Category: To Occupy my Time

Awesome clock at PDX

I procrastinated a lot getting ready for my vacation, at one point thinking, “Why am I going somewhere else?  It’s so much work!”  But I eventually got around to getting everything done and by the time I found myself at the airport (thanks Matt, for dropping me off) and made it through security, my mood rapidly improved.  PDX is awesome!  They had a piano player right outside of security and his cheery take on “Ode to Joy” calmed my frazzled nerves.  And I noticed this amazing clock!   It’s a tremendous specimen and I had a great time studying all the details.IMG_3668

Then I found the poster with the explanations.   IMG_3669Also, the Portland Airport has Cafe Yumm!  I love Cafe Yumm and bought an Edamame Bowl to eat on my flight.

Oddly specific fundraising mailer

IMG_3661I worked in the library at both colleges I attended for undergraduate work.  UMass is pretty persistent in the fundraising, despite the fact that I only made one donation once, to the history department.  It was weird to see the tagline “Happiness is…a job at the library.”

Yes it is, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to give you any money.

Friday Project and how to stay cool in the heat.

The Friday Project this week was hemming two pair of new pants I bought. I found great tutorials here and here.  I also took up the shoulders in a shirt I purchased.   IMG_3656

It’s hot, especially for Portland. If I can keep the heat out, our house is pretty okay.  Here’s how I attempted  to keep it at bay.

This is the only south-facing window in our house.  If I close the curtains, it helps a lot. Antares doesn’t mind the heat, though.  He will happily sleep on the sunny side of the curtain. IMG_3658

Why heat up the big oven to cook your pie crust, when you can instead use your toaster oven?   IMG_3660

Laundry!  Dried outside.  In about 10 minutes.  I washed ALL of my bedding.  IMG_3657

Which is the better value the large avocado or the small one?

 For some time now I’ve wanted to crunch the numbers on this equation.  The avocado on the left costs $1.25.  The one on the right costs $0.99.  Let’s break this down. IMG_3618

Here we can see that the pits are similarly sized.IMG_3619

IMG_3620 IMG_3621 The large is 2.75 ounces bigger than the small.

IMG_3625 IMG_3626 Overall, the large avocado gives us 6.5 ounces for $1.25, while the small gives us 4 ounces for $0.99.

Crunching the numbers: Large is $0.19/oz

Small is: $0.25/oz.

Large is the better deal.

However, I also conducted  a taste test, and I liked the taste of the smaller avocado better.  Someday I should do a blind taste test.

I always wondered what Trimet worker had that job.

IMG_3466Think about it.  Every stop in the metro area has at least a piece of paper saying what routes service the stop and the stop ID number.  Bigger stops have a full poster including bus schedules for all routes.  Train stops and some transit centers have multiple posters with schedules.  Who are the people who are always making sure these are up-to-date?  Today, I caught a picture of one of them.

Tap Dance Recital? Check.

My last dance recital was in 1990 and we performed two numbers.  One was “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease.  The other was to a contemporary piece, though I can’t recall which one.  Our performance took place at Boise High School’s Auditorium, which was a marvelous, creaking place with backstage filled with dozens of girls in costumes, shrieking, giggling, being all sorts of excited.  I did my best to ignore the dance teacher’s son, who was my age, but went to a different school and had started dance one year before me, so was in a different class.  He had a harem of girls around him at all times, so I didn’t think I stood a chance, but it was kind of thrilling to have him around. IMG_3388This one was much more low-key.  We did have outfits, black pants, colored shirts, jean jackets.  This time our recital was at a community center gymnasium.  We waited in the audience, and moved to the hallway when it came close to our time to perform.  Most of the audience chatted throughout the performances, which drove me crazy, but I tried to roll with it.  We were one of two adult groups to perform and our tap dance performance to Tracy Chapman’s “You’re the One” was well received.  When I came home, Matt had roses for me.