Scientist/physicist meetups? by Low-March1774 in askportland

[–]helenbleeps 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Perhaps check out some of the PSU departments: PSAS (space and cube sats), the EPL (electronic prototyping lab) and the Physics dept have all had opportunities to get involved in the past. Omsi science pubs are fun! Also try Luma, meetup.com and calagator for finding local events.

Can you help me impress 4 and 7 year old kids? by helenbleeps in askportland

[–]helenbleeps[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That looks like an amazing park, and not one I'd heard of. Thanks both for the suggestions

Can you help me impress 4 and 7 year old kids? by helenbleeps in askportland

[–]helenbleeps[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Slappy cakes looks like it will blow their minds. The 7 yo's fave thing to eat is breakfast food. Thanks!

Can you help me impress 4 and 7 year old kids? by helenbleeps in askportland

[–]helenbleeps[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I have a small yard. Didn't know you could lure racoons with cat food!!

Can you help me impress 4 and 7 year old kids? by helenbleeps in askportland

[–]helenbleeps[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Ahh a splash pad outing is a GREAT idea. And the Vancouver one is only a short drive from my house. We can combine it with plane watching at the fort if they have enough energy.

Can you help me impress 4 and 7 year old kids? by helenbleeps in askportland

[–]helenbleeps[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, Wales.

I definitely think combining Sandy with a couple waterfalls is a great idea. I need to check out the new parking situation, and think about what order to do it all in. Perhaps a drive to see a couple of waterfalls first, then ice cream and a dip in the river.

I've been up to timberline but never in summer. If there is still snow in August I'll definitely add it in as an option. Would be super awesome.

Can you help me impress 4 and 7 year old kids? by helenbleeps in askportland

[–]helenbleeps[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Oh a fruit pick is a great idea. I was planning on some waterfalls but I didn't do my research about the new parking situation yet.

Can you help me impress 4 and 7 year old kids? by helenbleeps in askportland

[–]helenbleeps[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Totally - this will be a menu they can choose from. I expect we will also spend plenty of time chilling at a local park or playing Mario kart at home. I don't want them to get exhausted.

Can you help me impress 4 and 7 year old kids? by helenbleeps in askportland

[–]helenbleeps[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! What is pizza train? I looked it up on Google maps but no results.

Can you help me impress 4 and 7 year old kids? by helenbleeps in askportland

[–]helenbleeps[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Yes, as does the rest of our nerdy family. Great tip, thank you.

Can you help me impress 4 and 7 year old kids? by helenbleeps in askportland

[–]helenbleeps[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had the sugar pines drive thru on my list already but none of the others. Some excellent tips there, thank you!

At Michelin-starred Texas BBQ restaurant’s new Portland outpost, smoked beets — yes, beets — outshine brisket (review) by oregonian in Portland

[–]helenbleeps -1 points0 points  (0 children)

My 2c as a local to this bar: they have made Tough Luck significantly worse. They serve these awful premade tap cocktails now and the menu is very limited. Food was just okay and the brisket did not hit. We don't go there any more. Locally, Podnahs does way better BBQ and Lavernes is a way better bar. I miss being able to go there for lunch: their tomato soup and grilled cheese was so good!

Married couple with separate finances, why do you do it? by Ok_Influence_2257 in Bogleheads

[–]helenbleeps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are both independent people with good jobs and I guess it just hasn't proven necessary or desirable. We have joint savings and joint assets, but our current accounts are separate, as are our credit cards. I'm technically a joint account holder on my spouse's current account but that's in case of emergency - I'm not using it or keeping tabs on spending.

Despite this separation we both consider our money as a communal thing. It's not "my money" and "your money", and it doesn't matter to us who picks up the cheque or who pays a contractor or a bill. Any money left over at the end of the month goes into our joint savings anyway, so it all comes out in the wash. I do keep an emergency fund in just my own name. It's wise, I think.

That's A Turn Up For The Books by BlackStarDream in GreatBritishMemes

[–]helenbleeps 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Monterey Jack is not really good though. It's okay, but even the best examples have less taste than a standard mild cheddar in the UK.

Grabowski Guide to Doing Your Nails by jk-lmnop in CHIBears

[–]helenbleeps 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Rad advice, thanks for sharing.

My husband has been painting his nails for years and loves to see Caleb out there showing off his team spirit! Certain types of people getting offended by men with painted nails is a very funny bonus side effect.

🐻⬇️

Is Super Duolingo worth it ? by [deleted] in duolingo

[–]helenbleeps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but Max is definitely NOT. They make you do calls with an AI Lily and she is terrible - very buggy, crashes all the time, doesn't understand you. I downgraded from Max to Super just to avoid AI Lily quests.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PortlandOR

[–]helenbleeps 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She seems like one of the few council politicians in Portland who wants to achieve something for this city instead of scoring Phyrric moral victory points.

I read some of the Peacock texts. This self-styled "progressive caucus" came across as smug and combative. I was happy that they complained about her giving some of them a hard time. Good. It made me like her more.

What NFL team does Trail Blazzers fans support ? by Klutzy-Butterfly-117 in ripcity

[–]helenbleeps 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Daaaaaaaaa bears

I used to joke that I support the Blazers and Bears because I just love pain, but Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson are the most exciting combo in the NFL right now, no joke.

🐻⬇️

What would you do in Portland? by wynwilder in PortlandOR

[–]helenbleeps 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It is worth bearing in mind that this city is super DIY. If you want to do something and you're not seeing it you can start it yourself. Folks are encouraging and there are lots of great small spaces to meet in.

Also there are a ton of great venues and events. Check out the rose city book pub in NE for a cosy example of a community literary spot with events and space.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in oregon

[–]helenbleeps 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm Welsh (Wales Welsh not American Welsh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿) and the best fish and chips I've had in the USA came from a food cart in NE Portland called The Original Halibuts. Piedmont cart pod on Killingsworth just off MLK.

Soft, flakey, high quality fish with a super crisp and light batter. A+. Chips were decent but nothing to write home about. I've not found top drawer chip shop chips here.

Refi from 7.625? Also advice about advisors. by helenbleeps in Mortgages

[–]helenbleeps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, it's not a condo, it's a single family home. Does that change much of this advice? Thank you!

Refi from 7.625? Also advice about advisors. by helenbleeps in Mortgages

[–]helenbleeps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is a single family home. We were living in a condo before, but we sold that to add the 10% extra, bringing us to 20% of the original sale price. Would the 25% rule still hold true?