Forest Grove Police Log excerpt 31 October 2018

This week's selection from the log of local police activity brings a tale of a spectral clown. Or a hallucination. You know, whichever.

Saturday, Oct. 20A woman reported that a man with clown paint on his face was walking around a residential area and had waved at her son. No one matching the description was found in the area.

I just might report a clown waving at my boy depending on the circumstances. But I can't say for sure.

Quote of the Day: 31 October 2018

“For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.” -Second Witch, Macbeth
[Happy Halloween!]

Quote of the Day: 30 October 2018

“Vote like your gun rights depend on it, because they do.” -Sebastian of Shall Not Be Questioned

Quote of the Day: 29 October 2018

“They’re nutty, chewy, delicious and just about the healthiest thing you can put in your mouth.” -Alton Brown
[Happy Oatmeal Day!]

Quote of the Day: 28 October 2018

“When you feel far from God, you need only make the decision to turn from sin and face the Savior, where you will find Him waiting for you, His arms outstretched. He is eager to guide you, and you are just one prayer away from receiving that guidance again.” -Larry Y. Wilson

Quote of the Day: 27 October 2018

“To look at a thing is very different from seeing a thing.” -Vivian, “The Decay of Lying” by Oscar Wilde

Fiction Friday: Copperton's Folly

Left.

Right.

Left.

Right.

Left, but careful to step over the crack in the pavement.

Right.

Left, twist the foot, to fit on a solid piece of concrete.

George looked a little awkward with how carefully he was walking down the street. His gait was halting and unnatural, and his posture was particularly poor with his head stooped down to look at his feet. A month ago that would have earned him scorn from the more popular boys. But, that hadn’t stopped him before taboo violations were met with terrible calamities, and it certainly wasn’t going to stop him now that a misplaced toe could result in a broken limb. He was grateful he had been given to compulsive behavior. He used to wonder if he had OCD. Now, well, who would care. Everyone was very careful. Only a small number had escaped any accident, and they were all a bit odd.

George came to a place where he was going to have to jump. There wasn’t room for another two steps in the same section of pavement, and the next one had a large crack running right through the place his left foot would have to go. He would have to jump over that into the next section. His small frame was a difficulty here. He had essentially been practicing for this his whole life, but being short still presented some difficulties. Then he realized he could tip toe, angle his path to the right about thirty degrees, and make his stride about a quarter the length is would normally be and he’d get through with no, or at least very little, difficulty.

Across the street George saw a man limp in one direction, and then to the other side. He stopped to see if he could give any help. It had taken a few extra minutes, but George had crossed to this side of the street because of the repaving project the city had done a few years ago. They hadn’t put in a large piece of pavement with evenly spaced seams. That had been determined to be too utilitarian. The City Council felt that Copperton deserved pavement with more personality. So, there was an asymmetric, irregular pattern of dark and light cement. In hindsight, this was the worst thing they could have done. And that man was paying the price. Fortunately, he had escaped with what appeared to be nothing more than a sprained ankle. So far.

That was when George heard panting coming from somewhere behind him. He turned his head further to the left. There was a medium sized yellow dog trotting towards him. He turned back to his path and quickened his pace. An observer would see a young man, possibly still a boy, making jerky progress along the sidewalk. Several large steps, followed by a couple of short ones as it seemed George was tripping over his own feet. Working carefully to maintain an even number of steps in each portion of cement, he nearly made it to the steps into his building before the dog caught up to him.

George, never made it home. His nervousness broke his concentration. He put stepped right onto a seam in the pavement. At that moment, the dog bounded up to greet him and knocked him off balance. It had only wanted attention. But it caused George to strike his head on the masonry next to the stoop of his building. The man on the other side of the street only paused to glance back. It was the same as he’d seen before. He continued his trudging back to his own home.

Quote of the Day: 26 October 2018

“Merely demonstrating an unmet need is not sufficient to say that it should be met—not when resources are scarce and have alternative uses.” -Thomas Sowell

Throwback Thursday: Pet Lions

Detail from Rubricae morales ex doctrini Divi Hieronymus

I remember fondly the days when you could grow a wicked beard, wear a silly red hat, and have a miniature lion as a pet. What ever happened to the days. Surely, we live in a benighted age.

Quote of the Day: 25 October 2018

“I mean, I want to make clear that I do admire people who do admirable things. I just find the implication that doing admirable things while female is not that unusual; that we are not, in fact, impaired children who need to be given special prizes for existing. Why else would you celebrate WOMEN who do special things more than anyone else who does special things, unless it is because women are naturally inferior and can’t do special things.” -Sarah Hoyt

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 24 October 2018

This week's selection from the log of local police activity brings us a tale of suspicious trousers.

Oct. 12* A caller reported finding, along the side of the road, a nice pair of trousers that contained a sprinkler part. Police received no reports of stolen parts or pants.

I've never thought I'd encounter a nice pair of pants on the side of the road. However, if I did, I doubt there would be a sprinkler part in the pocket, or that I would investigate to find out if there were. I certainly wouldn't call the police about them.

Quote of the Day: 24 October 2018

“In every election campaign, we hear the word 'compassion' at least a thousand times. One political party supposedly has it, the other one doesn't. ... By their misuse of the term for partisan advantage, partisans and ideologues have thoroughly muddied up the real meaning of the word.” -Lawrence W. Reed

Quote of the Day: 23 October 2018

“Laws do not make reforms, reforms make laws. We cannot look to government. We must look to ourselves.” -Calvin Coolidge

Quote of the Day: 22 October 2018

“As there is a degree of depravity in mankind, which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust: so there are other qualities in human nature, which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence. Republican government presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form.” -James Madison, The Federalist No. 55

Quote of the Day: 21 October 2018

“Wounds of the soul are not unique to the rich or the poor, to one culture, one nation, or one generation. They come to all and are part of the learning we receive from this mortal experience.” -Neil L. Andersen

Quote of the Day: 20 October 2018

“The minimum wage law requires employers to discriminate against persons with low skills.” -Milton Friedman

Fiction Friday: Brandon's travails continue

This is a continuation of the story from two weeks ago.

Brandon and Jason traveled together for a few days. They were generally going in the same direction anyway. It was easier with someone else to share the work. There was more time for leisure activities, and it was nice to be able to talk to someone.
There was only one tense moment when the beasts came near them while they were collecting water from a stream. More of a seasonal creek. But they were on the trail of a doe that had passed through earlier. Or that’s what Brandon surmised from the recent droppings, obvious bedding area, and a few tracks they found after the beasts had left earshot. It was still too close for comfort though.
Brandon brushed back his hair. It was shorter now. Jason had hacked a few inches off all over. It no longer got in his eyes. Brandon couldn’t see it to know how it looked, but almost anything would be an improvement over the stringy mess it had been before.
They had been walking along a dirt road for the past half hour without talking. They were careful not to make too much noise. And Brandon felt vulnerable and exposed in the open. He glanced behind them once more. “I just can’t help but feel we haven’t actually shaken them.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s been so easy. Maybe too easy. I haven’t had this few run ins before. Ever. They’re always around. But since the day before we met, I haven’t seen or heard them except that once,” Brandon said. He glanced back again. Then scanned the side of the road. There was a lot of brush between the trees here. No one had cleared it out in a few years. “And even then, they weren’t after me. As far as I can tell.”
“Maybe they’re not interested,” Jason said. “They killed a lot of people the first few months. Maybe they decided we’re not worth it.”
“I don’t know,” Brandon scanned the right side of the road again. He was careful to step on as little gravel as he could. “It seems kind of sudden.”
Jason pointed to an outcropping of large stones. “Think there’s a squirrel over there,” he whispered. “I haven’t had fresh meat in weeks.” He held out his arm behind him as if to stop Brandon from going further.
Brandon stopped walking. He wasn’t hungry, but a squirrel would be a nice change from the canned products he’d been eating for the past few weeks.

Quote of the Day: 19 October 2018

“It does not follow that opinions must be merely parroted because they are never heard controverted.” -John Stuart Mill

Throwback Thursday: Marginalia

Detail from Fuero Juzgo

Ah, the days when you could go out and find a winged, dog-headed slug thing to ride around on. I miss those days. I have to get in a car and drive it.

Quote of the Day: 18 October 2018

“Paradoxically, kindness entails confronting unpleasantness when it arises.” -Henepola Gunaratana

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 17 October 2018

This week's selection from the log of local police activity brings us a tale of drive through aggression.

Oct. 5* A dispute broke out between two drivers in a fast food drive-thru over one driver not moving quickly enough from the queue. One driver threw a large beverage at the other, which landed on a third driver's car. Officers found no damage to the splattered car, and the other two drivers left prior to police arrival.

I don't know about everyone, but I know I wouldn't be the driver throwing the beverage, or the driver that called the police. I would be upset in either case, but their actions are so foreign to my way of thinking that I simply cannot comprehend why they would do either. I am also unlikely to be the other driver in this scenario. But if I were, I would likely not escalate things on my own account.

Quote of the Day: 17 October 2018

“I dinna trust that Q, that’s a letter than has it in for a man. That’s a letter with a sting, that one!” -Rob Anybody Feegle, A Hat Full of Sky

Bonus Quote of the Day: 16 October 2018

“The woman’s choice for her own body does not validate choice for the body of another.” -Russell M. Nelson

Quote of the Day: 16 October 2018

“Maybe ‘fascists’ and ‘anti-fascists’ are like ‘flammable’ and ‘inflammable.’” -Frank J. Fleming

Quote of the Day: 15 October 2018

“Scientific truth is beyond loyalty and disloyalty.” -Hari Seldin, Foundation

Quote of the Day: 14 October 2018

“If we actively trust in the Lord and His ways, if we are engaged in His work, we will not fear the trends of the world or be troubled by them.” -Ronald A. Rasband

Quote of the Day: 13 October 2018

“There may come a day when I am allowed to win, but this is not that day.” -daddybear71

Fiction Friday: Verdant Grove Post Event

RADIO ANNOUNCER: "KPDS is proud to bring you the Eagles Post Game Show with Chaz and Dave the Sports Dork."

Chaz: Well Dave, it's certainly good to be here with you this evening. Especially after this Eagles win over one of their tougher conference opponents in the Huskies.

Dave: It certainly is Chaz. What with the recent events there in Verdant Grove I wasn't sure we'd be getting back to things like Football so soon. These players went out there with a lot of grit and determination to pull out a win tonight.

Chaz: They sure did Dave. It was particularly moving to see the players all turn to face north, and put their hands over their hearts just prior to kick off. But let's get into the post game break down. How did the Eagles do on those items we identified as the keys to the game?

Dave: The way I saw it Chaz, they performed excellently on two out of the three keys of the game. First they held on to the ball, and didn't commit any turnovers, while at the same time picking up two fumbles from the Huskies. One of those deep in the red zone. Secondly, they spread the field with smart passing plays, and really opened things up for the running backs to pick up some good yardage, and run time off the clock. But they didn't do as well as we thought they needed to on the other side of the ball. They gave up too many first downs, and weren't forcing the tough decisions that they needed to.

Chaz: You bring up some good points Dave. I thought that there was some excellent play calling by Coach Jackson on the offensive side of the ball, and starting quarterback Shawn Dupree did a fine job of finding the open man down the field. How many fifteen to twenty yard plays did he have, anyway?

Dave: A good ten at least Chaz. And like I said that really opened up the field, and created opportunities for Big Franks to lumber through and pick up several yards on a few first downs.

Chaz: Let's get to the callers Dave. Hello caller, you're on with Chaz and the Sports Dork.

Caller: Yeah, Chaz. Thanks for taking my call. I just wanted to say that I can't believe Coach didn't go for it on that fourth down and three instead of kicking the field goal. What was he thinking!?

Dave: I'm going to have to disagree with you here caller. Had he not kicked that field goal, and not converted the down, that would have left the huskies in pretty good field position, and only one score down. By kicking the field goal, Coach put it back at a two score game, and kept the pressure on the Huskies.

Caller: I respect you opinion Dave, but I really think they should have gone for it. Can you imagine the rankings next week if they'd won by seven instead of three?

Chaz: Well, thank you caller. I don't think it would have made much difference, but maybe it might have. We have a real treat coming up for all of you Eagles fans out there after this break. A quick post game interview with Wide Receiver Damian Woods, who's family lives in Eagleton, just half an hour east of Verdant Grove, and who has some very special words for our listeners up in that part of the state. We'll be back right after this.

Commercial: Hey sports fans. Are you looking for a place to watch the big game with other Eagles fans? Do you want to celebrate the biggest game of the year with two hundred of your closest friends? Well, we've got the place for you. Old Duffy's Sports Pub has at least eight screens over eight feet wide, so you never miss a single play…

*CLICK*

***

RADIO ANNOUNCER: And now your KTLK Weather forecast from our 3D Dopler Radar equipped K-Talk weather center presented by Jerry Southunder, and brought to you by Lee Schwann Tires.

Jerry: Good evening Portland. Your current conditions are 54 degrees at the airport, clear skies, and no wind The low looks to be about 43 tonight, and tomorrow's high is projected to peak at 66. It's the same to the east in Salmonville, and to the south in Clackingham. Things get a bit more interesting to the west. All the way to Greensboro things look the same as in the rest of the greater Portland area, but as you continue to the west toward Cornell you run into the Low pressure system that has been hanging over the Verdant Grove Event Site for the past month. Expect cloudy skies throughout Cornell, with temperatures running 5 to 6 degrees colder than to the East in Portland. This looks like a fantastic weekend to finish up your yard work for the season, and get things put to bed. Remember to get in before the new curfew of 9:30 pm each evening, especially since we are coming up on the height of the Full Moon in the next few days. That's it for the weather, and remember that Lee Schwann has what your looking for in tires.

Quote of the Day: 12 October 2018

“It is far better to render Beings in your care competent than to protect them.” -Jordan Peterson

Throwback Thursday: Flying Swordsman

Detail from illuminated fragment

I like the decision of the artist here to just have this dude walk on some kind of brown cloud. Or perhaps he's jumping from the crenelations to attack the mounted soldiers below him. Who can tell?

Quote of the Day: 11 October 2018

“Being real with your kids though difficult, is real love.” -An Acquaintance
[This was from a Facebook post.]

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 10 October 2018

This week's selection from the log of local police activity brings a tale of a dangerous suburban visitor, and an interesting incident of an animalistic nature.

Oct. 1* A caller on the west side of town reported seeing a cougar flee the scene of a dead deer.

This is a good time to remember that although we have largely controlled our environment, there are some things we have not been able to bring under our control. Be safe out there. Keep your eyes about you.

Oct. 4* A bearded man, possibly under the influence of drugs, was refusing to leave a local brew pub. When police arrived, the man removed his shirt and beat his chest in a Tarzan-like manner. He was determined not to be intoxicated, but was trespassed from the location.

And then there are the two-legged predators and dangers around.

Quote of the Day: 10 October 2018

“When politics becomes your religion, your humanity is the first sacrifice your new god demands.” -Jeremy Boreing

Quote of the Day: 9 October 2018

“[I]f something is said not to be a science, it does not mean that there is something wrong with it; it just means that it is not a science.” -Richard Feynman

Quote of the Day: 8 October 2018

“To be relevant to our times, history must not be controlled by our times. Its integrity as a record of the past is what allows us to draw lessons from it.” -Thomas Sowell
[Happy Columbus Day!]

Quote of the Day: 7 October 2018

“Work is something more than the final end result. It is a discipline. We must learn to do, and do well, before we can expect to receive tangible rewards for our labors.” -L. Tom Perry

Quote of the Day: 6 October 2018

“High hopes were once formed of democracy; but democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.” -Oscar Wilde

Fiction Friday: Opening to a Possible Horror Story

Brandon stepped forward into the clearing. He was relieved to find a place with enough light and visibility to see tens of feet in any direction. He had been careful not to make too much noise, and he had been rewarded with no signs of the beasts for several hours. In fact, the last time he saw anything indicating their presence was early that morning when he found a piece of day old scat.
He looked around, hands on hips. Yes, this would do. He could build a fire in the center of the clearing without risking a wildfire. That would be needed. The night would get cold, and the flickering light would keep any beasts away. At least as far as the trees. They wouldn't come into the light. At least, they never had before.
Brandon walked purposefully to the center of the clearing and un-shouldered the bundle of arm length branches he was carrying. Then he dropped his rucksack to the ground and tied back his long stringy hair with a leather thong. He wished he knew what to do about that. In the time before he'd had quite nice hair, and he kept it rather short. But since the beasts appeared, he hadn't had time to stop to think about what to do.
In short order he had created a fire ring out of nearby stones and had a decent fire going. He still had time before all the light was gone, so he dug the small solar panel out of his pack, and used it to put a little charge onto his e-reader. All the rest of his electronics were useless now. But the e-books were a good distraction.
After a meal of forager special stew, Brandon popped open his e-book and started reading a chapter from the Poirot story he was currently reading. He hadn't read more than two paragraphs when he heard a rustling off to his left and a little behind. He quickly looked over his shoulder and dropped his right hand to his holstered SP101. He didn't have much ammo, but this was why he carried it in the first place. Well, this and the rare opportunity to collect some protein in larger quantity than insects provided.
"Oh, sorry. I should have announced myself," the man said as he stopped in his tracks and raised his hands about shoulder height, palms forward. "No harm intended. It's just been so long since I've seen anyone else that I plumb forgot. Name's Jason."
Brandon didn't move.
"Anyway, I'm coming from a place littered with signs saying Verdant Grove, originally from Montana, but got stranded out here. I'm working my way to the coast. I saw your fire, and figured I could offer to trade for not having to build one myself tonight."
"What are you offering?" Brandon asked.
"I'll split the wood I've got with you, for starters. That'll save you considerable effort tomorrow."
"It's a good start," Brandon stated. "But, it's not worth what your asking. Yet." Brandon relaxed. "You can at least come sit down and tell me what else you'd be willing to offer."
Jason lowered his arms. His hair was cut short, and somehow neat. His clothes were in pretty good condition too. He walked slowly over to within a few feet of Brandon, but kept a respectful distance. He settled onto a larger stone that let his legs rest comfortably before he lowered his duffel bag. He opened it up and pulled out a can. "I can give you some peaches."
"Hmm. Sounds OK, but I don't have an opener," Brandon replied. "You wouldn't happen to have a spare would you?"
"Wish I did, kid. But if you rub it around like this on a flat rock," Jason moved the can in small circles on his flat palm, "You'll get it open in a few minutes."
"You've got a deal." Brandon offered his hand.
Jason, tossed the can to him. "You got a name. I prefer to know who I'm talking to."
Brandon stowed the can in his ruck. "Oh, yeah. Brandon. I don't use it much anymore," he stammered.
"Good to know you, Brandon," Jason said. He pulled a sandwich from his pack, unwrapped it, and began eating it. Between mouthfuls he said. "What ya readin'? I saw it as I entered the clearing." Jason pointed at the reader with his sandwich.
"Nothin' much," Brandon replied. "Just a mystery. I've got a handful of survival books on there, but it's kind of depressing, so I generally pick out a novel."
"I know what you mean," said Jason. "I carry the old army manuals I've found, but I hardly use them."
They talked into the night. Brandon was glad of the company. It'd been more than a week since he had last spoken to anyone.

Quote of the Day: 5 October 2018

“They’re all the wrong way. Just because you have a choice, it doesn’t mean that any of them has to be right.” -The Dodecahedron, The Phantom Tollbooth

Throwback Thursday: Hill of Heads

Detail from historiated initial

This is how perspective works, right? No matter how far away someone is, they appear the same size as everyone else. And the ground has not impact on where your head is positioned except in so far as it would obscure your view.

Quote of the Day: 4 October 2018

“Like it or not, children are and will always be their own beings; but they need great love and guidance to come to full humanness.” -Jon Kabat-Zinn

Quote of the Day: 3 October 2018

“You learn to swim by swimming. And you learn to be compassionate by practicing compassion, even if it feels awkward at first.” -Olivia Fox Cabane

Quote of the Day: 2 October 2018

“[N]obody’s gonna die if they see or read something they don’t agree with.” -Pardes Seleh

Quote of the Day: 1 October 2018

“No person should be punished because someone like them once did something. Collective guilt is bad justice.” -Megan McArdle