Portland Timbers tattoo contest

Brandon and I are Seattle Sounders fans. I've gone to at least a few matches every season since the team joined the MLS. (Brandon went to two their first season then moved to Montana)

Well the awesome new marketing campaign by the Portland Timbers makes me think that it's time for Brandon to get a Timbers tattoo.

Do you have a tattoo idea? We’d love to see it. In celebration of the Timbers tattoo-inspired billboard currently displayed near the Morrison St. bridge, we’re asking all our fans to submit their own Timbers inspired tattoo design. Defender Eric Brunner and goalkeeper Jake Gleeson--two Timbers players who are tattoo aficionados--will be the judges for all eligible entries received. Eligible entries will be judged on the following basis: use of Portland Timbers branding (25%) originality (25%) and creativity (50%).

Oh, and the winner gets their tattoo paid for.

I'm thinking Brandon with a green lumberjack on his entire back.

Brandon's VCR collection

Since moving to Montana a few years ago Brandon has taken on a new hobby. Collecting VCR recorders!

Oh, and he got a sweet haircut.

Check out his collection:

Would the real Brandon Hansen please stand up?

In my last post I joked that Brandon had become a Griz fan during his time in Montana over the last few years. I guess I picked the wrong Montana team.

I always considered Brandon and myself some of the biggest Eastern Washington University fans around. We even have custom jerseys. Please take note of this photo snapped three years ago:

Yes, that's Brandon, Swoop and myself at the Eastern game at Qwest Field. Note how Brandon was so excited to meet Swoop.

Now please look at the photo Brandon posted to facebook tonight:

I saw this and got sick.

Who is this guy? And would the real Brandon Hansen please show up to rip this shirt of this imposter's back.

Where we've been

You might have noticed that over the past month Just South of North has been looking a bit like a ghost town.

I'd like to tell you that Brandon has been working a lot lately.

I'd like to tell you that school, an internship and a job have been using up all my time.

I'd like to tell you that we were really on vacation in Hawaii. (But that would be a lie)

But instead I'll tell you what we've "really" been doing.

Brandon: He is still in Montana and apparently if you drink the water there you become a Griz fan. If you remember Brandon was the one person that hated the Griz more than anyone. But in his old age he has started wearing Griz shirts and actually watching the football team to cheer them on.

Casey: He sent Swoop over to Polson to beat Brandon up. Apperntly Swoop found Brandon when he was at a local watering hole hitting on fellow Griz fans. The report from witnesses included an account of Brandon screaming and crying as Swoop tickled him. Needless to say the ladies were not impressed.

Brandon: Still being in Montana he got really brave one night. Let's just say that Halloween evening ended with him drinking some really strong "maple syrup", wresting a man in bear costume, dressing as a ballerina, swimming in Flathead Lake and performing a snow dance in hopes that winter would come early.

Casey: Dressed as a Nintendo controller, the NES one, and went with friends who were Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad to a costume contest. Yeah, it was awesome.

Brandon: Still being in Montana the snow has started falling. In preparation, and knowing that he won't be able to leave his apartment for 6 months, Brandon has filled his cupboards with top ramen, beef jerky and cheap beer. Wait, that's what his cupboards always look like.

Casey: He will wait until the spring thaw to go and try to find Brandon.

Brandon's a huge Rebecca Black fan

Since Brandon has been living in Montana his taste in music has changed.

And not for the better.

He's now a huge fan of Rebecca Black and her song "Friday."

I worry about that guy.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Just South of North!

Oh Brandon......

An open letter to Brandon Hansen from a faithful reader:

Dear Brandon,

I love the blog that you and Casey run. It is the highlight of my day to read it. However, I can't help but notice that you and Casey had a bet on the Apple Cup.

You trash talked for over a week on here about the Huskies and how the Cougars were much more superior. And then once the game ended and UW did win, you still haven't held up your end of the bet.

I was just wondering the reasons for this. Are you actually going to film the dance that was bet upon? Or was all your WSU backing just talk?

I really hope you come through and do the video as I have no doubt that it will be the funniest thing I have seen in a long time.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Reader

P.S. You better do it or else.

Creepy Snowman

This is how Brandon has been spreading Christmas cheer around Polson, Montana.

Yeah, I'd slap him.

The funniest part is when he gets asked to leave.

(Oh, and the farts were made with this machine)

Snuggie Christmas song

With the snow starting to fall today in Polson, Montana, Brandon texted me that he sure is glad that he has his Snuggie. Since it has sleeves he can wear it around town and at the office. He can even type while staying...well....snuggie.

Well Snuggie must have thought of Mr. Hansen when they made their latest ad campaign with holiday songs.

And boy does the Snuggie family look comfy in those dumb blankets with sleeves.

I love my hair song

Brandon has red hair and thanks to South Park he has taken some grief for it. But once he saw this song while watching Sesame Street he made it his theme.

He loves his hair.

Tik Tok Friday

It's Friday. Hope everyone has great one. Perhaps you'll spend it the same way Brandon has. Apparently when the bad weather hits Montana there is a lack of things to do. Check it out:

It's the Jersey Shore, Charlie Brown

Brandon has a strange fascination with GTL. Every time I talk to him he's quoting the Jersey Shore. He's even taking to calling himself, "The Perspective." I think it has something to do with the fact that in college his life involved a lot of fist pumping, lighting gas barbecues with charcoal and having a hot-tub in his dorm room.

Well, now he can enjoy a new ABC show, It's the Jersey Shore, Charlie Brown!

Brandon vs. The Goat

The last few days I've spent out in Montana. One day Brandon and I went hiking around Glacier National Park.

And while there Brandon met his arch nemesis.

Peter Griffin of Family Guy has The Chicken. Brandon of Just South of North has The Goat.



I'll get the video from our whole trip to Glacier National Park up soon.

Redhead Festival and Irish Festival

I'm thinking that JustSON's very own Brandon Hansen should check this out.

It's the World's Largest Redhead Gathering and Irish Festival will be held in Dublin, Ohio on August 6, 7, 8 2010.

There will be such contests as "most freckles", "greenest eyes", and "reddest hair."

As for the Irish Festival, offers loads of Irish entertainment, information and celebrations.

Hanson is back!

Brandon's favorite band is Hanson. Why, I don't know. Could be because its close to his last name. I'm not sure.

But he has all one of their CDs and listens to it on repeat over and over and over and, well you get the idea.

Apparently Hanson has continued to be around and soon are releasing their 5th studio album titled "Shout It Out."

The album is due out on June 8th and Brandon already has it pre-ordered through iTunes.

Little known fact is that Brandon actually started a band and called it "Hansen." His main song was called Doowop. Hansen never made it mainstream.

And nothing says 1996 like Hanson and Mmmbop.

Brandon the Montanan

In case you missed it, Brandon has moved to Montana. That's right, Montana. The one state that no one would have ever thought would welcome Brandon within its boarders. Yet, for some reason they opened their gates for him and he's in.

Either that or he snuck in through Canada.

Now I've been to Montana lots of times since I have family there. And I must say, it's a very pretty state. Well, the western part is. (but that's just my opinion).

There a few things though that Brandon must remember now that he lives in Big Sky Country that I'd like to pass on to him. Call them, "words of wisdom" if you will. But since they are coming from me, call them what they are, "words."

1. When passing through Missoula make sure not to stop - Now this may seem a bit strange, but the truth is that while Brandon may now be a Montanan, he made a number of "non friends" in Grizzly fans within Missoula. But none the less, GO EAGLES!

2. Don't pet grizzly bears - Speaking of Grizzlies, Brandon shouldn't pet them. He once mistook an opossum for a house cat. He even went around town posting these signs:


That's right. Not housebroken and not friendly. I'm pretty sure that's an opossum. Nice try Brandon.

3. Hannah Montana is not cool - Now that Brandon lives in Montana all he's been listening to is Hannah Montana. He said it was to "get in touch" with the local music. No Brandon, that's not how it works. When Brandon visited Boston last year he wouldn't stop singing "More Than a Feelin'" for three weeks. THREE WEEKS!

4. Yaking and kayaking are NOT the same thing - Kayaking is in a small boat, yaking is....well...riding a yak. Don't try yaking. Even the yaks that seem calm aren't and don't appreciate a saddle.

5. Buy a goat - Now that you've left the city of Spokane and the comfort of a roommate to help with bills, buy a goat. They are great for helping cut the cost of groceries (milk, butter, buttermilk) and they help cut the cost of utilities. A goat can eat your garbage. Oh, and be your new roomate. Leave him in the living room and he'll watch TV all day.

There you Brandon. Good luck in Montana!

Epic Video: Bacon is good for me!

Brandon once did something very similar to this with his roommate in college. It was pretty entertaining.

Oh Portland

I'm in Portland, Oregon today.

Here's a typical Portlander:

The Brandon Hansen experiment

In case you haven't noticed, perhaps the coolest athlete of the 2010 Winter Olympics is Shaun White.

And because of his flowing red hair, Shaun has the nickname of "The Flying Tomato."

Therefore, today at Just South of North I am going to do a bit of a science project. And no, there will be no test at the end. Now let's get started.

First of all, please note the following two photos:


Now let's compare shall we?

The first photo is of snowboard sensation Shaun White. The second photo is not.

The second photo is actually of Just South of North's very own Brandon Hansen.

Now the next step of this experiment is to list the similarities between these two individuals:

They both have red hair.

....

Whelp, that's about it.

Ok, not as hard as I thought it would be. But this next step will be a bit trickier. Let's take a closer look at each photo and really examine each.

Photo 1: Shaun is hosting an American flag above his head after winning the gold medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics. His outfit contains his sponsors logos and USA. He is excited cause he just represented his country in the biggest show for his sport.

Photo 2: Brandon is trying to flex his arms. Notice the word trying. Also, he is wearing a Spokane Indians jersey which, I have come to the conclusion he came upon this jersey one of four ways. He either A: found it in the Indian's locker room and stole it. B: was given it while being the honorary first base coach for the Indians during a game. C: Has served as the bat boy for the Indians for the past 12 seasons. D: Bought it from the team store.

Since Brandon is an honest guy that rules out A. And I don't think he was the bat boy, so that crosses off C. Now we just have B and D. And since D involves money, I'm going with B.

Anyway, back to the photo. You'll also notice that Brandon has his thumb out. That leads me to believe that he was probably hitchhiking. Oh, and he's standing on a base, but if you notice there are no other players in the shot. Therefore I believe this photo was staged by Brandon using his own camera and a tripod. Well that, and the fact that I know Brandon couldn't make on base. Well, maybe if he was walked. Maybe.

Alright, now one last experiment:

Who would be more recognizable on the street?

Most people across America know Shaun White. So he has that going for him.

However, everyone in Spokane knows who Brandon Hansen is. Seriously, if you think I'm joking then you don't know the Spokane sports scene. That guy knows everyone and everyone knows him.

So this experiment is inconclusive.

Thank you for taking part in this week's edition of "Brandon or a famous person." Next week we'll be comparing Brandon with Seth Green.

Oh Seth Green. He's funny.

Epic Photo: Ugly Sweater

I got this photo sent to me. It was Brandon at his company Christmas party.

Lookin' good Brandon.