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December 16, 2005

IT'S FRIDAY, MY FAVORITE DAY!!

We spent most of last week and all weekend in Portland because of three games and a couple of social engagements.

Saturday afternoon, we were scheduled to take the Holiday train for a ride but found out after we got to the ticket booth that the train had derailed and all the rest of the trips had been cancelled. That was a bummer. It was pulled by a beautiful old steam locomotive and for several years we had wanted to ride it. Oh well, maybe we will be able to catch it at a later date. Since the train trip was cancelled and we had plenty of time, we decided to park the car downtown and take the light rail up to the best toy store in town, Finnegan's. At least as grandparents, WE have a good time there! We bought a couple of toys and then caught the light rail back to our car. The people were crazy and I kept asking myself, what am I doing here? For instance, on the light rail there was this five or six year old, acting very strange. She was down on her hands and knees whimpering and barking like a dog and clinging to her parent's leg. This went on for the entire trip! I tried to ignore her, but that was very difficult. Then as we were waiting for the walk light, while some guy next to us was chanting some song. While I may be living a sheltered life in a small town, is this normal? I guess it is, because no one else reacted at all. Welcome to the big city!

We drove over to Lloyd Center to do some more shopping and we hardly got the car parked when we were approached by a couple wanting gas money. Sure they did. He said he had enough money for a gas can, but not for the gas. He pointed to a car near our parking spot and said it was his. The thing is, he looked like he lived on the streets and he was pointing to a $50,000 Ford Excursion! I don't mind helping folks that are desperate, but who can you trust? Not this guy...there was a bit of a credibility gap there. Everyone is looking for a handout these days.

Our next stop was aboard the sternwheeler "Portland" for a view of the Christmas boats that were going to be parading by on the Willamette River. The temperature was around freezing and the wind was whipping across the deck at about 20 miles per hour. We about froze our tails off waiting for them to go by, but once they got there, it was worth it. Some of the boats really did a nice job.

Our last stop for the evening was a party put on by Mike and Shelly Barrett for the Blazer broadcasting crew. We didn't arrive until late (because of the boats) but so did a lot of other people. We enjoyed ourselves visiting with new and old friends.

Sunday was our last broadcast in this home stand and so after the game we headed back to the coast. Everything was frosty and we kept watching for ice. Luckily, the roads had been sanded but once we got on Hwy. 53, it got a little tricky. Not only is that road quite curvy, there were a few deer along side the road. We made it home okay, but it was 11:45 p.m. before we pulled into the driveway and, as always, it felt good to be back home again.

The rest of the week has been getting the remainder of the Christmas lights up, baking cookies and wrapping presents. Yesterday, we got a phone call from our German "daughter" Tina. She was an exchange student that lived with us for a year, and she has been very good about staying in touch. It was good to hear her voice. She sounded like she was calling from next door! What ever happened to the old scratchy overseas phone calls?

GIVE ME A BREAK!!

What is this about not wishing people "Merry Christmas" but instead "Happy Holidays" this year so that no one is offended by the greeting? Well, I am offended that people are so sensitive about offending everyone else that we have to change traditions to accommodate them. What ever happened to freedom of speech and freedom of religion? I am sorry if you are not a Christian, but I am certainly not offended if you are Jewish and participate in Hanukah or if you are Muslim or even an atheist you have the right to choose what you want to be. That is your right. After I wish you a "Merry Christmas", just wish me a "Happy Hanukah" or something to do with Ramadan, or even "Bah, Humbug" in return, and we're even, right? Good grief, Charlie Brown! We are all entitled to our own holiday because that is what America is all about. I guess some people just don't have anything better to do than to find new ways to be "politically correct".