Mike Bookey, Author at The Source - Bend, Oregon

Caring About the NFL is Hard … now that they can't properly knock each other's heads off

The NFL is handing out fines, but you know you love the violence, you sick bastard.

Mike BookeyNovember 10, 2010February 3, 2025

On the last few Sundays, I've done some strange things. I've gone to movies, ran (almost) three miles, folded laundry, endured three consecutive hours of a reality show about kids who can see ghosts, and NOT watched NFL football. Well, that's not entirely true. Last week I witnessed the Seahawks give up two touchdowns in 15 seconds of game time. Then I took a nap.
I'm having trouble watching the NFL this year, partially because the Seahawks appear to be half drunk and confused out there and also because it's been an exceptionally awesome college football season.

Music

Bend Makes Noise: Local acts take the stage to raise money for kids

To raise money for the Ronald McDonald House, Bend musicians team up to play the Tower Theatre.

Mike BookeyNovember 10, 2010January 4, 2023

It has been a good year in local music. In fact, one could make a convincing argument, as I may here, that 2010 has been the best year for local music in Central Oregon. Maybe it's the decline in bigger name acts coming to town or the fact that local artists can work on their craft rather than bother with pesky day jobs.

News

Voting Down Pot: Marijuana initiatives in Oregon and California both failed, but advocates find promise in the results

Both Proposition 19 in California and Measure 74, in California and Oregon, failed to further mainstream marijuana, but pot proponents remain confidant for the future.

Mike BookeyNovember 10, 2010January 4, 2023

You probably didn't hear much about it during the local, regional and national television election night coverage and it's likely that you only caught a brief news story about it in the days that followed, but Measure 74, the Oregon voter initiative that would have created a state-regulated medical marijuana dispensary system, did not pass. Also, in California, Proposition 19, which would have made small amounts of marijuana legal in the state, was voted down. In the middle of the NBC News election coverage, Brian Williams, still on camera at near 1 a.m. in New York City and appearing a bit fatigued, only jokingly commented on Prop. 19's failure when the returns came in. With the sweeping Congressional wins by Republicans, the din surrounding all things Tea Party and the remarkably contentious and ultimately close gubernatorial race here in Oregon, pot didn't make the sort of waves that grabbed headlines.

Outside

The Convergence: What to do when your fantasy football interferes with your World Series party and NBA games

Mike BookeyNovember 3, 2010January 10, 2023

A World Series in which fans outside of New York are interested. NFL games featuring, among other things, at least one player with a broken ankle and a wiener-showing problem. The debut of the NBA's newest franchise, The Miami Lebrons Featuring Members of the Heat™. College football conference rivalries and BCS shuffling. NCAA basketball waiting in the wings. And, if you live in, or originate from, a region of the country where men still wear mustaches, there's also the NHL.

Culture

Meet the Writers: A sampling of the authors at The Nature of Words

Mike BookeyNovember 3, 2010November 1, 2023

Brian Turner
This poet is the author of Here, Bullet a collection of poems centered on his time serving in the Army during the Iraq war. Turner, who Benjamin Percy called one of his favorites when he appeared in Bend last month, was on the ground in Iraq at the war's onset in 2003 and the poems in his debut collection recount some of those experiences. This year, Turner published his second collection of poems, Phantom Noise, which again gave readers a look into the Iraq war, in addition to a glimpse into the minds of the soldiers fighting the battles. Turner's poems are marked by highly descriptive, yet largely straightforward language delivered in a crisp voice and hearing him read should only further bring his pieces to life.

Music

The Guitar Hero Lives: Doug Martsch and Built to Spill continue to make rock's greatest instrument king

Mike BookeyNovember 3, 2010August 5, 2023

The last time Built to Spill played in Bend, it was at the Les Schwab Amphitheater and it was raining. Wait, that's not quite accurate. It wasn't raining as much as it was dumping gallons of water from the heavens, leaving fans – many of whom were there primarily to see headliner Michael Franti and Spearhead – huddled under umbrellas and ponchos, waiting for the deluge to lift. Eventually it did, but long after the band had wrapped up its set.

Music

The Courage: Fearful Bones

The Courage’s Fearful Bones showcases Noah Gundersen at his finest.

Mike BookeyOctober 27, 2010May 29, 2025

Noah Gundersen has dropped his own name from that of his band, known now only as “The Courage,” but that doesn't mean the songwriter's creative stamp isn't found on the band's new full-length record, Fearful Bones. Still, the record is a departure for Gundersen and company, who were originally known as a folky acoustic act when they began touring out of Centralia, Washington, making stops in Central Oregon at the Sisters Folk Festival. It's a remarkable departure, and the calling card of a band that's settling into its own sound.

Culture

Downtown Writing: The Nature of Words' Storefront Project gives kids a place to write

The Nature of Words gives students after-school writing instruction with the Storefront Project.

Mike BookeyOctober 20, 2010January 4, 2023

It's a warm Thursday afternoon in downtown Bend and the streets and plazas are full of young people blowing off some after-school steam, but inside an Oregon Avenue shop, there are four high school students with heads down and pens racing across the pages of composition books. There's the silly banter to be expected from high school freshmen and sophomores, but for the most part, the students are serious about their writing. The four girls aren't required to be here and there's no extra credit to be had, but they are writing nonetheless, as many of them have been doing for several months as part of The Nature of Words Storefront Project, a free drop-in writing workshop series.

Outside

Humans Say the Ducks are Number One: Oregon is on top, unless you listen to robots

What Oregon football fans can and cannot learn from a robot

Mike BookeyOctober 20, 2010May 5, 2023

This week, the Associated Press poll, as well as the list compiled by the coaches, said that Oregon is the number one team in college football. But if you listen to the BCS, which as far as I can understand is operated and overseen by robots with flashing lights for eyes and little if any actual football experience, Oregon is actually number two.

Music

Music by Mom: Laura Veirs' big album hasn't kept the attention off her new baby

Laura Veirs is celebrating an incredible album in July Flame and a new baby boy.

Mike BookeyOctober 20, 2010April 30, 2025

This year Laura Veirs put out what most have considered her most complete album with July Flame and followed it up with several successful tours, making her name even more recognizable in the indie-folk rock world. But that's not why people want to talk to the Portland singer-songwriter. Veirs, you see, had a baby about six-months ago and that has managed to overshadow any musical accomplishments she may have racked up this year.

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