Week 8 of 52: Harlem Globetrotters

One, or more new things per week for the 2013 year...

Week 8 of 52 (February 18^th, 2013 to February 24^th, 2013): Harlem Globetrotters

                Over 80 years ago, in 1927 a man by the name of Abe Saperstein organized and coached a new basketball team called the “Savoy Big Five”, who’s name came from the famus “Savoy Ballroom” in Chicago. The "Savoy Big Five" consisted of players such as Tommy Brookins, Inman Jackson, Lester Johnson, Joe Lillard, Randolph Ramsey, Walter “Toots” Wright, and Bill “Ham” Watson. Wright, Byron “Fat” Long, William “Kid” Oliver, Albert “Runt” Pullins and Andy Washington.

Later in that same year, the team changed their names to the “New York Globetrotters”. Their debut games was in front of 300 fans, they arrived in a Ford Model -T, total game payout is only $75 and occasionally Abe Saperstein is required to suit up and fill in for an injured player.

In 1941; All-time great Reece "Goose" Tatum, signs with Globetrotters and develops most of the team's classic comedy routines… the rest is history. Fifty-seven years later (in 1998) they play their 20,000^th game, which is broadcast live for the first time on ESPN2.

Needless to say, the Harlem Globetrotters have a very interesting history and are well known throughout the world for their trick-shots and comedy routines. I was lucky enough to attend one of their games here in Portland, Oregon on Saturday February 23, 2013.

Here I am at the game about 30 minutes before it all began.

 Let me say that it was a wonderful experience, the BEST basketball game I have ever attended! It was funny and kept the attention of the audience at every moment, they made you feel like you were part of their routine. They seemed like normal people, and mingled with the group as if they were part of the audience.

I counted myself lucky that I got seats this close!

If you ever get a chance to go, GO! It was a wonderful experience that I will always remember!

Week 7 of 52: Chakras, Gun Shows, and Speed-dating!

One, or more new things per week for the 2013 year...

Week 7 of 52 (February 11^th, 2013 to February 17^th, 2013): Chakras, Gun Shows, and Speed-dating!

                At the start of this week I wasn’t sure what I was going to be doing that would be “new to me”, but the following events quickly took place…

                On Wednesday I went in for a haircut and noticed a flyer on the bulletin board where I was getting my haircut. It was for this place called “PowerBrain: Training Center” which had just opened up next door, and offered free “Aura” readings. For those of you who don’t know what an “Aura” reading is; here is a blip from the internet: “an aura is a field of subtle, luminous radiation surrounding a person or object (like the halo or aureola in religious art). The depiction of such an aura often connotes a person of particular power or holiness. Sometimes, however, it is said that all living things (including humans) and all objects manifest such an aura…”

                Now, this particular reading was done with a computer program and a machine that would read the different “Chakras” in your body. So now the question would be what is a chakra? Again, we consult our best friend the internet: “ Chakras in Hindu metaphysical tradition and other belief systems, are centers of Prāṇa, life force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves.”

                Now, this reading was free with the hope that I would sign up for “brain power” class. Not really interested in that; However I had an Aura reading by a psychic last year in November, and I can honestly say that I was blown away with how much she knew and how accurate this machine was with taking my aura. Here is what the Psychic told me last year;

“…So I like to scan your energy field first… part of what I do is Aura readings, and what’s nice to see about you, is you have… a column of beautiful blues with emerald greens mixed in coming into you this way, right on this side of your body (left side). The deep rich colored cobalt blue colors and emerald greens indicate that you are very spiritually connected and very open from the heart. Then right next to that area of deep blues and greens you have beautiful lime colored yellows that show you are taking in a lot higher learning wise, in addition you have a crescent moon of bright yellow over your head, which is really good. Because it shows that you are in the higher learning mode and really a good listener.

Then I look at this side you got a lot of white light, shows that you basically are a person who likes to do what is right wherever you go. That I can tell about you already…”

                I was honestly skeptical about seeing a Psychic, but I can honestly say that some have a gift. I had chills while talking to her, because of the things she knew about me. So I would suggest, even for kicks and giggles to try and get your Aura reading. It is interesting and maybe you can learn more about yourself!

                Now Chakras and Aura readings just didn’t seem like enough this week… oh no… I had to go to a gun show. Now those who know me are probably shocked to hear that I have never gone to a gun show in my life! But, I decided I would check it out… and WOW! 

Why I had never gone to one before, is a mystery to me! All the guns I have ever wanted before my eyes in one place! It was fun to walk around and see what people had, see the new firearms and check out the cool old ones! But you can’t leave a gun show without buying something! I started to get all giddy and realized… hey I have a tax refund coming!!! BAM! Purchased an UZI!! I have always wanted one and now I own one! So Saturday started with a gun show, me purchasing and then going to the range and shooting my new UZI!

                So after having my aura read, and getting my gun fix… what else could I possibly do? Speed Dating of course! I also have never gone speed dating before… but I am glad I went, because it was awesome! I think I went on about 15-20 dates in about 1 hour. I made some connections and got to meet some cool new people. All and all this was a good week! 

Until next week!

Week 6 of 52: Washington County Sheriff – Ride Along

One, or more new things per week for the 2013 year...

Week 6 of 52 (February 4^th, 2013 to February 10^th, 2013):  Washington County Sheriff – Ride Along.

                I am unsure as to why I put off doing a ride-along, for so long! Most of my life I have always been fascinated by the police. I remember when I was younger I would play cops and robbers with the neighborhood kids; I would watch Cops on TV and would always look up to them as heroes. I also have to admit that as I grew older and started driving that I started to hate seeing cops (for fear of being pulled over and getting a ticket).

                But putting all of that aside I decided for week 6 of my 2013 challenge to go with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on a full shift. I was put with Deputy Whitely from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm; we patrolled the Bethany/Tanasbourne area of Beaverton, and Tigard in Oregon. I knew that anything could happen during that shift and was prepared for lots of nothing and whole lot of something! We did a lot of the usual traffic stops, and to my surprise the Deputy I was with gave a lot more warnings then he did tickets, and I really respect and admire that! We got a few more exciting calls, like domestic violence, and overheard other crazy events in Washington County happening, like a bomb threat, armed robbery, welfare check, burglary and a crazy man yielding a knife! Even though we were not called out to all of these events, just hearing the radio blaze about all of these events made me realize that we really don’t know about everything that happens in our community!

                I have to say that the media really doesn't do their part in presenting all the facts, and we citizens need to be more involved in cleaning up our streets and knowing whats going on. I think too many of us live in a fantasy world, in which we perceive the world as perfect. The truth is that there are lots of bad people or just really stupid people who make really poor choices.

                Bottom line, this will not be my last ride-along and the ride-along has prompted me to investigate further, I plan on sometime this year or next entering into the reserve training to become a volunteer sheriff, so that I can give back and contribute to my community!

Did you know how fun it is to radar people? 

Week 5 of 52: Hockey

One, or more new things per week for the 2013 year...

Week 5 of 52 (January 28^th, 2013 to February 3^rd, 2013):  Hockey!!!

                Well another week of fun… this week I attended my first ever Hockey Game!! This was on Saturday February 2, 2013 in the Memorial Collesium in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Winterhawks beat the Spokane Chiefs 4-0. Overall I really enjoyed the game and will probably attend future Hockey games! I have included some pictures below. 

The Portland Rosebuds Dance Team

Intel Dancers

No, I didn't get to ride the Zamboni, but some people I was with got to.

Here is me at the game.