Author Archives: Jim Blackwood Jr

The Road Taken — My Second Act

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Jim Blackwood Jr

When I take breaks from playing and working outdoors, I find myself streaming The West Wing on Netflix. Besides my fantasy of living in an Aaron Sorkin world where everyone is wicked smart and funny with heads brimming with useful … Continue reading →

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An Evening in Pickleandia

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Jim Blackwood Jr

If you are ever a little down because so much about Portland has become big and confusing, head out to Lents Park, out beyond 82nd Avenue, to a sweet little place called Walker Stadium. The demise of the Portland Beavers … Continue reading →

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The 65th Anniversary Celebration

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Jim Blackwood Jr

Today is my parents’ 65th wedding anniversary. I wish I could say it was a day of unfettered celebration but for my family it is a day of reflection and some sadness. You see, my mother is in the final … Continue reading →

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The Mental Illness All Around You

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Jim Blackwood Jr

For most of my adult life I have lived with Panic Disorder. It’s natural for folks who hear that to immediately cross-reference to their own lives. They think of a time they were very afraid or very anxious and, bless … Continue reading →

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The Problem with Portland’s Lawn Sign

Posted on July 7, 2017 by Jim Blackwood Jr

Dog walking around my neighborhood I see dozens of Portland’s favorite lawn sign. It must have a generic, shorthand name known but to a few. I ain’t the few. There was a time when I was a Unitarian. I enjoyed … Continue reading →

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The Joy of the Broken Urinal Blues

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Jim Blackwood Jr

Half the world has no idea what it is like for a guy to piss in a rock and roll club.  Women are better for it. Last week I went out to see my buddies in the band Volcker.  (Yea, … Continue reading →

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Life Among the “NIMBY Racists”

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Jim Blackwood Jr

More people are coming.  How many times have we heard that?  When I drive around Portland I sometimes get a little lost because my memory landmarks are gone, replaced by a monoculture of 5 story apartment buildings. An ugly fight … Continue reading →

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Death on the Eastbound MAX

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Jim Blackwood Jr

  What’s going on here?  Like so many people I had to stop to ponder the vicious attacks on humanity at the Hollywood MAX station.  As I read about the reactions to the violence, things just keep getting more complicated. … Continue reading →

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That Time With Gregg Allman in Atlanta

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Jim Blackwood Jr

Have you ever had a waking dream? I got to see the Allman Brothers Band a couple of times. The second time I saw them play their music. The passing of Gregg Allman reminded me of the first time I … Continue reading →

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Give Me Appropriation with a side of Beans and Rice

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Jim Blackwood Jr

The absolute truth is that none of us can get through a day without a little cultural appropriation. Humans are creatures of infinite adaptation and co-optation.  The folks who are most scary believe in racial and cultural purity.  Yea, I … Continue reading →

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