2025

All years

Hudson’s Detroit and its moods. As the only tall glass curtain building…

Hudson’s Detroit and its moods. As the only tall glass curtain building in the middle of a sea of historic beauties, Hudson’s in Detroit stands out. The lines feel deliberate and intentional, working with the surroundin…

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s first images are stunning — and just the start

When I look at my own childhood photos, it’s often the Polaroids that fill me with the most joy. So when my wife got me a Polaroid camera for my birthday earlier this year, I got excited. It’s a brick, but I’m trying to…

My friend Chris just released his fifth album under the banner of Love Axe. If you like politically and socially conscious acoustic and indie rock, you should check out Optimism Paranoia Desperation Abolition.

Completed my 15th extended fast tonight (48 hrs) and closing in on 40 lbs down.

Finished reading: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson 📚

Why do I have to talk myself out of buying every enameled cast iron pan that crosses my feed? Le Creuset? Staub? Hell, even Lodge. Be still my heart, your 9-quart cocotte has got you covered, with room to spare…ribs.

Sort of a rough day, but I saw some pretty things.

Happy Father’s Day to my dad. A proud veteran who got out with my mom and protested today against the worst President in U.S. history, period. NPR affiliate WCMU interviewed him. I’m lucky my heros are my parents.

Spotted on a leisurely walk this evening: “Trump is a rapist and a racist.”

Waiting on those dog days of summer. She’s ready, I’m not. 🐕‍🦺 📷 🌞

Rivian emailed me earlier this week about an event they were having at Helvetia Farm Market, so I scheduled a test drive with an R1S this morning. I got a Tri Motor model, which of course was pretty decked out and plent…

How is GNC still in business? Who is shopping there?

If I didn’t already have an X-T5, I’d probably get this. Too spendy, though. Fujifilm X-E5

Like so many things that found me later than they should have, Pet Sounds changed me. I don’t think I gave it a real listen until I was deep into my twenties. But I was only seven when Kokomo was all over the radio. Can…

I was reading this article from the New York Times and found this map interesting. The eastern half of Oregon that wants to secede and join Idaho? Over 40% of the population is on Medicaid.

Not quite a full moon. Shot handheld while in my underwear on the front porch.

I remember how excited I was when I moved to Portland 10 years ago and found out my apartment was on the parade route. Awesome views right from the comfort of my 2nd floor living room. But Rose Festival or Starlight par…

Rumor has it Fujifilm is about to drop an X-E5 with IBIS and a 40 MP sensor. Fujifilm teaser suggests the rumored X-E5 is imminent – and it looks like an affordable X100VI alternative

Of all the footwear I’ve owned through the years, only my Chacos remain. They are indestructible and will outlive me. They are eternal. They are time itself.

“This ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ remake sucks.”

Also, I updated my blog with a modified version of the Microwave theme on Micro.blog. I’m digging it. Bryan Robb

“There is no housing shortage in the Midwest.” 🙄😑

Currently reading: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson 📚

RSS > Newsletters. Trying out the latest Reeder app from the maker of Mela, my go-to for saving and organizing recipes.

Perched on my hill.

I spoke briefly with the cyclist in the lower left of the frame once he got to the top of the hill. He said he was going to Chehalem Ridge Nature Park.

Are those headshots of the project team in a work proposal really the move?

If even half the total claim of 41 aircraft damaged/destroyed is confirmed, it will have a significant impact on the capacity of the Russian Long Range Aviation force to keep up its regular large-scale cruise missile sa…

A kindergarten teacher at my son’s school unexpectedly passed away over the weekend. Being in kindergarten himself, he couldn’t begin to believe or process this. My heart hurts for the family, students and colleagues. T…

May

Picked up a used 100-400mm XF for my X-T5 and took it out for a walk today.

One of these days she’ll catch those birds.

Finally, some good news. Portland area is getting another Ikea next week — kind of

TGIF.

I can’t believe this album is 10 years old. It came out just as I was moving to Oregon from Michigan, so it holds a special place in my heart. Carrie and Lowell

Shake Shack and In-N-Out are now competing for territory. Another Portland suburb is getting the Shake Shack treatment

Not a good time to be a permit tech in Portland. Wilson, Kotek announce slate of policy changes to accelerate housing development in Portland - OPB

Had to get away from my desk for a bit this afternoon. Rural Washington County, Oregon.

I don’t know why I’m even surprised anymore. U.S. Will ‘Aggressively’ Revoke Visas of Chinese Students, Rubio Says

Eleventh multi-day water fast on the books since mid April @ 52 hours. Easing back into eating tonight with some veggies and eggs after volunteering. Deeper into the weight loss and nearly into another BMI band (I know,…

The consequence of having everything on demand is that I never can remember the name of that show I just watched.

Lilo & Stitch.

That elastic braided golf attire belt my father-in-law gave me for Christmas a couple years ago that I never thought I’d wear? Really coming in handy these days.

You’d think that a company whose business model is newsletters (Substack) could figure out how magins work.

Recreated a memorable CMJ cd I got ahead of my freshman year, summer 1995. Complete minus one song by Circle Jerks I couldn’t find. CMJ New Music Monthly Volume 23 July 1995

Uh, hey. Guess I’m flying to the east coast this year. Cap’n Jazz announce 2025 US reunion tour (BV presale for NYC)

Google’s AI is hella bad.

Probably tacky, but this update is for my personal blog. I’ve been pretty focused on a goal to get healthier and proud to have just hit 30 lbs lost since January. Most I’ve ever lost and the lightest I’ve been since ear…

My fizzy water habit costs 4x more than my commute.

Even as someone who is for continued zoning reform, pro density, pro affordable housing, pro walkable communities — I’m nearly 100% convinced the YIMBY movement has become nothing more than the propaganda arm of the Hom…

Shock at Harvard After Government Says International Students Must Go

The Fujifilm X-E5 could be landing in June – will it fix the X-E4’s minimalist mistakes?

I really like the look of the new Land Cruisers. I just wish they offered one with a fully electric powertrain.

Sometimes I check out street view of the places where I used to live. This is across the street from West Circle where I lived freshman year at MSU. So weird how relentlessly East Lansing facilitates the destruction of…

“Experience the rare opportunity to own an architecturally significant home designed by renowned architect Alden B. Dow, FAIA. Completed in 1952 for Dow’s brother-in-law, Robert Bennett, this extraordinary residence ble…

Whenever I see 🧵🪡 1/x on a post, the likelihood I’m about to read something cringe is near 100%.

Well, I won’t make that mistake again.

One of the most overlooked and least known iOS features: when you select text in a Safari article on iOS and tap “Share” to send it via Messages, the shared link includes the text you selected as a quote.

Anyone else tracking all the things?

In the last year, Detroit proper grew more than the central cities of Austin, Denver, San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, or Portland. Detroit’s population grows for second straight year. Prior estim…

A Vibrant New “Film District” Is Growing Around Hollywood Theatre

Some of my favorites from Santa Cruz last weekend. Afterword.blog

Catching up on some photos from my trip. I’d never seen Jade growing street side before. Afterword.blog

I have been leaning more heavily toward Bluesky lately, primarily because of moderation features. Today I also figured out how to integrate Bluesky replies into my self-hosted Ghost blog, which makes it more appealing.…

Submitted without comment. Deepfake of deceased man gives his own impact statement in court

Peak adulthood is buying a new garage door and acting like spending four figures on something so utterly banal isn’t soul crushing.

This will never stop being funny.

Hit a milestone today with 20 lbs lost over the past 4 months. Feels good to be out of my rut and making progress toward a goal.

Very strange that in 2025, when you hit copy on an email address in any Microsoft product, it still copies the “mailto:”. This includes outlook for iOS.

Requested my high school transcript and found out they calculated my GPA wrong—not in my favor. Appalled and amazed, but honestly, not entirely surprised.

Started another 48-hour fast tonight. Happy I didn’t gain back the weight I’d lost eating tacos in California. All the walking helped. I’m aiming for a 10% loss before a 5k mud run this summer.

Sacramento Valley Station is a beauty. 🚂 #trains #rail #photography #transit #amtrak #california

The light was incredible from Alamo Square the other night. Ethereal and memorable experience. 📷 #landscapephotography #streetphotography #sf

Rajneeshees, anyone? Musk gets his Texas wish. SpaceX launch site is approved as the new city of Starbase

I’ve had a lot of fun traveling around without a car. Still, the most annoying thing has been dealing with other people listening to something on their phones without headphones. Everywhere I go, calls on speakerphone,…

Time for bed 💤😴

Back at SF Caltrain Station, about to head back to SJ, and I’m just struck by how much this system resembles regional service in Italy. It’s obvious they took some cues from them in station design. SF feels a bit like V…

I visited the house in Glen Park that my great-grandmother Louise rented in the 1950s and ’60s, after she left Detroit and separated from my great-grandfather Silvio. In the 1960s, my grandmother also lived there with h…

I love how most other cities with botanical gardens keep their exotic plants in conservatories, but San Francisco’s flex is that their plants from all around the world are just kept in a park outside.

Took Caltrain up to the city. Gorgeous day at Mission Dolores Park in San Francisco.

Hint: Oregon isn’t one of them. Housing market shift: 9 states where buyers are quickly gaining power

Super impressed by Caltrain in the Bay Area! Wish Portland had something similar for certain routes. And no, Wes isn’t the same.

Is In-N-Out’s name intentionally ironic?

“Center for Engineering Management.”

It was an absolute trip reconnecting with my former MSU dorm mate in Palo Alto after 25 years!

It was an absolute trip reconnecting with my former MSU dorm mate Dagan after 25 years.

Had a lot of fun exploring Stanford.

April

So far, San Jose feels a lot like a mix between Lloyd Center and Skidmore Fountain area, if that tells you anything. Looking forward to making larger concentric circles tomorrow in hopes of improveming perceptions.

I don’t often take the window seat, but when I do…

Finally getting to see the PDX airport renovation in person. #portland

Meeting up with my old college roommate this week who works at Rivian. My six-year-old son made me promise to ask him why their trucks don’t have games in them. Priorities!

Shout out to the neurodivergent folks who make things happen in spite of the world. Sometimes I look back at the gauntlet I just made it through, grateful someone told me it wasn’t possible.

Do you want to know why most affordable housing projects are less than 5 stories? Prevailing wages requirements from DBRA and BOLI. #pdx #oregon Lawmakers Spar With BOLI Over Wages on Housing Jobs

Picked up a new sling ahead of my trip to California this week. It’s the Pakt 5L Everyday. So far I’m really enjoying it and think it will be the perfect size for a personal item carry-on bag. PS, I have a loose itinera…

Terribly saddened to learn of my cousin Garwood’s passing today. I will miss his caring positivity and sense of humor. Rest easy.

Checking out the excellent Lire RSS reader on iOS. Tremendous bargain for $9.99.

Feeling fully myself again after replenishing my pizza stores at Mucca. The North and South is one of our faves. The honey chili bruschetta is decent, too. 🤌

I took a picture of a bubble the size of my head floating away.

Bold claim, but cute nevertheless. How Oregon cheese became the best in the world | Superabundant

When the in-mirror lighting at the dermatologist is on point. Felt cute, might delete later lol.

#GhostCMS has got to be working on an iOS app, right? Adding #ActivityPub doesn’t make sense to me otherwise. The social feeds and discoverability in the Wordpress and Substack apps are what set them apart and make them…

Kind of want a Land Cruiser 70 series, but I guess they need to be 25 years old before you can import them due to federal motor vehicle safety standards. The design hasn’t changed all that much since then. Love the boxy…

I breezed by 48 hours so I just kept going. Felt good for the most part, but I was ready to be done by the 70-hour mark. Probably will stick to two days from here on out.

The iOS Books app is desperate for a redesign. Managing your own library is a terrible experience.

Trying this one again. It definitely helps with the insomnia. Currently reading: A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander 📚

My first chaperone experience.

The current administration wants to give people $5k to have more kids? That would barely cover our fresh fruit bill. Daycare for 2 kids is like $35k per year on the low side.

Suddenly my 1280 sf (119 m²) house doesn’t seem so small by European standards.

Turns out that fasting 6 out of 10 days can make you shed a bit of weight.

Who would’ve guessed that 25 years after gauging my ears, the lasting effect would be becoming a better dress-up partner.

Trump’s transportation officials express skepticism about strategy used…

Trump’s transportation officials express skepticism about strategy used to slow speeders in Portland, other cities - oregonlive.com Removing lanes has been a tool numerous cities have used for years to calm traffic, des…

Finished reading: The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein 📚

Did the thing. Focused on being decent. Stepped away when I needed to. Walked. Maintained my fast.

My eldest uncle went to a protest today in my hometown of Saginaw, Michigan and sent this to me. Might be the best thing I’ve ever seen. Gives me hope.

Lord give me strength to keep my mouth shut with the MAGAs today.

Just got a quote to redo the siding on my very small house. $48k. GFYS.

Finished S3 of White Lotus. Sort of hilarious how it satirizes the Western pursuit of enlightenment through luxury wellness experiences, but hell if I couldn’t use a vacation like that.

Oregon’s Alpacas per capita 🦙 📈

I think a better location would be the soccer fields in Washington Park. Reconfigure Jefferson to serve it. Create a new underground MAX station. No surface parking. Keep as many trees as you can to have a ballpark in t…

Completed my second ever multi-day fast today. I think I’m getting the hang of this.

Brother had soccer practice so we headed to the park.

Started my second multi-day fast after dinner yesterday and the most difficult piece of this whole equation has been drinking my coffee black.

Oregon Zoo. 📍 Testing location services.

Yay. Portland homebuyers rush into combative spring market

Trying something a little bit different. Rounding out my first 36-hour fast. This went shockingly well considering I’ve probably never gone more than half this long without a meal. Charged up with electrolytes and hydra…

Currently reading: The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein 📚

When your good buddy is on a different team this season 😂

I was able to secure another $9k in grant funds on Friday for a total of $87k toward the EV charging infrastructure we installed last month. Feeling thankful we live in a state that still supports goals like this despit…

Hard to believe no one I knew wanted the other ticket to this sold out show, but hey, I still had fun. Deep Sea Diver @ Wonder Ballroom. Jessica Dobson is so talented, and her guitar tone is enviable.

Being middle age is having an extra ticket to the thing and no one responds to the invite.

Finished reading: Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design by Charles Montgomery 📚

I swear, I feel like Shrek next to my wife sometimes. 🧌

This tariff stuff has got to be investigated and exposed as the biggest financial markets scam in history.

I’ve noticed people spark up conversations with me a lot more often now when I wear my Detroit Lions hat. It’s become a good ice breaker since Dan Campbell took over. Sort of like a cheat code when you’re socially awkwa…

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day is “apparatchik”

Time to dig out my Zf. Stylish Nikon Zf Gets its First Major Firmware Update | PetaPixel

Bumble For Friends is one of the stranger corners of the internet. Evidently men and women can’t be friends, so instead we’re going to make the socially desperate straights swipe through what is essentially a PG version…

Detached housing is subsidized housing. Why Cities Like Kansas City Are Heading Toward Financial Trouble — And How To Fix It.

FEMA has eliminated the BRIC program. For those of us working to address intractable infrastructure and climate challenges, this is a serious setback. Trump administration ends key grant program that helps communities p…

Dyeing Easter eggs 🐇 💐

Dropped the kids off with a Girl Scout troop at the parks district last night. They were raising money by watching people’s kids so parents could have a date night. We went to Westgate Bourbon Bar and Taphouse, followed…

Soccer is back. Beautiful day for it, too.

I’ve always wondered about the people who live above the Vista Ridge tunnels, staring out at the highway every day, listening to nonstop highway noises, and people laying on their horns as they pass through.

Beautiful day. I went out on the balcony at PSU Union during a break and loved how happy these kids were to be outside on their field trip downtown.

Nature and climate. Otherwise, I’m over it. Why do people stay in Portland? For many, it’s all about nature

Flashback Friday (October 9, 2001). #TGIF Death Cab for Cutie - Why You’d Want to Live Here

Intermittent fasting always seems like a good idea until the moment I get hungry and fold like a soggy graham cracker.

S&P down 12% since Feb 18.

I’ve had four friends, family and acquaintances ask me about the Italian citizenship recognition process in the last month. The current state of affairs is making people extremely uncomfortable. It’s been tough to have…

These flowering trees outside my office window 🌺 #pnw

Currently reading: Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design by Charles Montgomery 📚

Italy Tightens Citizenship Rules Amid Influx of Applications

Worth a listen once they put up today’s episode of On Point. Next episode | On Point ‘The federal workforce feels tormented’: Federal employees on the consequences of losing their jobs

March

Currently reading: The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson 📚

Thinking about dropping use of Mastodon/ActivityPub. I don’t like that the only moderation tool is to block, which isn’t really effective at stemming hatefulness, trolling, or bullying. Bluesky and Threads both allow li…

Finished reading: The Arsenal of Democracy by Albert J. Baime 📚

If you don’t like the weather in Oregon, wait a minute. Back home now, but our last day at the coast turned out to be a beauty.

Ice cream trucks should be classified as domestic terrorism.

What exactly is the “style” upcharge for a men’s haircut, anyway? Put gel or pomade in it?

The party is over. Il Consiglio dei Ministri approva modifiche alla legge sulla cittadinanza “ius sanguinis” – Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale

Accidentally snapped a photo of a levitating child.

This ain’t Florida. #oregoncoast

Spring break on the Oregon Coast.

Ah, yes. Spring break on the Oregon coast. High winds, 51°, 95% chance of rain.

California really is on another level with their legalization.

Drove by last Blockbuster in the country. Bend, Oregon.

View of the Sacramento River looking west from the Sundial Bridge on a beautiful day in Redding, CA.

Surprisingly decent family fun at the Sundial Bridge and Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding.

Shasta Dam.

Shasta Lake with Mt. Shasta peeking out from behind.

86° today in Shasta Lake, March 25.

Bend is the Traverse City of Oregon.

As much Pete Buttigieg as we’re seeing, you have to wonder if he’s plotting a run for president. I’ve never seen a former Secretary of Transportation so visible.

A nice drive over Santiam Pass today, heading through the Cascades. Plenty of snow around, complete with a magical fog that emanated from it. #pnw

First stop on the 2025 Spring Break Tour. Pilot Butte, Bend.

First stop on the 2025 Spring Break Tour.

How very Bend, Oregon of you to take your cat on a hike up Pilot Butte.

An article from a few years back that I still think about sometimes as…

An article from a few years back that I still think about sometimes as I grind away in the rat race and on the hedonic treadmill: The activities that make people happiest include sex, exercise and gardening. People get…

Sometimes it’s still hard to believe a place like Forest Park is only about 15 minutes from my house.

Spring in Portlandia.

Spring in Portlandia. #pdx

Gimme the deets, Trento…I’m coming home. A mountainous region in Italy is offering €100,000 to move there. But there’s a catch

🙄 Trump said he would move student loans “out of the Department of Education immediately” and that Loeffler and her staff are “all set for it. They’re waiting for it. It’ll be serviced much better than it has in the pa…

Four years gone, kid brother. It’s never the easiest week to get through, and every time I struggle to say anything at all because I don’t want sympathy, I just want to send an echo of you back out into the world. Miss…

Looks like I’ll be staying indoors from now until forever. Multiple cougar sightings reported near Beaverton shopping center

The default architectural design ethos has simply become “fuck it,” hasn’t it? Literally zero fucks given.

Would really like to connect with more middle age dudes on the west side of Portland, preferably not into Joe Rogan, video games, or golf. I do enjoy live music, medium skill band jam sessions, writing meetups, hiking,…

Education Department dismantled. What if everyone with student loans just…stopped paying on them all at once?

One of Portland’s best restaurants will open an outpost in Beaverton in a former movie theater this year

Started my second set of clear aligners today and my front gap is already starting to close. Teeth are gross lol.

When I can pop that L5 vertebrae by giving it a little twist 🦴💥 🙌 Sounds like a thud on a hallow log.

There are two types of glass recyclers on my street: those with bins filled with spaghetti sauce jars, and then there are those whose bins are filled with empty wine and liquor bottles.

The cafe in the lobby of our main office building makes their tomato soup with orange zest in it. Surprisingly decent combo.

I vastly underestimated just how much KISS I’d be listening to with two kids under six.

Wild stuff. Webb telescope just snapped direct image of worlds many light-years away

Having trouble powering through a book someone sent me, which is akin to being held hostage.

Can’t wait for this to come to self-hosted Ghost blogs so I can give it a test drive. #activitypub The social web beta is here

Did a lot of CSS work on my blog back in January and now Tinylytics thinks I’m averaging over 1,000 hits per month and keeps messaging me to upgrade. Yo, it’s me. I’m the one. No one is reading my blog except my snoopin…

Saw a posting in Silicon Valley (Santa Clara County) that is exactly equivalent to my job here in Portland and it topped out at only 8% more than I get paid here. Cost of living is 80% higher and housing is 229% higher.…

Any Italian citizens living in the U.S. have any luck booking an appointment at the San Francisco Consulate for the CIE Electronic Identity Card? Every time I try to use Prenota, there are never any available appointmen…

About 350 units going in next to Elmonica Station along the Red and Blue lines in what will be the second densest census tract on the west side in about a year. #pdx

Someday I will rock this look.

Yo, B9. Who hurt you?

Inflation hurts, but some things are still much cheaper today because of exploitation of foreign labor. A pair of Levi’s was $50 25 years ago. Today they’re also $50.

We went and saw Aziz Ansari last night in Portland at Arlene Schnitzer. It was nice to have a night out.

Food for thought. Is our universe trapped inside a black hole? This James Webb Space Telescope discovery might blow your mind

This would be pretty interesting for us as it would open up Canada as an actual relocation option. I think I could live in BC. Brussels is ‘honored’ Canadians want to join the EU — but says it won’t happen

Happy about it still be slightly light out at 7:00 p.m. I walked a couple of miles with the dog while listening to a book, The Arsenal of Democracy. Light rain, lots of flowering trees. I love how early they bloom here.

Deep Sea Diver released a fuzz echo pedal in partnership with Benson Amps out of Portland that I absolutely do not need 🤩 Deep Sea Diver Fuzz-Echo — BENSON AMPS

Mela is easily a top 5 iOS app for me.

I love the simplicity of BIuesky feeds. One of my faves is just ‘Mutuals’. Sure, I like to follow some bigger accounts and news services, but when I need to cut through the noise, there are the real people, there are th…

Feeling pretty okay that I divested myself of equities on February 18. Don’t even mind if I miss any upswing, I can’t stomach this guy’s manipulation of the market.

Probably better served up in a bowl, but the French Onion Pot Roast turned out pretty good served over mashed potatoes. Even the kids liked it.🧑‍🍳 🥘

Giving this recipe a shot tonight. French Onion Pot Roast Source: insta…

Giving this recipe a shot tonight. French Onion Pot Roast Source: instagram.com Ingredients 3ish lb chuck roast 1 tbsp Garlic powder 1 tbsp dried Rosemary 1 tbsp dried Thyme 2 tbsp Avocado Oil 1 stick Butter 2 large Yel…

One benefit of having CAD experience is that I can easily concept plan home renovation projects. Rather than move into a larger house and blow up our budget, I’m looking at expanding the kitchen and converting the garag…

Thinking about switching back to my old school barber. It may be a little less convenient, but those dudes take their time and make me feel like a human, unlike the ladies at your average sheering factory, e.g. Great Cl…

After a couple week delay, I got my clear aligners today! 😬 Pretty excited to be starting, and I feel grateful to be in a position to get this done, even if later in life.

Definitely don’t envy anyone in education, or the kids about to go off to college, or researchers. We are all the beneficiaries of that knowledge, and entire system collapses without funding, either through Federal fund…

Russia has nearly the same GDP and population as Mexico. The EU and US could stop the war by next week if we threatened a 100% stop on trade.

I had my doubts there would be demand for the 12 EV chargers I just had installed at work, but since last week we’ve consistently had 8 being used at all times. Cool to see we’re at least meeting underserved demand, and…

Some songs just lend themselves to an opening montage to a movie that practically writes itself. Today was I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney.

The market is down 6% since Feb 18.

Portlanders like to complain about Beaverton and Hillsboro being sprawling car centric suburbs, but they both have higher population densities than Portland. They have neighborhoods near MAX stations that are denser tha…

Imagine discovering The Replacements for the first time at 44 years old thinking people were referring to The Refreshments. I’ve got some catching up to do, and perhaps some repenting.

“These ninja pants have pockets and they are so cozy. They help me calm my body. Is that silly?” -A, 3

I have so many projects I want to do around the house, but since having a second child, my home improvement work has fallen off in a big way.

Applying for a very large grant atm and I’m shocked…shocked by how I’ve had to correct so many architect and engineering numbers in the proposed budget. I’m a public sector planner and supposed to be doing the narrative…

We went to a play at Beaverton Civic Theater called Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! modeled after a children’s book by the same name. We had a lot of fun.

When I began researching EVs, the Model Y just made the most sense economically for my family’s first electric car. Now the CEO has ratcheted up his insanity to a level I didn’t foresee and I worry for my family’s safet…

The first question that comes to mind when the average MAGA says they pay too much in Federal taxes is…”aren’t you part of the half who doesn’t even pay taxes?”

We had gotten timed admission tickets to the zoo for this afternoon, but I guess everybody else had the same idea on account of the weather, so we decided to skip it and just go to the playground in Washington Park. A c…

Doing some grocery shopping this morning at a major grocer. One lane open with a human on a Saturday morning. No baggers. When I worked as a bagger in the late 90s, we’d easily have 8-10 lanes open all with baggers on S…

My son just turned six a few weeks ago and his reading abilities have exploded in recent months. Yesterday we found out that he’s in an advanced kindergarten reading group. It’s been awesome to see him learn and grow.

I started reading: The Arsenal of Democracy by Albert J. Baime 📚

February

What’s something you miss about somewhere you used to live and why? For me, it’s Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Michigan. Working downtown in the early 10s, I’d go there on my lunch breaks sometimes and play guitars I…

Roughly 8 out of 10 men who wear black wedding rings give me skin crawly vibes.

A gorgeous end to a false spring day in #PDX

Whew. Lifelong goal complete. ✅ Finished reading: The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro 📚

I think California needs to take one for the team and split into 3 separate states so we can take back the Senate.

As much as I advocate for walkability and transit, I will admit that I’ve always wanted an old school Porsche as a weekend driver.

Do people actually join Instagram Broadcast Channels? Am I just not seeing the appeal or are they really as annoying as they seem?

How cool would it be if all federal workers stood in solidarity and just didn’t go to work today. Or tomorrow. Or the next day.

We got away for a night in Hood River for my birthday. Kids spent the night at their grandparents’ house. We ran into some friends we hadn’t seen in a while, ate good food, drank too many beers. Hiked. Rained like hell.…

I really hope Ghost’s ActivityPub integration plan involves a Substack-like app. The web-only interface and lack of social are really my only hang ups.

Nothing in Oregon is “pricey”….it’s “spendy”.

My son just got a high attendance achievement award for 90% or higher attendance and it made me laugh because it seems like a pretty low bar. Imagine allowing kids to miss a day every other week and sending out awards f…

I applied for a grant and was successful in receiving about $80k in funding to go toward 12 new EV charging stations in downtown Hillsboro at my work. After about 9 months since award, I was happy to finally see them in…

Daddy daughter trip out to Multnomah Falls for my bday.

Daddy daughter trip to Multnomah Falls for my bday.

About halfway through Robert Caro’s The Power Broker and had the urge to search for an interview of Robert Moses on YouTube to get his voice in my head. Still find it hard to believe there aren’t any series or decent mo…

Once again, my timing is impeccable. I have a trip to Yosemite booked for early May. ‘Honestly terrifying’: Yosemite National Park is in chaos

Many of the school playgrounds in Oregon have these structures so kids can stay dry in the winter. I needed some exercise so I spent about 30 minutes getting some of the stuck balls down from the rafters.

While markets are nearing record highs, I’m having a hard time envisioning any future that doesn’t involve some sort of crazy volatility due to uncertainty. Usually I just ride the wave, but I just can’t escape the feel…

Watched The Gorge last night on Apple TV+ after we got the kids to bed. Went into it with zero expectations, wasn’t disappointed. Long, with several large plot holes and sort of goofy idea over all (I like darker movies…

I grew up in the Midwest and spent the first part of my career there in public service, in areas that received a lot of Federal assistance. In fact, I’d say most of the good that occurred there was/is funded by outside…

Between two snow days this week, a holiday on Monday, and one teacher development day following that, we’re getting 6 straight days with these maniacs. Send backup!

I’m going to start handing out blocks on LinkedIn to market urbanists who post nothing but quipy things about middle housing solving all our housing problems. I’m from the future and I’m afraid it’s not a silver bullet.

Finished reading: Win Every Argument by Mehdi Hasan 📚

I had to start a different book because I ran out time with Part I of The Power Broker 😂 Back in the holds line. Currently reading: Win Every Argument by Mehdi Hasan 📚

Rest in peace, Donald Shoup. Very strange for me that I just finished his book The High Cost of Free Parking a few days before his passing.

If they really want less government, we can start by merging all of their little exurban fiefdoms with the central cities they surround, followed by billing them for the true cost of their horizontal infrastructure the…

Man, I am exhausted.

And here we goooo… Currently reading: The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro 📚

Finished reading: Essentialism by Greg McKeown 📚. I don’t think I have what it takes to be an essentialist tbh.

I don’t like the 5 star rating system because there are far too many C- movies, books and restaurants.

Checking out the new #Apple Invites app. Curious how the RSVP process will look for people on other operating systems.

I’m not a praying man, but Portland weather gods: I need a snow day.

Three birthday weekend (yes, three!) followed by Dog Man in the theater. Pax himself turned 6 a week ago and Annie turned 3 a couple weeks before that! Happy birthday to all the January babies!

Off to see Dog Man with my eldest, then to our THIRD birthday party this weekend.

We’re in for a bumpy ride. I’m not even going to look at my 401k.

AI has its pros and cons, but lately I’ve been using it for mundane tasks that have been making my stressful life a little easier. For example, I’ve been recording long trainings related to a big grant app I’m working.…

Great Lakes Compact states should be on high alert. At his current pace, he’ll be building a pipeline to feed the deserts of the Southwest.

Currently reading: Essentialism by Greg McKeown 📚

January

I’m rarely vindicated in my e-junk keeping, cable-hoarding ways—but when I am, it only makes it harder to break the habit.

Finished reading: High Cost of Free Parking by Donald Shoup 📚 Surprisingly enjoyable for an 800+ page book on parking. Essential reading for planners and engineers.

“The first revolution is when you change your mind.” — Gil Scott-Heron. Illustration by Nina Montenegro.

While I haven’t been keeping up with it as much as I’d like, I wrote another piece for my blog titled The Myth of the Corner Store. Greatly appreciate any feedback as I work to improve my writing in this format. #urbani…

My son turned 6 on Sunday and it got me thinking about my own 6th birthday party where all the parents of my friends just dropped off their kindergartners at our house in a seedier part of town and then left. Their pare…

20 years ago, ‘I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning’ and ‘Digital Ash in a Digital Urn’ by Bright Eyes came out. Feeling older every day.

At a concert at Mississippi Studios in Portland between sets, and hones…

At a concert at Mississippi Studios in Portland between sets, and honestly, I’m kind of floored. It hit me earlier that the last time I saw Lady Lamb perform here was back in 2019. That was almost six years ago, but wit…

Not my photo. Posted on the Gordie Howe Bridge website. Just a lovely bridge, Detroit.

Trying to work up the energy to make it to this Lady Lamb show at Mississippi Studios tonight. Still wiped out and recovering.

Listening to Backyard Lover by Merce Lemon. #mood

I’ve have had two back-to-back, pretty nasty illnesses this month. This caused me to abandon my photo a day project. I thought that it would encourage me to be creative and get out more, but I decided it wasn’t serving…

A little over halfway through the nerdiest book I’ve read in years. Of course I love it.

I have cancelled and deleted my omg.lol account.

Grandma Deb coming through with the clutch Lions themed winter gear for kiddo’s 6th birthday!

What a truly terrible day for America and the world.

“Historically, driving has come with very few costs for the driver — in fact, most of it, from road infrastructure to free parking, is actively subsidized by the government.“ https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/16/24344732/…

What’s the typical life expectancy of a towel? Just realized I bought these from BBB when I first moved here in 2015.

Can’t sleep. Memory lane. Claire de Lune by …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead

On the enshittification of the Internet from CNN: First, they are good to their users; then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers; finally, they abuse those business customers to claw…

You know, I think life is an embarrassing, soul crushing marathon. But then I remember: (gasp) there’s cinnamon toast! -Bruce McCulloch

13/365 📷 True story, my wife sleeps with this tattered quilt every night because she likes the way it feels. It was her dad’s when he was a kid.

Glad y’all are having a “normal” winter back in Michigan. After the last couple of years, I was starting to think that maybe the climate had changed enough for me to start thinking about move back, but…I’m good. ☔️

12/365 📷 Same, kid. Happy 3rd birthday. Love, dad.

Happy 3rd birthday to our incredible little girl! We love you, Annie!

I had my dentist appointment on Friday to get my teeth scanned in preparation for clear aligners. I’m excited but a little nervous. I have a deep bite, there’s a gap on the top, and crowding on the bottom. The correctio…

A satellite map compares the areas of the Palisades Fire and the Great Chicago Fire, with color-coded overlays and size measurements. Source

On NYC congestion pricing: New Yorkers Have Little Data but Big Feelings About Congestion Pricing

One more from today.

I’ve always been a late bloomer. I wonder what will bloom next.

11/365 📷 I went to a meetup today and we visited several art galleries around the Pearl District. I found the prayer wheel with the octopus uncanny given the book I just finished. The artist allowed us to place a piece…

Finished reading: The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler 📚. Brilliant book.

When I lived in Florida over 20 years years ago, gated communities were everywhere. I’ve lived in Oregon for 10 years now and I still haven’t seen one.

10/365 📷 New bed day.

I ask you one thing Do you remember me? I miss you

9/365 📷 To be seen by others is the core of being. Perhaps this is why humans are driven to create minds besides our own: We want to be seen. We want to be found. We want to be discovered by another. In the structured…

What does it mean to be a self? I think, more than anything else, it me…

What does it mean to be a self? I think, more than anything else, it means the ability to select between different possible outcomes in order to direct oneself toward a desired outcome: to be future-oriented. When every…

Morning walk.

Photo from a few weeks ago of a dragon made of Christmas lights and spitting flames in downtown Caldwell.

8/365 📷

Kids are under the weather this morning and my wife put on Murder, She Wrote. The kids are actually getting into it 😆

Greenland is about 26% larger than Alaska and 56,000 people live there.

Shocked a younger millennial today by affirming that I, too, am a millennial and turn 44 in about a month.

7/365 📷 The sky is on fire this morning. We don’t get many of these this time of year.

Just me and a date with the S3 finale of The Bear.

My wife and I are at the point in our marriage where she intentionally puts the paper towel and TP rolls on backwards just to annoy me.

6/365 📷 A lot of pretty light this morning while walking Zoey the dog.

I’ve discovered that I prefer listening to nonfiction audiobooks over fiction. For me, fiction is for relaxing, nonfiction is just processing information.

We went out to eat last night with a few good friends and their kids. Had a great time. After we put the kids to bed, we watched Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. I’m not one for writing reviews, but it was entertaining. I was s…