How much would you pay for a parking space?

Posted by random olio

Chris and I used to live in Boston, where parking spaces would sell for tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Renting an apartment was expensive enough, not to mention finding a parking space when you did not own one. Now that I live in the Pacific Northwest, even the process of renting an apartment is different. Ten years ago when we lived in Boston, you would have to give a landlord the first month of rent, last month, sometimes a security deposit, and a realtor fee. If the apartment was $1000 a month (which was definitely on the low side) that would mean $4000. A lot of money just to move into a place. Yes, $3000 was investing in your future, but the $1000 to the realtor was lost.

All cities are different. No rental process is alike in each city. Portland has nothing on Boston. Which I appreciate. When we moved to Portland, we thought, oh we just need to have the cash to move in, instead Portland is very particular in a different way. Landlords in Portland want to ensure that you have a job and you can prove your monthly income. It makes sense due to the high homeless population. Landlords want to know you will continue to be able to pay your rent. I understand that completely, but it is just so different from Boston.

Portlanders complain about finding parking spaces, just like any other city, but I know Portland does not have quite the market on parking spaces that Boston or New York have. I recently read an article that discusses the IRS auctioning off two parking spaces in Boston for a man who owed back taxes. The parking spaces sold for $560,000. It is shocking to think how much someone paid for a parking space, especially since it is much, much more than many pay for their homes.

How much would you pay to own a parking space?

Running shoes connected by history

Posted by random olio

Running shoes have a history. They tell a story of where a runner has been. If you have not yet seen the cover of the most recent Boston Magazine, then you will not want to miss it. They acted or reacted fast after the Boston Marathon. The cover contains 120 running shoes in the shape of a heart. Each pair was worn by someone who ran the Boston Marathon. A clever and meaningful way to honor the 2013 Boston Marathon, both for the runners and those impacted by the events that transpired at the finish line.

It makes me think about the history and journey of my running shoes. The many, many pairs I have worn through that are still in my closet. I have had a hard time parting with them. The worn soles of the miles I have put on them. Whether I was running and reading on the treadmill, or passing the time outside there was a story that followed each of my runs. It might have been the book I was reading while on the treadmill, the novel that kept me going, or the new knowledge or insights I learned from a business book while on my daily run. It might have been the houses I passed in my neighborhood and the music that kept me energized. Whether inside or outside, each pair of running shoes helped me process my day, my work issues, my family life, whatever dilemma was thick in thought was sure to have been mulled over in my current pair of running shoes.

What were each of those runners thinking about while running the Boston Marathon? Was it their first marathon, or one of many? Did they struggle to finish that day, or on their way to breaking a personal record? How many miles were already racked up on that pair worn during the Boston Marathon?

That cover photo brings together many lives and untold stories of how each runner got to the Boston Marathon. You will want to read the article (shared above) from John Wolfson, the Editor-in-Chief of Boston Magazine and how they were able to quickly change their cover issue, as well as interview each of the runners that have shoes on the cover, who tell their stories of their race. Copies will be on newsstands on Tuesday, and other stories not included in the print edition will be online. I would like to get a copy.

Sadness, shock, and absolute love for Beantown

Posted by random olio

Flabbergasted. Shocked. Saddened. I lived in Boston for a few years. I worked just 2 blocks away from the Boston Marathon Finish Line. I watched the race numerous times very close to the Finish Line.

I know there is a lot of media surrounding the events, and that some individuals might say that at the moment only 3 people have died, but one is an eight year old child. Maybe this specific incident affects me because Boston is in my heart, and what is strange is that there was a shooting in a local mall a few months ago, that was in my backyard, and yet this Boston bombing is tougher for me to digest.

Iconic. That is why I am impacted. The Boston Marathon has been around since 1897. Wikipedia stated: “The event attracts 500,000 spectators each year, making it New England’s most widely viewed sporting event.” It is an event that happens each year on Patriot’s Day. For those of you that are not from Boston and do not know about Patriot’s Day, it is holiday that commemorates the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Most of the state shuts down. When I lived in Boston, it was a welcome holiday in the middle of spring, but also it was great because we had an excuse to be out of work and watch the Boston Marathon right in our back yard.

Why does this bombing bother me so much? Fear. These types of events that leave people more fearful is just what the individual(s) want us to feel. I am saddened that the next time a runner prepares for a race they will think: is it safe? I am saddened that next year’s Boston Marathon will be different. I am not sure how they would ever be able to secure the area to make it safe for future races (too many entry points along the Marathon course). Will that mean less will attend? Less will run?

Lastly be sure to read this Washington Post article titled: “If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon” by Ezra Klein who starts the article with how his wife has been training for a marathon. He starts out and says:

“There’s no reason for her to do it. There’s no competition or payoff or award. It’s just a quiet, solitary triumph over the idea that she couldn’t do it, and it all happens before I even wake up.

He ends his article with this:

“This won’t be the last time we gather at the finish line to marvel how much more we can take than anyone ever thought possible.”

After running my first half marathon on Sunday, I do know that at the heart of this runners will come together. Regardless of the way the media sensationalizes what happens, Americans will stand strong and our hearts go out to each and everyone impacted yesterday.

#lovemyBeantown

Random Olio Snippets: 2

Posted by random olio

Amber Alert – There was an Amber Alert in Portland this week. The good news is the child was found within a few hours. While doing some research to learn what happened, I learned a few things. There is a new national initiative for alerting folks about Amber Alerts. I also admit that I did not know that “Amber Alert” was named after a girl named Amber that was abducted. I had always thought it was just an acronym, which it also is: America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response. There are times when I am in awe of technology. This is one of those times. Read on:

“Unlike Wireless AMBER Alerts, the WEA AMBER Alerts use the latest technology to send messages to wireless customers with WEA-capable devices in the area where a child has been abducted, even if the wireless customer isn’t from the area. For example, if a Chicago resident was visiting Boston and a WEA AMBER Alert was issued in Boston, the subscriber would receive the alert. At the same time, if an alert was issued in Chicago, the subscriber would not receive it while in Boston.”

Lawmakers salaries go into escrow if they miss the April 15 deadline – This article from CNN Money explains what is happening with the debt ceiling. The gist of it is that the House will be voting on a bill regarding whether or not to raise the debt ceiling. If they vote to raise it, that means the government can continue to borrow money against the $16 trillion dollars that the country already has in debt. The fun part? If lawmakers do not agree to a budget resolution by April 15: “Their salaries would be held in escrow and paid out at some point later.” Fun. I wonder how much they will make in interest! In any case, it is a novel idea to get different sides to work together and come to a resolution or their pay will be frozen. Sort of like having your allowance held until you can stop bickering with your sister. Sound familiar?

Eating Ourselves to Death – I want to see this episode of Our America on OWN. The episode is called: “Generation XXL” and airs January 29, at 10/9 pm Central time. I am passionate about health for youth. Growing up I did not have access to excellent, flavorful health foods. I hated vegetables. You could not pay me to eat them. I was active as a kid, but not as much as I could have been if I had encouragement from my family, especially my parents. Obesity, especially with children, needs our attention. If you have a chance to watch this episode, let me know what you think. I will be setting the DVR.

NFC Tags – I am fascinated by these NFC tags. I had never heard of them before I read this Fast Company article. Have you heard of them? If not click the link to read the article. I cannot even begin to try to explain. Just to give you a bit of interest:

“An NFC tag placed at your desk can tell your phone to open Evernote, tether your phone’s 4G to your laptop, mute your ringer, and remind you in 30 minutes to get off Twitter. But the issue both companies have discovered with tags is that they’re, ultimately, too capable.”

That is it for my Random Snippets from this week. Happy Friday!

Bushwhacked

Posted by random olio

I love trees. Really I do.

But. I cannot contain myself. There is a tree that is not on our property, that has been hovering over our tiny postage stamp back yard for the past 5 years. It is an evergreen-type tree (I have no idea what kind). The reason I really dislike the tree is that it has hovered near our bedroom window and the disgusting yellow pollen has infiltrated our backyard every year since we have lived here.

Let me give you a bit of background. My husband never had allergies. We lived in Boston before moving to Portland and he was fine. We even lived in downtown Portland for a few years and he was fine. Until we moved into this house. That tree has made him swell, puff, tear, you name it. It has meant that we have not been able to have our windows open because of the thick yellow pollen dust that has coated our table, bed, desks, etc. It does not seem to bother me, but the moment Chris ingests that fine powder of pollen, the next week is hell. So we keep our windows closed. No fresh Portland air coated with yellow pollen for us.

Until. YESTERDAY. We came home and I looked in our backyard and I see all these pinecones on the ground and I think: Why are there all these pine cones? We just cleaned the backyard yesterday. Was there a storm while I was at work that I do not remember?

And. Then. I. Look. Up. AND. FREAK OUT. The tree is gone. That tree and four others around it. Many, many months ago, we were told that trees in our area had been affected by some sort of bug and that some would be cut down because of the damage done by said bug. We prayed that this horrible pollen infested tree would go. Each day that we would come home the tree would still be there. Until today. Months later we are given a gift.

I am still in shock. Our tree is gone, and while I would never be excited about killing a tree, I am. I am excited that maybe, just maybe Chris can breathe and BE in our backyard. I am excited for the sunshine we never had in our backyard.

It is the little things, right?