Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Twat Tweet 3000
The reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated. There's far too much to say, and my ego simply won't allow critics to break this beautiful blog. I must say I was taken aback by the outpour of support from the StoryTime faithful. Thanks for standing up to censorship or, as I call it, terrorism, but next time, you should really read to the end of the post.
So it dawned on me that some of you may be craving more of me. Can't say I blame you. I'm pretty awesome. For the unawares desperate for daily witticism, varied vulgarity, and sizzling romance there is hope. Twitter. I tweet on my twat when I have something vaguely humorous or ambiguously dramatic to say.
The shameless promotion of this blog post happens to be tweet 3,000 for the @ShavedGolf Twitter account. In celebration of this minor momentous milestone, it seems timely to pay homage to the social media that I use, peruse, and abuse. Here, in 140 characters or less, are the reasons I'm on Twitter and you should be, too.
@ShavedGolf: First and foremost, the superfluous and flowery fluff is removed and the remaining content is the raw information you're interested in.
@ShavedGolf: Follow who you want. What's doing in the @NBA? What's @johnboehner thinking? What's @HotPinkTaco serving? Choose who you want to hear from.
@ShavedGolf: You see what I did there? I put @johnboehner & @HotPinkTaco in the same tweet. #WINNING
@ShavedGolf: @twitter can be used for up-to-the-second breaking news. Follow @CNN, @msnbc, & @CBSNews for more breaking news than you care to be broken.
@ShavedGolf: @twitter provides access to individuals that security wouldn't allow IRL. While you can't touch them, you can at least chat them up.
@ShavedGolf: Example: I don't know @ErinAndrews, but I'd like to. I'll tweet her! Bonus: a response or RT from @ErinAndrews is spank bank GOLD.
@ShavedGolf: Everyone's doing it. From @RyanGosling to @RyanSeacrest. From @SteveMartinToGo to @the_real_nash. From @Justin_Stangel to @justinbieber.
@ShavedGolf: Shit, even @kingsthings is on @twitter and he's older than your grandparents...combined.
@ShavedGolf: But forget those shlubs! I'm on @twitter. You love me. You clearly don't get enough of me. So sign up, log on & enjoy my shit.
Sometimes I tweet. Sometimes I twoop. Sometimes I drunk-tweet. Sometimes I sex-tweet (like Weiner's wiener). Regardless of my cognitive state, location or demeanor, you can be assured of one thing: it's 100% @ShavedGolf 110% of the time.
xoxo,
@ShavedGolf
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
StoryTime Says Goodbye
Death comes for us all. Even blogs. Bloggers always fear the end. The end of their blog. The hobby that's kept you busy night after night. The writing carefully crafted into a unique piece of art. The words that you hope will entertain friends, loved ones, and the world.
Late last week, ShavedGolf was contacted by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC email was an obvious template. Poorly written, too...I would know, I'm a blogger. The stock email was to inform me of multiple complaints lodged against this blog for crude humor, foul language, and offensive bigotry against Portland hipsters.
While the email stopped short of being a complete cease-and-desist, it did recommend a change of tone and a new direction for my weekly writings in the interest of avoiding civil suits. This is all paraphrased with sprinkles of assumption, but suffice it to say, the email was enough to give pause.
My creation. My thought. My writing. My art. Despite it's popularity on the web (with well over 11,000 hits in just over a year) had caused enough people anguish that they felt it necessary to contact the FCC. Simply shocking and, frankly, hurtful.
StoryTime for me isn't just some afterthought. The blog is more than just a side project. The weekly postings have quickly become my number one hobby. While it's understandable that it won't be entertaining for all audiences, it's extremely saddening to hear that my content has risen to the point where the federal government is now reaching out to me. Even worse to think that I've disappointed and/or disgraced those that I care most about, my faithful audience.
Unfortunately, after discussing my options with friends, family and my attorney, I've decided this will be my last post. In the face of civil action, I blinked. Some may see this as cowardice, but, simply put, I'm trying to do what's best for my future.
To the StoryTime faithful, a heartfelt thank you for sticking with me. Week after week. Post after post. It's been a privilege and an honor to fill your monitors and mobile devices on a regular basis.
To the handful of individuals that I've offended, truly, I'm sorry. Never once did I maliciously write something with the intent of causing grief. My goal was never to hurt. I'm sorry I let you down.
With that, I'm off to new things, bigger adventures, and a lot more free time on my hands. We've had a good run, but I'm sure you'll fill your 5 minutes every Wednesday night with something infinitely better. Best wishes to all. Cheers.
xoxo,
ShavedGolf
Just kidding, fuckers! See you back here next week.
Late last week, ShavedGolf was contacted by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC email was an obvious template. Poorly written, too...I would know, I'm a blogger. The stock email was to inform me of multiple complaints lodged against this blog for crude humor, foul language, and offensive bigotry against Portland hipsters.
While the email stopped short of being a complete cease-and-desist, it did recommend a change of tone and a new direction for my weekly writings in the interest of avoiding civil suits. This is all paraphrased with sprinkles of assumption, but suffice it to say, the email was enough to give pause.
My creation. My thought. My writing. My art. Despite it's popularity on the web (with well over 11,000 hits in just over a year) had caused enough people anguish that they felt it necessary to contact the FCC. Simply shocking and, frankly, hurtful.
StoryTime for me isn't just some afterthought. The blog is more than just a side project. The weekly postings have quickly become my number one hobby. While it's understandable that it won't be entertaining for all audiences, it's extremely saddening to hear that my content has risen to the point where the federal government is now reaching out to me. Even worse to think that I've disappointed and/or disgraced those that I care most about, my faithful audience.
Unfortunately, after discussing my options with friends, family and my attorney, I've decided this will be my last post. In the face of civil action, I blinked. Some may see this as cowardice, but, simply put, I'm trying to do what's best for my future.
To the StoryTime faithful, a heartfelt thank you for sticking with me. Week after week. Post after post. It's been a privilege and an honor to fill your monitors and mobile devices on a regular basis.
To the handful of individuals that I've offended, truly, I'm sorry. Never once did I maliciously write something with the intent of causing grief. My goal was never to hurt. I'm sorry I let you down.
With that, I'm off to new things, bigger adventures, and a lot more free time on my hands. We've had a good run, but I'm sure you'll fill your 5 minutes every Wednesday night with something infinitely better. Best wishes to all. Cheers.
xoxo,
ShavedGolf
Just kidding, fuckers! See you back here next week.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Match Money Management
For the money, you'd be hard pressed to find a more entertaining value than a season ticket to the Portland Timbers. The sport is soccer. Either you love it or you don't. I'm not gonna debate the beautiful game with you. 90 minutes of all out effort, constant action, and big sweaty men. Sounds like late night at Embers.
If the game alone isn't enough to get you in the stands, then the atmosphere should be. The fan base for this team is amazing. Rabid, intoxicated crazies chanting, singing, dancing for damn near three hours. The unity on the pitch is enjoyable, but the unity in the seats is just as awe-inspiring.
I bought in as a Timbers season ticket holder in their inaugral MLS season with the intent of saving money. I had been to matches in the past, I had fun, I knew I wanted more. The price was right. 18 bucks a pop if you bought the full season package. Little did I know the team's popularity in the Rose City would make this season ticket decision the only avenue to attend a match as all 20k seats for the tiny Jeld-Wen pitch sell out. In fact, all seating for the 2012 season has sold out.
Needless to say I'm thankful I bought the season pass, but it soon dawned on me that I really wasn't saving money by attending weekly matches. Any savings attributed to cheap season tickets was being unloaded at the jacked-up concession stands.
The prices are truly outrageous. It's a monopoly. Those Jeld-Wen bitches have you by the balls. Once your ticket is scanned, there's no readmitance (not a word). You're screwed. You have to eat their food. You have to drink their beer. They know it and they raise concession stand prices to let you know they know it.
In the interest of helping my fellow man avoid match day financial ruin, I'm going to provide you with some season ticket holder trade secrets of match money management. Translated in laymen's terms: you're going to sneak a lot of shit in.
Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink...unless you pay $5 or you're smart about it. The skies could not have opened up more than they did Monday for opening night. Torrential downpour is trite but accurate. This rain of biblical proportions makes the cost of a $5 bottle of Dasani feel like a punch in the dick. Really, Jeld-Wen? Five bucks for the sustenance of life? Without this shit, you keel over and die in a matter of days, and Jeld-Wen Field thinks it's OK to price gouge for it.
Calm down. Don't panic. No need to start drinking from the puddles out in the concourse. The stands have exactly four drinking fountains in two locations for match-goers to quench their thirst. I'll save you the trouble of asking the Jeld-Wen concourse henchmen (they don't fucking know anyway) and draw you a map. X marks the spot.
Now if you're sitting in the Timbers Army (yellow section), you are furthest from the fountains. Wouldn't it be great if you had some sort of container to hold water that you could carry with the purpose of quenching thirst at any point during the match? A water bottle, perhaps? Well fuck! Fun fact! They allow you to bring containers into Jeld-Wen so long as they're empty. So bring your bottle, fill that shit at the start, and enjoy H20 for the duration.
OK, so now you have a limitless supply of water and a method in which to transport it. Great. Unfortunately filling up on water will only stave those hunger pangs for so long. You're going to need to establish a food source.
Jeld-Wen Field has any number of different options sure the please any foodie. Savory meat pies from Pacific Pie Co. A Timber Brat with sausage from local Zenner's. Delicious Thai food. Tender BBQ. Qdoba Mexican Grill has two stands. And of course the traditional options are available as well: hot dogs, hamburgers, pretzels, nachos...whatever.
Just one problem. Those tricky Jeld-Wen bitches know you have a stomach. Again, these prices have been heavily tampered with. There's no shame. If you're hungry enough, you'll let your stomach start making the financial decisions. You cannot allow this to happen lest you go broke.
Admittedly, the solution to the food source conundrum is somewhat dubious. While you don't have deep pockets, you do have pockets. Prior to entering Jeld-Wen, I turn my personal garments into a fat man's utility belt. I hit up Taco Bell on Burnside and line my pockets with burritos and Crunch Wrap Supremes (they're good to go). The rent-a-guard lackeys are unlikely to search your person and even less likely to question the warm bulge in your pants.
Sweet sustenance! You have food, you have water. What more could you possibly...oh fuck! You forgot the beer!
You're doomed. There really isn't a viable option for the beer enthusiast to hoard his cash and enjoy his brew. Short of strapping the 12 beer can holster to your chest, you will pay the $7.75 domestic/$8.50 premium beer prices.
Wait. What's that you say? You're only looking to get shit faceded? Well fuck! This we can handle. The solution to the shit face situation is even more chancy than the aforementioned food acquisition.
Where food is a banned item on Jeld-Wen's list, alcohol smuggling is against the law. The OLCC states that any alcoholic beverage intended for park consumption must be purchased within the gates of the alcohol monopoly. It's like the 21st amendment never even passed!
Despite the legal implications, I know you're gonna try anyway. Flasks. Lots of them. Three or four if you have room next to all those bean burritos. You're like a prohibition rum runner. You're a libation liberator. You're...you're...fuck, dude...are you already drunk?
Remember, the key to success with the flask method is moderation. Much like your low tolerance for the hard stuff, Jeld-Wen has a low tolerance for public drunkenness. The Jeld-Wen safety patrol doesn't take too kindly to belligerent individuals. To evade the discerning eye, limit your sauce consumption and save your drunken tirades for the after-party.
Pennies pinched. Wallet secure. Bank account safe. 401k unscathed. With a little effort, some forward thinking, and a dash of luck, even the frugal can enjoy the beautiful game. Jeld-Wen is an amazing pitch, the talented Timbers team impresses, and the rowdy crowd of 20,000 faithful is a sight to see.
Truly, it would be hard to find a more entertaining value than the production gracing Portland's pitch every other week. Match day is joyous for all who attend, so I encourage you to find a ticket and get to a game. It's worth it. The memories will last a lifetime.
Rose City Til I Die
xoxo,
ShavedGolf
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Grand Jury Investigates Rare Candy Use Within Pokemon Community
Last week federal authorities launched a Grand Jury investigation into the rampant use of rare candies among Pokemon and their trainers. Rare candy was a much sought after Pokemon training supplement in the early 2000s for it's miraculous ability to level a Pokemon without gaining any experience. In more recent years, the Pokemon League has banned the use of rare candy under it's substance abuse policy.
Rare candy is now seen as a performance enhancing drug within the Pokemon community. Despite it's rumored side effects and the league's do-not-use label, an active rare candy black market lingers. This black market is seen as a blight on the sport and one the Grand Jury hopes to clean up.
There was little surprise when the jury indited well-known Pokemon trainer Ash Ketchum. Ketchum was called to testify today, and when asked if he had ever provided rare candies to his Pokemon, he maintained his innocence:
Professor Oak, Ketchum's Pokemon mentor, will likely be called to testify later in the week. In addition to the personal connection, many of Ketchum's Pokemon blood samples were sent to his Pallet Town laboratory for rare candy testing.
Beyond the Grand Jury hearings, Ketchum is facing harsh criticism in the court of public opinion. Ketchum's long-time rival in the Pokemon arena, Gary, had this to say: "I always knew he was cheating!" When asked about suitable punishments for trainers involved, Gary continued: "I hope they take his Gym Badges!"
Indeed badges may be stripped from those trainers involved, but heavier sanctions may be leveled in order to set an example within the Pokemon community. League officials could choose to reduce a trainer's Pokemon scholarship availability, penalize with battle suspensions, or revoke a trainer's license amounting to a life-time Pokemon ban.
xoxo,
ShavedGolf
Rare candy is now seen as a performance enhancing drug within the Pokemon community. Despite it's rumored side effects and the league's do-not-use label, an active rare candy black market lingers. This black market is seen as a blight on the sport and one the Grand Jury hopes to clean up.
There was little surprise when the jury indited well-known Pokemon trainer Ash Ketchum. Ketchum was called to testify today, and when asked if he had ever provided rare candies to his Pokemon, he maintained his innocence:
"Supplements were handed out from time to time. Training can be rough on Pokemon...as a trainer it's my responsibility to look out for these guys. Sure...I gave them supplements...iron, protein, whatever, but I never knowingly providing rare candies to my Pokemon."
Poliwrath, formerly known as
Poliwag, has openly admitted
to rare candy use through
much of his career. Photo
courtesy of halolz.com.
"Ash and I have used rare candy to level our Pokemon for damn near a decade. The ban's made it difficult...rare candy is even rarer, so we've become a little more selective...I honestly don't see any other way to level a Magikarp."The courtroom became heated when Ketchum's former Pokemon, Pikachu, took the stand. When asked if he had ever taken rare candy, Pikachu became defensive: "Pikachu. Pikapee. Pika pika! CHUUUUUUU!" Clearly agitated by the accusatory line of questioning, Pikachu was asked to step down from the stand and the hearing took a brief recess.
Professor Oak, Ketchum's Pokemon mentor, will likely be called to testify later in the week. In addition to the personal connection, many of Ketchum's Pokemon blood samples were sent to his Pallet Town laboratory for rare candy testing.
Beyond the Grand Jury hearings, Ketchum is facing harsh criticism in the court of public opinion. Ketchum's long-time rival in the Pokemon arena, Gary, had this to say: "I always knew he was cheating!" When asked about suitable punishments for trainers involved, Gary continued: "I hope they take his Gym Badges!"
Indeed badges may be stripped from those trainers involved, but heavier sanctions may be leveled in order to set an example within the Pokemon community. League officials could choose to reduce a trainer's Pokemon scholarship availability, penalize with battle suspensions, or revoke a trainer's license amounting to a life-time Pokemon ban.
xoxo,
ShavedGolf
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Global Leap Day
Every fourth February the world celebrates Global Leap Day. Originally created by calendar stores in malls with the purpose of making their products add up correctly, Global Leap Day has become something more. Traditions have changed, and the day is no longer used merely for calendar calculation. February 29th mantra is simple: what happens on Leap Day, stays on Leap Day. Observers are free to throw caution to the wind and ignore all inhibitions. The day happens once every four years, so do it without remorse.
Given the opportunity to live a day without regret, here was my Global Leap Day in review...
The alarm clock took the day off. I slept in and felt little regret for allowing my internal clock to naturally wake me. My razor joined the alarm. Fuck shaving. I'm down with the clean cut look if the reward is a raise or a blow job. Next was the wardrobe. Pants are for suckers. Dress shirts are confining. Ties don't make sense. I slid into my finest silk bathrobe.
Before heading out, I packed provisions. Recognizing the key to any successful day is the occasional pull of hard alcohol, I filled my flask with high quality bourbon. Liquid courage has it's place in any situation. So do Ritz crackers. Fucking delicious. They came, too.
No Global Leap Day would be complete without a little gaming. The Xbox was carefully bundled in bubble wrap and loaded into a man-satchel filled with packing peanuts. My employer's conference room with projector was commandeered for the afternoon. The room was made available by canceling all the previously scheduled client meetings. Once I had my fill of video games on the big screen, and my tummy starting grumbling from hunger pangs, I called it quits in the office and ventured out for some food.
Lunch was served at the local steakhouse/gentlemen's club. The establishment happens to dish a succulent filet mignon. The naked ladies are a pleasant secondary attraction, but I find they are typically only interested in my money. Fortunately the meal gave me terrible gas, and after flatulating the hell out of my pants, I had to do little more to protect the Benjamins in my wallet.
Steak and tits weren't enough. I was craving a new adventure. A new high. Bath salts. Not sure who the first fucker was that chowed down on bath salt, but I can confirm it will fuck you. The ill-advised abuse of bathing product left me in a zombie trance. I lost a few hours. High as a kite and thirsty as hell, I was in desperate need of a beer.
Quick! To the local bar! More like a restaurant. Whatever the establishment classifies itself as, they serve tall, frosty beers. With my bath salty mouth quenched, I turned my attention to the hostess. She was smokin' hot. Hot hostess's looks and my intoxication led to my solicitation of her company for the evening. Ordinarily, local hangout etiquette dictates you avoid ruining bars by propositioning the staff, but today was Global Leap Day, so I could do no wrong. Despite this explanation, she turned me down outright.
After hot hostess broke my heart, I hurried to the next bar over and drastically lowered my standards. Fortunately my eyes found the drunkest, fat bar skeeze and after two shots and some begging I dragged her back to the bachelor pad. We made love. Or at least had sex. At a minimum it was heavy foreplay. Regardless, I was unapologetically premature. I had my two minutes of fun and it was time for her to leave. I politely asked her to get the fuck out.
My two minutes in heaven had made my tummy grumble. I was starving. Dinner was in order. Sushi was on the brain, and with a plethora of choices in the area, I decided to try a new restaurant. Roll after roll. I had about seven in all. I imagined the bill arriving and cringed. In celebration of Global Leap Day, I made the decision to dine and dash. I politely thanked the waitress and told her to pass my regards to the chef. I bolted into the night.
By now you know I'm full of shit. I didn't do half this crap...though...there's some truth to the flask thing. I spent Global Leap Day doing exactly what I always do on Wednesday: working, drinking, blogging, gaming. The weight of regret and consequence bind me to a reality that is instead of a reality that could be.
I could chew bath salts, but the consequence is brain damage. I could fart on a stripper, but the consequence is an abbreviated lap dance. I could fuck skeezey bar fatties, but the consequence is any number of venerable diseases.
It's the risk/reward of life. Game theory. Simple calculation. Probability decision making. Pick the situations with the highest chance of success. Stretch in the situations with the greatest reward.
Life is a game won only by calculated moves, strong resolve, and luck. Get to work.
xoxo,
ShavedGolf
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Love Notes to Xbox
If Oregon is my first love, the Xbox would be my mistress. The romance is a passionate one. When that saucy box plays it's sultry turned on noise and sexy X-ball motif, I get a gaming hard on. We aren't sneaky about the affair. I tell my friends. My coworkers are in. The neighbors can hear us go at it every night. So it's safe to say, Oregon knows.
With any adulterous transgression, it's important to take stock of where you've been, where you are, and where you're going. A reflection. What's working and what's not.
Xbox, we're doing so much right, but I think we have room for improvement.
Things We're Doing Right:
Halo
If I was gay, Master Chief would be my boyfriend. The evolution in combat brought me to the Xbox. This decade old franchise remains the ultimate in first person shooters. As Star Wars is to the movie industry, Halo is the video game industry. Sleek and silky smooth, the quality development shows. Let us hope that Microsoft Studios can pick up where Bungie left off.
Assassin's Creed
I am Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Master Assassin, leader of the Assassin's Guild, stalking my prey in the streets of 15th century Rome. The target is a corrupt politician, in bed with the Templars, the ones responsible for murdering my family. Blending with the crowd. Aware of the surroundings within the bustling bazaar. Vigilant of the guards presence. I wait for the right moment. Swiftly I pass undetected through the swarming market. In one move, I reveal my hidden blade, slice into the fat politician's belly, and walk away. Unnoticed. I just creamed my pants.
Battlefield 3
This shit cray! Ain't it Jay? This franchise feels like it skipped a game; that's how much of an improvement DICE made over Battlefield 2. Implementation of Frostbite 2 is to thank for the sharpened graphics and smoother game play of Battlefield 3. The game provides the dirt and grit feel of real war...I assume...because I've never been.
Elder Scrolls
They say we've reached Morrowind. I'm sure they'll let us go. I picked up this franchise when my prison ship reached the shores of Morrowind. Then I was called to aid Cyrodiil during the Oblivion crisis. Mostly recently I walked the Nordic homeland, Skyrim, and fought ferocious fucking dragons. Simply put, Bethesda makes the best role playing games. Anyone who disagrees can go back to their questing and gold hoarding in WoW.
Things We Could Do Better:
Fable
The franchise was promising from the start. Despite Fable's shortcoming in game length, the solid game play, decent story line, and fun leveling system made the original very enjoyable. Then things went south. The downfall started with a lesser story line and tweaks to the leveling system and ended up with a blown attempt at a noob-friendly role playing game. I suggest you keep that $60, run down to redbox, rent it for a few bucks and beat it in a weekend.
Knights of the Old Republic
Dear Bioware,
I know you've been really fucking busy with the development, production and launch of your recent massive multiplayer online role playing game. However, those of us who don't have the time to invest in an MMORPG would like you to release another KOTOR already. The first game's story line made me wet myself. The second game saw many improvements to game play. The third game will be epic. Get to work. You have one year.
Sincerely,
Everyone
Modern Warfare
There is nothing worse than an anonymous, adolescent boy hopped up on sugar and wielding foul language via microphone. That is exactly what you can expect from the Modern Warfare franchise. The disturbing nuisance is to be expected in any game that rewards players with special weapons for eating Doritos and drinking Mountain Dew. Those little fuckers will drive you bat shit crazy until you mute them. But the reward for listening to their bitch ass banter is the occasional mom telling her brat child it's time for bed. Priceless.
Pokemon
Where the shit is my Pokemon for Xbox?! As a Master Pokemon Trainer, I demand the video game industry revamp Gameboy's Pokemon Red/Blue so I can pwn Gary's bitch ass and send Team Rocket into flight. With my pumped up Mew Two and his powerful psychic attack, I'll sweep every gym and own any online bitch. Meoweth, that's right!
Xbox, I love you. We've done so much right together, and I'm so hopeful for the future. Sure...there are a couple things we could work on. No affair is perfect. But I'm confident with your nurturing guidance and stellar video game titles, I'll become the man I was meant to be.
xoxo,
ShavedGolf
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Love Notes to Oregon
Oregon's statehood birthday often goes without notice due to a certain capitalist manufactured, fake holiday. Indeed February 14th is Oregon's birthday. Yesterday marked the 153 year in the union for our great state.
Because yesterday was Oregon's birthday and Hallmarks' holiday, and because my one true love is the great state I live in, I wanted to reflect on this twenty year relationship. I was a mere five year-old when I first graced your green lands, and you were a budding 133 year-old, willing to raise me and love me, you sick fuck pedophile!
In any great relationship, one must take stock of where you've been, where you are, and where you're going. A reflection. What's working and what's not.
Oregon, we're doing so much right, but I think we have room for improvement.
Things We're Doing Right:
Brews
Micros. Macros. And the shit in between. Oregon has them all. Best part is they're all good. Slurp, slurp. Herp, herp. Derp, derp. Drink the Oregon brewskies...they always go down smooth. *sip* Ahhh...that's some refreshing drank.
Geography
Oregon is a pristine playground for big kids. From beautiful beaches to white-capped mountains. From the lush valley to the high desert. Whatever your outdoor activity of choice, Oregon has it. Hiking. Camping. Backpacking. Rafting. Kayaking. Canoeing. Snowboarding. Skiing. Snowshoeing. Windsurfing. Kitesurfing. Spelunking. Climbing. Name it. Oregon has it.
Strip Clubs
We do this shit well. Really well. Portland contains the most strip clubs per capita. Additionally, OR law allows the service of adult beverages during a full nude review - something our neighbors to the north and south cannot boast. Bottom line: we have the most with the least and we're drunk when we do it.
Major League Sports
This is Rip City. Oregon is home to two major league franchises: Portland Trailblazers of the NBA and the Portland Timbers of MLS. While the teams may not bring home national titles, they both boast a healthy fan base. Oregon, and Portland specifically, has some fantastic fandom. Fans will make or break any franchise and, recognizing this, Oregonians show up to support their state representatives in the national sports arena.
Casinos
You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. My own personal bias of casinos comes from spending too much time in Washington state. Like pimples marring a teenagers face, WA is dotted with an overabundance of casinos. They're ugly. They're a waste. They're few and far between in Oregon. Kudos.
Things We Need To Work On:
Education
Children our are most precious resource...yadda yadda yadda. While I might not buy into that crap, you at least need to educate the little fuckers. Schools are now faced with annual budget cuts. I cannot recall the last time I heard of a district with a windfall. This reduced funding obviously impacts the children of Oregon directly, so stop calling it school budget cuts and refer to it as education pillaging.
Hipsters
These people are the result of education pillaging. OK. Maybe not. But they fuggin' seem like it. Put down the PBR and the American Spirits. Instagram isn't that cool. And for God's sake, take a fucking shower. The lack of motivation scares me. Perhaps it's the jaded perspective of a forward thinking, white collar drone. But more likely, hipsters suck.
Infrastructure
We have bridges. We have lots of bridges. Portland is known as Bridge City. Some of them seem ready to fall in. The Sellwood Bridge received a safety rating of 2. 2 out of 100. Quick math puts that at 2%. Not even sure that qualifies as an F-. Additionally, the Interstate 5 OR/WA crossing is a fucking nightmare. While I know both of these projects are in the works, it shouldn't take complete dysfunction before infrastructure is paid some attention.
Taxes
Complaints regarding education funding and infrastructure spending beg for a state budget rebuttal. The income and property tax duality doesn't cut it. We need the third option in the tax triforce. We need a sales tax. Put down your torches and pitchforks. Hear me out. It just seems logical. Why heavily tax two items when moderate taxation on three would do? The current taxation policy seems to open us up to the possibility of imbalance and inconsistency of revenue from year to year based on the economy. This goal is a major reach - sales tax talk is the career death knell of any OR politician.
Oregon, I love you. We've done so much right together, and I'm so hopeful for the future. Sure...there are a couple things we could work on. No relationship is perfect. But I'm confident with your nurturing guidance and abundance of strip clubs, I'll become the man I was meant to be. So I raise my micro brew to the last 153 years, Oregon, and offer a toast for the next 153...
May your valleys stay green.
May you mountains stay snowed.
May your high deserts stay high deserty.
May your micros stay tasty and your macros stay true.
May your strippers stay nude and patrons boozed.
May your children stay bright and your hipsters stay clean.
May your bridges stay safe and your coffers stay full.
May you stay the state I fell in love with.
May you stay my true love for life.
xoxo,
ShavedGolf
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