Portlandiaphile - March 14th, 2008

[info]damnportlanders
some fucking accountability
Dear Damn Portlanders,

Please enjoy this web site which has already survived one serious censorship attempt and is now back up and running. The Portland section is indeed populated with bacon waiting to be rated.

GoDaddy Silences Police-Watchdog Site RateMyCop.com

A new web service that lets users rate and comment on the uniformed police officers in their community is scrambling to restore service Tuesday, after hosting company GoDaddy unceremonious pulled-the-plug on the site in the wake of outrage from criticism-leery cops.

Visitors to RateMyCop.com on Tuesday were redirected to a GoDaddy page reading, "Oops!!!", which urged the site owner to contact GoDaddy to find out why the company pulled the plug.

RateMyCop founder Gino Sesto says he was given no notice of the suspension. When he called GoDaddy, the company told him that he'd been shut down for "suspicious activity."

More at http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/03/godaddy-silence.html

current state: pleased
[info]damnportlanders
Happy Birthday Einstein!
OMSI needs to do an Einstein look-a-like competition every Brain awareness week.



10 Obscure Einstein factiods

"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."
"Without deep reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people."
Albert Einstein

Just another reason to <3 Portland!
[info]damnportlanders
Wait...
Is it Steak and BJ Day today or is it Pi Day? I guess it is Pi Day if you are a Vegan Math Nerd with no partner. Otherwise...
[info]damnportlanders
Because I feel like ranting
(and proctrastinating writing my thesis)

I have a child - age 6 - who is very precocious and can be quite energetic. I love kids and plan on having more some day.

That said.

When I'm sitting in a completely serene and quiet coffee shop trying to hammer out my (long overdue) introduction and research proposal while my angelic boyfriend watches said child at home, it thoroughly SUCKS to have two suburbanite moms bring their pride and joys (all 4) running through the coffee shop to bang on the piano and then sit RIGHT. IN. FRONT. OF. ME.

This is a huge coffee shop by comparison to most - and there are several other nooks and crannies to choose from with glorious games and chairs for 4.

Why must they choose the area right in front of me and smile gaily at me as if I am sitting smelling roses and not trying to THINK.

Thus ensues a mental battle of "it's a free coffee shop world and anyone can choose to sit where they like" vs. "coffee shops are no place for children".

I moved. But it still irked me.

Thus begins your daily Pet Peeve post. What peeves you?
[info]damnportlanders
Cab fare
Does anyone know how much it could cost to take a cab from Tualatin to downtown (and vice versa)?

Thanks. 

current state: bored
[info]damnportlanders
Any eagle-eyed commuters? PLEASE help!
So, here's the story:

My S.O. was driving on I-5 South around 9:45am this morning, coming up on the exit to I-405. An RV on his right began to merge into his lane, so he honked and slowed down, but the RV kept coming, so he was forced to brake hard. The RV kept going without stopping, but my S.O. was hit by another vehicle while trying to avoid the RV.

The suck part? Even though everyone agrees that the RV caused the accident, my S.O. is currently considered to be the one at fault, because the RV wasn't struck and didn't stop. We have no information on the RV, so the insurance company can't pursue them for the damages.

If anyone out there saw this happen, PLEASE let me know any information you might have. A license plate number, anything at all... we would be eternally grateful for your help!

Thank you in advance!

EDIT: The car broke loose and spun because he had to brake hard, so he wasn't really rear-ended.

And duh, a description of our car might help: it's a dark blue 2004 Toyota Corolla CE, with a bike rack on the back, and a Ron Paul 2008 bumpersticker on the left rear bumper. (please, no political snarking; today has been shitty enough as it is.)
[info]damnportlanders
any hoopers need a travel hoop?
i have a brand new, still-in-box, spiral (turquoise and silver) hoopnotica travel hoop up for sale - $40 cash.

i'm in sw portland/beaverton/tigard (yes, seriously all three - i'm in the bermuda triangle of doom!) - i'm happy to meet you somewhere so you can pick it up, depending on where that is.

any takers? :D

current state: cold
[info]damnportlanders
Anonymous vs. Scientology, round 3
The Day: Saturday, March 15th
The Time: 10:30 am
The Place: Umbrella Man in Pioneer Square

Bring a mask!

Oh yeah and I got the details from Enturbulation.org but the site is up and down like a damn yoyo from the bandwidth usage.
[info]damnportlanders
Amtrak discounts--crossing my fingers
So anybody know of any Amtrak discounts for this weekend?

We're heading to Seattle and we're poor
[info]damnportlanders
Leasing Agent position opening
Hi DPers,

My company is hiring for a full-time Leasing Agent position. We are seeking someone outgoing with related experience and who has good communication skills. Saturdays will be required(no Sundays.) The position requires a car + insurance (lots of driving), and knowledge of the Metro area (or at least good navigational skills) are a must.
The office is located in the Hollywood District.

Here's a link to the CL posting: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/rej/603001580.html

I will not be able to answer any questions over LJ but definitely respond to the ad if you would like more information.

Thanks!

current place: work
[info]damnportlanders
go have fun with your family today at 3!
The Village Free School is having a family-friendly fundraising event today, donation requested at door- you choose how much. Show up at the Bagdad Theatre at 3:00pm to enjoy Hoola Hoopin, Fiddle Playin, Bubbles, Face Paining, and Professor Banjo.
Celebrate with friends. Get free popcorn :-) Enjoy food and drink from McMenamins. Listen to musical performers Adam + Kris, Calynco, and more. Buy a raffle ticket or ten. Be in a all-ages Spelling Bee. Make some new friends. We're a fun crowd, come pay a visit.
The party's over at 5pm. All ages are welcome.

Bagdad Theater
1520 SE 37th Ave
Portland, OR 97214
[info]damnportlanders
Don't forget Xenu Day Tomorrow!


Get those batarangs sharpened Portland!
[info]damnportlanders
So apartmentratings.com has jumped the shark, and frankly I trust DP's opinions more.

A move to the Orenco Station-ish area is in the works for [info]captnclackamas and I in the early summertime, or maybe somewhere else in Hillsburrito if the price is right.

What are good streets? Wonderful complexes? Can one get a rental house for a reasonable price? (I has no firstborn to offer as collateral yet.)

Conversely, what are streets to avoid? Complexes from Hell's buttcrack? Your horror stories, please tell me them.
[info]damnportlanders