Today is Smith's birthday. He is twenty-three (according to the wisdom of a
friend, this day marks the point at which and individual becomes Old Enough to
Know Themselves). We're in Portland.
Things Smith received for his birthday:
-Case of Red Bull energy drinks.
-Sony Discman.
-Admission ticket to "Me, Myself and Irene."
-Ring with a spade on it.
-Angry Attacking Eagle ring.
-The Smiths Louder than Bombs CD.
-Black button-up shirt with buttons fashioned like dice and flaming playing
card symbols embroidered on the back.
-Red nail polish.
-Cake with a burning cigarette in place of candles.
-Birthday card with an American flag design.
-"Happy Birthday" in-unison shout-out from the 950+ capacity crowd at the
Paradigm club.
Saturday, June 24
Last night, Dave was presented a large metal ring with an angry attacking
eagle on it by a Native American man who was probably in his 30's (it was hard to
tell). Dave passed the ring on to Smith, who has a direct line to the Great
Spirit. It was determined by committee that the Angry Attacking Eagle Ring is a
good-luck totem meant to watch over us during our journey across Canada, and the
ring was immediately hanged by a shoestring from the rear-view mirror.
Speaking of American national icons and our Maple-leaf-worshipping neighbors
to the north, seeing all of the highway signs in Washington state--which feature
a silhouette of the first U.S.President--constantly reminds me that I'm going to
spend a couple of weeks in Canada, starting tonight. The only thing that really
concerns me about this is the fact that I'm going to be on foreign ground on the
Fourth of July. I intend to commemorate this by watching 'The Patriot' starring
Mel Gibson on that day.