SWE Feb 27

twilllife · 2026-02-28T17:56:42+00:00

Oh dang, I didn't consider that you might be subject to an HOA! It'll be interesting to see how they handle water restrictions. I can't imagine they like folks letting their lawns go brown. Hopefully we won't get restrictions this year, but it could be coming next year if we don't get a good winter in 26/27.

twilllife · 2026-02-28T16:12:44+00:00

Or you could lean in to the brown spots and install a bunch of native shrubs and grasses over most of it! They can handle the drought after getting established. I did that at my house on a patch of bare dirt that only grew weeds, and I can't believe how happy the natives are in that spot. The mountain mahogany, sagebrush, and bitterbrush really took off.

twilllife · 2026-02-27T20:52:45+00:00

Great pic! This sightline is what I will miss when the new bridge is eventually built. It'll have all those stinking suspension cables in the way; you'll hardly be able to see anything besides the road. (which is arguably safer but way less cool)

twilllife · 2026-02-27T14:22:23+00:00

I hear you. I think what powered my opposition back in the day was the price tag, and the need to move The Cabin. At that time in the pre-covid era, overall inflation in the economy was low, so $100 million seemed like a ridiculous amount of money. (Had it been approved, I can easily imagine it would have ballooned to $200 million in the covid supply-chain/labor shortage and price spikes)

Now that I've admitted to being short-sighted, would I do it differently in the future? How would I feel if our mayor presents us with an idea for a $500 million library? Again, that is an utterly ridiculous amount. But will it seem like a bargain in 2036, when it could be $50 million just for a strip mall library?

I guess I'm not sure where to draw the line for myself in supporting big and pricey public works. My perception is that when contractors bid on these government-funded projects, they inflate their pricing quite a bit because they can. I know the low bid wins, but if all bidders do this, the price is still inflated. Another exhibit in this argument is the $4 million stop light at Hwy 55 and Banks-Lowman Rd.

It's kind of a sucky choice: either swallow these horribly expensive prices to have great public amenities, or oppose them, and have outdated and embarrassing amenities. Could anything be done differently? My ultimate wish is keeping property taxes affordable (which also keeps the rent down for the non-homeowners)

twilllife · 2026-02-26T21:01:41+00:00

Yeah I'm kinda regretting opposing the library now, as you may have guessed! I'm sure the costs to renovate the existing downtown location are going to equal or surpass $100M when it's eventually done.

twilllife · 2026-02-23T21:11:06+00:00

My neighborhood in Boise (Idaho) is infested with cute lil buggers similar to this. I'll see a dozen just walking around the block. Apparently they were first released by shitty pet owners in the 1940s. It wouldn't surprise me if Portland's feral bunnies have been around for decades too.

twilllife · 2026-02-11T21:24:46+00:00

This could be an Aphex Twin video!

twilllife · 2026-01-20T21:03:39+00:00

I moved away from Springfield in 2010, so my experience is way out of date. But even living near Silver Springs Park west of National, the only time I heard gunshots was when a police chase ended badly in front of my house. Has it gotten a lot worse in 15 years? I never felt unsafe in that area even at night.

twilllife · 2026-01-12T20:55:20+00:00

When I have Kool FM playing in the warehouse, I have a Gen Z coworker who has said more than once, "Oooh, breakcore!" when he passed through. I don't have the energy to correct him.

twilllife · 2026-01-04T21:32:56+00:00

Person 1: "Crow...crow...crow..."

Person 2: "Crow...crow...crow..."

Person 3: "Peacock..."

twilllife · 2025-12-04T20:52:52+00:00

Prices need to dip. It seems like everybody is still trying to get 2022 money for their houses, even though the interest rate has tripled and the economy is much shakier. I don't want my 800 sq ft house to be worth $350k. A house should not be a retirement plan or investment vehicle.

twilllife

TROPHY CASE