FIFA World Cup Games 45, 46, 47 and 48

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Pamela

Co-worker returned from vacation a couple of months ago and announced: I’m making a rubberband ball. Here’s the progress so far.

None of these games knocked my socks off.

I watched Portugal play Brazil. Boring.

How come the players argue with the ref? I’ve never seen a ref change his mind. I’ve never seen a decision changed. It seems like challenging a guy with a fistful of yellow cards is a bad idea. But they still do it.

The Spain v. Chile game was slightly more interesting until the last 10 minutes when they realized they were both going through and they just kicked the ball to each other.

That’s not what the fans came to see.

The minute the game was finished I ran outside. Due to the endless bad weather the yard had been severely neglected and needs a firm hand in every corner.

Today I worked on the berry area.

This is my second bowl of raspberry harvest. I’m not sure what to think. We’ve had the same raspberry patch since we moved in. We’ve never gotten more than enough berries to eat as a snack when working out there. I neglected it no more than usual. It’s a miracle.

In the background are the asparagus and baby broccoli I’m roasting tonight. The asparagus has been neglected in the fridge for almost a week. A bunch of unexpected stuff came up and we didn’t eat dinner at home as much as we thought.

Tonight I get to see Concrete Blonde – yay. Last time I saw them the show didn’t go too late. I think we were back in the car driving home by 10:45. I hope it’s the same tonight.

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FIFA World Cup Games 41, 42, 43, and 44

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Pamela

Oregon Coast near North Bend, April 2007

Are you tired of hearing about Landon Donovan’s goal yet? Even if you are I think you should check out this link.

It’s clips of crowd shots watching the final moments of the game. Remember the set up? We’d watched 90 minutes of the US unable to score. I’ve watch the US in a number of World Cups. I’ve learned to keep my expectations cautious.

Then the US makes the run and they strike and goalkeeper blocks it but the ball is loose and Donovan comes in and hits it.

So in these clips you see every one in despair, then watching the run hopeful, then ARGH! But then AHHHH!!!!

Seriously if you’re going to waste 60 more seconds online, just watch one or two of the first clips. It made me every bit as happy as seeing the actual goal in real time.

Today’s Games

I was a slacker today. I had to get some work stuff done.

The Italian diving team got sent home. I love this team and the idea that I’m never going to get to see Cannavaro taking his shirt off after a game again makes me weepy but they didn’t do anything to impress me until they were down by 2 to Slovakia. Good-bye! But Slovakia gets a marked down a few points for blatant time wasting.

I foolishly fired up the Cameroon v. Netherlands game when I should have been watching Denmark v. Japan. I only watched the first half. Cameroon’s goalkeeper is named Soulymanou and he was wearing purple. I love the purple goalie outfits.

Non-Soccer Item

Every once in awhile I find myself frantically looking for something I don’t need.

Like today. I have two hair clips in my desk. I wanted to put my hair up and I only need one clip but I wanted to know where the second one was. I kept searching the different drawers trying to find the second one. Why? I had the one I needed. But I had to know where the other one was. I don’t get it.

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FIFA World Cup Games 37, 38, 39 & 40

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Pamela

Highway 96, Humboldt County, California

Tonight we went out to dinner and my breath was a tad fishy so on the way out of the restaurant I grabbed a mint. When we were walking to the car I was in the middle of a big story and I opened my mouth and inhaled and swallowed the entire huge mint.

For a second I panicked but I could still breathe and you read stories all the time about people swallowing anvils and mayonnaise jars and this was actually food so I figured I’d probably survive. But now, an hour later, I’m burping spearmint.

Soccer Coverage

I’ve figured out that if I take one bus earlier (6:18a) I can be in the office at about 5 minutes to 7:00 in time to see the kick off.

I had switched from Univision to watching ESPN on my computer. But this morning the computer said I needed a login.

USA game – login — coincidence? I’ve never needed a login before. A pox on you ESPN!

I only had 5 minutes and no time to troubleshoot so I watched the first half on Univision. At the half I was able to log on using info from co-worker. I like to stream one game on ESPN and then do Match Cast on FIFA which is like a live blog for the other game.

Whew. What a game. US v. Ghana

That game tripled my grey hair supply. At one point the announcer said that the US was looking really dangerous. (This was barely into the 2nd half.) I said: No they don’t. They aren’t making any goals.

But then, 90+1

I couldn’t scream because I was at the office but I did jump around a lot. Super awesome game that made me really happy. And isn’t Cherundolo (#6) fun to say?

Here are some moments of pure manlove from the USA game.

Do you think players ever hurt themselves during goal celebrations? It looks like an injury just waiting to happen.

Then my other team Germany played Ghana. This game wasn’t as nail-biting in terms of the outcome but they still made me wait until the 60th minute for a goal and then basically shut down. Isn’t Phillipp Lahm dreamy? Plus I love the 3 “p’s” in his name.

It was a good soccer day.

Non-soccer related item #1

Bob got Up In The Air from netflix this weekend. That’s the one with George Clooney where he flies around firing people. I really wanted to see this movie and was a little miffed that it was at the house during World Cup when I’m already watching a million hours of TV per day. But I really wanted to see it and here’s my review: see it. I expected to like it and I liked it more than I expected. It’s also a good study for story-telling. Everything happens because of decisions the characters make. I’m glad I took the time to see it.

Non-soccer related item #2

So remember I had to change from blogger to turdpress because google didn’t want to let people ftp any more and blah-blah as part of this whole switch I changed webhosts?

I pay my webhosting a year at a time and I canceled the old host 2 months before my year expired. I knew they weren’t going to give me any money back and I didn’t ask. But I phoned and the guy on the phone said okay you’re canceled – send a note to this email. I sent a note asking for confirmation. Got no confirmation and then and I got a notice that I would be billed. I had a conniption, sent more emails and was assured if I sent a cancelation notice, I was canceled. No worries.

They’ve sent me three billing notices now. If they have a process for terminating your account shouldn’t they have a process to stop sending you bills? What a way to leave your departing customers with a bad taste in their mouths. They should all get a giant mint.

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My Story is Out Now

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Pamela

Here’s what the cover looks like.

I’ve been so wrapped up in World Cup I forgot to post this yesterday.

This is the last announcement on this so if you wish I’d stop talking about it your wish is about to come true.

My story “The Battle of Little Big Science” is in the August issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction.

The actual magazine is for sale right now in places that have lots of magazines like Borders and Barnes & Noble and Rich’s in Portland.

For reasons not clear to me, it’s not at Powell’s. I know I said it was before but I was wrong.

It’s available for all E-readers and you can buy a single issue PDF from Fictionwise.

Updated to add: I completely forgot to mention that this was my week #3 story at Clarion West 2008. What a great time to remind everyone about CW’s current fundraiser.

Posted in doing it wrong | Tagged | 4 Comments

FIFA World Cup Games 33, 34, 35 and 36

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Pamela

View from 1000 SW Broadway, Portland

I somehow left my notes on today’s games at the office. Dang, because I’m sure I had some real nuggets in there. I’m loving all the soccer comment spam I’ve been getting. Like I really believe they find these articles interesting. How about this: did you hear Messi and Tevez want to reform Oasis? Maybe I can run my fingers through their hair with a little Wonderwall playing in the background.

(Oh, and resist the urge to tell me about Turdpress’s Whosit that will deal with spam, that’s not the point here.)

I did get manage to get home with this ad I tore out of the AAA magazine for “quality tools at ridiculously low prices.” Even if there were tools I needed I would never get around to figuring out how to use them but these coupons are so awesome — a reciprocating saw with rotating handle for $19.99 — I don’t even know what that is but how can I pass that up? I don’t think that’s proper sentence but I’d really like to watch the highlights show before I go to bed so we’re going to let it stand.

Plus I still need to do my words for the beg-a-thon and take care of some other household stuff.

Here’s another thighlights gallery this time featuring Portugal.

Non-Soccer Item

Also here’s an NPR story about Orleans and the Karuk Tribe: FCC Eyes Broadband For Indian Reservations

Many tribal communities around the United States are in remote, rural areas. Humboldt County, Calif., is home to several tribes — among them the Karuk.

In the small community of Orleans, Calif., the Karuk make up a quarter of the population of just under 1,000 people.

The tribe’s IT officer, Chris Kleeman, says they even have a hard time getting phone service. “We lose our regular telephones, including 911, hundreds of times each year,” Kleeman says. Last July alone, they lost phone service about 250 times, he says.

Bari Talley in the story is my cousin. <3

Posted in doing it wrong, Orleans | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

FIFA World Cup Games 30 31 and 32

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Pamela

Klamath River Rocks

I don’t have time for a proper wrap up today.

Here: enjoy the weekend thighlights

I got up early to watch Portugal destroy N. Korea. At last a European team has done something I expected. I left after the fourth goal and drove to work so I could be there in time to see the start of the Chile v. Switzerland game. Switzerland has a guy on their team named Gelson Fernandes. When we lived in California we shopped at market called Gelson’s and for the first time I realized the market must be named after a guy, Gelson. I watched most of that game and most of Spain v. Honduras. When Spain was up by 2 I turned it off and went back to work.

No more 4:30a games. Now we start 4 games a day but since two are played concurrently I’ll only watch two and the highlights show. In most cases it’s easy to pick.

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FIFA World Cup Games 27, 28 and 29

Posted on June 20, 2010 by Pamela

This morning I went out to pick snails in the rain. I was in the back corner of the yard and noticed we have a bunch of raspberries ready to pick. I figured once the rain stopped I’d pick them and bring them in and take a photo. It never stopped raining. This is a neighbor’s dogwood April 09

I decided to be picky about what I games I watched today since I had a few other things I wanted to take care of.

I skipped Slovakia v. Paraguay 0-2

Sounds like I didn’t miss much.

I crawled out of bed at 7am fully expecting to watch Italy wipe the pitch with New Zealand’s asses. And again, my expectations were not met.

I loved the game. I love it that New Zealand scored in the 6th minute and Italy had to hustle right away. I hated the Italian diving. Didn’t someone on the German team get a yellow card for diving?

Last week there was this meathead who went off about how lame soccer is. “Just a bunch of guys running around, no one knows that they’re doing.” He said, “You can’t have a game with a tie. That’s unamerican.”

I’ll leave it to you to perform an analysis of that statement. In this game a tie was awesome and it was fun to see the fans going insane in the stadium.

Brazil v. Côte d’Ivorie 4-1

I watched the first half but my attention started wandering. The score was 1-0 I was pretty sure Brazil would win so I decided to skip the second half. Apparently it was really good. I think I’m going to go watch it now. Every time I skip something exciting happens.

I’ve been in a mild panic the last couple of hours trying to take care of some stuff and laundry, dinner, stuff for the week to come. I’m going to try and wind down now.

Posted in doing it wrong | Tagged , | 2 Comments

FIFA World Cup Games 24, 25 and 26

Posted on June 19, 2010 by Pamela

PGE Park FOOD. I figured out that this new layout is too narrow for my standard photo crop. Sheesh. God-forbid a two column layout shouldn’t have a mile of dead space margins. What’s so great about wordpress again?

Ghana v. Australia 1-1

I had another obligation today so I only watched one game live. Not this one. Turns out I picked the most boring game.

I watched the highlights show and then pulled this one up on my DVR. Wow, Australia with the early red cards. It’s like you’re inventing a new sport.

Netherlands v. Japan 1-0

Snore. What a boring game. Netherlands, I loved visiting your country. I dare you, woo me. But also, how does this team do it? Do they sneak extra players on the field? Everywhere you look: orange shirts.


Restroom sign at PGE park. I love the restrooms at soccer games because the ladies: never a line!

Cameroon v. Denmark 1-2

Highlights reel made this game look good, too. But I didn’t watch it. I decided to do some writing today.

Italy and Brazil tomorrow. Not playing each other. Don’t disappoint me gentlemen.

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FIFA World Cup Games 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Pamela

Riverplace Marina, Marquam Bridge and Mt. Hood, Portland Feb 6, 2006

I would have done a post last night but I had just posted about the beg-a-thon and wanted to keep that up top for at least 24 hours.

First, here’s my nothing-to-do-with-World-Cup favorite comment thread of the day: Health Food of the Future: Less Salty Wieners. I try to avoid comment threads because 90% of them make me feel that mankind is doomed and deserves it but it’s the ones like these that keep me from losing all hope.

One more thing about Denmark’s own goal. John Harkes, the commentator, said: terrible clearance on that ball.

Yes, that’s one way of putting it.

Game 12 New Zealand v. Slovakia 1-1

I missed this game live but heard the outcome. When I got home last night I watched the first half and then decided to FF until NZ scored. I got to the 80th minute and figured if they scored that late I’d just watch to the end of the game. I had one eye on the clock and I was getting all panicky that I misunderstood and wondering what was going to happen. 90+3 – what a heartbreaker for Slovakia but really cool for NZ.

Winston Reid got a yellow card for taking his shirt off. My letters to FIFA pleading that this rule be withdrawn continue to go unanswered. If you haven’t seen this yet, Jezebel is doing World Cup Shirtless photos. You’re welcome.

Game 13 Côte d’Ivorie v Portugal 0-0

Côte d’Ivorie has the most gorgeous colored uniforms. I want to take a bath in that color. It’s like your-life-is-perfect gold. And the goalie’s uniform is purple which is also awesome. Also their crest with the elephant is cute.

Portugal is one of my favorite teams and they didn’t do much. I wanted more. Also, they have a player who looks like 80’s era Limahl. No time for photo evidence tonight.

Game 14 Brazil v. Korea DPR 2-1

The TV at the office is pretty crappy. There’s something about the color red that displays funny. When I saw the NK players on the field they looked like big red glowy dots and I was thinking: Ok, am I seeing auras? Do I have some super power I can see their true identity? (I know, too much sci fi.) Then on a close up they looked like regular people.

During the half of this game I started penning my “What the hell players? Start scoring some goals. None of this own goal (Denmark), penalty kick (Ghana), butterfingers goalie (USA) crap either. I want some really nice goals, like Germany,” manifesto.

But then Brazil came through with a couple. That Maicon goal was AMAZING. And NK got a great one, too.

I thought Brazil was going to sail through a lot easier in this game.

Game 15 Honduras v. Chile 0-1

Missed it. Sorry guys.

Game 16 Spain v. Switzerland 0-1

SPAIN I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU.

You were very handsome while you lost, however.

Game 17 South Africa v. Uruguay 0-3

Wow. I’ve never seen a goalie thrown out on a red card. Is there any sporting duty worse than being #2 goalie and being tossed into a game in the 80th minute to try to block a penalty kick? I really wanted him to block it because that would have been cool.

– – –

Tomorrow’s a big day. I have Argentina playing at 4:30am. (Yes, going to try to watch it). Then a regular work day and then a Timbers game after work. SOCCER!

Yes, it is a lot of soccer but it’s only once every 4 years and makes me really happy.

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BEG-A-THON!

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Pamela

This is my CW class waiting for Chuck Palahnuik’s reading. I had a terrible camera when I was there so I only have a few awful pictures. My advice to CW students: make sure you don’t have a crap camera.

I keep forgetting to post that I’m doing the beg-a-thon again this year.

I’ve sent out a few super-impersonal spams begging for money and I may send a few more.

Meanwhile, here I am doing one of my most unfavorite things: asking people for money.

This is a fundraiser for Clarion West the organization that puts on the writing workshop I did in 2008.

My adventures are here (scroll to the bottom to start at the beginning.)

I think I said my stated goal says 1000 words a week because the workshop starts during World Cup but I’ll probably do more like 3000 a week.

You can sponsor me. I’m going to match donations for the first $100 so if I can get 20 people to sponsor me for $5 (only $5! You can probably find that much on the floor in the car) I will make my goal of donating $200. You can donate more if you want. $20. $100. $1 million. All will be appreciated and if you donate $1 million we can probably arrange to have a building named after you.

If you’ve ever had a dream of donating money to deserving writing nerds, this is your big chance.

My donation page is here. If you like Paypal you can donate with a few clicks.

If you don’t like Paypal you can mail a donation. That information is here. If that’s too much trouble you can mail or give to me. You can throw it at me and I’ll run back and forth with a bucket and try to catch it.

If you don’t want to give it to me there’s a huge long list of other writers you can sponsor.

And if you’re tired of people asking you for money, then you can think good thoughts.

I’ll post a weekly update on how I’m doing.

And huge thanks to everyone who already donated. I really appreciate it.

Posted in Clarion West, doing it wrong | 10 Comments