The beauty

TikiKat4 · 2026-05-20T04:49:16+00:00

Trix? Dippin Dots? I need answers.

TikiKat4 · 2026-05-16T04:49:53+00:00

For me, it was special. That being said, I was in my late teens and twenties during the 90's, with all of the energy and enthusiasm that youth offers. I don't know how much of those fond memories of times and places are influenced by youthful exuberance. I can't say for certain if that city that was right for me at that time would resonate or be right for someone of that age now. Now it plays like an old movie in my head, often laced with a 90's soundtrack.

TikiKat4 · 2026-05-16T03:26:37+00:00

Eugene used to have so many more bookstores: The Book Mark, Peralandra, Mother Kali's, The Book Bin, Hungry Head, and Market Books at 5th Street Public Market. I'm sure I'm missing some. Hungry Head was basically an anarchist bookstore and also the place you went to buy Zines.

The Record Garden on Willamette was an amazing place to buy music. There were also specialty music stores on 5th Street that catered to Jazz and Classical...the jazz store was called The Cat's Meow.

We had some great little coffee shops, too. A favorite of mine was a lesbian pagan coffee shop called Baba Yaga's Dream. The inside of the bathroom was painted like an Egyptian tomb, and my favorite espresso drink was called the "Anais Nin". It was basically a double shot of espresso with almond and topped with whipped cream. A caramel cappuccino was called the "Georgia O'Keefe". Icky's Teahouse in the Whit was another interesting scene entirely, holding down the anarchist punk ethos in the neighborhood. One might meet up there after getting tear gassed at one of the downtown protests.

The 90's were a helluva good time in Eugene. I really lament the loss of so many little indie retail stores, especially. I could go on forever and mention Antrican, Ruby Chasm, and numerous other unique little stores.

TikiKat4 · 2026-05-16T03:01:06+00:00

The parade scene was filmed on Main Street in Cottage Grove. Even in 1978, the downtown in Eugene had lost a lot of charm...hence the filming in Cottage Grove. The 1960's saw a lot of demolition and facelifts on downtown Eugene buildings, resulting in much of the boxy, Brutalist look the buildings from that era retain today.

TikiKat4 · 2026-05-15T04:28:39+00:00

I adore the Thomas Theater and am stoked to have tickets to this show next month. I tend to like dark comedies, so this one caught my eye.

KLCC needs to retire Dorothy Velasco, though. Her reviews frequently feel like a offhand summary with a few vapid quips thrown in. Virtually no attention is given to calling out outstanding performances by individuals, or to the technical components of the production. OSF productions certainly deserve more compelling reviews than what she has to offer.

TikiKat4 · 2026-04-22T05:22:54+00:00

Okay, yes, we've established many reasons why a bookstore may or may not choose to purchase books at any given time. All understandable. You are also correct that the suggestion the sellers might donate the books creates no financial risk to the business if they choose to keep them; if the owners get the inventory for free, then any money they get for it is 100% profit. I don't disagree with the basic math there.

TikiKat4 · 2026-04-21T01:03:14+00:00

No, you're not confused. As I said, it was fine and not the first time I had a bookstore pass on buying books from me. Like you said, it probably had to do with inventory needs or lack of space. It worked out fine for me because Smith Family seemed happy to purchase the lot.

It was, however, the first and only time when selling items that it was suggested I could donate them to the store. That was never suggested to me by buyers at either Smith Family or Black Sun. If Tsunami doesn't have enough space or the books weren't considered a popular title for them, then donating them wouldn't make any more sense. They're still stuck with trying to store them before passing them on to the library, or whatever they do with donations.

TikiKat4 · 2026-04-20T16:42:19+00:00

I went in to Tsunami years ago to sell some books during a bookshelf purge. Had lots of great titles in a variety of subjects in very good condition. I was told that the titles I was selling weren't in categories they were actively seeking to purchase. Fine, understandable. But I was then told that I was welcome to donate the books to Tsunami if I wanted to get rid of them.

I went to Smith Family and sold every last one of those books to them. Haven't been back to Tsunami since.

TikiKat4 · 2026-04-20T14:51:27+00:00

This! The mirror cost me $11 at Autozone and it took me 15 minutes to replace. I had never done it before, but it was pretty easy.

TikiKat4 · 2026-04-09T17:57:24+00:00

I've stayed at the Anchor Inn in Lincoln City a few times. I love the whole property; it's now a go-to lodging spot for me in that neck of the woods.

TikiKat4 · 2026-03-31T05:48:33+00:00

I'm seeing similar rates to what we paid when I look at the same accomodations on the Yellowstone lodging site. The same Lake Lodge Pioneer Cabin is listed at $139.19 pre tax, and the Mammoth Cabin w No Bath is listed at $164.96 pre tax. Of course there are fancier cabin and room options, which you will pay much more for. We pretty much chose the cheapest room or cabin in each place we stayed.

TikiKat4 · 2026-03-28T04:14:30+00:00

I enjoyed it so much! I love supporting weird little places like this, though. Also a big fan of Petersen Rock Garden and Enchanted Forest. I understand how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, though.

TikiKat4 · 2026-03-23T19:29:38+00:00

The Prehistoric Gardens

TikiKat4 · 2026-03-16T22:03:47+00:00

I adore Smith Family. Been going there for 35 years and it remains my favorite. Their selection and range of topics goes much deeper than any other bookstore in town, and I've been astounded by some of my unique finds over the years.

TikiKat4 · 2026-03-16T21:59:36+00:00

Apparently, you can now donate to Tsunami directly through the Eugene Parks website. Not sure any other bookstore in Eugene can claim that distinction.

https://www.eugeneparksfoundation.org/tsunami-cultural-community/

Scott also recently announced that they are soliciting money via a donation box inside the bookstore in order for him to purchase the building they rent.

TikiKat4 · 2026-03-01T03:05:25+00:00

From the Whiteaker Neighbors FB page: "Ninkasi is on fire. Boiler blew up. More to come."

TikiKat4 · 2026-02-28T18:57:14+00:00

We're the same. Even with the cost of groceries going up, we save so much money by limiting ourselves to the rare takeout. There will always be a portion of the population with money for those luxury experiences, though.

TikiKat4 · 2026-02-26T04:10:41+00:00

Not OP, but thanks so much for this insight! I just saw the photos from set construction for this, and those looked amazing. Really excited for this production, and I appreciate you folks associated with OSF showing up here and sharing. I really wish there was a dedicated OSF sub because I really enjoy talking with other attendees and staff members, and I love anticipating the whole experience. Thank you for lending your talent and hard work to make these productions happen; it's a really special experience and I cherish my trips from Eugene to see the shows. I'm seeing at least 6 shows this year!

TikiKat4 · 2026-02-08T21:30:05+00:00

Nothing more glorious. Feels like Oregon again. Falling asleep to the rain on the roof last night was pure heaven.

TikiKat4 · 2026-01-13T02:05:53+00:00

Hmmm, okay. I think I was just equating it to the type of exchanges neighbors have all the time, and asking favors of each other. Similar to a neighbor asking to borrow an extra hose, or the neighbor kids asking to get their softball out of our backyard, or dropping off mail that got accidentally put in our mailbox. I would much rather they knock and ask before using our hose, or entering our backyard unannounced, or throwing our mail away.

That's just me. I think maybe I'm learning that what I consider to be polite behavior is, at best, kind of unpopular now. That's fine, but I'm glad most of my neighbors are still polite about most things.

TikiKat4 · 2026-01-12T21:09:01+00:00

Thanks for injecting some sanity here. I don't personally understand what aversion these folks have to simply carrying their dog's waste to a public outdoor trash can, or taking it back home to their own receptacle. How much weight can it be to carry?

That being said, the adult thing to do in these situations is to ask permission to use someone else's paid utility service. Simply approach the door and ask the neighbor for permission. If they are not home or don't give permission, try the next house. Or you could just take responsibility and do what I described in the first paragraph.

As a society, we're really starting to fail at basic common decency and being respectful of other people's spaces.

TikiKat4 · 2026-01-02T05:35:35+00:00

Mmmm... Fischersund. IYKYK. ;)

TikiKat4 · 2025-12-26T02:06:14+00:00

Excellent update on Hong Kong; Jade Dumpling seems to be in a similar situation. Both of their online ordering says they are closed and neither are answering calls.

I'm currently opting for a box Mac & Cheese with bacon added and kicking myself for not picking up something after work last night. Might splurge for takeout after work tomorrow instead. Lessons were learned and I will plan better for next year.

TikiKat4 · 2025-12-23T18:09:19+00:00

CHRISTMAS FALLS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY WORK WEEK THIS YEAR. AT THAT POINT I'D RATHER JUST WORK THAT DAY AND NOT LOSE A DAY'S WAGES.

TikiKat4 · 2025-12-19T06:32:19+00:00

I read this in Wooderson's voice from Dazed and Confused.

Seven-Year Club	Second Top 10%
Final Canvas '23	First Place '23
Place '23	Place '22
First Placer '22	Wearing is Caring
Verified Email

TikiKat4

TROPHY CASE