RIP Charles Dowd

When I first set foot on the University of Oregon campus in the Fall of 1997 I didn't know what I wanted to study. I'd already dismissed Architecture and I was heavily leaning towards Graphic Design as my desired career path. Since I was a huge band nerd in high school, I'd already signed up for marching band and wanted to play with the low-end concert band for fun. Two weeks before school officially started I received a call in my dorm room from Charles Dowd. "Jeremy, I heard you're at UO, come audition for the department." I told him I didn't have any pieces to play. Charles responded, "I want to hear you play." I gathered up a few things I'd done in high school and went to play my audition for Charles. "Congratulations, you're in." he said while shaking my hand. Thanks to Charles I was now a Music Performance Major in the UO Percussion Department.

Charles had a big personality and wasn't always the easiest guy to communicate with, but if you took the time to listen you could learn how to become a professional musician. This is something I didn't fully appreciate until I returned in 2004 to finish my degree.

 I was fortunate enough to see Charles a couple weeks ago at his retirement party and thank him personally to which he responded, "Jeremy, don't fuck up, or you'll get fired." Teaching to the very end. He passed away on March 24, 2010 from pancreatic cancer.

Thank you Charles for everything that you've given me.

Thanks Charles Dowd Facebook Page

You Scream, We All Scream

Damn it ice cream, you mock me no more. On March 20th, 2010, the Vernal Equinox, I officially failed my self challenge of not eating ice cream for one full year. I ordered a Terminator Chocolate Shake from The Baghdad Theater McMenamins and it was awesome! What a stupid challenge in the first place. I get it now. I love ice cream and I'm going to eat it whenever I want, including tonight with some Tillamook Chocolate Peanut Butter. I need a new self challenge though. Any thoughts?

Reasons I'm a Nerd II

Two words...... Dungeons & Dragons. Could it really be possible?.... yes. I'm not sure when it all started, but it's been a fun and sporadic journey since I created my first character, Brodie. At least I'm not as nerdy as the Dungeon Master. I've pretend lived a hard life. I've seen and done things that nobody should ever have to pretend about. I've watched members of my party get attacked by oversized bees, some refusing to take out the poisonous stingers in protest of the DM taking away the "magic sack". I've witnessed people using rope to "solve" almost any situation. I've been attacked by dark mist, ghouls, undead, a plethora of monsters, unsavory people, wild animals and at times had to avoid my own sword. Sorry Mom, but I've even gotten a tattoo from www.freetattoodesigns.com by drinking some water. What a crazy life.

Reasons I'm a Nerd I

Reasons I'm a Nerd I - Have you ever heard of Magic the Gathering cards? If not, you're probably cooler than I am but it's this awesomely nerdy card game. I began purchasing Magic cards at RBI's in Salem back when I wasn't driving a car yet and I didn't have a girlfriend (surprise). I used to ride my sweet 10-speed bicycle, often with my partner in crime Erick. We'd buy a few packs, bust em open, make a few trades, head home, put our decks together and play a few games. Let's just say the only thing I tapped during those years was lots of mana. We stopped buying cards after awhile but continue to play games every few years against each other because our decks are equally bad. Today the game of Magic has grown into something more nerdy than you or I can possibly imagine, but I was there in the beginning, and for that reason, I'm a nerd.

Back to Work

Well I had a good run of almost 2 weeks on unemployment... but it's over now. I'll be back at DeWalt tomorrow morning at 8am to save the world one power tool at a time. I was just getting into the groove of what was supposed to be a month long "vacation" due to lack of work. Ah well.

ROOT BEER TASTE TEST II

It's happening tonight in Salem at Colby's Mom's house. We've got a better testing system in place and a much better selection this time around, thanks in part to Mitch at Real Soda in Portland. If you're looking for a few cases of a fine/rare soda product you should call him. I'll have the results up within the week and possibly a few video clips of the action. I'll also be updating my blog for once in a series I'm calling "Reasons I'm a Nerd", so look forward to that.