Inside my shoes and Chinese laces

This doesn't really have to do with anything, except I was looking at my shoes. I had taken them off because I was hot in the newsroom. (I'm always telling fellow reporter Erin Mills, who mans the thermostat on the space heater, it's like returning to the womb).

I recently designed and ordered these shoes on Nike.com.

They're pretty basic compared to a pair I designed several years ago, but I wanted something that I could wear with a variety of things. I've found the Nike Shox are great for my knees.

Anyway, when I received the order the shoestrings were white — not a big deal, you say ... well it was considering I ordered black and paid good money to get what I wanted.

So, rather than just going out and buying some black laces, I sent an e-mail requesting that they send me the black ones I had originally ordered with the shoes. So imagine my surprise when I got a package from the People's Republic of China with laces in them. Evidently, even thought the Nike Empire is based in Beaverton, they had to have my laces shipped from China.

Doggone Part II

Just when I thought it was safe to write about Jai, our dog we recently had to have put down (Jai's last ride, East Oregonian, March 29), I got an e-mail from a reader that had a link to a poem called, "Rainbow Bridge."

You can read it by going here. But, if you've lost a pet recently you might want to have some Kleenex close by.

On a side note, a couple of days after we had Jai put down we got a sympathy card from Oregon Trail Veterinary Clinic. That initially surprised me because when we had our last German shepherd put down in 1999 we didn't get anything. We had taken him to a vet in the Tri-Cities because we couldn't get a cremation with returns in Hermiston. So, it just goes to show you, not only is doing business in Hermiston closer, it's more personable.

My dog's smarter than your dog

I got caught.

Jeter, our almost 10-year-old (His birthday is coming up — you still have time to buy him a present) German shepherd, saw Jai's photo on my blog. Even though I told him I'd put one of him on it, he was relentless and wouldn't let me relax until I did it.

Now the ball's in his court — he needs to sign up as a follower : )

Doggone

Little did I know that less than three weeks would pass after a column published that talked about our aging Airedale terrier (Bring on the Kleenex, Jan. 3, East Oregonian) that we'd have to have him put down.

(As if you couldn't figure it out — that's Jai and despite his size, he desperately wanted the benefits of a lap dog. Although he detested the yapping of little ankle-biters).

It took even longer for me to be able to write a follow-up column. For people who say, "It was just a dog" - well you'll never understand.

The absolute unconditional love I've received from my dogs over the years is amazing.

When I come home from work, sure, my husband is excited to see me, but it's always the dogs that are standing at the door to the garage, moaning with glee. When I've been gone for the weekend, their intensity is kicked up a notch and upon return from vacation, honesty, I don't know what prevents spontaneous combustion from excitement.

I am the prehistoric canine goddess!!!

More than an obscure door

I'm directionally impaired. To give you a frame of reference, I think I could tell you which way is west if I was standing on the Oregon coast.

When Peter Walters gave me vague directions to The Jazz Club so I could interview James Dean Kindle and the Eastern Oregon Playboys, ("CD release marks milestone on band's journey," East Oregonian, March 19) I felt a slight tick begin in my shoulder — but I just kind of went with it. 

As I drove into the general area, I found nothing that remotely resembled a "jazz club." Luckily I had Peter's cell number with me and called him. He drove up and I followed him one block over (which, by the way was "his bad" for telling me the wrong street). As we approached The Jazz Club, I thought, "It's just an obscure door at the back end of a building."

My eyes darted around the dimly lit room, which included a black grand piano and a beautiful stand-up bass. I imagined old musicians sitting around in the dank atmosphere shooting the breeze. Peter and I talked for a little bit and then he offered to show me around. 

The kitchen area was like walking into a time capsule. Small personal cabinets partially graced one wall. Some had names on them. Peter opened some of the unlocked ones to reveal bottles of various spirits, bags with items and papers. 

On a bulletin board were placards announcing concerts from decades ago, newspaper clippings and photos. I leaned forward and read one that came from the police blotter indicating a guitar had been stolen from The Jazz Club. I laughed as I visualized the musicians kicking back with a drink and saying something about the bastard who stole their guitar as he affixed the clipping to the board.

Sometimes when I do stories I conduct phone interviews. Had I done this for this story I would have missed the experience. 

When Kathy Aney, EO senior reporter, called yesterday to ask if I knew about any events she could cover over the weekend, I told her about the band's CD release concert. Then I told her about my experience beyond the obscure door. I suggested a story about The Jazz Club would be quite fascinating.

Old reporters never die, they just miss their deadline

Despite some larger metropolitan newspapers folding in these tough economic times, the East Oregonian continues to be committed to reporting news and events that are relevant and important to its readers.

Sure, reporters from Portland (and across the country) will run to Eastern Oregon when the Arlington mayor poses in her panties, but they aren't the ones writing articles about the typical everyday things people are able to read about in the EO.

So, yeah I got a little ruffled when I recently read reader comments on The Hermiston Herald (one of our sister newspapers) Web-site regarding its change in delivery days. The article stated, while the mail delivery rate would remain the same, the newsstand price would increase.

One of the commenters was appalled at the price increase - suggesting both the EO and Herald "... should be half price until either one sells enough ads to beef up those papers." (By the way, the commenter was able to read the article on-line for free).

The amount of advertising, which directly correlates to how many pages a newspaper can publish, is a reflection of the current economy. And it's not just our hometown papers ... have you picked up a recent copy of the Oregonian?

Since becoming the community editor Dec. 1, it's been a juggling act on how to get as much information on upcoming events in print with the confines of limited space. Remember, each Monday, the "Coming Events" calendar is posted in its entirity on our Web site.

And to our faithful readers and advertisers - thanks!