Didn't You Know?

You know how there are things that you just wonder? Like, how they get the caps on the toothpaste and whatnot? I've been wondering whose job it is to shovel out the fire hydrants after a storm... is it the fire department, the dept of transportation, the plow people? It's the fire department. This weekend I saw out my window a firetruck drive by really, really slow. I squinted like George Castanza and realized it was two firefighters riding on the back, jumping off to shovel.

There was also this four foot, white haired old woman who I'd seen on numerous occasions, to my horror, leave the coffeeshop without paying. Then I saw her go in the law office next door. Ohhhh., I thought, they have an agreement!

And then there was the time that I said that I wanted to know who the Portland Valentine Bandit was. Someone told me. But I didn't really want to know... I just wanted to express how much curiosity it provokes. Who could possibly paper the city with taped-on red hearts? I'll give you a hint- they are probably on the clock when they do it at 3am. And yes, it's a they.

I know who does the Portland PSST blog too.

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My mailman died of a heart attack while shoveling snow last night. I walked in this morning and asked, Why the long faces? He was a fifty-something, four foot nine little man full of piss and vinegar, as my mom would say. Once, I think he accidentally on purpose fell on me, but an otherwise harmless man who had pet names for all the girls. He walked around all day delivering letters, and seemed to have more energy than... most anyone else I know. I just can't believe that I razzed him for the last time. Life is so unpredictable.