I've always had a little fondness in my heart for Bend. I was forced to live there for a couple of years when I was much younger, and though in the beginning, I hated the idea to the point of depression, I actually came to appreciate a few of Bend's qualities.
It wasn't really Bend's fault that I was at first unhappy. Firstmost, I was miserable before I ever went there. Secondly, I am just not a snow loving high desert girl. I am an ocean craving seagypsy. So starting out unhappy and going to a place that was completely foreign and uninhabitable to me, topped off with a fine helping of one disaster after another made it very difficult to have any kind of a positive attitude about my new surroundings.
Infact, I absolutely hated Bend.
The 100 and something degree summer days. The nights that, (considering Bend has a growing season of about two days), could turn to frost during the night at any time. Then there were the sub zero winter temperatures. And oh my GOD the snow. And the ice. The ice that I would fall on every time I entered a commercial establishment. That little patch right in the door that I would ALWAYS hit. Oh and the 12 foot long icicles that threatened to pierce your heart if you slammed the door too hard and dislodged them from the roof.
As the days moved on, I came to see the similarities between Central Oregon and my hometown. Both were centrally located through ways for the surrounding towns and cities. Both became landlocked occasionally, cut off from the outside world because of mostly natural disasters. Both had their locals, who were savvy about their surroundings and true survivors. They were originally small town people in a small town just like Coos Bay.
Bend has had its share of takers as well. Just like the politicians that come in here and mess things up and get what they can, this story makes me realize yet another example of the corruption and disloyalty that Coos Bay and Bend share.
So the call I got last night was true. Ex-president Clinton really IS coming to the Coos Bay / North Bend zone. I hope he takes note of the wild beauty of our area. I hope he falls in love with the ocean, and the beaches, and the forest, like many of us have.
I hope he also sees the clear cut areas. And all the areas set aside for strip mining. I hope he notices the potential for our area, and how it has been overlooked in favor of Casino's, and LNG, and ASC, and everyone else who comes here to take advantage of the desperate plight of our citizens, then leaves the area in more of a shit hole than it was before said activities took place.
Maybe he will see our lush vegetation and abundant wildlife. Or maybe, like every other politician that comes here from somewhere else, he is just looking to line his own pockets or further his own position in life.
Two more earthquakes so far today, one is a 4.0. It seems to me that whenever Nevada starts having earthquakes, we are in the mix there somewhere. This one was about 100 miles directly west of me.
It doesnt hurt to review your survival preparedness list here folks.
Number 1, make sure there is some drinking water stashed, even if its just a bucket in the tub and a pitcher in the fridge. Couldn't hurt, right?
That's the message the telemarketer just left on my phone. Friday, infact. I wonder, will he be coming in person or show up via TV. I'm thinking of going so I can march around with a "No LNG" sign.
He must be desperate to get his wife some leverage. Or maybe he just likes Oregon girls.
I've been watching the earthquake site for a few years now. I don't remember ever having this many earthquakes for this many days before.
A picture for Vanita. I don't know who the curly haired doof-ass is, but I am most fond of the other one. I wish her well.
Just a few news updates from The Oregonian:
Bass in Columbia highly contaminated tests find.
"New tests of smallmouth bass from the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam found fish with concentrations of industrial chemicals up to 26,000 times higher than what state officials consider safe for human consumption."
My. God.
It would seem that the contamination comes from "historical" dumping of old electrical wire. Or so they say. You would think they would have tested said fish before now. Of course, they are starting to test clams and all sorts of other aquatic food stuffs. But you know, the fish don't just STAY in the river. They actually do leave and go other places.
Yeah, now we are getting the bigger picture here.
Tests find SOME pesticide in lower Clackamas River
In 119 water samples they found 63 pesticides and herbicides. But you know me, I'm an environmental drama queen. Pesticides and herbicides are perfectly safe to consume, why, they are practically vitamins!
