I'm going to tour an apartment tomorrow. It has one bedroom, a den, 1.5 bathrooms, and a private patio. I'm excited about it. There's a smaller unit in the same building without a private patio, but the larger unit would be so great for us if we can make it work.

I like this.

here’s hoping 2026 is just one year

This is a great idea! Here are a few ideas for myself: 1. Fire & Story Festival 2. Valentine's Circus 3. Big Top Circus 4. Halloween Circus 5. Make a terrarium 6. Learn a language 7. Adopt a dog or two 8. Crochet a granny square 9. Read 3 graphic novels 10. Ride my bike 5 times

Happy New Year, everyone. May next year bring more peace to all. 🌟

It's New Year's Eve Eve and most of what I can remember from this year are the terrible moments. I had good moments too, of course, but the sad ones linger. That's okay for now. I'm posting this in case anyone feels alone in a sea of sad times while there's lots of celebration happening around them.

Thinking about how Kiki won't be here to be scared of the fireworks this New Year's Eve. And now I'm thinking about entering the new year without her and how the only way to get through the sadness is to find a few other things to focus on.

I have finally reached the point where I have to take my glasses off to read small print. My opthalmologist was right that it would happen sooner or later.

I wish American apartments were designed more like Korean apartments.

I can't tell if I'm over Christmas or if I'm just sad about my dog dying. Kiki loved "opening" her stocking. She always got so excited when we brought it to her. She'd grab it with her paws and teeth to try getting into it. Then she'd drag it over to her bed before we eventually helped her.

Luxury Apartments Are Bringing Rent Down in Some Big Cities “New building openings are bringing rents down as wealthy tenants trade up, forcing landlords to drop prices for older apartments.” @bloomberg.com

Tell different stories.

PS we have a song about the Yule Cat that all the children learn in school and everyone sings throughout the advent. Here it is sung by a very young Björk.

Merry Christmas! Thinking of those who are grieving, alone, or just not having what society tells us Christmas "should" be. May we all have brighter days ahead. 🌟

We got two graphic novels from @ironcircuscomics.bsky.social for Jolabokaflod. I love the artwork so far! I'm excited to read them!

PSA: There will likely be thousands of drunk drivers on the roads across the country tonight and for the next few days. The phrase "I'm fine to drive" is a cultural disease. It isn't limited to bad neighborhoods or bad people, it spans every single tax bracket.

And for the skeptics, $1 million in revenue in one year from a single (popular!) street in Austin where paid parking was fully implemented. The revenue from 2025 is *even* higher. www.axios.com/local/austin...

This is where we took Kiki for her last drive-thru treat. I got a pumpkin pie latte for our last walk at Boulevard Park and couldn't throw the cup away for four days.

Merry Christmas! I'm glad Bellingham no longer has parking minimums (hopefully forever).

Might watch some Rainbow Bridge Raina videos later when I'm ready to cry.

I really miss my dog. I'm going to visit her picture at the coffee shop today. My husband works today, so I'll be here alone.

This incredible story only happens because the kids live in a walkable town with a train station.

Someone has started working out in the workout room below us at 4:30 am. Unless you put the weights down gently, we can hear it in our apartment. This is a new building. I thought it would have better soundproofing between units. It would be nice if they could put up a sign or something.

Someone stopped me in a parking lot to compliment my short hair and ask who cut it. She had just finished chemo and her hair was growing back. I wished I could've given her a recommendation, but I had to tell her that my hair was just growing out from being shaved. I hope she found a great stylist.

Should we sell our car, buy an e-bike, and rent a two-bedroom DADU with no parking?

Listening to Pink Pony Club. Thinking about the circus and the pink seahorse dance routine.

everywhere you look, policy harms the most vulnerable

I miss her.

We're putting our Christmas tree up on Christmas Eve. We might keep it up until February.

I regret not taking this whole week off from work. I'm so tired.

We stayed at the McMenamin's Crystal Hotel and soaked in the soaking pool in the basement.

Last night we asked someone to take a family photo for us. Person: I'll get closer because I can't really see your faces. Dad: That's because we don't have faces. Me: 😂

This outdoor dining area was cool. I was thinking about applying for the outdoor dining permitting specialist position with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, but I think I want to stick with building permits.

Happy Indian New Year! Happy solstice!

Ten years ago in Seoul and tonight in Portland.

Excited to go to Portland tomorrow! Then somehow it's Christmas? Then 2026? How did this happen?

Parts of U.S. 2, an important road cutting across Washington’s Cascade mountains, will likely remain closed for months due to flood and slide damage, Gov. Bob Ferguson and the state’s top transportation official said Tuesday.

People using transit deserve dignity and this isn't it.

I don't feel Christmas-y. Maybe watching the Christmas ships in Portland will help.

For academia, this is akin to a dystopian movie where robots have taken over our society and humans are subservient to said robots

THIS. There are so many needs right now - likely including folks on your block! Check in with your neighbors, plug into local efforts. Do something.

okay these actually turned out so sick i'm so sad i can only ship to canada aplante.com/shop

I'm going to use jojoba oil (as a cleanser and moisturizer) and rose water spray for now. I might also keep using Booda Butter moisturizing soap as a facial cleanser. If this works for me, I'll check to see if my local refillery has rose water and jojoba oil to cut down on packaging waste.

A significant move Vancouver made this week was moving forward with enabling novel Single Egress & Space Efficient Stairs. Led by the great team in Development, Buildings & Licensing, supported closely by Vancouver Fire Rescue Service; and Planning this will be transformative for low-rise apartments

Great idea!

Congratulations to my cousin's daughter, Alauna! She won the NAIA marathon for the second year in a row at the BMW Dallas Marathon. She also won the women's overall marathon. She's so dedicated to what she does. What an inspiration!

It’s the first night of Hanukkah and the world seems like a very dark place. But we can bring light to the darkness. We can fight for each other and make goodness, love, and community shine through. Show me your menorahs and let’s light up the timeline!

I just submitted our request to vacate our apartment without having something else lined up. It's kind of scary, but I know we'll figure it out. Our lease isn't up until the end of March, so we have some time.

everyone was talking about this last night our infrastructure was built for a climate that no longer exists

Does anyone else with sensitive skin have natural, fragrance-free skincare recommendations? The only products that have ever felt good on my face were from Bambu Earth. I once got them on sale, but they're expensive.