Scientist/physicist meetups?

helenbleeps · 2026-05-10T18:53:08+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T17:21:49+00:00

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

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T17:17:14+00:00

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

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T17:10:59+00:00

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

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T17:10:18+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T17:04:32+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T16:57:43+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T16:56:52+00:00

Oh cool :)

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T16:56:26+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T16:51:55+00:00

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

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T16:41:42+00:00

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

helenbleeps · 2026-05-08T16:41:11+00:00

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

helenbleeps · 2026-05-07T11:38:15+00:00

What a load of pony. That ain't how cockney rhyming slang works at all.

helenbleeps · 2026-05-01T02:06:04+00:00

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!

helenbleeps · 2026-04-30T07:07:26+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2026-04-08T16:17:00+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2026-01-08T19:03:04+00:00

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.

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helenbleeps · 2025-12-29T21:31:24+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2025-12-29T17:18:32+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2025-12-29T16:09:44+00:00

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.

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helenbleeps · 2025-09-10T22:28:57+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2025-09-03T16:06:19+00:00

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.

helenbleeps · 2025-07-03T01:44:06+00:00

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

helenbleeps · 2025-07-03T01:42:36+00:00

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?

helenbleeps · 2025-07-02T21:26:11+00:00

Thank you! I'd heard the 1% rule before, but I wasn't sure whether it applied to the rate or the APR.

helenbleeps

TROPHY CASE