For someone who studied urban planning, I am not naturally very good at planning ahead for activities in my everyday life, particularly when it comes to how I spend my precious free time. I got into planning because I like cities and I want them to be better places for people to live. But planning for my own happier existence just isn't one of my natural strengths. I've had plenty of happy moments, to be sure, and not all happy moments are planned. But I have to be very intentional and focused to change my natural inclination to not plan ahead because I think it's an important ingredient to …
Reading
A Pattern Language
Christopher Alexander
Essays
Valuing Your Time
Notes
Notes
This week I’m on an “automobile diet” and taking the train to work every day this week for #earthday. Hoping to establish a longer-term pattern. Here are two projects we partly funded (left and right foreground). They also happen to be two of the most energy efficient buildings in the country. #communitydevelopment #trimet #max #pdx #passivehouse #urbanplanning #affordablehousing
Notes
“Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.”
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I have a new blog post on #asturdylife about when thrifting isn’t thrifty. Link in my bio. . . . . . . #minimalism #minimalist #springcleaning #declutter #declutteryourlife #thrifting #thrifty #thriftstorefinds #thrift #pdx
Essays
When Thrifting isn't Thrifty
Notes
Day 13 of the #minsgame. Parting with some of my less prized records. 91 items and counting. . . . . . . #minimalism #minimalist #springcleaning #declutter #declutteryourlife #records #vinyl #thriftfinds #lessismore #scrambler #moto #motorcycle #cyclepsyhos
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Day 9 of the #minsgame. Resorted to raiding the sock drawer. What a mess it was. . . . . . . . #minimalism #minimalist #springcleaning #declutter #declutteryourlife #day9 #socks
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Photography
Nature
Powell Butte with my girls.
Notes
Day 7 of the #minsgame and this is officially getting harder. A portion of the ties I never wear. . . . . . #minimalism #minimalist #springcleaning #declutter #declutteryourlife #day7
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Got an upcoming move planned? Are you dreading it? Check out my latest blog post. Link in my bio. . . . . . #minimalism #moving #growing #pdx #packing #uhaul #storage #clutter #declutter #minimalist
Essays
On Moving
Essays
Why Paying Off All of Your Student Debt is Not Always a Good Thing
On their very popular podcast, the Minimalists recently posted an episode on debt. Generally I think the ideas they espouse are really good, and I've learned a lot of helpful tips from them. In a country where far too many people live in excess, the Minimalists provide a road map for people interested in living happier lives with less.
However, for those who enjoy their podcast as much as I do, you may have been as disappointed as I am with some of their views on debt. Ryan Nicodemus sort of takes a back seat on this topic, and actually seems more reasonable than Joshua Fields Millburn, …
Notes
I’m looking for durable product recommendations to include in a list I’m curating called The Sturdy Thirty. It could be practically anything you’ve found a lot of value in. Shoot me a line if you have one and follow me at @asturdylife! #thesturdythirty #minimalism
Essays
The Sturdy Thirty
Notes
I’m starting a new project called A Sturdy Life. If interested, you can find the link in my bio. Ain’t much there yet, but bookmark if you wish.. . . .
#minimalism #intentionalliving #minimalist #architecture #urbanism #placemaking #urbanplanning #life #pdx #asturdylife #growth
Notes
Guitar
#guitargoals #gibson #lespaul #special #doublecut #tvyellow
Notes
This week marks 3 months without cigarettes and I ran almost 3 miles before 7 am. Quick, someone check my temperature.
Notes
I love this place. Feeling pretty special.
Notes
Daffodils and tulips coming up, and roses well on their way. Looking forward to painting this sucker because I’m having fun slowly transforming this former short sale shithole into something a bit nicer. #homeownership #oregon #pdx #sweatequity
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Can’t help but smile at the Dual Hearted IPA by @fallingskybrew. I wonder if @bellsbrewery has any thoughts on this?!? #pdx #craftbrew #beer #twohearted
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Pawsing for a photo. . . . .
#puppy #puppies #puppiesofinstagram #goldendoodle #goldendoodlesofinstagram #pdx #doodle #cute
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#raisedbeds #garden #spring #oregon #willamettevalley #cedar #organic #homesteading
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I’m home sick today, bitches.
Notes
Ready for my girls to come home after a long weekend in Cali. I feel like a rudderless ship when left to my own devices. I just go from task to task to distract myself.
