Recently the Redhead Who is to be Feared and I took a drive to the coast for seafood and fresh air. While there, we met a couple visiting from New Jersey. In the midst of their effusive praise for the beauty of Oregon, they observed that you don't see that many Oregon license plates outside the state. the gentleman theorized that it's because there's so much to see and do here, Oregonians don't feel the need to cross state lines.
Interesting theory. I wonder if there's ever been a study or survey done on the ratio of states' populations that travel to other states versus those who stay nearer home. I'll have to do a google search one of these days, if I ever get the time.
Update:
Thanks for the Memory to Mom.
The same day I posted this, my mom then sent me an email pointing out that USAToday has rated Florence, Oregon the best place in the country to retire.
I'm a bit too young to be thinking about retirement yet, but I can tell you, Florence is a great place tio visit at the very least. It's about an hour west of me on the coast, and it's pretty much the border town between Oregon's South Coast and Central Coast. South of Florence lie the Oregon Dunes, to the north the Coast Range returns to the sea and PCH rises up to skirt sheer cliffs and fir-covered mountains. Sea Lion Caves and Heceta Head Lighthouse are within 20 minutes drive. One of the oddest and most interesting things to see in Florence is the Darlingtonia Wayside, where you'll find an entire bog filled with carnivorous pitcher plants (Darlintonia california), also known as the hooded cobra lily. Also, Moe's, famous for its clam chowder, and a great waterfron shopping district.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Quote of the Day
"Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay--and claims a halo for his dishonesty."
-- Robert A. Heinlein
-- Robert A. Heinlein
I Love Living in Oregon
Reason #244:
That Fresh Rain on Dry Dust smell, and the frequency with which you experience it here.
That Fresh Rain on Dry Dust smell, and the frequency with which you experience it here.
Doom on you, Islamicists
Originally posted at 10:20 AM PDT 01 September 2004.
Thanks for the Memory to Rusty at MyPetJawa.
By now most of you know that the 12 Nepali hostages have been brutally murdered, including one who was beheaded.
What you don't know is that Nepal is the home of one of the world's fiercest, most elite fighting forces, the Gurkhas. They are not to be... ahem... "trifled" with. The history of their service to Britain and to Nepal is a history of bravery, toughness, and ferocity.
Now, Rusty shares some letters from Nepali readers that reflect the Gurkha spirit. If these letters are indicative of the popular consensus in Nepal, this may be one of the stupidest decisions the Islamofascists have made to date.
Quite frankly, while I offer my condolences to Nepal for their loss, I couldn't be more delighted by this response.
Update I:
Again thanks to Rusty, but I had heard of this on NPR. Apparently the expressions of Nepali anger are not limited to letters to blogs.
Update II:
Bravo Romeo Delta sets me straight on the distinctions between Gurkhas and Nepali warriors in general, called Gorkhali. Interesting stuff, and I appreciate the lesson. I don't think the distinction will mitigate just how badly the terrorists may have screwed themselves by deciding to pick on Nepal.
Update III:
Apparently the Nepalis have been to Drink This as well. I almost pity the Moongod worshippers. But no.
Update IV:
Keith at Anthroblogogy reminds us of a Rudyard Kipling poem about Gurkhas that the islamiscists may have wanted to read beofre pulling this.
Thanks for the Memory to Rusty at MyPetJawa.
By now most of you know that the 12 Nepali hostages have been brutally murdered, including one who was beheaded.
What you don't know is that Nepal is the home of one of the world's fiercest, most elite fighting forces, the Gurkhas. They are not to be... ahem... "trifled" with. The history of their service to Britain and to Nepal is a history of bravery, toughness, and ferocity.
Now, Rusty shares some letters from Nepali readers that reflect the Gurkha spirit. If these letters are indicative of the popular consensus in Nepal, this may be one of the stupidest decisions the Islamofascists have made to date.
Quite frankly, while I offer my condolences to Nepal for their loss, I couldn't be more delighted by this response.
Update I:
Again thanks to Rusty, but I had heard of this on NPR. Apparently the expressions of Nepali anger are not limited to letters to blogs.
Update II:
Bravo Romeo Delta sets me straight on the distinctions between Gurkhas and Nepali warriors in general, called Gorkhali. Interesting stuff, and I appreciate the lesson. I don't think the distinction will mitigate just how badly the terrorists may have screwed themselves by deciding to pick on Nepal.
Update III:
Apparently the Nepalis have been to Drink This as well. I almost pity the Moongod worshippers. But no.
Update IV:
Keith at Anthroblogogy reminds us of a Rudyard Kipling poem about Gurkhas that the islamiscists may have wanted to read beofre pulling this.
Crow Schnitzel
A few days ago, in the comments to my post on Hollywood and celebrity activism, I likened Arnold Schwarzeneggar to a Republican version of the Hollywood nutjobs who are continually opening their mouths and removing all doubt. Well, last night I listened to him speak at the RNC.
I was wrong.
His Austrian accent was still classically thick, but he was eloquent, moving, and revealed a mind sharper than I expected. I Pulled a Liberals on him and seriously underestimated him. The story he told of his childhood in Austria, the things that maotivated him to become an American and then a Republican, were all articulate and moving. I'm still peeved at him for using advertising in Portland to try to steal Oregon buisinesses to California, but that's his job. I take my hat off to him, he has my newfound respect.
Oh, and Democratic speakers, take a note: THAT is how self-deprecating humor should be done.
I was wrong.
His Austrian accent was still classically thick, but he was eloquent, moving, and revealed a mind sharper than I expected. I Pulled a Liberals on him and seriously underestimated him. The story he told of his childhood in Austria, the things that maotivated him to become an American and then a Republican, were all articulate and moving. I'm still peeved at him for using advertising in Portland to try to steal Oregon buisinesses to California, but that's his job. I take my hat off to him, he has my newfound respect.
Oh, and Democratic speakers, take a note: THAT is how self-deprecating humor should be done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)