The Kid Continues To Break New Ground In His Videos

Two favorite T-shirts and the prized "Night Vale" poster made it into this video.

Click here to see experimental split-screen video.

Festival Of Speed Video

100 degree heat did not appear to slow the competitors.

This weekend we should have gone to the water for the hottest part of the day. Instead we went inland, to bake on blacktop and ranch land to celebrate Maryhill, Washington's Festival of Speed.

Yay For Marriage! Still, Slow Day For Blogging

This is Bob, the neighbors' cat.

This is a family blog. As we are in a heatwave, the family has refused to do anything blog-worthy.

This could be problematic for those less tuned in to this system of pipes called "internet." I know when content gets thin it's time for cat pictures or videos. Lucky for me the neighbors have a cat willing to help out.

Not to fear, eventually cooler weather will arrive and with it more relevant posts.

Kids Finally Get Outside

No green screen: the kids were actually outside

The kids get outside a few times each summer -- I just need to be ready to document the event when it happens.

Israelis Finally Take Serious Notice Of My Blog

Portdaddia page views by country.

I suspect these "Israelis" are actually server bots based in Israel, but it's fun to imagine Israelis, other than my relatives, enjoying the fine cultural critique that is Portdaddia.

Amazing Healthy Snack Concept That I Thought Up Myself

Cup O' Melon

Kids love watermelon on a hot day. The secret to making this summer treat extra special is to cut up the watermelon and put it in a cup -- elevating a piece of fruit to a special dessert.

You're welcome!

Grocery List Continues To Be Deep Source Of Comedy

I admit that I don't understand all these comments, but my incomprehension only adds to the feeling of merriment.

Fond Reminiscences Of A Suitcase

Hard Travel and Good Times: The clasps began to fail so it was time.

Back in 2008 I donated the above suitcase to a thrift shop. I did so with a tang of regret, which is why I took a photo.

I bought the suitcase in New York City in the early 1990s as a formal transition from the duffels and backpacks that defined my earlier luggage. The suitcase represented my transition into adulthood, where I had to transport formal clothes and not be a total idiot.

Generally I am not the nostalgic sort about gear, if something is broken I want to replace it quickly. However, when this suitcase began to be only marginally serviceable it took some effort to move it along.

I have a tendency to develop an odd sense of loyalty to special objects in my life. This is usually directed towards sporting goods -- bikes, skis, and surfboards -- even though I move through gear regularly.

The nostalgia comes when I realize the right thing to do is get rid of the thing, making me reflective of the good times I had with it.

I'm lucky in that I have a limited capacity for nostalgia. Once the thing is out the door I'm good.

Good until the purchase of a plane ticket makes me search my photo files for the symbol of excellent travels remembered.

Water Park

Dad Learns From Daughter: Pride Parade

Marchers in Portland Pride parade.

This past Sunday our family went and marched in the Pride parade, a gathering of many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

While witnessing a scene similar to the one above, I made the remark, "That's totally gay!" -- thinking that such was an okay thing to say because I was aiming that remark at the Portland Gay Men's choir.

Far from being amused, or finding the remark descriptive, the daughter set me straight. 

"We're in the parade and we're not gay. We're just showing support. So don't go putting labels on people. This parade is about accepting people whoever they are."

I have to admit the child speaks truth. Even if I'm 95% sure something is totally gay I will think that the remaining 5% should be honored by not being erroneously labeled. 

I continue to grow.

Patriotic Parenting Video ("Stripes" Ripoff)

All concerned about quality parenting should analyze the correct application of pancakes.

This Sunday I made a video that avoids any serious discussion of parenting in America. Still, the essential truths of our society become clear by their complete omission.

Morning Of Last Day Of School Still A Struggle

Everyone survived and now we have an eighth- grader and fifth-grader in the house.

The day was capped with corndogs and sunshine, a nice ending to a school year.

Breakfast Sandwich Machine Video

The finished product: a fusion of English muffin, cheese, turkey sausage, and egg

LSS and the daughter brought home a contraption that makes breakfast sandwiches -- fusions of egg and other ingredients to English muffins.

Because the machine forces one to use circular breads of four-inch diameters, I prefer to use a skillet in making these breakfast things. This way one's individual liberty in the pursuit of bread is not trampled upon.

The below video shows the daughter taking a first run with the breakfast sandwich machine.

Cell Phone Hologram Viewer - Great DIY Project

The stuff needed: The crucial material is an old CD case.

The 10-year-old got super excited to do a project this past Saturday. We watched the video below and then assembled the materials.

Rarely do things go so well -- the viewer was very cool.

10-year-old's Humor From Federal Election Commission

Today, at the prompting of the New York Times, I visited the Federal Election Commission website to peruse the 366 candidates currently running for president.

A fun list indeed!

It never occurred to me that such would make for good entertainment for my 10-year-old. When he comes home from school I will try and package something educational in the pointing out of the candidacy of Sydneys Voluptuous Buttocks. 

Politics can be fun!

Cool Interactive Film Idea

Godzilla about to destroy yet another city that isn't Portland.

I haven't yet seen San Andreas, staring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Reading a review I've learned the filmmakers destroy not one, but two, cities.

I would be much more excited to see this film if I could choose the two cities that would be destroyed.

Seeing Portland destroyed would be neat because I know the skyline and landmarks. Next on the destruction list I would choose Beaverton, Oregon because it's fairly flat and would probably be overrun with people on cargo bikes delivering emergency supplies.

I don't know that the bicycle rescuers would be all that visually dramatic, but the self-satisfied good feeling of those who own cargo bikes would light up the night sky for a beautiful effect.