(no subject)

Last night someone posted that Kraken hoodies were being clearanced at a Marshalls in Portland for 6 bucks. Nice ones, official team merch, etc. Not a style I'd have bought at full price, but as someone who badly needs a wardrobe refresh, I decided to check it out. Got there, and some were 3 bucks. Also, some sweatshirts that I'd seen on the team store for around 90 bucks were going for 10. There was one I recognized because I'd really wanted that design.

The problem? The store had run out of bags two weeks ago. They didn't mention this until after I'd checked out. I'd brought a shoulder bag, thinking I'd snag like 2 or 3 of the six buck hoodies, but I wound up buying more. The lady said I could take the basket out to my car, but I don't drive. I'd taken Trimet across the city.

So, I walked out of the store with an armful of clothes with the tags still on, looking kinda like I'd robbed the place. In Portland, violent and many other types of crime are rare. But opportunistic crimes like running into a store, grabbing shit and then trying to 'act casual' is really common. And, taking Trimet back would mean looking sus as fuck going through areas where people do sell shoplifted goods, mostly sneakers and Blazers merch.

I am not street smart and I don't have an in with the local criminal element. I do have a hobby that involves walking the entire city on repeat. Also, I used to run events near places like Lloyd Center Park, and have had frank talks with cops about what crime happens in that park. Honestly, I do not think it's a big secret that people pass off shoplifted shit in Lloyd Center Park and in front of the Moda Center. I've seen people get on the light rail with armfuls of stuff and ask if anyone is buying. Seriously, I looked so incredibly sus, if trimet had safety officers on the train or if police where spot checking the stops...

But good for me that didn't! I should not have done that, though. I should have made Marshalls hold the items and found a store willing to sell me some bags. That was dumb. I just didn't think about where I'd be transferring between lines or where I'd be walking through until I was on the damn bus.

Anyway, I have put a huge dent in my wardrobe issues. One big problem was warm/long sleeve stuff that actually fits me and looks like it fits me. That is solved at least. Also, if the Kraken do any more official events in Portland, I can go and blend a bit better.

(no subject)

* I fairly recently had revisited the ways in which DS9 was based on B5, but watching a few episodes of B5 and hearing them talk about a leader named Duhkat really threw me. Star Trek is just so culturally dominant in some nerd spaces, that hearing certain names in the show they came from is wild and feels wrong.

I watch a few eps yesterday, but don't plan on a full rewatch. But it was interesting to revisit it a bit.

* Being a goalie fan is weird. The Kraken accounts kept hyping Grubauer today, but then for some reason Germany didn't play him versus the US. No one has any idea why they didn't play their NHL goalie in that game. I'd considered heading out to a bar to see the game, but I am glad I didn't. For forwards and defensemen, you typically know if they are playing. Not 100%, stuff happens, but usually. With goalies, you either get them the whole game or not at all (except in the very rare instance of a goalie pull or injury)