee Day. Several chains including 7-Eleven and Krispy Kreme are giving away free coffee today. Enjoy!!!
September 28, 2011
The Quarter under the Hedge
Early in the summer, one of my neighbors had a garage sale. Of course I attended and actually purchased several boxes of beautiful note cards since I write a lot of thank you nots. As we were leaving the sale , I noticed something shiny in the gravel next to the hedge. As I looked at it more carefully and intently, I realized that it was half of a shiny quarter ticking out of the gravel/dirt. Since my arms were full of my new purchases, I told the owner about the quarter. As she came over to look at it, I left assuming that she would pick it up. A few days later, I saw it again; I guess she didn’t pick it up. Now on my daily walks, I try to look for the quarter at least once a week. After several months, it is still there!!! It is sort of like a treasure hunt on my walk, just to look and see if it is still in its special spot!
September 23, 2011
Doggie Diary – Dog Sharing
Since I have been feeling well these last several weeks, I have tried to get a lot done. This often means going to stores and (since I am looking to change my living situation) and apartments/condos. It is difficult to get much done with doggie in tow. Two weeks ago I had a conversation with my neighbor where he indicated to me that they would love to adopt a little dog, but because his wife is blind ( and some other items) this particular shelter refused!!??? They are a wonderful retired couple and so I asked if they would like to have Mercedes for a few hours while I went to the store or other errands where she couldn’t ride along. They were really excited at the idea and so Mercedes has been at their house several time the last few weeks. It is a win/win/win situation as far as I am concerned! And all this came from a casual conversation between neighbors!
September 9, 2011
TIE ONE ON
Today it looks like the website for my first book, TIE ONE ON, A Head-Scarf Tying Guide for Chemotherapy Patients will go ‘live’. I am setting up my paypal acount and finishing up some of the corrections…. Wow, I’m slowly getting there!!!! Hooray! I’m really excited… wait until you see it. It is BE-e-a-u-u-ti-ful-l!! And the Video Trailer is really cool, too. Yes, I’ll be putting the link up when it goes live!
September 8, 2011
Swift Watch 2011
Well, September is the time of year to pack up a picnic dinner, take the kids and head out to Chapman School in NorthEast Portland to watch the swifts as they perform their aerial show before they go to roost in the school’s old chimney. Now through the end of September is the best time to go….
Will you see me there???
September 7, 2011
Doggie Diary – Play Chase!
OK, so little Miss Mercedes is really coming along. She has a very cute personality and on days when she has to stay home alone, she is very playful when I return! She will run around the chairs and table in a circle, with one of her toys in her mouth, just daring me to chase her! I chase her a little bit one way, then we go the other way, then back again. On those rare times when I almost catch her, she turns up the speed and gets away! If I want to be really ornery with her, I will take another toy and I’ll hold it up off the ground and dare her to come and get it! She will drop the toy she has in her mouth and jump up to get the toy I am holding, then run off again! She will stop, turn, look at me, lunge toward me tapping both front paws on the floor as if to say “Come on! See if you can catch me this time! I dare you!” All I have to do is to make a slight move toward her and she is off and running! If I don’t follow, she comes back and tries again, “Come on! Chase me! Play with me!” She is so cute!
Since I get tired easily, I had to devise a method of letting her know that play was ended (I’m tired). So, I taught her baby sign language for ‘all done’. She is a fast learner and when I do the sign for ‘all done’ she immediately takes her toy and goes and gets in her bed! She is usually tired,too!
September 6, 2011
Nostalia Gum
OK, so I am checking out at Bi-Mart after getting my 30 Seconds Cleaner and I am just about finished with my transaction when I see it. The little cardboard display stand focusing my attention on Nostalgia Gum! Yes, there they are … the burnt orange colored wrappers of Clove gum, the blue wrappers of Black Jack gun and then the white wrappers encasing (my favorite) Beamens! I purchased one of each and had black gum in my mouth before I exited the check-out stand! Mu-m-m-m, it had the same licorice flavor that my 7 year old brain remembered! This non-gum-chewer will treat herself to a piece every day!
Do you remember Black Jack, Clove & Beamens?
September 5, 2011
Labor Day, 2011
I hope that you all enjoy this National Holiday and that you are flying your flag today!!!!
August 22, 2011
New Computer
Well. July 21st, my computer came up with the dreded blue screen! I was so tired and feeling unwell that I just shut it down and let it set. The computer was old and slow and ‘went bluescreen’ on me about 17 months ago so I know it was time for a new one and not worth fixing at this point.
Enter the Hewlett-Packard Touchscreen! A cool futuristic ebony swath that is just as it names implies! You can use the keyboard, use the mouse or (fanfare blowing in the background!) just touch the screen with your fingers!!!
I sometimes will use all three depending my frustration level. But for now, the novelty is still present.
Oh, yes, that is one of the reasons why I haven’t written too much during the last month.
July 15, 2011
Sand in the City
Sand in the City, sponsored by Koin chanel 6 is underway at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland, Oregon! It starts today ~ Friday~ and continues through Sunday afternoon, 7/17/11. There is a small admission charge which benfits Impact Northwest.
Friday, July 15th, 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 16th, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 17th, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For more information go to: http://www.sandinthecitypdx.com/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=462136&lis=1&kntae462136=985942A9029643B593E9E9C728CBF238
July 8, 2011
It Arrived!
My correct author’s copy arrived! My book looks beautiful. I am very pleased . There are just 2 small changes that need to be made… a blank page needs to be added and some graphics need to be realigned. The latter was the typesetters mistake.
Now to get some marketing done so peopel will know that my book is available.
July 5, 2011
Happy Summer
The weathermen here in Portland have a saying: “Summer doesn’t begin here until July 5th!”
This year the saying proved to be ture. Well actually it stopped raining here around June 3oth; July 1st was beautiful and it stayed a little cloudy on July 2nd. By the Fourth of July we were at 80+ degrees and today, July 5th, it’s back up in the 80′s.
And now comes the complaining…. Portlanders are so used to cool cloudy days that we complain when it gets about 78 degrees because now it is — you guessed it –TOO HOT!
I remember something that occured just after I moved to Portland from the midwest which is famous for its seasonal weather extremes. I was waiting in line at the checkout counter at my local grocery store . The clerk at the checkout counter had initiated a conversation about the weather by stating to the man in front of me in line “Everyone is wearing coats and hats and gloves today. Is it cold out?” His comment was “Yes, it is really cold out. I hope it doesn’t last long because everyone is freezing.”
I was wearing my lightweight midwest winter coat and didn’t feel the need to wear gloves or a hat for this trip to the grocery store so I was interested in the comment. As I went outside into the 38-40 degree air I remember thinking ”if this is freezing cold here in Portland, I am really going to be happy here!” And I have been.
Except now I have become used to the mild temps here and so the heat today (84) is hotter than I like. Well, I do have another reason to not like the heat. It is this new Chemo drug that I am on. Doxil. I cannot go into the sun at all without sunscreen on or my skin will blister. This has presented a challeng when driving, so I keep a quilt in the car and use it to cover up my arms when I am driving if the sun is shining on my hands and arms. But at least I am not over fatigued as I was with the Carbo/taxol drugs.
And so Happy summer! Be sure to wear susnscreen!!!
