The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a minor Gaiman.
Joe Streckert
Joe Streckert is the author of Storied & Scandalous Portland, Oregon: A History of Gambling, Vice, Wits, and Wagers. He writes about books, history, and comics.
Posted inTV
Game of Thrones Recap: Mopping Up the Mess Edition
Game of Throne’s big, bloody climax was last week. Last night’s season finale mopped up the mess, and assured viewers that yes, there will be consequences. The war may be over, but the conflict isn’t. Spoilers ahoy, after the jump. And then Dany high-fived each and every one of them, because she cares. Robb Stark […]
Posted inBooks
Want to Learn About Oregon’s Depressing History of Racism?
“What’s with all the white people?” That’s a question I’ve been asked more than once by confused visitors during my day job as a fact-shouting tour guide. I suspect that for every one person whose asked me directly about Portland’s off-putting monchromism, there are probably several more who have noticed, but haven’t said anything.Breaking Chains, […]
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Game of Thrones Recap: Throwing the Book Across the Room Edition
If you haven’t read the books and the events of last night’s Game of Thrones were a surprise to you, then you’re probably experiencing all kinds of bad feel-feels right now. Anger. Confusion. Perplexment. It’s okay. I understand. Cry if you need to. Want to hit something? Hit this pillow. C’mere. Let’s hug it out. […]
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Game of Thrones Recap: Wedding Bells Edition
When you play the Game of Thrones you win or you die. That’s not quite true, though. Some pawns don’t die. Some just suffer. Some get used and forced to play their part, some are thrown in cells, some get outmaneuvered and bitch about it at weddings, and some have leeches put on their junk. […]
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Game of Thrones Recap: Butts and Bears Edition
George R. R. Martin wrote last night’s episode of Game of Thrones. Seeing his name at the top of the show, I expected some kind of world-shaking events to take place plot-wise. That didn’t happen. Various plots certainly moved forward, but the real developments were all character-based. No cities fell or heads rolled, but we […]
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Game of Thrones Recap: Bleakness and Death Edition
Well, that was weird. Bleakness. Death. Hopelessness. Last night’s Game of Thrones was short on action and long on angst and death. Compared to the last two episodes it was something a tad slow. It certainly had more brooding than action and more setup than payoff. A mixed bag, all around. That, and a character […]
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Game of Thrones Recap: Feelings in Hot Tubs Edition
Last night’s Game of Thrones successfully combined scheming and plotting with action- wheels were being wound up, but we also got to see plots unfold. The vast majority of it was in one-on-one scenes with characters who opposed each other in some way. Each bit of it had tension, conflict, and usually a satisfying payoff. […]
Posted inSports
Roller Derby Recap: Heartless Heathers vs. Break Neck Betties, Portland vs. Salt Lake City
The fantastic Heartless Heathers vs. Break Neck Betties bout. This past Friday night featured some downright amazing roller derby from the Heartless Heathers and the Break Neck Betties, and on Saturday the Rose City Rollers‘ Axles of Annihilation hosted the Wasatch Bonecrushers from Salt Lake City. While Sunday saw Portland’s Wheels of Justice taking on […]
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Game of Thrones Recap: Falling Dominoes Edition
Oh, good. I was getting a little worried there. Three episodes in, and Game of Thrones was doing a whole lot of setup and not a lot of head-whacking. Last night, though, that changed. This episode knocked down all the dominoes that the first three set up, and the result was wonderful. Blood, death, torture, […]
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Game of Thrones Recap: Hilarious Acts of Violence Edition
Yeah, we’ll get to the ending. Game of Thrones was pretty genre-bendy last night, with elements of comedy, horror, and horror comedy. Skin was bared. Bread products were given. A very important body part was removed. Then, out of nowhere THAT SONG. Oh god, that song. Spoilers after the jump. WHERE THE FUCK IS STRONG […]
Posted inSports
Roller Derby Recap: Break Neck Betties vs. Grave Danger, Wheels of Justice vs. Bay Area All-Stars
The Rose City Rollers hosted both San Francisco and Seattle this past weekend. The Break Neck Betties, Portland’s reigning home team champions, took on Rat City’s Grave Danger, and Rose City’s travel team, the Wheels of Justice, faced off against the Bay Area All Stars. It was on opportunity for Rose City to exhibit their […]