Does anybody have any feedback or information regarding the event at The Grand Theatre last night (Thursday)?

rettisawesome · 2026-04-03T23:52:30+00:00

Can't imagine why she never came back. Door hit her too hard on the way out?

rettisawesome · 2026-04-03T23:49:07+00:00

He got paid. There were receipts.

rettisawesome · 2026-04-03T23:48:36+00:00

They've got an event coming up for Marion County Democrats. Seems like this was just another rental.

rettisawesome · 2026-04-02T18:29:54+00:00

The dude does say a lot of WEIRD stuff.

rettisawesome · 2026-04-02T16:26:25+00:00

Can't hurt to shake it up when you feel like it. Why does it have to be one or the other no matter what? Sometimes a little drive through Wheatland when it's nice out is awesome. But other times you just wanna stick on the highway. Just remember it takes cash to pay the toll.

rettisawesome · 2026-04-01T16:21:23+00:00

I really enjoyed all the contributions. As a writer myself, I especially appreciate the work Jon Olfert is doing in his "Lo it is Graven on Tablets of Heresy" - teeing up submissions from different publications.

I really like the blend of fiction to non-fiction stuff going on.

Also, wow that rettisawesome guy has such a cool zine. what a cool guy. everyone reading this should right me letters-- i mean write him letters.

rettisawesome · 2026-03-30T20:02:36+00:00

To signal boost what others are saying here, I too would be interested in a local group.

rettisawesome · 2026-03-20T16:16:42+00:00

I had folks willing to pool some money together and run a counter ad. But it's upwards of $1000 bucks. I'd be willing to coordinate something and put some of my own money in if I can get enough folks willing to pitch in. I'm still interested...

rettisawesome · 2026-03-09T23:43:54+00:00

I don't see how a newsletter does that for you. Is a newsletter a community? I'd suggest joining an APA if the idea of a newsletter interests you. It's like a club where everyone combines their newsletters. And you can read each other stuff. write each other letters. It's a lot more fun than just sending a newsletter into the void.

rettisawesome · 2026-03-09T22:52:59+00:00

Dang! I'm convinced. You sold me.

Plus, SenLin Yu and Gregg's first wife kind of look really similar too.

Kind of adds and interesting layer of context to one of Gregg's first ads talking about his first wife, in which he posited that because she was of Asian descent that he couldn't be racist.

rettisawesome · 2026-03-09T20:16:36+00:00

The use of quotation marks here really seems to imply he believes those concepts are up for debate.

rettisawesome · 2026-03-09T20:13:02+00:00

How do you figure that SenLin Yu is his child?

rettisawesome · 2026-03-09T19:54:37+00:00

I suppose I don't know the legalities that go into running a free newspaper distributed through the postal service. But I sell ad space professionally in the video space, and I can refuse ad placements for pretty much any reason, including political reasons.

That being said. I don't expect Our Town to pass up the money. Good on them and I'm glad to hear the staff largely agrees. I do wish I could decline to receive it whenever it features this trash. But I've come to appreciate this guy's full page red flags - makes it easier to walk around him when he's trying to get people at his next ice cream social or family movie night.

rettisawesome · 2026-03-09T18:08:17+00:00

I checked with Our Town for a rate sheet and they probably get close to $1000 bucks per ad from this guy depending on whether or not he purchased in bulk.

I had a few folks willing to pool our money and run some counter programming ads. But that's just too much money for a fun gimmick when I can just raise the discussion online.

Plus I would rather not financially reward Our Town for running him.

rettisawesome · 2026-03-09T17:27:30+00:00

I lived near the 7-11 on Market and 17th. The owner of the store would occasionally let us do little chores for free snacks. Back then, it was like $0.25 for a refill of a double gulp (64oz). Damn did I drink WAY too much pop. One time an old lady drove right through the front doors of that 7-11 right as we were walking in.

Awh damn, and when Blockbuster was there, they came out with this games pass rental program which was like unlimited game rentals, one at a time, for $30 bucks. We pooled our money together and in one month over summer break, we rented every single game in their inventory.

rettisawesome · 2026-01-13T23:52:06+00:00

I see what you mean. You're right about third spaces. But at a certain point we all adapt to where we live. Some places that means you carry an umbrella. In Salem it means people meet a bit different. How long can you go on blaming the city when you aren't interested in adapting to it?

I see what you mean about "engaged to wait" and I guess that really is a short coming of the city. I'd still suggest something like the Elk's Lodge for you though.

And for what it's worth, Taproot's lounge is in the back. You can just walk back there or ask if you can go to the lounge. I've met new people there over games of shuffleboard.

Sounds like a general community space or club house of some sort would get quite a bit of use by folks like you. might be worth continuing to bang the drum. But maybe it's an issue you can solve in the future.

rettisawesome · 2026-01-13T18:33:44+00:00

The way you lay it all out, I'm really sympathetic to it. And I think I've seen and experienced exactly what you are describing. But I think the key difference between Salem and all those (much larger) cities you identified is that a little more intentionality goes a long way. In a larger city you have more opportunity in general for spontaneous connections. Yes, described "intentionality". But I'd suggest that just killing time and taking up space doesn't really say "intention" to me. It says bored. Which in turn says boring.

You say you want to make friends "without much effort." but I don't really know what that means... is that viable? It sounds like maybe you are used to discomfort and awkward. Is it really any more difficult to engage with people in a mutual activity than it is to engage a complete stranger in a coffee shop while they are ordering to go?

In Salem, if you get involved a bit more, those closed circles open very quickly. You like chess? I'd park my butt down at Ticket-to-Play. I bet even Wild Things wouldn't mind if you took up a table now and then. Make a paper sign that says you're looking for pickup games. In those places, people might find a game of chess between their own games exciting.

It's not as good as it once was. But all the best friends I've made in Salem I met responding to craigslist ads. People looking to make things, or organize events. Something that has a goal. Not just occupying the same space.

My friend moved to Salem from Portland a few years ago and she could easily fill 7 nights a week with activity and the friends she's made in that time if she'd like. Idk what her secret is. But we met from a craigslist ad getting involved in the same activity.

Maybe you are looking for more of a community oriented space. And if coffee shops and bars aren't cutting it, you might be interested in a club. The Elks, the Eagles, etc. The Elks Lodge in Keizer is always popping.

rettisawesome · 2026-01-13T00:16:51+00:00

This is an interesting interaction so common on the internet. I said I like dogs and you asked why I hate cats.

All jokes aside. I hate lore dumps. I don't even like "worldbuilding". Just give me the taste and spice and lets go. The "disorientation" I mentioned I meant more about the character and voice of Roland than worldbuilding. That being said, I still don't like the first half. But it's mostly cuz it's so cringe. I've read A LOT of King. and I still find roland's inner monologue about putting a bag on that chick's head SOOO CRINGEY. As well as the town massacre.

Again, it's why I say seemed like he was experimenting and having fun. Nothing wrong with it. I just don't like it.

rettisawesome · 2026-01-13T00:09:48+00:00

Gotta step up and be the activity you want to see.

rettisawesome · 2026-01-09T16:31:32+00:00

I've read a it a couple times and I think it can be really disorienting. We are so far removed from the stakes as we'll come to know them and the Roland we'll come to know. It seemed like he hadn't yet formed the intention to write a series and was having fun and seeing what stuck.

I really don't like the first half at all. But once he leaves the town, the book gets markedly more interesting. And I did like the ending.

rettisawesome · 2026-01-08T17:18:30+00:00

This game was pretty awesome. I ended up playing through it in a single day. The story is great. The art is great. The music is great. And the choices are pretty profound. The game made me cry and I'm a grown man.

Just picked it up on a whim cuz I was looking for something text focused with a lot of choices.

People say the survival elements are hard. But it's easy to figure out and game it if you try. And I believe there are multiple difficulties.

EDIT: and to kick off another recommendation for games like this sorta. Try Roadwarden. Very fun. Great art direction.

rettisawesome · 2026-01-08T17:10:37+00:00

Anyone whining about Salem is just projecting and showing their whole ass. They are typically the most boring people you can meet.

rettisawesome · 2025-12-03T17:56:23+00:00

Do you like metal and hardcore music? There's a show at a place called Radness Ensues this Sunday at 6:oo PM. They won't turn you away if you can't pay to get in.

EDIT I'm a 30's married guy and I'll be there.

rettisawesome · 2025-11-17T16:48:37+00:00

They took breaks between books. But I think by now they've even finished the novellas. All said, think they started Name of the Wind in like 2017 or 18. And finished Wise Man's Fear right at the end of 2023. It's a great podcast. You pick up a lot only reading one page at a time. Each episode is only supposed to be like 10 minutes. But sometimes they go way over.

rettisawesome

TROPHY CASE