Portland Metblogs » dieselboi

Good night all

dieselboi — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:48:35 +0000

I sat here for awhile trying to figure out the best title for this post. Alas, there it is. I have decided to leave Portland Metblogs and try something new. I want to thank Metroblogging for the opportunity to write here over the years. I especially want to thank all the readers and commenters who have come and gone leaving behind amazing discussions. YOU are why I wrote. Now off to another adventure. Take care. Be well. Live long and prosper. So say we all. Best of luck. Godspeed. Keep on Keepin’ on. Just deal.

Your Portland blogger,

Dieselboi (aka Brett)

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Originally uploaded by dieselboi

Metblog Meetup, June 25

dieselboi — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:46:35 +0000

All, there will not be a meetup this evening due to the conflict with Ignite Portland. Normally we do have our meetups on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. We’re pushing it out until next week and also changing the venue. Next week we’ll give Plan B a chance to win our hearts and minds.

Metblogs Meetup - June 25, Plan B

Back Fence PDX - Thursday June 19

dieselboi — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:56:03 +0000

As you know, I love to tell a good story. I also love to hear a good story. If you read this blog, you probably also like stories. One of our former authors and a great story teller in her own right - Melissa Lion - has started a new project- BackFencePDX- to showcase some of Portland’s best stories. They have six people telling unrehearsed stories based on the theme, Summer Love: Lying Out and Burning Up. They’ll also have a vintage-inspired swimsuit fashion show with swimsuits provided by Popina Swimwear. Storytellers include Alison Hallett, Arts Editor of the Merc, and film director, Brian Belefant.

So, come on out to Tour De Crepes on Alberta St. for some amazing story telling. June 19, 7:30pm. Yay Portland!

Ugh, TriMet

dieselboi — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:45:51 +0000

As you well know by now, there was a couple of serious incidents on Yellow line MAX in the past week. Both incidences involved groups of teens attacking or intimidating passengers. I have usually been a defender of MAX as I think it is one of the best Portland decisions of the past 25 years. But wow, you would think that after all the negative publicity last winter that TriMet would have maybe figured it out. They need security on the train! Plain and simple.

Yet, in this past week’s incident at Prescott Station (where I embark and disembark daily) leaves me realing. I’m angry with TriMet, but I’m also angry with my fellow commuters. Yes you, the person sitting there hiding while some young punk starts beating up a woman. In this most recent incident, a Vancouver woman came to the defence of another rider and was attacked. I praise her as a hero for standing up against these jackasses. Yet, as a result, she was injured. I know for a fact these two women were not the only riders on that train. 6:30pm? Give me a break. How many other riders on that train just sat there and watched or moved away from the frackas because they didn’t want to get involved? People, there are more of us than them and my experience has taught me that if more people confront an issue like this, it will get defused. Portlanders should have come to the defence of this woman and helped her out. We’re all in this together.

Let me leave you with this thought regarding the next time something like this begins to transpire. When you see the aftermath of a disaster or where a group of strangers have been affected by forces out of their control, do you ignore it? Do you put your head in the sand? Or do you react and do something to try to help them - donate food, blood, money, blankets etc? If you are one of those who do rise up to help out these strangers, why aren’t you helping out the person next to you. They need is just as much.

Where in Portland?

dieselboi — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:35:24 +0000

Walked home yesterday evening through SE, NE and North Portland. A pleasant walk. At beers prior, a bike commuter friend proffered that he believed there are indeed less cars on the road. Do you think that? It was pretty quiet on the streets last evening around 7:30pm. Quieter than normal.

So, anyone want to venture a guess where this is? May get you a beer at our meetup next week.

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Originally uploaded by dieselboi

Affordable condos? Easier commute? a puzzle

dieselboi — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:53:14 +0000

We all have been hearing more than we want to about the mortgage crisis. I don’t think it has hit Portland like it has hit California or Ohio or South Florida, but I do know our skyrocketing housing prices have slowed down a bit. Also, it is harder to sell a house these days than it was a couple of years ago. Couple that with $4 gas and you have yourself a little conundrum. I still don’t feel the majority is being affected by $4 gas. Every day on my walks home, I cross the Skidmore bridge over I5 north and 2 lanes are bumper to bumper while the HOV lane is empty. That tell me the commuters are still willing to shell out the cash for their daily commute. Many don’t have a choice. They have jobs that don’t have flexible schedules or are in places not easily served by public transportation. Others though do have choices and are just not making them in my opinion. Buying my house in North close in was the best financial decision I have made in the past 12 years. Wow, who’da thunk it.

This week, PDC announced that their South Waterfront project (all condos) isn’t living up to what they had hoped. The high priced condos are not selling period. One building has been turned into apartments. Those must be swanky apartment. Yet, the news states that construction down on the waterfront will continue. Thinking about $4 gas and 1 hr commutes and topics like that, I begin to wonder if people will begin to move closer into the city in order to cut their commuting costs. Living closer in costs more usually. An average house in my neighborhood is around $300,000. Condos downtown start around $500,000 unless your willing to live in a shoebox. I guess I’m wondering if PDC or the City or a developer or whomever could devise an affordable option within the condo market to that family that is currently commuting from Gresham or Clark County. A 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a park location for around $300,000. The upside would be less commuters and more expendable cash for that family. Urban Growth areas don’t always have to cater to the wealthy. I know, this is pretty ethereal, but I see it as a way to shift the mindset that people have currently regarding their requirement to commute. Just my two cents.

MAX vs. Truck - MAX Won

dieselboi — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:18:06 +0000

Riders northbound on the Yellow line are being delayed and not by the navy ships. Up by the Alibi, a truck wasn’t paying attention and got snagged by a northbound train. Riders were getting off and walking north. Not sure how long it will delay. Could be a non issue. MAX just had some paint scrapes. The truck though was a little mushed.

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Originally uploaded by dieselboi

Busted! Someone named Tower is in trouble

dieselboi — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:46:02 +0000

Yesterday, when it was sunny, I walked about 2/3rds of the Rose Festival Parade route looking for duct tape. The good news is that people who normally were taping and reserving spots almost 2 weeks before the parade got the message. The bad news is that today, someone used spraypaint to reserve their spot.

According to the City, “The use of duct tape, chalk, paint or unattended personal property, such as lawn chairs, to mark or reserve a spot along the parade route is prohibited. “

Now, I wonder if the Portland Police are going to be out enforcing said ban. It is a $100 fine if you are caught. Will they go out Friday evening/Saturday morning passing out fines? Will they let it slide this first year? Anyone know how to get stats on that?

Oh, and to be honest, this actually may mean Tower as in placement of. But hey, let’s get this party started!

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Originally uploaded by dieselboi

Rebel Drones at the Doug Fir

dieselboi — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:48:57 +0000

Election night in Portland is a crazy time. I have been away on vacation for a couple of weeks, so missed all of the pomp and circumstance leading up to yesterday. I did get back in time to fill out the ballot though and drop it off. We even got our new roommate registered on the last possible day so he could vote. Ahh, democracy!

After hitting a couple of election parties and even arriving at the Jupiter hotel to shake Sam Adams’ hand just before he gave his winning speech, we took in a show. Rebel Drones, a new band from right here in Portland was opening for Dead Meadow, a favorite of ours. Rebel Drones first showed Portland what they had been working on back on New Years at the East End. I was unable to attend, so had been waiting with baited breath for last night’s show. The Rebel Drones is made up of some music veterans including Colin Hegna of Federale and BJM and Matt Hollywood of The Out Crowd and BJM. With 3 guitars, a bass, keyboard and drums, they had a formidable sound. I just sat back smiled and took it in, hoping this band gets an album out soon so I can play it every waking minute of the day. I have described this type of music as “wall of sound with many layers,” but it is more than that. In a word - it is beautiful.

So, even though my candidate - Steve Novick - didn’t win, the night was excellent. The Rebel Drones put on a great show followed by an amazing set by Dead Meadow. Next time they are in town, you gotta check them out.

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Originally uploaded by dieselboi

The end of the block….

dieselboi — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:04:51 +0000

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Originally uploaded by dieselboii

The block at the corner of SW Morrison and Park is being demolished today. What a site to see the former home of Virginia Cafe and Zell Bros reduced to a pile of rubble. And rather quickly. There are plenty of onlookers taking it all in. I can only imagine the memories those buildings hold for many a Portlander.