I Need One of These

This is some funny stuff. What's really funny is that this guy is actually getting death threats because of the device.

Northwest Noise Podcast

I again had the honor to guest on the Northwest Noise podcast, the March 21st Spring Solstice episode. Gears, as usual, was to guest on the show as well, but due to some problems with Skype and his dial-up internet access, was unable to. So it was my first time just Timmy and myself, which was very cool. However, I had little input on the evenings topics; there wasn't much I had to add to discussions on the solstice, Justin Hopkins, and KBOO. However, I did get to tell a story of a surprising connection between Tim and myself, as well as discuss a Marriott ad which actually mentions podcasting as an activity a guest can do in their hotel rooms. For those of you if haven't yet heard a podcast, Northwest Noise is a great place to start, as well as Adam Curry's site at www.curry.com. As it's Spring Break, you all should have plenty of time to download and check out these programs, even with a dial-up connection (friggin' Gears...).

New DMB Single Out

I'm so stoked, the first single from Dave Matthews Band new album Stand Up is finally out. It's not one of my favorite DMB songs, and I'm not so sure it will be a huge radio hit, but at least it ain't even close to as bad as "I Did It." You can stream the song by clicking on the title of this post...

The Legend of Hatoon

Last week, Hatoon, the homeless lady next to the bookstore at UO, died in a car accident. I meant to report this right away as I was one of the first to find out about this (a couple of hours after she passed away), but I have been quite busy and haven't had any time to write about it. However, I'm glad that I waited as all sorts of interesting stories have been told about her these past few days. Most of these I'm sure are untrue, but it's interesting how a person can become such a legend.

My favorite of these stories is that she predicted her own death. Hatoon very obviously had a mental illness, which is why no one paid attention when she walked into the bookstore a couple of days before her death and claimed, "I know what's going on. I'm going to die." Creepy...

There was also talk that she actually was at one time one of UO's biggest contributers, before her mental illness took hold, which explains why she permitted by the administration to stay on campus.

I never realized until after she passed how much she meant to the students and faculty at UO. I never gave her much thought as I passed by her every day, but I have been told so many stories by those who have spoke with her and even lifted weights with her in the rec center (apparently she was quite strong). Even day, the bench next to the bookstore where she lived is loaded with flowers, candles, and other items paying respect to Hatoon.

I am amazed by the amount of people who spend a few minutes next to her memorial in silence. I don't know what they think about, but I know we have all talked about Hatoon at least a little over the past week and a half.

Still I am saddened that her own children seemed to completely neglect their mother. I obviously don't know their story, but I know that I couldn't leave my mother out on the street, and after hearing all the stories about Hatoon's personality, I can't imagine that she was so unbearable that they couldn't take care of her.

So would she be happier becoming a legend on campus, as she has, and being neglected by her own children, or loved and adored by her offspring and unknown to the rest of us? I don't know, but I do know she will forever be remembered on the UO campus.

Just Gizoogle It

Gears introduced me to a great new search engine and it is the shiz-nit, fo' shizzle. After typing in my name, here is what came up:

"Hey everyone fo' sho'! I'm an avid bitch of tha Northwest Noise podcast n am currently work'n on putt'n mah own podcast, as soon as I can figure out tha friggin' technology. Until thizzen, I'm on jppederson.blizzles. com"

Funny stuff. Check it out.