This is why you guys need to keep sending me stuff, otherwise how else would I know that I could purchase my OWN ISLAND?

Is it strange that whenever someone mentions awards one of the things I think of is the “Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence” from the Simpsons? Anyone else remember that episode?

It’s time we stopped dancing around the truth, people. Despite my outward appearance as an even-tempered, hard-working and perhaps respectable journalist, I’ve been keeping something secret.

Immigration. Right now in America that’s a loaded word that can inspire anger and frustration, as well as compassion...and frustration.
There is a national debate going on about who’s in this country illegally and what we are going to do with them.
And unless Lou Dobbs is lying to me, it’s a pretty big deal.

The Scanner: Wasting time on the internet so you don’t get caught by your boss.

Remember, if you got a website, video or otherwise bizarre phenomenon on the Internet, send it my way it’ll end up in the Scanner.

YouTube is a lot of things, including a distraction, a source of comedy, a repository of nostalgia and embarrassment.

The thing about having a hip-hop legend in town is that some part of you, a small, insecure but pragmatic part of you, worries they won’t live up to your expectations.

Slick Rick is one of the originators of hip-hop as we know it today, but he’s mostly associated with the music’s "Old School" era. What if he’s lost a step, what if the thick gold ropes have lost their sheen?

I’ve never built a boat, and my knowledge of boating has faded over the years (those summer camp sailing/rowing/kayaking lessons disappear fast), so I have a great deal of appreciation for people who can do either, and do it well.

When someone says "the dude abides," what exactly comes to your mind? Do you scratch your head, look at them strange, or perhaps say back "the Dude abides."

The Weekly Scanner - enough pop culture and bizarre news to smuggle in a speeding lobster boat.

Remember - if you've got weird news, websites, events or anything funky you catch online, send it my way it'll get in the Scanner.

We got a lot to get through today, first off, I think I look ripe for a guest spot on the Simpsons:

Two onging stories we’ve had in your Daily newspaper over the last several months have been the recent crackdowns on underage drinking in the Portland area, as well as the issue of who’s going to college and how its paid for.

Muggle what? Seriously, I have no idea what you people are talking about and I don’t care who eats a magical bullet in the new book.

Ok, maybe that was a little harsh – (especially from a man who debated the merits of "Transformers" – which was awesome by the way.) but I have remained largely immune to Potter-mania over the last few years.

We hear at The Skateboarding Times take our job seriously – to bring you the most up-to-date news on skateboarding, skate parks and the struggle against the anti-skateboarding establishment.

I just wanted to get in a short update today, and who better to celebrate than the man who has contributed nearly as many overused catch phrases to American society as Mike Myers.

Talking about fatal car accidents for anyone is tough, but when you talk about young drivers, it becomes a more complicated, and emotional discussion.

As someone who’s had to write about a number of accidents with teen drivers, it’s never an easy thing to deal with, but the one question that always comes up is were they just inexperienced and could something more been done to educate them.

Ah yes, another summer Friday in Portland.

Bars, decks and all that is golden. Which begs the question again, what makes for a good summer time bar? I’m going to keep asking until we get a conversation going, and I know there are people out there who like to enjoy beer and assorted cocktails.

What? A day without some sort of skateboarding news? For a guy who didn’t skateboard growing up, I seem to be talking about it a lot lately.

It looks like the city of Portland is taking baby steps towards decriminalizing skateboarding. Last night the City Council’s Public Safety Committee unanimously voted to recommend changing the law that makes riding skateboards on downtown streets illegal.

It appears – for the moment at least – that all hope is not lost for skateboarders. Tuesday at Deering Oaks Park in Portland skateboarders will be welcomed with open arms.

It’s a Friday in July, I don’t know how things can get better than that. Of course, if you were one of the few who took the week off (or could afford to take it off) for the holiday, then this whole week’s been a party.
Here’s to you, week-long vacation guy.

As the rest of the country shakes off the inevitable fireworks hangover from this fine country’s birthday, here’s at least one thing that makes America great: hot dog eating contests.

When you think big, explosive set pieces with little heart and even less to capture the imagination – that can only mean one thing: summer movie season.

Of all the popcorn fodder being released this summer, the one movie I’ve felt the most conflicted about is "Transformers." Not only are they resurrecting a beloved childhood icon, but the doctor at the table in this case is Michael Bay, who made films like "Armageddon," "Bad Boys" and "The Island."

When it comes down to it, college is not for everyone. Some people would rather get right to making money, others see vocational schools as the best way to get bankable skills.