Ok now that the smoke has cleared it's time for some offseason #nba takes. Note I live in #pdx and root for the Blazers but I am first and foremost a fan of the game in general. Some thoughts post trade flurry:
I still have Denver at the top until someone beats them in a playoff series. I don't think even a lot of smart hoops watchers have really accepted how great that Nuggets team was. There are a lot of potentially great teams out there, but there's one that's already great, and it's Denver.
Was psyched to go see the Pacers tonight. I think Halliburton, Turner and Siakam can be a legit Big 3. Was not expecting a #blazers win. Especially without Ant and Sharpe. Great game! #trailblazers#ripcity#pdx#nba
We saw the great Shabaka Hutchings last night at the lovely Newmark Theater in downtown #PDX. As expected, the focus of the performance was his exploration of the flute, or I should say flutes, as he played a very wide variety of instruments, including several we didn't recognize. The band was excellent and did include Esperanza Spalding as hoped.
He is, of course, a genius. For my taste he's the most interesting voice in modern jazz by a wide margin. The performance was fascinating
Ever wonder why when you were a kid in Oregon, you learned about the Iroquois and Cherokee tribes of the Eastern USA but nothing about local Native Americans? Why you learned about the pioneers crossing the plains on the Oregon Trail, but nothing about what they did once they arrived?
...Or maybe you didn't even notice how much was left out until this very moment, reading my words?
Here is the missing piece.
"Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley" by David G. Lewis.
Fair warning, this book made me so upset that I cried. Not at the author, he's done an excellent job. At the astonishing cruelty, violence, and dishonesty shown to native people by (many) white settlers. At how little they asked for, and still didn't get. At how little is left of the ecosystems that sustained people and wildlife and were carefully maintained by native people. At how much astonishing wealth has accrued to those who stole from natives, even to the modern day.
Land acknowledgement statements are not enough! If you are a white person in Oregon, you need to read this.
The latest date to be added on the unannounced winter Shabaka Hutchings tour is: #Seattle Town Hall 2/22/24. The only two other known US dates are the "album debut" on 1/15 in NYC, and the Newmark show here in #PDX on 2/23.
There's no info about the album is or who is on it, or who will play these west coast dates. Shabaka is IMO the best live performer in music today so I don't care, but the NYC show includes Brandee Younger and Esperanza Spalding 🤞
I've been out here on the #westCoast for 18 years, and I have NEVER had #friedCatfish that was done right!
I don't understand why it's always SO BAD! It always tastes like a pool. They batter it with too much crunchy cornbread, and fry it too cold so its oily too.
I'm just gonna have to start a #foodTruck and show you yankees how #catfish is supposed to be cooked!
Power was out for almost 24 hours, and we're remaining cautious through tomorrow's expected ice and wind. For now, it's SO nice not to see our breath indoors anymore! And did you know boiling water is a goddamn miracle? I've never loved cup noodles (or wanted a camp stove) so much.
Remade 5th Ave downtown cart pod gets the thumbs up so far. Lot of visible security at lunch which these days is prob necessary to attract crowds. Moderately busy. Nice amenities. Good selection of carts. Unfortunately I can't recommend Dhaba Indian food, which is basic underseasoned mids, but that's part of cart life - not everything hits, get something else next time.
La Jarochita Mexican cart has been the can't miss move here for 15 years and is still around. Try a huarache
Is #damelillard the greatest #blazer of all time? What do you think? I’m not sure but I am stoked to see him tonight on his return to the Moda Center. #pdx#ripcity#nba
My new hobby is walking down my residential street where people drive too fast and crossing at every intersection just when a car is coming in order to force them to stop.
Is anyone in the #pdx area interested in running real Linux (#postmarketOS) on their old phone, tablet, whatever? Do you want help installing it? Let's meet up!
> The Independent #Police Accountability and Oversight Board stems from a ballot measure that passed overwhelmingly in 2020. The #PoliceUnion says the plan is biased.