Ain't They Grand

A new pal of mine, Angel, is an incredibly talented illustrator who lives in Spain. He was asking about houses in Astoria, and was interested in all the bright colors, thinking he might like to draw one. Which made me think, yet again, about how wonderful and quirky the houses here are.

They're fascinating to look at just whizzing by when driving around. But from a walking point of view, they're downright amazing, since you have the time to stop, look, and admire.

Even the decrepit ones are fun, because I immediately go into "if I had a zillion dollars" mode, and think about all the things I would do to fix it up, sparing no expense in the restoration, of course.

Just about everyone I've talked to would love to get their hands on the "other" Flavel house, the bitch empress of "fixer-uppers."Anyway, I was going to walk the dog and take some photos of houses for Angel. But it was raining, and not being fond of dealing with large wet dogs, I drove around in the drizzle, opened the car window and shot photos of interesting and/or colorful houses. Just for the hell of it.

And it was hugely entertaining, even tho some of the photos have visible raindrop splotches on them. The important part of the deal is that this was an exercise in fun, not something I "had" to shoot, so rain splotches don't count.

Anyway, what here's what I came up with on my first foray:
Astoria House Adventure 1

I know, I know, I haven't even begun to scratch the surface as far as interesting houses go here in town. I'm thinking of making it a "mission" to go around taking photos of intriguing and/or colorful houses. Again, just for the hell of it. Might be fun. Today's venture sure was.

Click here to see Elleda's photography at the Astoria Photografpix web site

Mr. Lee

"One, two, three, look at Mr. Lee
Three, four, five, look at him jive"

The Bobettes sang that many years ago, but it keeps bouncing through my head lately.

In today's mail was the postcard pictured above. The No. 1 box gives you three choices: I would support the recall of Richard Lee; I would oppose the recall of Richard Lee; and I am undecided at this time.

The No. 2 box asks the yes or no question: Is there a chance you would change your mind?

It's already postage paid, and suggests that you "Please return immediately" to Hoffman Research Group in Portland. Just try finding them on Google, and you'll send yourself on a merry chase to nowhere. So who the hell are they, really?

The only thing at all about them is a thread of a discussion on BlueOregon: Hoffman Research Group

I expect these people are the same ones responsible for the ugly telemarketing push-polls that have been going on lately, trying to convince people to vote "no" on Lee's recall.

Well, you know what? I'll return the damn card, just to let them know my mind can't be changed. Not that I needed further convincing, but that poll-card was the final blow. It's offensive they would even ask if my mind could be changed.

The recall is soon upon us. When Lee gets recalled, it just might scare the pants off the other three commissioners who kowtow and follow obediently in his wake.

It's probably too much to hope for that the Muddled Three would start thinking about LNG with their heads instead of their asses, and listen to their staff and their constituents, but hope springs eternal.

Click here to see Elleda's photography at the Astoria Photografpix web site