Good work Tri-Met!

Of course, there are some disclaimers to go along with this new service. For one, it’s is only available to computers running Windows 2000 or Windows XP. The service is definitely not something to attempt if you’re on dial-up, and you’ll need to ensure you have enough space, at least 1GB, on your hard drive to store the programs downloaded. Any movies downloaded through the service will be deleted automatically after seven days.

Looking at the list of TV shows and movies currently available, it doesn’t make me want to clear off any of my music to make room for a temporary download. I think I’ll stick to borrowing DVDs from the library for now.

That said, maybe you’re interested in checking out a cooking program that you missed on PBS or want to watch Birth of a Nation without your neighbors knowing. Just be sure any library fines are paid and then you’ll be free to download!

She’s offering up a list of free events around town every weekend, plus other money-saving tips. This weekend’s list offers book readings, free musical performances, and even a chance to score some wine and appetizers while you honor Oregon’s Book Award finalists..!

Who’s behind it? From the site…

I am not a financial expert; I’m just a regular girl trying to make the most of my money. This blog is a way for me to chronicle my financial choices, as well as share money-saving deals that Portland has to offer.

Now, can someone else out there in PDX help me find some free time?

Alas, the only working wi-fi in range belonged to the airport and there was a fee attached. That’s when I became thankful for the free wi-fi available to passengers at PDX.

Over the past several months, I’ve traveled through many airports and there’s always a fee attached to logging on. I suppose I should be used to it by now but it’s still a shame that businessfolks and tourists alike aren’t able to connect for free considering we’re paying through the nose on food and beverages post-security check-in since the airlines cut those “perks” down to a 2oz bag of pretzels and a cup of soda.

While it may not seem like a big deal, those fees add up and considering I’m only in the airport for maybe two hours, usually less, paying $10 is a lot given the inability to transfer the remaining time/credit over to another airport or location. There’s also the assorted connection fees hotels charge for using their wi-fi.

Sure, I get reimbursed for these expenses, but I’m lucky as I’m sure most folks have to eat these costs as the price of doing business. Thus, the question becomes, can I wait to check my e-mail, or do I pull out my credit card?

Donate your taco instead. The folks behind Donate Your Taco hope to use a little Internet viral marketing pressure to get Taco Bell to set aside some of the gazillions of dollars they are prepared to throw out for the free taco giveaway into something more tangible: Red Cross relief efforts for the California wildfires.

Y’know, I wasn’t going to line up for a taco anyway – so I’ve tossed my taco into the donation pool. What about you?

Update: I’ve gotten some funky comments and a healthy dose of skepticism aimed my way about this – so caveat emptor. I’d like to believe that it’s a grassroots viral uprising – but my skeptical side agrees with Dieselboi that it could be all about the email address harvesting at the end of the day. I’m not going to delete this post, though – just warn you to cast a closer eye than I apparently did…!

Why are they free? Some guy somewhere stole a base, that’s why. But you’ll probably wait in line forever and a day, because people flock to Free Stuff. And – oh, yeah – people were probably watching that baseball game (some little national pastime called the World Series, I guess), so they might be duct taping the sidewalks as we speak.

But hey – knock yourselves out, ok?

Cool – I haven’t been to a game yet this year… oh wait… never mind… the coupon has to be used on or before July 22nd.

Now – I know the bill has been sitting on my table for a few days – but not that long.

Saturday, 7/14 and 7/21 at 10 am and 12 noon.
Sunday, 7/15 and 7/22 at 12 noon.

(Shameless kid promotion alert: my own nine year old will be in both Saturday 10 am performances as part of the ensemble.)

If that’s not enough, the adult cast will be performing on Tuesdays through Sundays at 6:30 pm from 7/12 through 7/28 – so pack a picnic & bring the family out for the show!

** I had a much better headline waiting in the wings, but LeLo gave it the big hook last weekend, grrrr….! But I like LeLo (plus didn’t want her to get her panties in a bunch), so I refrained…

We mentioned this to you last year and I would be neglecting my duties as purveyor of OMG FREE ICE CREAM info if I didn’t mention it this year too.

Ben and Jerry are giving away scoops tomorrow from 12-8pm at all their locations. You might want to check them out, even if you buy something instead of just get the free scoop. It’s also the tenth anniversary of Phish Food (that’s right, TEN YEARS!) which they are commemorating with a new milkshake. I want them to bring back the phish food sundae! That was the stuff, I tell you. Exclusive to the scoop shops, it was Phish Food covered in caramel and marshmallow sauces and sprinkled with even more fudge fish (or is it phish?). It was SO FREAKING GOOD! And I can’t believe I’ve been eating that for ten years now!

Anyway. Free ice cream tomorrow afternoon. Maybe the weather will be crummy and the line will be shorter. Whether it is or not, I’ll be in it, you can be certain. I hope I see you there!

Perhaps I wasn’t clear. I must not have been because you’re still here reading.

I said FREE PANCAKES!!!!!!ONE!!!!1!!!!!

Yeah. It’s for the Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities apparently. So go eat some pancakes and give them some cash. Here’s how you pitch it:

Let’s go out and have some pancakes.
Why pancakes?
Well they’re free and it’s for a good cause.
What cause?
Cause I’m HUNGRY! Now get in the car!

And if you’re on the eastside, I’ll see you there. mmmm. Pancakes. As long as they don’t bring me coffee for 15 people* I’ll probably be ok…

* Mildly nsfw if a little bad language will get you in trouble.