i love the onion

Nation To Ken Griffey Jr.: 'We Wish It Were You Hitting 756 Home Runs'

forgive me, erin/the rose festival demands its due

I swear I didn't mean to post right after you (again) and bump your post from the top of the page. By all means, readers, scroll down for Erin's new post.

The Rose Festival begins tomorrow. I have to admit that I've never been quite as enthralled with Portland's big event as it seems a Portlander should be. Sure, I came to it late. I've been here less than five years, so I didn't grow up with Rose Ambassadors (and Princesses and Queens). I'm flummoxed by Royal Rosarians, though I appreciate their spiffy suits. And, as much as I love the fact that Portland holds all of its big festivals downtown on the waterfront, I have to admit that I don't enjoy festivals: I don't play the games or buy the junk and I don't believe in portable rides. No way.

Despite all of these things, I'm excited about the Rose Festival starting this week and hope to check out a few of the events:

• Saturday is the Starlight Parade, which I love.
  
• I'm intrigued by the Dragon Boat races. I've never seen them, but maybe this will be the year I finally check them out.
  
• The Rose Show is inside Lloyd Center. What a hoot!
• Also, I love that my commute takes me through the Festival of Flowers in Pioneer Square every day.
  

And, Erin, this one's for you: the Rose Festival is "consistently ranked 'cleanest & greenest' festival in America."

And, one last link: the Rose Festival blog.

So, tell me, which which Rose Festival events will you be checking out?

IKEA Portland to open July 25

another friendly portland driver

Walking home from the Max station tonight, I had to cross a fairly busy street. It's one of those intersections where you have to stand there for a long time to get the walk signal and it doesn't last very long. So, I was almost to the intersection when the lovely walk sign appeared. I sped up to make the light and, just as I reached the curb, the warning light started to flash. Not wanting to wait through a full traffic signal and fairly confident that I could cross before oncoming traffic got the green light, I forged on. The light turns green while I'm still a few steps from the curb. The first car sitting at the intersection merely waits for me to pass and goes on its merry way -- friendly Portland driver. The next car tears around the corner, driver screaming. I only caught one word and it was "BITCH." We can all imagine the rest.

So, Portland may have the friendliest drivers, but there's always one who spoils it for everybody.

Friendliest Drivers?

I heard on Live with Regis and Kelly today that Portland is ranked as having the friendliest drivers. I don't know about that......but maybe. I mean, there's eventually someone who will let you in when your blinker is on.

Miami was ranked as having the most road rage.
Also, New York, Boson, LA, and Washington DC were ranked in the top.

austin, baby

Please advise.