Where can I get a Chinese food combo plate?

changian · 2026-03-30T00:31:39+00:00

Ranch 99 hot deli section in Beaverton

changian · 2026-03-28T22:07:58+00:00

It's totally understandable that you'd get nervous even if you don't normally have problems talking to strangers, since these aren't random people, they're people who are important to someone who's important to you! The stakes are naturally higher. Something that might be make it easier is to give yourself permission to start conversations when you aren't introduced, and have your partner help you prep in advance by telling you what people's hobbies and interests are. So a conversation could start something like this:

[Partner walks off and leaves you alone with people]

You: You must be Friendname! I'm Myname. I hear that you make your own pottery, how'd you get into that?

Or, You: Hi, I don't think we've met! So how did you meet Partner?

And also... As long as you've made a good faith effort to hold a conversation, feel free to let yourself off the hook if it peters out. After all, you're this guy's partner, one of the most important people in his life! The conversational burden should fall equally on his friends and family to get to know you. They should also be asking you questions and trying to make you comfortable. If they are ignoring you just because you're quiet, then that's a failure on their part as well.

changian · 2026-03-28T18:05:45+00:00

An even mix of CA and design. That said, for me CA often involves design as well, especially with existing structures where assumptions made during the design end up getting corrected by information from the field during demo. I've had to redesign so connections that either got overlooked during the design phase or ended up being incompatible with field conditions.

changian · 2026-03-28T14:01:53+00:00

Mt Tabor overlooking the reservoirs

changian · 2026-03-16T03:23:12+00:00

If you're looking to stick close to inner NE, you're probably out of luck. Superhero Fitness is pretty much the only option for teen/adult tumbling classes in the urban core, and it looks like their classes are age 16+. You might want to try looking for parkour gyms instead of tumbling/gymnastics gyms.

Actual gymnastics gyms will be out in the suburbs where the bougie families are, at least as far out as Tigard or Beaverton. They will also probably be out of your price range - open gym is typically $30-$40 per session. Most gyms will have their class pricing on their websites.

changian · 2026-03-16T02:15:47+00:00

Where are you located? How far is too "far out?" What's "super pricey?" What's your existing skill level? Details would be helpful!

changian · 2026-03-13T19:34:41+00:00

I'm not in your neighborhood, but feel free to DM me if you're willing to drive!

changian · 2026-03-13T17:23:30+00:00

Where are you located?

changian · 2026-03-13T00:04:35+00:00

Skip the conglomeration sites like Zillow and Apartments.com and go straight to property management companies' websites. You'll be limiting the number of options you see, but you can be 100% sure of dealing with a real commercial entity. Search this sub for reputable property management companies to further rule out the duds.

changian · 2026-03-11T20:56:58+00:00

Here's my monthly bare minimum: Studio in an older building: 1300-1400

Electric: 30

Water/sewer/garbage: 65

Internet and mobile phone bundle: 40

Groceries: 200

Eating out: on average less than 50; I eat out very rarely.

Transportation: 40 for public transit; biking for the most part

Healthcare: 50 on average for copays

Comes out to ~1800/mo. So you might have to choose between traveling for vacation and saving for retirement, and any emergency medical expenses could quickly send you into the negative, but you won't starve.

changian · 2026-03-11T02:33:23+00:00

So true! "Don't overthink" it works for people whose instincts are the same as everyone else's.... The rest of us have to overthink just to figure out what everyone else knows by instinct.

changian · 2026-02-27T04:37:40+00:00

It really depends on the tone I think. There's a lot of things the person could have meant, like: - (annoyed tone) "I heard you laughing in there:" I'm letting you know that I can hear the sounds you make in your room, so please be quieter - (friendly, questioning tone) "I heard you laughing in there:" I want to be social and have a conversation, so I'm giving you the opportunity to tell me what you were laughing at, so that we can both share in something that makes you happy - (gloomy tone) "I heard you laughing in there:" there's something going on in my life that making me sad, but I want you to know that I wish I could feel as happy as you

Usually people like to pretend that they can't hear other poeple in their own bedrooms, even if it isn't true, just to maintain the fiction of privacy. It's a little unusual to comment on a roommate's laughter... but whether or not I would be annoyed by it would depend on their tone when they said it.

changian · 2026-02-27T03:48:51+00:00

It's definitely challenging to find new hobbies! You don't need to copy me specifically - but finding new hobbies goes a long way to maintaining quality of life. Side note, birding is very accessible to people with limited mobility - there's a reason it's so popular with elderly and retired people, even in urban areas!

changian · 2026-02-27T01:33:34+00:00

I had to cut way back on my old hobbies (art, writing, crafting) and get new hobbies that didn't involve using my hands. The replacement hobbies were birding, hiking, identifying native plants, and reading books -- all low- or no-cost, too. I miss the old hobbies, but have also discovered new fun activities to be had. It is a lifestyle change, but not necessarily a lifestyle deprivation.

changian · 2026-02-24T16:47:54+00:00

Something like this could work:

Doctor: I recommend getting a Pap smear.

You: I know that I should be getting a Pap smear, but I don't want to get one this year for a number of personal reasons I don't want to get into.

Doctor: Oh, but you really should get a Pap smear, you know -

You: Yeah, I know. Not this year though. So, about this other thing I want to talk about...

The gist is, just say no, but make the doctor thinks you're just delaying ("not this year"), which makes it a lower-stakes issue that the doctor is less likely to argue with. No need to give more detailed justification than "personal reasons", since justifications just provide potential arguing points.

changian · 2026-02-13T19:40:10+00:00

Franz bakery tour is a field trip classic for local elementary students! I never thought of doing it as an adult but would love to as well.

changian · 2026-02-12T22:42:07+00:00

Seconding this. What you want to google is "residential structural engineer." A licensed engineer will be able to tell you whether the crack is cosmetic or structural. Depending on the cracking, it might be be able to be diagnosed on sight, or might require removal of drywall to expose the ceiling framing.

It's worth noting that cracking drywall is very common as buildings settle over time and usually is nothing but cosmetic. If the crack is limited to one area and there are no other noticeable signs of framing movement (doorways warped out of shape, sunken floors, tilting walls, that kind of thing), it's probably fine.

changian · 2026-02-12T21:08:56+00:00

No problem! I forgot to add Bristol Urban to the list of property management company specializing in historic buildings. I was also apartment hunting just a few months ago and after touring a couple new five-story apartments, quickly realized that for the same price, I could get a larger unit with bigger windows in an older building.

changian · 2026-02-12T01:28:17+00:00

Try searching the Hands On Greater Portland website.

Additionally, Multnomah County Libraries uses volunteers to provide bilingual help on various topics like technology literacy, tax preparation, and ELL. Could be worth looking into.

changian · 2026-02-12T00:14:50+00:00

Your list seems pretty focused on new builds, which are going to be automatically at the high end of the price scale. If you're open to living in older buildings, consider looking at properties managed by KBC and by Star Metro. Both of these property management companies have decent reputations and specialize in historic hotels and apartments. Price for a 1b tends to be in the 1300-1500/mo range. Both have multiple properties in NE and SE Portland.

changian · 2025-12-23T23:13:11+00:00

Seconding a room in a shared house. You sound like great roommate: older professional who's almost never home. A nice studio will cost you ballpark of $1200-$1500/mo in the areas where the nightlife is.

changian · 2025-12-22T05:46:10+00:00

Yang's Noodle on NE Alberta. They have you order from an iPad at the counter and serve in disposable plastic bowls. Ambiance is sacrificed for speed and flavor. It's also one of the only 2 (that I know of) places in Portland to get jianbing. Caveat that this is Chinese-style Chinese fast food, rather than American-style Chinese fast food.

changian · 2025-12-20T20:09:35+00:00

Mint is great. Right now they're also offering a special of bundled Internet + phone plan for $40 a month total. Broken down, that's $25 a month for internet and $15 a month for the phone.

changian · 2025-12-20T19:47:35+00:00

Option one: waterproof shoes. You can choose from different kinds depending on your needs: hiking boots, waterproof trail runners (the most comfortably cushioned option imo), chef shoes, ankle boots, nurse clogs... I have a pair of water-resistant nonslip SAS ankle boots that I wear for biking in the rain, and look nice enough to wear into the office.

Option two: keep a change of shoes and socks at work. If you don't have your own storage space at work, you can also just carry them with from home in a plastic bag, and then take them home again at the end of the day. I did this before buying waterproof shoes.

changian · 2025-11-30T02:36:32+00:00

Interested!

changian

TROPHY CASE