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 I think it will probably induce more. Glad we bored/wired for expansion.

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 than most of Portland’s east side neighborhoods. They are building dense housing.

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 and these dudes have me working the weekend on a $20M project.

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 safety just driving it. Scrolling Rivian daily even though I’d lose my ass selling.

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 couple small meltdowns, but we had a nice day.

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 Saturday mornings. Union jobs, lower prices, even inflation adjusted.

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 📚

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.

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.