Merry Christmas!

How's the weather?

The Oregonian Triages Eugene Area

Looks like the mainstay Oregon newspaper, The Oregonian, is pulling up its roots in Eugene and Springfield, and is to stop delivering dailies in order to save money on printing costs. I first heard about this from Newspaper Deathwatch, the reaper-like website that has been watching the fall of the industry of 'black, white and read all over'. As a journalism-major this is all a little less than reassuring.

The news came from my mother in a phone call.

Had I seen The Oregonian's letter announcing the end of daily delivery? Seems rising newsprint and distribution costs make it too expensive for The Oregonian to bring its papers to home or retail outlets in Eugene-Springfield on a daily basis, apart from Sunday.

My own letter from The Oregonian's circulation director lay in the unopened mail pile. Another busy day of leaving early and getting home late. I'd managed to start off right by reading the Register-Guard and Oregonian before leaving my house at 6:00 a.m., but hadn't opened the mail after rushing home that night.

The letter was kind. A model of strength-based reassurance. The Oregonian knows its decision to stop visiting my house every morning is a loss, for me and for each and every one of the readers. While the newspaper won't be found in retail outlets in Oregon's second largest metropolitan area, it will arrive on Sunday and web content is available 24/7.

Now all I want for Christmas is for The Oregonian to keep landing somewhere in my yard by 6:00 a.m.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/myoregon/2008/12/waking_up_to_a_morning_without.html

Weather Warning

Winter travelers living in the Willamette Valley should rethink any travel plans this week. A severe storm front has resulted a sudden drop in expected temperatures over the next week. Wind and weather warnings have been issued from the National Weather Service and police officials. The Eugene area is expected to stay below freezing through Thursday, with lows of 16F (-10C) on Monday and Tuesday. The Portland area, the Gorge and southern Washington should experience the worst of it though.

Be careful out there, most Oregon drivers aren't experienced with icy conditions. Beware of bridges, and if you live on a hill then it might be a good idea to bunker up and park your car at the bottom of the hill - just in case.

edit: That snow showed up, it sure is pretty.

My dad first let me know about this a couple days ago, thanks dad:

National Weather Services warns that the weather systems headed for Oregon and SW Washington could bring some of the “coldest weather in several years.” A combination of factors, from low pressure systems coming from the Gulf of Alaska to an Arctic air mass moving in from Canada, are forecast to deliver very cold temperatures, snow – particularly in the Cascades and Coast Range, high tides and some coastal flooding, and strong winds both along the coast and inland.


Summary:

* The first system is forecast to arrive late tomorrow morning (Friday, 12/12) with precipitation and winds through Saturday. Snow will be significant in the Cascades, 2-3’ during this time period, and blizzard conditions are likely with the accompanying winds. The Coast Range is likely to have accumulations (7-15 inches) of snow during this time. The valley may have some accumulation of snow, 1-2” above 1,000 feet, and bursts of snow and cold rain showers with little accumulation possibility until Sunday.
* Winds with the first system are expected between 30-40 mph and gusting to 60-70 mph on the coast. The Coast Range may experience winds 30-40 mph and gusting to 65 mph. In the valley winds are forecast at 20-30 mph sustained and 45 mph gusts. Most of this wind event is anticipated to be Friday pm to Saturday am.
* Along the coast high surf from a combination of the highest tides of the year and the windstorm could cause coastal erosion and some flooding.
* Sunday the Arctic air mass will be moving in from Canada and Washington and with it very cold temperatures, from the teens and 20’s at night to highs around freezing during the day. Any precipitation on the ground, rain or snow, could freeze and become icy. As the week progresses, the forecast inland is for dryer and continued very cold weather.


Hazards:

* Transportation – be extremely careful of slippery road surfaces – from precipitation (rain, snow) to leaves and windstorm debris accumulation. If you travel, be sure you and your vehicle are fit for challenging driving conditions, that you have an emergency kit on board at all times http://www.co.benton.or.us/sheriff/ems/documents/travel-kit_brochure.pdf , and that you slow down. Do not hesitate to defer travel if conditions are extreme. Stay abreast of conditions as you consider travel, “know before you go.” www.tripcheck.com or www.weather.gov/portland are two internet resources and dial 5-1-1 for road conditions from your cell phone.
* Supplies – particularly critical supplies such as medications, fuel and food. Prepare now in case road and weather conditions limit safe travel.
* Power outages – related to the wind event, accumulations of ice and snow on tree limbs that break over power lines, accidents. Be prepared for power failure – to keep warm and have light safely. Remember, if you use alternative heating or cooking from a combustion system it must be properly vented according to manufacturer’s recommendation. Never leave an open flame unattended.
* Winds - secure loose property and holiday decorations around your house to prevent damage from strong, gusting winds.
* Frozen pipes – disconnect and drain hoses, cover foundation vents and hose bibs to insulate them. Indoors open cupboards near plumbing to allow warm air to circulate around them. Protect pipes to appliances and utility sinks in garages.
* Domestic pets – take extra precautions to protect even outdoor pets during this sustained cold spate. Consider additional shelter such as a garage or barn.
* Check in – with at least three other people who may not be able to endure a severe weather event, being housebound, or a power outage. These vulnerable populations can be in serious trouble without needed supplies, heat or light and check on them can make all of the difference in the world. If you’re someone who may have a tough time dealing with cold, power outage or being shut-in, reach out and let others know that you’d value a visit, a check-in. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many people would love to extend a hand, but may not know how.


The cold weather coming may last longer than one week. Stay abreast of changes as forecasts are updated and extended. Monitor weather on local news and on the internet: National Weather Service, www.weather.gov/portland Oregon Department of Transportation at www.tripcheck.com

Roadway Advisory

I love the cop's attitude in this. His tone when he says "Gah...he's gone" is just so "Nuts, darn it I hate when that happens."

Ears, Open. Eyeballs, Click.

Ears, Open. Eyeballs, Click. Drill Instructor revving up a recruit during beginning pugil stick training:

DI1: Friggin' hand to hand, close fucking combat. No freaking pushing, no little sissy fucking lovetaps. Every throw you throw needs to be like your life friggin' depends on it; because (taps on watch) if you make it, it will. You understand that?
R: Yes, sir!
DI1: All the rage and aggression you have in your body needs to come out on that recruit right there. You don't know him, do you?
R: No, sir.
DI1: So there's no reason to fucking like him is there?
R: No, sir.
DI1: Take out everything you have on that kid right there, you understand?
R: Yes, sir.

[Fight commences. He wins, but hesitates to make killing blow. DI yanks on his helmet and gets in his face.]

DI2: Why did you stop, Why did you stop, WHY did you STOP, WHY DID YOU STOP, Why did you stop, WHY DID YOU STOP!? Answer the fucking question before I rip out your teeth. Why did you stop?
R: (mumbles a reply around the mouth guard)
DI2: No you didn't! You were being a little fag! You didn't want to hurt him, because you're sweet, and nice, and you don't want to friggin' kill! Get the frig away from me right damn now!

DI1: Yeah you listened, huh? I guess you're going home in a body bag. Don't worry someone else will take care a your girl.

Let the Right One In

I just finished watching the beautiful yet haunting, romantic yet unsettling Swedish film Let the Right One In (yes there are subtitles). It tells the tale of two young people who find comfort from their serious inner demons in each other's polar opposite nature.

Oskar, a 12 year-old boy from a broken home, is close to the breaking point after relentless bullying and loneliness. Enter Eli, a mysterious and intriguing child who befriends Oskar and saves him from his own anger, but eventually is forced to reveal her existence as a guilt-ridden vampire.

Beautifully shot and directed by Tomas Alfredson, the film is based on the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist, who also wrote the screenplay. The film has swept up European film awards, but has only recently begun showing in the United States. Actress Lina Leandersson delivered a stunning performance of the quite human yet at times truly alien vampire Eli, and may well receive an Oscar nomination for it.

I truly recommend finding and watching this movie. Screenings have remained limited in the States, but Portland, OR has seen some screenings at Cinema 21, and there are some people (myself included) asking for a screening at the Bijou here in Eugene. A must see if it is shown here.

Addendum: It is interesting to compare the US and EU versions of the trailer. I put the international version at the head of the post, because I feel that it does a better job of conveying the feel of the movie. The American version has more of a screamer feel to it, and I'm not sure that it really conveys the movie well. Funnily enough, an English-language remake is being made of Let the Right One In already, and many fear that it will lose much of what made it such a fantastic movie.

Addendum 2: I wanted to mention a couple of plot critiques for those who watch the movie. So don't read the following if you don't want parts of the plot spoiled:

As I mentioned before, the movie is based on the book. But whereas the novel has time to fully explore all the issues it raises, the movie only touches on a couple of rather important plot points - Hakan's relationship with Eli compared to her relationship with Oskar, and Eli's history and transsexuality.

The book is much darker than the movie, and it is clear in the novel that Hakan's relationship with Eli is based on Hakan's pedophilia, and Eli's need of a servant. The two met when Hakan was already old, and Eli has no love for him, whereas she does have love for Oskar. This knowledge changes the ending significantly - the film seems to imply that Oskar is merely the new Hakan, but in the book it is clear that Eli considers Oskar to be "the right one".

Tangentially, the book is also much clearer on Eli's past. She is a 200 year old vampire, who was born a boy but then castrated, heavily abused, bitten and left to die. This is barely touched upon in the film - there is a quick shot of her castrate scars in the bathroom, and Lina Leandersson's voice was dubbed over for a more androgynous one. She says repeatedly "I am not a girl", but the reader can easily interpret that as her admitting that she is a vampire.

In my opinion, these two plot points are significant, yet lazily done. Apparently there was a surreal sequence to better explain them that was cut. While there is some merit to leaving room for the viewer's interpretation, I think that the ambiguity instead leads to confusion as to the director's intent. I would have chopped off (hah) the transexuality angle in lieu of clarifying Eli's feelings about Hakan. Her scars are good at conveying the child's perspective of sex as being mysterious and somewhat sinister, but it adds little to her character as a whole and invokes questions as to why it isn't a larger part of the story.