Jason Traeger

RSS Archive

Anyone who knows me knows I've never been one to revel in the past. I'm the last one to cast a misty-eyed glance back at the "good old days". In my experience the people who take this angle are usually the ones who weren't there. Whatever mistakes, false starts and missed opportunities I've had the pleasure of having, I was wherever I was for better or worse.

This blog is not meant to romanticize any choices I made or any particular era. It's simply a place where I share stories and take stock of where I've been as a way to figure out where I might want to go next. I'll celebrate some people along the way, some of them you'll know or know of, others will be new to you. I'm glad to have known every one of them.

The posts are in no thematic or chronological order. The date at the end of the post's title refers to how the content of the post relates to me personally. I make no claim about the accuracy of my recollections I only promise that I'll be as honest and accurate as I can be. If you were there and you remember things differently than I do, or you find evidence that contradicts my memory (I wouldn't be surprised or upset) feel free to let me know.

Rather than editing the posts for historical accuracy, I'll put ( * ) next to any parts that have been challenged or updated for that reason.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER
portlandstandupsketchbook
blackflaglogo.tumblr
thriftyherder.tumblr
thrashyblurter.tumblr
oregonpaintingsociety.org
jasontraeger.com

July 4, 2012

CARRIE BROWNSTEIN 21st BIRTHDAY INVITATION OLYMPIA 1995

What can I say? She’s Carrie Brownstein, right? What can’t she do?

Well, before this birthday she couldn’t drink legally in most of the United States.

I don’t know how or when I met Carrie exactly, jeez, looking back at it now she might’ve been a teenager when we first became accquainted! Could that be? Whatever the case, she was young but she always radiated a charisma and confidence well beyond her years. I loved spending time with her because she was smart and brilliant but mostly I dug her company because she was so darn funny! Go figure.

In a past post I mentioned our early comedic efforts as South Capitol Players in Olympia. The image of Carrie playing the suburban mom in one of our skits with a bob haircut, wearing a red Xmas sweatshirt with a white collar, stirrup pants and patent leather shoes will always be etched in my mind for some reason…some reason? I know exactly why I remember that outfit and that scene: because it was flippin’ hilarious! That’s why!

It’s been a true pleasure and inspiration to watch and hear Carrie do the stuff she does today with the show and the band. I am consistently amazed at what she gets done and done so well. I sometimes tell myself: “1/10th…1/10th of a “Brownstein”, that’s all you really need to do…that’s do-able right?” It helps me set lofty but realistic goals to think that way.

I have no trouble admitting now that back when Carrie’s star began rising, deservedly so I might add, with Sleater-Kinney I had a hard time celebrating her success…or anyone else’s success for that matter! I was so screwed up with my own tormented agenda, struggles and frustrations I found it impossible to move and as you might imagine when you’re stuck it can be borderline excruciating to watch your friends soar…and soar…and keep soaring. Oy vey!

Thankfully those days and those ways of thinking are well behind me now. Today I can honestly say I’m nothing but pleased to see anyone make a dream or an inspiration into a reality they can share with the world. In fact I’m still working on a few of them myself! Rock on Carrie B.! Rock on everyone, everywhere!

Side note: Portlandia fans click here for some “Roots of Portlandia” trivia involving ME!

(Carrie Brownstein’s 21st Birthday Invitation written by Corin Tucker (I think) from my personal archives)

12:38am | URL: http://tmblr.co/Zl8DhvOgNRH9

(Notes: 278)