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Comments Posted By Metroknow
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Of Terror, Children, and Basketball
@Brewcaster – although I didn’t quantify that list by Mary Sue’s categorizations of “cute” and “14 instead of 7″, this is the breakdown along racial lines that I see:
Biracial: 6
Hispanic: 8
Black: 1
Asian: 2
White: 25I cannot say why some kids capture public attention and others do not; I think in this case the drama of a child disappearing from a public school touches a lot of buttons with parents who provide complete trust that the school is a safe haven; from that list, it doesn’t seem that it is strictly a racially-driven thing that Kyron’s case has received media attention and others have not. BUT, I could totally be wrong on my assumptions – my little assessment is far from scientific, or the complete picture in any way.
Thanks for the link – certainly is a lot of food for thought.
@Mary Sue – I will not engage in your oneupmanship of how hard (or easy) my life was relative to anyone else’s – With all sincerity, I am sure you had a much more difficult road than I for the reasons you state.
But, your assumptions about me based on my perceived skin color, my “other laptop”, my gender, and your imaginations of my resulting background are both unfair and incorrect. For what it’s worth I put myself through college working two manual labor jobs alongside hardworking folks of all different ethnicities, getting paid the same (believe me, we talked about it), and managed by a Latino manager in a small, woman-owned factory. I myself am half Asian although my skin color is in fact white, a detail for which my father was disappointed having married a full-blooded Asian woman. I did spend part of my time growing up in some typical mostly-white suburbs; by contrast I also spent a good portion of my life both as a child and an adult living as a very unpopular white minority in third-world areas of the world doing volunteer work alongside my family. It clearly does not compare to your life experience, but FWIW I have some idea of what it means to be a target, particularly with white folks being picked off at random during turbulent political times in those areas. Oh and BTW, I do not believe it was “white privilege” that afforded us the opportunity to volunteer. It was a willingness of my parents and my larger family to throw themselves wholeheartedly into something they believed in, particularly since me and my two sisters were pretty much the only white kids in my extended family.
All I will say is I offer to you my genuine respect for both your past and what you face daily, and how you deal with it with strength, courage, and dignity. My path diverged from one of devout faith not so long ago, and I’m now trying to figure out what that means. Your quote sounds like it is from the book of Matthew or Mark, though I am not certain (and I apologize if I am way off the mark there), but it sounds like something I’ve read many, many times, and have shared personally many, many times in an effort to bring comfort to folks. I have just reached a point in my life where I am unsure of what it means for me.
On the piece in general, my fear in the moment has much more to do with the fact that for the first time in my life I am a father of two children. Stories like Kyron’s scare me not just a little as such, particularly with a wavering sense of whether there is a power out there working the rigging of the world, and a sense of powerlessness to protect my kids from situations like these. Again, it’s my path, and it unfolds every day in ways I do not anticipate.
At any rate, I wish you well.
» Posted By Metroknow On June 14, 2010 @ 11:45 am
The New Generation Of Oregonians
We moved back to the Pacific NW after 6 years in Los Angeles for exactly this reason. We chose PDX over Seattle for a variety of family needs (including how far our money would go in buying a house, etc.). We visited everywhere we thought suitable from New Zealand to Asheville, NC, but our heart always returned here. And here it stays. And despite some occasional native curmudgeonry (that is Latin for “made up word about pissyness…wait, that’s not a word either…”) aimed at “outsiders movin’ in and ruining the joint,” I can only hope that the influx (read: slowly growing diversity) continues.
» Posted By Metroknow On May 26, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
Welcome to the OurPDX writer’s pool – the water’s been drained on accounta’ budget cutbacks, but the pretend water’s glorious.
» Posted By Metroknow On January 7, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
What is the Sound of One Man Clapping?
Here, this might help – a very informative Pick and Roll video. Now you just need to learn Chinese. No problem. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwyULA0R-6w
» Posted By Metroknow On December 4, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
Adams Recall Effort Fails; Backers Kick Off New Approach
Andy – any resemblance to the truth is almost surely a coincidence.
» Posted By Metroknow On October 14, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
Someone Tried to Burn Down My House
On the one hand I suppose it’s really frightening that it was 6-yr-olds, but on the other, I bet you are relieved that it wasn’t something more sinister/willful – either way, terribly scary. Glad it came to an end so quickly.
» Posted By Metroknow On October 3, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW DESIGN CONTEST FOR PDX CREATIVES
Absolutely – you’ve been elected.
» Posted By Metroknow On July 14, 2009 @ 12:21 am
@marlynn:
» Posted By Metroknow On July 14, 2009 @ 12:17 am
@MeaganKate: As I mentioned, I am a horrible boss for unpaid creative-types such as yourself. Looks like I’m gonna have to ask you to work the weekend to get that TPS report done. Yeah, definitely.
@Jandroid: Clean up on aisle 6?
@Cami: Oh no, if you are nominated as a judge, the entrants will all grovel and suck up. It’s a perk.
» Posted By Metroknow On July 14, 2009 @ 12:14 am
It’s not me – the Feds have a standby ready at all times for just such occasions.
» Posted By Metroknow On June 5, 2009 @ 4:39 pm
OurPDX shared links for June 1st
I came across Lelo’s article on tomatoes earlier this week as well, and really enjoyed it. Well worth a visit as always.
» Posted By Metroknow On June 1, 2009 @ 11:31 am
Thank you for sounding the bell of reason here, particularly including the “killing with kindness” aspect. Great advice to just let them take it from here and figure out what their best move is. Whatever they decide, they will always be met with the highest regard.
» Posted By Metroknow On May 26, 2009 @ 8:57 pm
Reminder: OurPDX Author/Reader meetup TONIGHT at Rontoms!
Unfortunately no meetup for me tonight – swimming lessons for my 4-yr-old trumps beer with the likes of OurPDX writers like me!
» Posted By Metroknow On May 19, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
Is Portland Beer City USA? Vote now!
Voted as well – it was up to 42% this morning -
» Posted By Metroknow On May 7, 2009 @ 9:56 am
When Coffee Wars Get Bitter: The Floyd’s saga
I’ve never been to Floyd’s, but it is now at the top of my list to support whenever I’m anywhere near their new location. Thanks for the article Betsy!
» Posted By Metroknow On May 4, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
Top 10 PSU Saturday Market Survival Tips
Definitely good ideas as well. We typically bring a few different snacks from home which definitely takes the edge off for the children and parents alike. Then we find a short line with something good and splurge a little. We never eat a full meal there.
» Posted By Metroknow On April 7, 2009 @ 11:41 am
In all seriousness, I totally agree with the two tips you mention (rainy days and going early). Instead of whining about crowds, I recommend to the crowd-frustrated attendees to just go earlier. Pretty simple solution requiring no legislation.
» Posted By Metroknow On April 7, 2009 @ 10:31 am
Excellent post, and one that I bet rings true for a lot of folks lately. Portland definitely seems to suffer from smalltown busybodies with big town aspirations.
For me, I think a diverse, crowded queue at Voodoo Donut at 12:30AM after seeing great live music in a tiny, personal venue, negates much of my cynicism even in the darkest of winter months. That and the waterfront at times reminds me of Paris in early spring believe it or not, just from a few vantage points. I’ll take it.
» Posted By Metroknow On April 6, 2009 @ 11:08 pm
Trail Blazers Clinch Playoff Berth for first time since 2003
Thanks for the perspective. My best playoff experience was as a child in Seattle when the Supersonics went to the playoffs in the late 70′s. It made a permanent impression going to a playoff game at 5, feeling the frenzy even from the nosebleed section. I have no doubt that more than a few kids are going to get that same great sensation thanks to a hardworking and talented team. Very cool stuff.
» Posted By Metroknow On April 6, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
Spring is here: Farmer’s Market opens this weekend
We will be there as well – been waiting for months! I’ll be the guy with a 2-yr-old, a 4-yr-old, my beautiful wife, and a 6-foot stack of vegetable starts for our garden.
» Posted By Metroknow On March 20, 2009 @ 10:10 am
Warning: Ongoing Construction on OurPDX
@Steve R: I’m definitely a proponent of this theme, and readability is one of it’s biggest selling points. Great to hear that it’s working for ya.
» Posted By Metroknow On March 20, 2009 @ 9:00 am
@PAgent – Thank you for the explanation – I certainly hadn’t considered that aspect of the safety question. And it has the “reasonable” ring to me.
@Justin: While I appreciate your comment, I have to say this is the argument that really polarizes things IMHO. What it says to me is many in the cycling community feel that regardless of a cyclists actions, safe or not, it is always the driver’s fault. Sorry – I don’t buy it if we’re all trying to work together to share the road (which is what I think most Portland folks want to do). I have never hit anyone or anything in a car (knock on wood), but I have had some close calls with legal and illegal motorcycle lanesplitters (for example) because it is not humanly possible to be aware of all of your surroundings every second of every minute 360 degrees. You do your best, but you can’t be focused on every detail in 3 mirrors and forward at once for every single moment. It’s particularly true when smaller vehicles are able to change position so quickly. So what’s the best alternative to this physical limit? To me, reasonable safety laws to make up the difference. It’s why we have bike lanes and progressive laws that preserve safe conditions for cyclists and motorists alike. The basic physical truth is cyclists are often harder to see than other cars and trucks – because they are smaller, and especially because they’re more nimble. Which means, to me, a) drivers need to be as aware as is physically possible, and b) that cyclists should be afforded the best protective measures possible.
If a case can be made, as @PAgent does, that running a stop sign can be safer for those involved, then I can work with that and actually get behind it. But blaming drivers because they don’t have superhuman powers to see around them 360 degrees at all times is exactly the kind of bitterness that loses me.
» Posted By Metroknow On March 19, 2009 @ 8:43 am
Thanks for posting this. I am not a commuter at all these days (so no built up angst about cyclists getting to roll when I don’t), and I truly feel I have no anti-bike OR ant-car agenda. You wouldn’t know it from my conversation on Twitter on the subject, in which 140 characters makes it pretty confusing to figure out what anyone is actually saying (and made me sound, even to myself, biased where I thought I wasn’t) – so I’m really glad to read it here. I think both sides of the argument are irrational to a degree, but it seems like there’s an awful lot of screaming from both sides when what is really needed is straight answers.
For me, my question is surrounding public safety for all on the road. I see the usual “well if this were a car it would be different” argument, ok fine, but I am not hearing from the cycling community a straight answer on how relaxing a safety law is an improvement for the safety of anyone, and helps to prevent the tragedy experienced on both sides when a rider is accidentally hurt by an innocent driver. And I do mean the truly innocent vs. aggressive, such as in the mom with 3 kids in the car who simply doesn’t see the smaller frame of a cyclist before she turns. It’s horrific for all involved.
And I’d preemptively ask please, save the hate mongering. I’m trying to understand it, and can easily see (and support) either side if the discussion is rational. I get the idea that it’s more work to stop at a stop sign on a bike particularly when you’re clipped in. Got that. I’m more interested in a reasonable answer to the safety question.
» Posted By Metroknow On March 18, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
Hey there DJ – I have a bread tip for ya – it is a book called “Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day.” – it truly is as the title suggests, and makes incredible bread. I wrote about it on my site, here:
http://almostfit.com/2008/05/07/can-you-make-artisan-bread-like-this-in-only-5-minutes/
Best -
Metroknow» Posted By Metroknow On January 16, 2009 @ 1:06 am
Ha – It’s not often you get to intermix a Depeche Mode reference with George Takei in such a natural fashion. Nice work, SLL
» Posted By Metroknow On January 5, 2009 @ 1:10 am
Photos of Flooding in Oregon City
Yep that home has been for sale for quite some time now (brand new). But anyone with half a brain would have to at least question whether this sort of thing would happen. I don’t know – it could be engineered for flooding in the lower level (garage), which is possible…
» Posted By Metroknow On January 2, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
I think everyone who lives near this was shocked when they built that brand new house smack dab in the middle of the floodplain. How they got a permit is a mystery.
» Posted By Metroknow On January 2, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
I know that snow is made higher up where it is usually colder, but I still think it’s odd to see snow falling when my outdoor thermometer says 44 degrees. This winter is a strange one.
» Posted By Metroknow On January 3, 2009 @ 6:39 pm
Snow doesn’t generally phase me much – I’m much more afraid of things like tornadoes. That said, I was definitely caught a little less than prepared this year, being short on pellets for the wood stove and dog food in particular.
However, I have to agree – it really does depend on how you view it. A friend of ours had to drive to Seattle for a funeral, and the question arose as to whether it was really wise to drive all the way up there for a funeral. His simple answer? “Well, if it was a ski trip I’d go. So why wouldn’t I for a funeral?”
And thus, I’m writing this comment from south of Seattle, after digging our car out of our driveway.
» Posted By Metroknow On December 24, 2008 @ 8:50 pm
«« Back To Stats PageThanks Will. I’ve been saving that one for years.
» Posted By Metroknow On December 16, 2008 @ 9:33 am
