Scott and I attended the sold-out benefit screening of the sci-fi/western Serenity, Equality Now/Serenity Now. As of June 24, the Cinema 21 showing is the top fundraiser with approximately $6.3K. So far, the international event has so raised $41K for Equality Now, an international organization promoting human rights for women and girls.
UPDATE: As of June 26, the event has raised an estimated $61K for Equality Now and the Portland screening is still the screening that raised the most funds.
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Retired Colonel Grethe Cammermeyer rides on the Wells Fargo Stage Coach as the Grand Marshal for the 2006 Portland Pride Parade.
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While Scott, Kevin & Kevin, and I waited for the parade to begin, an anti-gay fundamentalist protester (in the red shirt) argued with parade announcers Derek & Romaine from SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Although I couldn't hear everything the protester argued, it sounded like the typical anti-gay rant (abomination, vain lifestyle, unhappy).
Although it would seem like not engaging the protester would have been a safe tactic, Derek & Romaine did argue with the protester and their exchange was very entertaining. Although a couple of people unsuccessfully attempted to calmly engage with the protester, he eventually moved off the street before the parade arrived. The protester returned once during the parade. I'm not sure what happened, but a couple of police officers seemed to pursue him.
Interestingly, the protester mentioned something about lesbian suicide which could have referred to a study publicized by Focus on the Family last week. The study determined that lesbian and bisexual Canadian, female teens had significantly higher attempted suicide rates than the straight teen women in the study. However, according to WayneBesen.com, the study's principal investigator said the population survey study cannot be used to determine cause and effect.
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Scott outside of the St. Johns police precinct during the anniversary celebration which included seniors who were at the original bridge dedication.
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One of the historic light fixtures that were reinstalled during the 2005 bridge renovation.
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I dragged Scott to the Thirsty Lion Pub to watch a World Cup match with Tim.
This evening while Scott and I gave my co-worker a ride home, we were delayed by the Rose Festival Fleet's arrival. Due to the additional security and unusually large ship, the bridge lift took more time than usual.
It was kind of an awkward pause. Car, bus, and bicycle commuters all halted to watch a military ship pass lined with sailors in dress white uniforms. One person on the bridge waved enthusiastically, but most of us just watched and waited.
Living in a 'Peace state' with no major military bases and in a famously militant 'Blue city', the military's presence seems somewhat awkward and a novelty. I suppose the Rose Festival naval fleet's presence contradicts much of the City's idealism. Outside of our pretty city, urban renewal plans, environmental goals, schools funding crisis, and Red vs. Blue talk, there is the harsh reality of violence.
060506_18091.jpg, originally uploaded by nojam75.I just set-up Flickr to automatically post pics from my camera phone. This should make posting pointless entries much easier.
Anyways, my boss bought this thing from a thrift store even though she didn't know what it was. Thank gawd for Google. I searched foot stool images until I found something similar. It's considered a camel saddle foot stool. I'm not sure how a large animal saddle ended up being living room furniture. Afterall, there are few camels in North America-- let alone in Portland. This particular piece is a little unusual in that it's legs fold. I suppose so the foot stool can be lowered or tilted.
Odd looking furniture thing mystery solved.
