Of course trucks are louder than cars but this does not explain why garbage trucks make more noise than other trucks.  Proof of this can be found at any truck stop parking lot.  Just go there and listen to the trucks idling and you will be impressed at how manufacturers have made advances in reducing the sound made by the vehicles.

Another person told me it was because of the hydraulic pump that operates the machinery used to collect and compress refuse.  This also makes no sense either.  Listen to a heavy duty tow truck in operation and you will be impressed at how quietly these machines operate.  I use the example of a tow truck because some will have as many as three hydraulic pumps to operate the recovery boom, underlift and winch.

This leaves with only one conclusion.  Those who own and operate garbage trucks want them to be loud. 

ENOUGH ALREADY!
Quiet these things down damnit.

Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

Quality
This is how Portland does it.

If this makes me a bad person so be it.

Take a look at the financial section of your newspaper.  Have any of you noticed a change within stock trends?  Are any of the Big Evil Banks stepping forward to tell us there will be changes in how business is done?  Are any politicians telling of how they will remove corporate money from the election process?
No, no and ahhh, NO!

All I see are a number of city parks around the country being destroyed by these numbskulls.

At one corner of the Portland occupation is a sign telling of how this is a protest, not a party. When I walk through I hear loud music (this is a very loose interpretation of the word music), see countless people drinking, and smell marijuana everywhere. If this is not a party I have no idea what is.

If you ask an Occupier what has been so far most will not have no answer for you.  Others may tell you how they have raised public awareness through marches and whatnot.  Ask them for something tangible and they have no answer.

As usual, the media will play the hell out of this and the public ends up taking their collective “eye” off the ball.  At some point we are going to see something in the news that will shock us.  We will wonder just how something like that could happen and as usual the distraction will be missed.

How do you respond to something like this?  Do you roll your eyes and walk away or do you answer the question?  Do not, I repeat, do not walk away from the question.  Doing so does nothing but reinforce the “fact” that you do feel superior in the mind of those who ask this question.

In most cases this question is presented by confrontational people.  In my experience these people are almost always drunk.

The best answer I have come up with is quite simple and to the point.  ”No, I do not think I am better than you or anybody else but I will tell you this much.  I believe I’m better at making decisions than you.  Think about that and get back to me on it when you are sober.”.

I have never been challenged on this answer and it allows me to walk away from the situation.  Given the choice I would always prefer to walk away from something like this.

Last Thursday night I was awaken by a do-gooder around 1:30 am by a woman leaning over me to leave a bag of soda/beer cans that have a 5¢ deposit here in Oregon.

Imagine if you will, you’re sleeping blissfully and are startled out of your slumber by a stranger in your bedroom to provide some “good deed”.  Would it scare the hell out of you?  Would you yell at them?  Would you pop up out of you bed to reign down all manner of violence you could muster?  Luckily for this woman it was me she woke and not another who may have attacked her.

Upon having the crap scared out of me I just yelled at her telling her to get the hell away from me.  Of course she tries to tell me she was “just trying to help”.  All I could do in this situation is continue to tell this woman to leave me alone and let me sleep.

Here is the truly messed up part of the story.  She was with two, count em, guys who made a point of staying away from the situation.  I can just imagine the conversation prior to her approaching me went something like what follows.

Dingy Woman:  Here,  go put these cans by that nice homeless man sleeping over there.
Guy #1:  Are you crazy?  Do you think I wanna get myself killed?  Not tonight sweety.
(Dingy Woman attempts to hand off the bag-o-cans to Guy #2)
Guy #2:  There is no way in hell I’m going over there and disturb that guy.  I’m allergic  to being stabbed.  Thanks, but no thanks.
Dingy Woman:  Oh fine, I’ll take care of it you two weenies.
(Dingy Woman walks over to the “nice” homeless man and ends up soiling her pants as a result of the “nice” homeless mans reaction.)

One more time for those of you who missed it the first time.

1.  We are just like you and need our sleep which can be more difficult in this situation
2. Just randomly dropping off food can create a good deal of problems such as attracting critters to ones camp.
3.  If you have the time go to one of your local service providers like a mission to possibly volunteer.
4.  If time is an issue for you consider making a donation to one of your local service providers in the way of blankets, sleeping bags or clothing.

Now please for thew love of God,  leave me the hell alone so I can sleep.

As per usual, if this makes me a bad person so be it.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

It’s amazing what you can do with a beard trimmer.

Why is it some people can not express a thought without using the “F” word?  Am I some kind puritan who will not tolerate the use of profanity?  Not at all, but if it’s all a person uses to convey theirs thoughts the meaning becomes diluted.

A prime example would be Bill Cosby.  Here was a man who could be as funny if not funnier than most foul mouthed stand-up comedians for one simple reason.  He gave his audiences enough credit to allow them to think.  Because of this he also opened himself up to a MUCH larger audience since there are many folks who would prefer not listen to one string of profanity after another.  Here is a clip showing what I believe to be the only time Bill used what could be considered by some to be profanity.  Because of this his use of the word asshole carried a great deal of meaning.

Another problem with expressing yourself in this manner is it leaves many people ignoring you regardless of the message you are trying to share.  Do you think people would have given Dr. Martin Luther King the time of day had he chosen to speak in that manner?  I truly doubt it.  More than likely he would have been considered just another angry black man without a message.  I’m willing to say you could go down through history and find the same to be true of most who have made great contributions by their thoughts and deeds.

A friend once shared great piece of wisdom he got from his father.  You have 1/2 second between the time an idea enters your mind and escapes through your mouth, use it wisely.  Sound advice if you ask me.

Until next time
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

All this tells me is the behaviors displayed in any city are a direct reflection of just what will be tolerated.  If I am right this is one VERY sad indictment on the city, and people of Portland.

I just had to get this off my chest.
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman