My brain is still mushy from our three day trip to Portland. Geez. How am I ever going to go on longer vacations? How do other people do it? My travel stamina absolutely sucks.
***********
Coffee is good for you.
Diet soda makes you gain weight.
Shade is the answer to skin cancer and more exercise the answer to obesity.
Vitamins help. Vitamins don't help.
Screenings help. Screenings don't help.
1 beer is good. 3 beers is bad. (One beer? I don't even start feeling a buzz until 3 beers. As a result I don't drink at all.)
I think I should buy a mail-order medical degree and make random prognoses. I'd be right about half the time. Or just say the obvious things -- "The thing about skin cancer? Stay in the shade. That will be 150.00, please."
Once the medical system has you in their maw, there seem to be no end of tests and procedures and office visits, and the doctors and nurses seem completely unresponsive when you tell them you have a high deductible. (I think they expect you to spend the 2000.00 or 5000.00, and THEN you'll be covered so what are you complaining about? Whereas I'd rather not spend the 5000.00 on tests and procedures that don't really seem to advance my health.)
I think I lost interest when I read a study that said that if you do absolutely everything right, you average an extra 3 years of life.
And Lou Gehrig's disease taking my Mom -- which seemed totally random, and took a person who really had done absolutely everything right.
I'm just fatalistic, nowadays.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Don't everyone yell at me at the same time.
If I had a high tech startup, Bend is the last place I'd go.
Let me tell you a story that I think illustrates why.
There is a long established high tech business here in town who hires their young workers from elsewhere, usually places like Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and so on.
These new workers usually check out my store.
When they first get to town, they tell me about 'pop culture' things I don't know anything about. Then, usually around six months later, I start hearing about them through normal channels.
After the same guys have been in town for a year, they come in and tell me about pop culture things, and I'll usually say, "Yeah. I just heard about that."
After two years, the guys come in and start to tell me about a 'new ' pop culture thing, and I'll say, "Ummmm. Heard about that months ago."
My point is, I have to believe that technical proficiency is similar.
These guys come from a milieu of pop culture hipness, they swim in a sea of it. I don't think they are even aware of it. And much of what they hear and see and sense they get first hand.
They get to Bend, and they are isolated and on their own.
Turns out -- just getting your info from online DOES NOT keep you up to date. (I suspect by the time it's online, it's been around for a while -- which means by the time it hits the magazines, it's ancient.) I'm talking about the idea stage -- or the accumulation of information and disparate ideas -- which might begin taking form online as you go -- but don't really have the same impact of ideas that are being formulated as YOU SPEAK>
I think being surrounded by a culture of high techness is probably invaluable. Info and innovation and ideas float through the air, and you see your friends at the local Starbucks, or at a nightspot, or at some meeting or another, and bounce ideas and just totally immerse yourself in it all.
In Bend, you check online and go skiing and twitter and go biking -- but other than flying out of town and dropping yourself back into that high tech culture on a regular basis, I think it's inevitable you will fall behind.
And trying to keep up long-distance NO MATTER HOW CONNECTED is not the same thing.
I know they THINK it is, but by the time they find out differently, it might be a little too late.
I was having a discussion with a high tech guy, and he was disputing much of this.
At the end of the conversation, he mentioned that he had gotten work in San Francisco to tide him over.
"Ummmm.....I rest my case," I said.
Let me tell you a story that I think illustrates why.
There is a long established high tech business here in town who hires their young workers from elsewhere, usually places like Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and so on.
These new workers usually check out my store.
When they first get to town, they tell me about 'pop culture' things I don't know anything about. Then, usually around six months later, I start hearing about them through normal channels.
After the same guys have been in town for a year, they come in and tell me about pop culture things, and I'll usually say, "Yeah. I just heard about that."
After two years, the guys come in and start to tell me about a 'new ' pop culture thing, and I'll say, "Ummmm. Heard about that months ago."
My point is, I have to believe that technical proficiency is similar.
These guys come from a milieu of pop culture hipness, they swim in a sea of it. I don't think they are even aware of it. And much of what they hear and see and sense they get first hand.
They get to Bend, and they are isolated and on their own.
Turns out -- just getting your info from online DOES NOT keep you up to date. (I suspect by the time it's online, it's been around for a while -- which means by the time it hits the magazines, it's ancient.) I'm talking about the idea stage -- or the accumulation of information and disparate ideas -- which might begin taking form online as you go -- but don't really have the same impact of ideas that are being formulated as YOU SPEAK>
I think being surrounded by a culture of high techness is probably invaluable. Info and innovation and ideas float through the air, and you see your friends at the local Starbucks, or at a nightspot, or at some meeting or another, and bounce ideas and just totally immerse yourself in it all.
In Bend, you check online and go skiing and twitter and go biking -- but other than flying out of town and dropping yourself back into that high tech culture on a regular basis, I think it's inevitable you will fall behind.
And trying to keep up long-distance NO MATTER HOW CONNECTED is not the same thing.
I know they THINK it is, but by the time they find out differently, it might be a little too late.
I was having a discussion with a high tech guy, and he was disputing much of this.
At the end of the conversation, he mentioned that he had gotten work in San Francisco to tide him over.
"Ummmm.....I rest my case," I said.
The Usual Suspects.
The Oregon Business Magazine has an article entitled: "Bend's Economy Is Coming Back To Life."
Too bad they didn't have the smarts to put a question mark behind that title.
How do we know that Bend's economy is coming back to life? Because the real estate agents, and economic development people, and the city officials, and the new entreprenuers in town tell us so.
You know, the Usual Suspects.
Why on earth would they tell a reporter anything different?
From the first page, we get the usual B.S. A tone of --" the crash just all happened at once, who could have foreseen it? "is established, and the reporter -- who has apparently never heard these excuses repeated ad nauseam in the last three years, repeats it all with a straight face.
Did you know that aviation was supposed to be the diversifying element in Bend? Well, now that its gone, it turns out we were betting on it. Huh.
The reporter acknowledges that Bend topped the list of "most overvalued" property in the nation, but immediately dismisses it because of Bend's exceptionalism...
"...not take into account the value of the rapids of the Deschutes River flowing through downtown, or the view of the Sisters, Smith Rock, Mount Jefferson and more from the many available homes in the west side..."
Where have we heard that before? Proof is in the pudding. Housing prices DID drop precipitously, and somehow the river and the downtown and the rocks and the mountains didn't stop it from happening... (Besides which, there are many western towns with just as gorgeous of scenery -- I wonder if the reporter has ever visited, oh, you know -- Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, and on and on. I think they have rivers and mountains, too.)
A series of small business start-ups are interviewed, and they put the best face on it all, as you would expect. (see comments in previous posts about what I think new startups mean...)
But mostly it's puffery, and I don't have the heart to go on.
P.R. isn't going to bring Bend back. It's just P.R.
Basically, the reporter could have just stayed home and written his article from Bend's press releases....
Too bad they didn't have the smarts to put a question mark behind that title.
How do we know that Bend's economy is coming back to life? Because the real estate agents, and economic development people, and the city officials, and the new entreprenuers in town tell us so.
You know, the Usual Suspects.
Why on earth would they tell a reporter anything different?
From the first page, we get the usual B.S. A tone of --" the crash just all happened at once, who could have foreseen it? "is established, and the reporter -- who has apparently never heard these excuses repeated ad nauseam in the last three years, repeats it all with a straight face.
Did you know that aviation was supposed to be the diversifying element in Bend? Well, now that its gone, it turns out we were betting on it. Huh.
The reporter acknowledges that Bend topped the list of "most overvalued" property in the nation, but immediately dismisses it because of Bend's exceptionalism...
"...not take into account the value of the rapids of the Deschutes River flowing through downtown, or the view of the Sisters, Smith Rock, Mount Jefferson and more from the many available homes in the west side..."
Where have we heard that before? Proof is in the pudding. Housing prices DID drop precipitously, and somehow the river and the downtown and the rocks and the mountains didn't stop it from happening... (Besides which, there are many western towns with just as gorgeous of scenery -- I wonder if the reporter has ever visited, oh, you know -- Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, and on and on. I think they have rivers and mountains, too.)
A series of small business start-ups are interviewed, and they put the best face on it all, as you would expect. (see comments in previous posts about what I think new startups mean...)
But mostly it's puffery, and I don't have the heart to go on.
P.R. isn't going to bring Bend back. It's just P.R.
Basically, the reporter could have just stayed home and written his article from Bend's press releases....
Writing is being patient.
Finished my fourth chapter of I'M ONLY HUMAN just in time for writer's group.
I had a challenging scene that I couldn't quite focus on, so I thought I'd just leave it for the beginning of the next chapter. But this chapter didn't work without it, so I pounded it out in the last half hour before leaving, and it was fine.
Being fine is what I'm shooting for.
I tend to underwrite my first draft, instead of over write. Just in the process of rewriting, I tend to fill in a lot of holes.
That's the thing I'm finding -- or rediscovering. A book isn't something that coalesces easily for me-- things like names have to be tried for awhile before I decide if they work; plots have elements I don't see the first time, writing can always be sharpened and refined.
The main thing is to get the story on it's way...
I think 5 or 6 chapters is as far as I've gotten with any story since I stopped being a full time writer -- so in a few more chapters I'll be in new territory.
This last chapter was more workmanlike than the first couple chapters -- less flowing out of inspiration and more pounded out from necessity. Probably the way it will be from here on out. But there is great satisfaction in getting it done, especially since it doesn't flow easily.
Actually I don't think it's bad thing for me to be unpolished for the first draft. I need the feeling that I'm accomplishing some creativity the second time around and even -- probably going to be necessary -- a third time around.
Like I said, the work process itself is what I need to keep control of -- that I neither underwrite or overwrite, but give the recipe time to develop.
I had a challenging scene that I couldn't quite focus on, so I thought I'd just leave it for the beginning of the next chapter. But this chapter didn't work without it, so I pounded it out in the last half hour before leaving, and it was fine.
Being fine is what I'm shooting for.
I tend to underwrite my first draft, instead of over write. Just in the process of rewriting, I tend to fill in a lot of holes.
That's the thing I'm finding -- or rediscovering. A book isn't something that coalesces easily for me-- things like names have to be tried for awhile before I decide if they work; plots have elements I don't see the first time, writing can always be sharpened and refined.
The main thing is to get the story on it's way...
I think 5 or 6 chapters is as far as I've gotten with any story since I stopped being a full time writer -- so in a few more chapters I'll be in new territory.
This last chapter was more workmanlike than the first couple chapters -- less flowing out of inspiration and more pounded out from necessity. Probably the way it will be from here on out. But there is great satisfaction in getting it done, especially since it doesn't flow easily.
Actually I don't think it's bad thing for me to be unpolished for the first draft. I need the feeling that I'm accomplishing some creativity the second time around and even -- probably going to be necessary -- a third time around.
Like I said, the work process itself is what I need to keep control of -- that I neither underwrite or overwrite, but give the recipe time to develop.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Downtown Comings and Goings. 6/28/11.
I asked the owner of Dream Pebbles if I could include her as a "new" business, even though she had already been open in the Penny's Galleria. I haven't kept track of the businesses inside the Galleria as much as I have the businesses that have street fronts. In some ways, this whole list is about street fronts.
But including Dream Pebbles only points out how long it's been since a truly new retail business has opened downtown -- since April.
What's been happening is -- established businesses are expanding or moving into more desirable and or larger locations. (Presumably leaving the smaller and less desirable locations, which presumably would be cheaper, for the new businesses.)
Thus, Lola's is expanding into the space that the Perspectives art gallery was at, and Dream Pebbles is moving into the Smith and Wade Salon space, and Bond St. market is moving into the River Bend space, and Cascade Cottons moved to Donner Flowers space and Wabi Sabi moved from Brooks to Wall.....and so on.
Big news today, Pita Pit is closed.
NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
Dream Pebbles, Minnesota Ave., 6/15/11.
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, Bond St. 4/5/10
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails
(Fall, 2008 or so).
BUSINESSES LEAVING
Pita Pit, Brooks St. , 6/28/11
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro
(Fall, 2008 or so.)
But including Dream Pebbles only points out how long it's been since a truly new retail business has opened downtown -- since April.
What's been happening is -- established businesses are expanding or moving into more desirable and or larger locations. (Presumably leaving the smaller and less desirable locations, which presumably would be cheaper, for the new businesses.)
Thus, Lola's is expanding into the space that the Perspectives art gallery was at, and Dream Pebbles is moving into the Smith and Wade Salon space, and Bond St. market is moving into the River Bend space, and Cascade Cottons moved to Donner Flowers space and Wabi Sabi moved from Brooks to Wall.....and so on.
Big news today, Pita Pit is closed.
NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
Dream Pebbles, Minnesota Ave., 6/15/11.
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, Bond St. 4/5/10
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails
(Fall, 2008 or so).
BUSINESSES LEAVING
Pita Pit, Brooks St. , 6/28/11
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro
(Fall, 2008 or so.)
Escaping the Sanitarium.
Linda and my son, Todd, took me to Edgefield Sanitarium, but fortunately McMenamin's has transformed it into a kind of yuppie Disneyland, so I escaped being committed one more time.
Got to Portland on Saturday in time to help Todd clean up the garden in front of his house. I actually dug in and enjoyed it. Showed him my skills, man. We had that front yard looking good. He gave me a couple shoots of curly willow to take home, and some chive plants.
We figured out that The Cave of Forgotten Dreams was in 3-D, even though the paper didn't say.
Neither Todd or Linda had any idea what the movie was about.
"Two words -- mutant crocodiles." (Well, I wasn't exactly lying and I got them to go along.)
We had dinner at Kenny and Zukes. I ordered a corned beef Reuben sandwich, because I love Rubens and I don't eat corned beef much, but I think it was a bit of a failed experiment. I should have stuck to pastrami Reuben.
Todd and I shared a pitcher of beer. We probably would've been just fine with a single beer each, so we rushed to not waste it. A nice leisurely glass through the meal, then we (mostly I) gulped down the rest before walking across the street to the theater. Since I hardly drink anymore, I think I've lost my ability to gauge how much I will consume.
(By the way, I simply can't remember the name Kenny and Zukes, and had to ask twice just while writing this....)
I'm determined not to say no whenever anyone wants to go to a restaurant -- I want to get over this phobia little by little. One trick that helps me, is I ask for a table in the rear of the establishment and then I turn my back to the room. Artificial privacy. (They never seem that surprised when I ask, even though it almost always is near the noisy entrance exits to the kitchen -- must be other people who ask for it.)
Anyway, we got to the Living Room Theaters. They had 3-D glasses piled near the door, and we snagged some (in the theater another middle aged couple seemed bewildered they didn't have glasses so I told them about the pile. Two other couples got up to get the glasses, and I felt in the 'know'. heh.) Bought a couple of more beers, as the smell of garlic wafted over the theater. ("Ah, the smell of garlic and movies...." I said to Linda.) The theater was almost TOO comfortable. If I was inclined to fall asleep at the movies, that could've been a problem -- plus the seats were so wide, I had no place to put my elbows. (I've been trained to be a sardine, obviously.)
The movie was good, but I'd probably built it up too much in my mind. Todd and I started laughing at the "cave sniffer" and a lady behind us joined in, but we were the only ones who thought that was hilarious.
Oh, and the mutant crocodiles were a tad random.
Linda and shared a queen sized bed at Todd's, and I was concerned. See, I toss and turn, and when I toss, I turn emphatically. Meanwhile, Linda has restless leg syndrome, and her leg twitches like a metronome all night.....drives me nuts.
But we were fine, and we're thinking maybe with current mattresses, we could share a king-size bed at home instead of two singles shoved together. That would be awesome.
So, slept pretty well.
But hungover.
It's funny. Todd doesn't have a T.V. even though he has two roommates and their girlfriends. But they have an I-pod playing all day, morning, noon, and night. Different. *** (Later, turns out he does have a T.V. downstairs, but it's just local broadcast. Watched Hercule Poirot which was fun.)
Today we're going to Edgefield McMinamins, which will be a real challenge to my phobia, especially since I'm slightly hungover. But, like I said, I'm determined to say yes, especially accompanied by people I know and like, because someday on trips it will be Linda and Me and I'll want to see these types of places, and eat in these kinds of places -- so I may as well become accustomed to the experiences now.
Sunday.
Huge crowds, beer around every corner, and lots of funky art.
We ate in a kind of beer garden, snagged a table near the reservation booth and told the waitress we'd move if anyone needed it. Ended up being our table.
People watching -- big time. Lots of interesting and beautiful people. I tell you what, if I could get through that situation and not feel panicked, then maybe I just don't feel panicked anymore. It helps to down a couple of brews. I started with Ruby Red and stuck with it.
This was one busy place, and employs a whole lot of young people. What a formula.
You know what this agoraphobic person(former?) likes? Fitting in. Not really being noticed.
Maybe I'm succeeding. The couple next door started talking to us, and we were having a good conversation until the lady came back to the table with a newspaper she had found and started moaning about inheritance tax.
"As long as it isn't over a million dollars," I said. "I don't much care."
"Yeah, but you probably have a million dollars," the woman insisted, "if you add up everything."
"Well," I laughed. ".....999,999.99." ( I'm joking, I'm joking!)
"But I really don't want to talk politics." I said.
She continued on.
"Really, I don't want to talk about politics."
She went on.
"Well, actually, " I said, pointing at my wife. "SHE'S a COMMUNIST."
Linda just grinned and didn't deny it.
I think we quit talking a little bit after that.
But, hey! I think I was fitting in! At least for awhile.
Got to Portland on Saturday in time to help Todd clean up the garden in front of his house. I actually dug in and enjoyed it. Showed him my skills, man. We had that front yard looking good. He gave me a couple shoots of curly willow to take home, and some chive plants.
We figured out that The Cave of Forgotten Dreams was in 3-D, even though the paper didn't say.
Neither Todd or Linda had any idea what the movie was about.
"Two words -- mutant crocodiles." (Well, I wasn't exactly lying and I got them to go along.)
We had dinner at Kenny and Zukes. I ordered a corned beef Reuben sandwich, because I love Rubens and I don't eat corned beef much, but I think it was a bit of a failed experiment. I should have stuck to pastrami Reuben.
Todd and I shared a pitcher of beer. We probably would've been just fine with a single beer each, so we rushed to not waste it. A nice leisurely glass through the meal, then we (mostly I) gulped down the rest before walking across the street to the theater. Since I hardly drink anymore, I think I've lost my ability to gauge how much I will consume.
(By the way, I simply can't remember the name Kenny and Zukes, and had to ask twice just while writing this....)
I'm determined not to say no whenever anyone wants to go to a restaurant -- I want to get over this phobia little by little. One trick that helps me, is I ask for a table in the rear of the establishment and then I turn my back to the room. Artificial privacy. (They never seem that surprised when I ask, even though it almost always is near the noisy entrance exits to the kitchen -- must be other people who ask for it.)
Anyway, we got to the Living Room Theaters. They had 3-D glasses piled near the door, and we snagged some (in the theater another middle aged couple seemed bewildered they didn't have glasses so I told them about the pile. Two other couples got up to get the glasses, and I felt in the 'know'. heh.) Bought a couple of more beers, as the smell of garlic wafted over the theater. ("Ah, the smell of garlic and movies...." I said to Linda.) The theater was almost TOO comfortable. If I was inclined to fall asleep at the movies, that could've been a problem -- plus the seats were so wide, I had no place to put my elbows. (I've been trained to be a sardine, obviously.)
The movie was good, but I'd probably built it up too much in my mind. Todd and I started laughing at the "cave sniffer" and a lady behind us joined in, but we were the only ones who thought that was hilarious.
Oh, and the mutant crocodiles were a tad random.
Linda and shared a queen sized bed at Todd's, and I was concerned. See, I toss and turn, and when I toss, I turn emphatically. Meanwhile, Linda has restless leg syndrome, and her leg twitches like a metronome all night.....drives me nuts.
But we were fine, and we're thinking maybe with current mattresses, we could share a king-size bed at home instead of two singles shoved together. That would be awesome.
So, slept pretty well.
But hungover.
It's funny. Todd doesn't have a T.V. even though he has two roommates and their girlfriends. But they have an I-pod playing all day, morning, noon, and night. Different. *** (Later, turns out he does have a T.V. downstairs, but it's just local broadcast. Watched Hercule Poirot which was fun.)
Today we're going to Edgefield McMinamins, which will be a real challenge to my phobia, especially since I'm slightly hungover. But, like I said, I'm determined to say yes, especially accompanied by people I know and like, because someday on trips it will be Linda and Me and I'll want to see these types of places, and eat in these kinds of places -- so I may as well become accustomed to the experiences now.
Sunday.
Huge crowds, beer around every corner, and lots of funky art.
We ate in a kind of beer garden, snagged a table near the reservation booth and told the waitress we'd move if anyone needed it. Ended up being our table.
People watching -- big time. Lots of interesting and beautiful people. I tell you what, if I could get through that situation and not feel panicked, then maybe I just don't feel panicked anymore. It helps to down a couple of brews. I started with Ruby Red and stuck with it.
This was one busy place, and employs a whole lot of young people. What a formula.
You know what this agoraphobic person(former?) likes? Fitting in. Not really being noticed.
Maybe I'm succeeding. The couple next door started talking to us, and we were having a good conversation until the lady came back to the table with a newspaper she had found and started moaning about inheritance tax.
"As long as it isn't over a million dollars," I said. "I don't much care."
"Yeah, but you probably have a million dollars," the woman insisted, "if you add up everything."
"Well," I laughed. ".....999,999.99." ( I'm joking, I'm joking!)
"But I really don't want to talk politics." I said.
She continued on.
"Really, I don't want to talk about politics."
She went on.
"Well, actually, " I said, pointing at my wife. "SHE'S a COMMUNIST."
Linda just grinned and didn't deny it.
I think we quit talking a little bit after that.
But, hey! I think I was fitting in! At least for awhile.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Easy Solution.
I'm just avoiding the downtown street closure events.
Letting my guys handle it.
I expect the streets to be closed every weekend from now on, so I'll be pleasantly surprised on any weekend when they aren't closed.
I think economically, they may be a bit of wash, nowadays, instead of a complete negative like they used to be. I'd still like to be just a store in a retail district instead of sideshow in a circus, but there you go.
Friday was extraordinarily slow -- and once again I wonder if anticipation of (before the event) and satisfaction from (after the event) keep customer counts down. But, hey, I'm assured that the events create future customers, so that can't be right.
A -- mild -- rant this year, HBM.
Postscript. We had a big day on Saturday and a better than average day on Sunday, after a pretty horrid week, so the weekend helped. Stop my bitchin'? Not just yet. I'm still not convinced that overall they are a great idea, even when they come through once in a while.
Letting my guys handle it.
I expect the streets to be closed every weekend from now on, so I'll be pleasantly surprised on any weekend when they aren't closed.
I think economically, they may be a bit of wash, nowadays, instead of a complete negative like they used to be. I'd still like to be just a store in a retail district instead of sideshow in a circus, but there you go.
Friday was extraordinarily slow -- and once again I wonder if anticipation of (before the event) and satisfaction from (after the event) keep customer counts down. But, hey, I'm assured that the events create future customers, so that can't be right.
A -- mild -- rant this year, HBM.
Postscript. We had a big day on Saturday and a better than average day on Sunday, after a pretty horrid week, so the weekend helped. Stop my bitchin'? Not just yet. I'm still not convinced that overall they are a great idea, even when they come through once in a while.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
A bookstore in a non-reading world is a tough road.
Why does it bother me that so few people read? Why does it bother me that so few kids read?
As I've said before, if parents bought books as often as they bought candy, I'd be a wealthy man.
But, ultimately, it's none of my business. I tell myself everyday before I go to work. I don't depend on those dollars, I haven't depended on those dollars for years.
Linda says she has a different perspective -- probably because the people who come into her store are there specifically for books.
But being downtown, I see hordes of people walk by my table of books without so much as a glance.
On Friday, I had 90 people in, about 30 of which were kids, and not one kid looked at a book that I could see. Not one parent offered to buy their kid a book. Not one. (I heard multiple mentions of toys and candy and video games.)
Shudder. Twitch.
Like I said, none of my business.
Update: Yesterday was pretty good. I think it really helps to have my cheerful young guys there when these events are happening.
A weird week: 4 days down by half, 2 days double normal, which is -- average.
As I've said before, if parents bought books as often as they bought candy, I'd be a wealthy man.
But, ultimately, it's none of my business. I tell myself everyday before I go to work. I don't depend on those dollars, I haven't depended on those dollars for years.
Linda says she has a different perspective -- probably because the people who come into her store are there specifically for books.
But being downtown, I see hordes of people walk by my table of books without so much as a glance.
On Friday, I had 90 people in, about 30 of which were kids, and not one kid looked at a book that I could see. Not one parent offered to buy their kid a book. Not one. (I heard multiple mentions of toys and candy and video games.)
Shudder. Twitch.
Like I said, none of my business.
Update: Yesterday was pretty good. I think it really helps to have my cheerful young guys there when these events are happening.
A weird week: 4 days down by half, 2 days double normal, which is -- average.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Movie talk.
An IMAX in Bend?
Cool.
But it won't be any use unless they're willing to show other than Hollywood blockbusters there.
I was hoping that after the fourth or fifth week of Pirates of the C., they'd transfer Cave of Forgotten Dreams to a 3-D theater. (Hell, if you haven't seen P of C by now, you probably don't care.) (O.K. just checked, P of C isn't in 3-D anymore, but Thor still is -- same diff.)
I am literally going to go to Portland to see the movie, just because every review I read raved about the 3-D.
Bend is sort of weird about independent movies. "Oh, all right. If we must. But we'll stick it in the smallest, oldest theaters and we'll bring it in week's after everyone else and we'll let you see it for a week, maybe two, and then it's gone, baby, gone."
Then again, twenty years ago we almost never got the smaller films at all, so I probably shouldn't complain.
Speaking of which, Linda and I saw Midnight in Paris, which was fun. I wish Woody went for more than superficial versions of Stein and Hemingway, et al, but I really enjoyed his vision of both past era's, which are two of my favorite artistic times.
**********
Cool.
But it won't be any use unless they're willing to show other than Hollywood blockbusters there.
I was hoping that after the fourth or fifth week of Pirates of the C., they'd transfer Cave of Forgotten Dreams to a 3-D theater. (Hell, if you haven't seen P of C by now, you probably don't care.) (O.K. just checked, P of C isn't in 3-D anymore, but Thor still is -- same diff.)
I am literally going to go to Portland to see the movie, just because every review I read raved about the 3-D.
Bend is sort of weird about independent movies. "Oh, all right. If we must. But we'll stick it in the smallest, oldest theaters and we'll bring it in week's after everyone else and we'll let you see it for a week, maybe two, and then it's gone, baby, gone."
Then again, twenty years ago we almost never got the smaller films at all, so I probably shouldn't complain.
Speaking of which, Linda and I saw Midnight in Paris, which was fun. I wish Woody went for more than superficial versions of Stein and Hemingway, et al, but I really enjoyed his vision of both past era's, which are two of my favorite artistic times.
**********
Friday, June 24, 2011
The store money is not your money.
I'm careful not to mistake the store money for my money.
I figured this out early on.
So I might have a really good day, like yesterday, and have a stack of twenties and fifties and feel really prosperous. Except I don't. It has no emotional resonance for me at all. Because it's way too easy to summon up a vision of the stack of debt that stacks even higher.
The money is not my money.
During the height of the housing boom, I had people in the building trade ask why I didn't use some of that cash to invest in real estate.
You know, because it was a sure thing.
Well, I'd had my fill of "sure things." Sure things are NEVER sure things. Everytime I had overbought because it was a sure thing, eventually I would have an instance where I would lose all the money I'd made before....
But I'm sure that's what happened to the people at Summit 1031.
They probably started off thinking what a waste it was to have all the cash sitting in low-interest bearing accounts. They should invest a little in the market, and make some money with it!
It's a sure thing!
Then as they watched their real estate investments skyrocket in value, they thought, why not take a little out to spend? There is so much more than we actually owe.
What amazes me that there are STILL people who are defending these guys.
Hell, the store money IS mine in the sense that the risk is all mine. That is, if I take from the store and the store fails, I pay the penalty. (Well, so do the suppliers and the rest, I guess.)
Anyway, it's just poor impulse control.
But in the case the Summit people: IT WASN'T THEIR MONEY!
There is no real excuse.
I figured this out early on.
So I might have a really good day, like yesterday, and have a stack of twenties and fifties and feel really prosperous. Except I don't. It has no emotional resonance for me at all. Because it's way too easy to summon up a vision of the stack of debt that stacks even higher.
The money is not my money.
During the height of the housing boom, I had people in the building trade ask why I didn't use some of that cash to invest in real estate.
You know, because it was a sure thing.
Well, I'd had my fill of "sure things." Sure things are NEVER sure things. Everytime I had overbought because it was a sure thing, eventually I would have an instance where I would lose all the money I'd made before....
But I'm sure that's what happened to the people at Summit 1031.
They probably started off thinking what a waste it was to have all the cash sitting in low-interest bearing accounts. They should invest a little in the market, and make some money with it!
It's a sure thing!
Then as they watched their real estate investments skyrocket in value, they thought, why not take a little out to spend? There is so much more than we actually owe.
What amazes me that there are STILL people who are defending these guys.
Hell, the store money IS mine in the sense that the risk is all mine. That is, if I take from the store and the store fails, I pay the penalty. (Well, so do the suppliers and the rest, I guess.)
Anyway, it's just poor impulse control.
But in the case the Summit people: IT WASN'T THEIR MONEY!
There is no real excuse.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The "Housing Bubble" got us a home.
This is something I've never heard talked about. But did the housing bubble actually get people into homes they wouldn't have gotten otherwise?
(But which they could actually afford if they were disciplined?)
Linda and my combined income for each of the years 2001, 2002, and 2003, was almost exactly 30,000.00. That's literally, two minimum wage jobs. (Hence, the title of this blog.)
By late 2003, it was time to buy a house, I agreed finally with Linda, but I didn't want to be house poor, or have a house that constantly needed fixing.
I expected to be turned down. Or, at best, to get a house that wasn't much better than a trailer.
But they call them "starter" houses for a reason.
But we had a couple things going for us. We had a minimum 10% down cash -- depending on the house -- and despite our troubles with credit cards, to my great surprise, we still had pretty good credit scores, and we had zero debt.
But, of course, in hindsight, I can see that probably would've been given the mortgage even without those things. Because of the bubble.
We found a house that was much better than I could've expected -- in a nice neighborhood, about 20 years old but well kept up, and a third of an acre with great bones for landscaping and ...well, I was really surprised we qualified.
Thing is, Linda and I were more than willing to pay at least 50% of our income on housing -- even more, actually. I made double payments for a couple of years, so even though the value of the house has probably dropped below what we paid (at 2003 prices) we made a pretty good dent in the debt over the years.
And it's a nice house, a house we can live in for many years.
What I'm saying is, in the old days we wouldn't have qualified, or we wouldn't have qualified for as nice a house as we got.
One thing I knew, from our problems with credit cards, was that I didn't want any fancy financial shenanigans. I wanted a fixed, 30 year mortgage, taxes included.
I'm not saying we are paragons of discipline. We could just as easily got caught up in some of the more extreme bubble thinking IF -- I hadn't already been crushed by several bubbles in my business. Sports cards, comics, pogs, beanie babies, pokemon -- all had hammered me.
The credit card problems we had for a decade came from the fact that I fell for not just one, not just two, but three different bubbles.
By the time we bought the house I had been thoroughly humbled.
Still, looking back, I think we qualified for a nicer house than we would before or after the bubble. So in our case, it worked.
I wonder how many "little people" actually benefited...
(But which they could actually afford if they were disciplined?)
Linda and my combined income for each of the years 2001, 2002, and 2003, was almost exactly 30,000.00. That's literally, two minimum wage jobs. (Hence, the title of this blog.)
By late 2003, it was time to buy a house, I agreed finally with Linda, but I didn't want to be house poor, or have a house that constantly needed fixing.
I expected to be turned down. Or, at best, to get a house that wasn't much better than a trailer.
But they call them "starter" houses for a reason.
But we had a couple things going for us. We had a minimum 10% down cash -- depending on the house -- and despite our troubles with credit cards, to my great surprise, we still had pretty good credit scores, and we had zero debt.
But, of course, in hindsight, I can see that probably would've been given the mortgage even without those things. Because of the bubble.
We found a house that was much better than I could've expected -- in a nice neighborhood, about 20 years old but well kept up, and a third of an acre with great bones for landscaping and ...well, I was really surprised we qualified.
Thing is, Linda and I were more than willing to pay at least 50% of our income on housing -- even more, actually. I made double payments for a couple of years, so even though the value of the house has probably dropped below what we paid (at 2003 prices) we made a pretty good dent in the debt over the years.
And it's a nice house, a house we can live in for many years.
What I'm saying is, in the old days we wouldn't have qualified, or we wouldn't have qualified for as nice a house as we got.
One thing I knew, from our problems with credit cards, was that I didn't want any fancy financial shenanigans. I wanted a fixed, 30 year mortgage, taxes included.
I'm not saying we are paragons of discipline. We could just as easily got caught up in some of the more extreme bubble thinking IF -- I hadn't already been crushed by several bubbles in my business. Sports cards, comics, pogs, beanie babies, pokemon -- all had hammered me.
The credit card problems we had for a decade came from the fact that I fell for not just one, not just two, but three different bubbles.
By the time we bought the house I had been thoroughly humbled.
Still, looking back, I think we qualified for a nicer house than we would before or after the bubble. So in our case, it worked.
I wonder how many "little people" actually benefited...
Thursday tids.
I cut my web-scrolling finger lifting the air conditioner in our bedroom in place.
I'll fight though the pain to write this blog. The sacrifices I make!
**********
People kept recommending to me the Hugo nominated book, FEED, by Mira Grant.
I knew it was about a zombie plague. What I didn't expect was that was about bloggers and media and politics. Using the zombie plague and the response of the government and the media as a method to explore bigger themes such as civil liberties and truth to power.
The conceit is that bloggers were the first to notice the zombies and report on them and those people who believed the bloggers instead of the mass media (who scoffed and ridiculed the reports) survived.
Because, like you know, I'd totally tell you the minute I saw a zombie.
There goes one now!
**********
I dreamed last night that I found a cave with 50 fire breathing dragons. They were going to grow exponentially unless we sacrificed a virgin to them.
"And you couldn't find one?" Linda suggested.
**********
Came home yesterday to garden, but it way too hot.
***********
We finally hooked up our streaming Netflix and finally got our wifi at home working again, thanks to our friend Aaron.
I've abandoned the cranky old desktop computer (it was even beginning to weeze and rattle) and I am writing this on my Apple laptop. Which will be my new home computer.
My traveling computer is probably going to be a smaller, cheaper PC notebook, which I believe I can get for a couple hundred dollars. All I need or want from the thing is the ability to pick up the internet and to write.... (A PC because I like the Solitaire program.)
***********
I'm glad COVA is so optimistic about this summer's tourism. I'm kind of pessimistic based on current trends, and based on last year.
I am seeing quite a few people in the door, but they don't seem to want to open their wallets.
Lots of ones and fives in the register, instead of tens and twenties -- which for me is a sign that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. It means I've had good foot-traffic but people are buying the smallest things possible.
I wonder sometimes if it's "guilt" money -- though I suspect that I'm the only one who thinks that way (probably because I own a store and know how it feels) -- going into a store and not spending money there always makes me feel slightly guilty. That probably is not the way most people actually think.
Anyway, the finances of the store are all in order, so I'll accept whatever level of sales comes our way.
**********
I had a blog reader in yesterday, who said that when he talks to other people about my store, they all thought I owned the building.
Seriously?
Do I need to change the title of this blog to: "No really -- this is the best minimum wage job a middle aged guy ever had.?"
Up until about 5 years ago, about the time I started writing this blog, I really, really earned minimum wage. The housing bubble was so crazy that we bought a house with two minimum wage jobs -- documented -- and a small inheritance.
Buying a commercial building is way out of reach, especially downtown.
Wouldn't it be nice.
So are they thinking about me that way because they can't figure out how I survive otherwise?
Heh.
I'll fight though the pain to write this blog. The sacrifices I make!
**********
People kept recommending to me the Hugo nominated book, FEED, by Mira Grant.
I knew it was about a zombie plague. What I didn't expect was that was about bloggers and media and politics. Using the zombie plague and the response of the government and the media as a method to explore bigger themes such as civil liberties and truth to power.
The conceit is that bloggers were the first to notice the zombies and report on them and those people who believed the bloggers instead of the mass media (who scoffed and ridiculed the reports) survived.
Because, like you know, I'd totally tell you the minute I saw a zombie.
There goes one now!
**********
I dreamed last night that I found a cave with 50 fire breathing dragons. They were going to grow exponentially unless we sacrificed a virgin to them.
"And you couldn't find one?" Linda suggested.
**********
Came home yesterday to garden, but it way too hot.
***********
We finally hooked up our streaming Netflix and finally got our wifi at home working again, thanks to our friend Aaron.
I've abandoned the cranky old desktop computer (it was even beginning to weeze and rattle) and I am writing this on my Apple laptop. Which will be my new home computer.
My traveling computer is probably going to be a smaller, cheaper PC notebook, which I believe I can get for a couple hundred dollars. All I need or want from the thing is the ability to pick up the internet and to write.... (A PC because I like the Solitaire program.)
***********
I'm glad COVA is so optimistic about this summer's tourism. I'm kind of pessimistic based on current trends, and based on last year.
I am seeing quite a few people in the door, but they don't seem to want to open their wallets.
Lots of ones and fives in the register, instead of tens and twenties -- which for me is a sign that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. It means I've had good foot-traffic but people are buying the smallest things possible.
I wonder sometimes if it's "guilt" money -- though I suspect that I'm the only one who thinks that way (probably because I own a store and know how it feels) -- going into a store and not spending money there always makes me feel slightly guilty. That probably is not the way most people actually think.
Anyway, the finances of the store are all in order, so I'll accept whatever level of sales comes our way.
**********
I had a blog reader in yesterday, who said that when he talks to other people about my store, they all thought I owned the building.
Seriously?
Do I need to change the title of this blog to: "No really -- this is the best minimum wage job a middle aged guy ever had.?"
Up until about 5 years ago, about the time I started writing this blog, I really, really earned minimum wage. The housing bubble was so crazy that we bought a house with two minimum wage jobs -- documented -- and a small inheritance.
Buying a commercial building is way out of reach, especially downtown.
Wouldn't it be nice.
So are they thinking about me that way because they can't figure out how I survive otherwise?
Heh.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Gardening entries; long.
I am really proud of the garden. It took time, but I’ve finally got the beginnings of a nice garden, maybe even a show-off garden someday. I know it’s probably weird for a 58 year old guy to think his Mom would be proud of him — but you have to understand what gardening meant to Libby McGeary. She was kind of a legendary gardener around here, and I think she always thought I was the most likely child to really pick up the gardening bug.
Well, it took a long time, but I think I have. I didn’t own my own property until about 7 years ago, and we had to do some of the physical changes to the house — like the porches and patios and the new roof, before we could do much more. I was able to transplant some of the plants from our previous residence, and buy some plants each year and do some gardening, but meanwhile, I had a big huge pile of dirt in the backyard and a lawn in front that was mostly weeds.
Last year, we finally put the new lawns in, and the automatic sprinkler system, and I suddenly I felt free to go for it.
Each gardening session starts off with a few easy tasks, like weeding, and then get more ambitious as the day goes on, and after 3 or 4 hours, I’m amazed by how much I’ve done.
I hate to say it, but it also helps that I can actually afford to garden. And that I’m getting time off. Both would seem to be prerequisites….
I planted the two lilacs against the back fence, and in a few years they should be tall enough to give us some privacy.
The guy who put in the lawn and sprinkler came by to fix it today, (loose wires and such), and all is working. He had the great idea of my putting arboreums on the OUTSIDE of the fence. Linda had vetoed evergreens, and I sort of agreed, but I wouldn’t mind getting the privacy shield and still keeping the gardening space inside.
So one final major purchase this year.
I admit, I’ve spent a bunch of money, but I’m really having fun with it. I’m putting in the physical labor, which would probably the most expensive part of the process, and once in place, I’ll just keep transplanting these plants in different combinations, and maybe try a couple of new things every year.. I could even start going to seed. I mean, use seeds. And like I said, I’m amazed by how much has gotten done now that I’m actually doing it.
It really doesn’t take as long as all that. I’ve probably had about ten 3 hour sessions this spring and summer, and I got a heck of a lot accomplished. I think my Mom probably did 30 hours a week in the garden, if not more. During the growing season, she was probably out there from dawn to dusk.
I have a full third of an acre, and good bones. Rock piles and juniper. The junipers are a problem, maybe, but I’ve worked around them, and tried to incorporate them. There is a natural boundary right now between the settled garden and what Linda calls “the wild side.” (She even has a sign that says, “A Walk On The Wild Side.” (Which our son, Todd, created.)
Right now, I have to beginnings of three paths that will lead into the wild side. I have the rest of my life, knock wood, to extend the paths and colonize. I’m intending to save some of the bitter brush and natural plants. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a garden that does that, but if you can’t do that in Bend, where can you?
I’ve got a magnificent rock pile at the end of the patio, and I’m going to colonize all the nocks and crannies with hens and chicks and other succulents.
I’ve used up most of the compost — I think I have enough to plant the boxwoods at the base of the patio, and fill in some holes here and there. Besides, I think I’m mostly through for the year as far as the big stuff. I’m going to clear away a bunch of grass tomorrow and follow the rock ridge that naturally follows the contour of the yard and garden.
Then I’m going to throw a packet of “wild flower seeds” around and see what happens.
From June 1, 2011:
My garden has been moving forward at a glacial pace.
But now that I have all the garden beds cleared, and I have my dumpload of soil to add in, I'm ready to start planting.
When we bought the house in early 2004, we knew that we were going to need to redo the patio, taking away a giant stairway and adding a wraparound porch to our bedroom. That was going to completely reshape the gardening space, so I held off on the gardening.
The backyard was basically a weed infested dirtpile.
I started working at eliminating the weeds, yard by yard. Going down a couple of feet and pulling every little bit of it out. About two years in, we accomplished our new porch and patio. I kept working on the backyard.
When we first moved in, I cleared enough gardening space on the left of the backyard to transplant the flowers from the garden I'd planted at our rental.
Then, over the years, we bought a few plants from nurseries and chainstores. (The chainstore plants didn't do well -- my bad.)
So we have had a garden all along, and it seems to be doing O.K. It was very Darwinian at first -- some plants really didn't do well at all under the Juniper trees, others didn't seem affected, still others suffered for awhile then rebounded.
On our sixth year, we had our roof done. And most importantly, we had new lawns put in back and in front. With a sprinkler system.
So I spent most of the rest of last year and this spring clearing away all the potential garden beds.
In building the front porch and the back patio's -- we had cut away a fair amount of shrubbery; overgrown and clotted potentilla's and juniper evergreens. So we have quite a bit of empty space.
I have all but about 10 sq. ft. of the backyard cleared; and all but about 10 sq. ft. of the front yard.
Last year we bought a drooping tree for the front of the steps -- I don't remember the name (Linda says it's a weeping pear -- no fruit). We put a bright yellow Dart's Gold Eastern Ninebark next to it. (Too close -- a constant problem with me, that I'm trying hard to correct.) That took care of the side of the stairs facing the street.
Along the side of the steps, we have an apple tree (very colorful this time of year) but otherwise it is bare. So this season, I chose Yellowtwig Dogwood, mostly because I liked the variegated leaves.
I bought some bright yellow Lydia Broom shrubs to plant in front of the Dogwood, but realized that -- along with the Dart's Gold-- it was WAY too much yellow. I moved them to the other side of the yard.
In fact, when I laid out the plants, I realized that I had too much yellow altogether; not enough red or whites, and hardly any blue (except for the forget me nots).
"Honey, we have to got back and buy some more colors. Let's stick to small plants..."
So off we went, and Linda saw some Bleeding Hearts, so we grabbed a couple of those, and then a really cool owl statue....
Once again, we went way, way over budget.
Went back and started planting. About half way through, I decided to only plant about 60% of the flowers I'd intended to use. I decided to give each plant plenty of space, so that in about 2 years, everything will fill in nicely. Plus, I decided that I'd plant each species of perennial in both the front and back yards,
Well, it took a long time, but I think I have. I didn’t own my own property until about 7 years ago, and we had to do some of the physical changes to the house — like the porches and patios and the new roof, before we could do much more. I was able to transplant some of the plants from our previous residence, and buy some plants each year and do some gardening, but meanwhile, I had a big huge pile of dirt in the backyard and a lawn in front that was mostly weeds.
Last year, we finally put the new lawns in, and the automatic sprinkler system, and I suddenly I felt free to go for it.
Each gardening session starts off with a few easy tasks, like weeding, and then get more ambitious as the day goes on, and after 3 or 4 hours, I’m amazed by how much I’ve done.
I hate to say it, but it also helps that I can actually afford to garden. And that I’m getting time off. Both would seem to be prerequisites….
I planted the two lilacs against the back fence, and in a few years they should be tall enough to give us some privacy.
The guy who put in the lawn and sprinkler came by to fix it today, (loose wires and such), and all is working. He had the great idea of my putting arboreums on the OUTSIDE of the fence. Linda had vetoed evergreens, and I sort of agreed, but I wouldn’t mind getting the privacy shield and still keeping the gardening space inside.
So one final major purchase this year.
I admit, I’ve spent a bunch of money, but I’m really having fun with it. I’m putting in the physical labor, which would probably the most expensive part of the process, and once in place, I’ll just keep transplanting these plants in different combinations, and maybe try a couple of new things every year.. I could even start going to seed. I mean, use seeds. And like I said, I’m amazed by how much has gotten done now that I’m actually doing it.
It really doesn’t take as long as all that. I’ve probably had about ten 3 hour sessions this spring and summer, and I got a heck of a lot accomplished. I think my Mom probably did 30 hours a week in the garden, if not more. During the growing season, she was probably out there from dawn to dusk.
I have a full third of an acre, and good bones. Rock piles and juniper. The junipers are a problem, maybe, but I’ve worked around them, and tried to incorporate them. There is a natural boundary right now between the settled garden and what Linda calls “the wild side.” (She even has a sign that says, “A Walk On The Wild Side.” (Which our son, Todd, created.)
Right now, I have to beginnings of three paths that will lead into the wild side. I have the rest of my life, knock wood, to extend the paths and colonize. I’m intending to save some of the bitter brush and natural plants. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a garden that does that, but if you can’t do that in Bend, where can you?
I’ve got a magnificent rock pile at the end of the patio, and I’m going to colonize all the nocks and crannies with hens and chicks and other succulents.
I’ve used up most of the compost — I think I have enough to plant the boxwoods at the base of the patio, and fill in some holes here and there. Besides, I think I’m mostly through for the year as far as the big stuff. I’m going to clear away a bunch of grass tomorrow and follow the rock ridge that naturally follows the contour of the yard and garden.
Then I’m going to throw a packet of “wild flower seeds” around and see what happens.
From June 1, 2011:
My garden has been moving forward at a glacial pace.
But now that I have all the garden beds cleared, and I have my dumpload of soil to add in, I'm ready to start planting.
When we bought the house in early 2004, we knew that we were going to need to redo the patio, taking away a giant stairway and adding a wraparound porch to our bedroom. That was going to completely reshape the gardening space, so I held off on the gardening.
The backyard was basically a weed infested dirtpile.
I started working at eliminating the weeds, yard by yard. Going down a couple of feet and pulling every little bit of it out. About two years in, we accomplished our new porch and patio. I kept working on the backyard.
When we first moved in, I cleared enough gardening space on the left of the backyard to transplant the flowers from the garden I'd planted at our rental.
Then, over the years, we bought a few plants from nurseries and chainstores. (The chainstore plants didn't do well -- my bad.)
So we have had a garden all along, and it seems to be doing O.K. It was very Darwinian at first -- some plants really didn't do well at all under the Juniper trees, others didn't seem affected, still others suffered for awhile then rebounded.
On our sixth year, we had our roof done. And most importantly, we had new lawns put in back and in front. With a sprinkler system.
So I spent most of the rest of last year and this spring clearing away all the potential garden beds.
In building the front porch and the back patio's -- we had cut away a fair amount of shrubbery; overgrown and clotted potentilla's and juniper evergreens. So we have quite a bit of empty space.
I have all but about 10 sq. ft. of the backyard cleared; and all but about 10 sq. ft. of the front yard.
Last year we bought a drooping tree for the front of the steps -- I don't remember the name (Linda says it's a weeping pear -- no fruit). We put a bright yellow Dart's Gold Eastern Ninebark next to it. (Too close -- a constant problem with me, that I'm trying hard to correct.) That took care of the side of the stairs facing the street.
Along the side of the steps, we have an apple tree (very colorful this time of year) but otherwise it is bare. So this season, I chose Yellowtwig Dogwood, mostly because I liked the variegated leaves.
I bought some bright yellow Lydia Broom shrubs to plant in front of the Dogwood, but realized that -- along with the Dart's Gold-- it was WAY too much yellow. I moved them to the other side of the yard.
In fact, when I laid out the plants, I realized that I had too much yellow altogether; not enough red or whites, and hardly any blue (except for the forget me nots).
"Honey, we have to got back and buy some more colors. Let's stick to small plants..."
So off we went, and Linda saw some Bleeding Hearts, so we grabbed a couple of those, and then a really cool owl statue....
Once again, we went way, way over budget.
Went back and started planting. About half way through, I decided to only plant about 60% of the flowers I'd intended to use. I decided to give each plant plenty of space, so that in about 2 years, everything will fill in nicely. Plus, I decided that I'd plant each species of perennial in both the front and back yards,
A measure of success I can hope to obtain.
"'Phenomenal' return: Three salmon back to damn so far." Bulletin, 6/22/11.
Gee. If only all endeavors could be termed a 'phenomenal' success with only a 3/10th of 1% return rate!
**********
"Paying admission at the bookstore."
This would seem like a bad idea.
However, I'm sympathetic since the last signing I did (and the last signing I'll ever do) had a huge turnout -- and minimal sales.
I had just assumed the attendees would reward the writer (and the store) for the effort....
**********
Global Insights, the same people who predicted we were the most overpriced market in the U.S.A. during the bubble, are saying we won't have the same level of jobs in Bend as before the crash until 2021.
2021.
I'm just going to hold my breath and make a big wish!
I think the best thing for a business to do in Bend is not expect improvement, maybe even plan for further downturns. Sad, but true.
But hey! everyone says to me. Look at all the new businesses downtown!
Thing is, they are NEW businesses. Ask yourself what happened to the old businesses....
**********
The sprinkler guy got the system up and working again. I planted the two lilacs and the rest of the plants, filled in the rest of the dirt, and it looks really good.
This garden could be show-off worthy in a couple more years.
I have a couple of huge, enormously long and detailed blogs about all the plants and the process...which I might post soon, with a warning. I don't know that it will be all that interesting to most people. But I wrote them, and the internet is large, so just ignore them if you please.
Gee. If only all endeavors could be termed a 'phenomenal' success with only a 3/10th of 1% return rate!
**********
"Paying admission at the bookstore."
This would seem like a bad idea.
However, I'm sympathetic since the last signing I did (and the last signing I'll ever do) had a huge turnout -- and minimal sales.
I had just assumed the attendees would reward the writer (and the store) for the effort....
**********
Global Insights, the same people who predicted we were the most overpriced market in the U.S.A. during the bubble, are saying we won't have the same level of jobs in Bend as before the crash until 2021.
2021.
I'm just going to hold my breath and make a big wish!
I think the best thing for a business to do in Bend is not expect improvement, maybe even plan for further downturns. Sad, but true.
But hey! everyone says to me. Look at all the new businesses downtown!
Thing is, they are NEW businesses. Ask yourself what happened to the old businesses....
**********
The sprinkler guy got the system up and working again. I planted the two lilacs and the rest of the plants, filled in the rest of the dirt, and it looks really good.
This garden could be show-off worthy in a couple more years.
I have a couple of huge, enormously long and detailed blogs about all the plants and the process...which I might post soon, with a warning. I don't know that it will be all that interesting to most people. But I wrote them, and the internet is large, so just ignore them if you please.
I have a book. The same book you have.
Imagine that I walk into your house, and on the table I see an I-pad, a Kindle or a Nook.
Imagine that I walk into your neighbor's house, and on the table I see an I-pad, a Kindle or a Nook.
Imagine that I walk into your brother's house, and on the table I see an I-pad, a Kindle or a Nook.
How bland. How Orwellian. How....shudder, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Imagine that you walk into my house, and on a bookshelf are Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. A batch of mysteries. A book about ancient Rome, another one about gardening, and so on and so forth.
How interesting. How human. How individualistic.
Or how about this.
I walk into your kitchen, and in the cupboard is a box of pills. There's a red one for spaghetti, a green one for salad, a blue one for steak, and so on.
I assure you these pills taste every bit as good as the best gourmet meals, plus they are easy and cheap to buy.
Imagine I walk into your neighbor's house, and there in the cupboard is a box of pills. There's a red one, a green one, a blue one and so on.
What do I know about you? How bland. How uninteresting.
Imagine, if you will, that I walk into your living room, and there is a table. It's a beautiful table that does everything a table should do, it was delivered to your door, and it was ultra cheap.
Imagine I walk into your brother's house and he has the same table and it its beautiful and functional and cheap and convenient.
I hope and believe that individuality will emerge. That people like owning things, showing what they like and don't like, showing that they read certain books, being reminded of those books daily, surrounded by those books.
The problem, as I see it, is the majority of books that we read that we don't feel the need to keep. The e-readers function very well for your average pot-boiler that you're reading on summer vacation.
How do we keep the physical books around when 80% of the books purchased are digital? How do we keep the physical publishers, distributors, and book sellers in existence, for those of us who want to own the real thing?
My question is -- in your rush (you-all) to buy digital, are you going to force me to be like you? To have that I-pad, that Kindle or Nook on my table? Are you going to force me to search even harder for the real book, and pay much more for it?
Probably.
Welcome to pod world.
Imagine that I walk into your neighbor's house, and on the table I see an I-pad, a Kindle or a Nook.
Imagine that I walk into your brother's house, and on the table I see an I-pad, a Kindle or a Nook.
How bland. How Orwellian. How....shudder, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Imagine that you walk into my house, and on a bookshelf are Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. A batch of mysteries. A book about ancient Rome, another one about gardening, and so on and so forth.
How interesting. How human. How individualistic.
Or how about this.
I walk into your kitchen, and in the cupboard is a box of pills. There's a red one for spaghetti, a green one for salad, a blue one for steak, and so on.
I assure you these pills taste every bit as good as the best gourmet meals, plus they are easy and cheap to buy.
Imagine I walk into your neighbor's house, and there in the cupboard is a box of pills. There's a red one, a green one, a blue one and so on.
What do I know about you? How bland. How uninteresting.
Imagine, if you will, that I walk into your living room, and there is a table. It's a beautiful table that does everything a table should do, it was delivered to your door, and it was ultra cheap.
Imagine I walk into your brother's house and he has the same table and it its beautiful and functional and cheap and convenient.
I hope and believe that individuality will emerge. That people like owning things, showing what they like and don't like, showing that they read certain books, being reminded of those books daily, surrounded by those books.
The problem, as I see it, is the majority of books that we read that we don't feel the need to keep. The e-readers function very well for your average pot-boiler that you're reading on summer vacation.
How do we keep the physical books around when 80% of the books purchased are digital? How do we keep the physical publishers, distributors, and book sellers in existence, for those of us who want to own the real thing?
My question is -- in your rush (you-all) to buy digital, are you going to force me to be like you? To have that I-pad, that Kindle or Nook on my table? Are you going to force me to search even harder for the real book, and pay much more for it?
Probably.
Welcome to pod world.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A book and a couch to sleep on.
There's a website I go to, called Rocket Bomber, which is written by a Barnes and Noble manager in Atlanta.
He's amazingly candid. I fear for his job if his corporate overlords ever read what he's saying.
Here's a line in his opening paragraphs of his current blog:
"Bookstore customers kind of suck, they unfairly hold bookstores to an impossible standard — a standard of service they don’t even hold internet book retailers to — and I don’t know how to fix it. (This is a rant; what did you expect?)"
Anyway, he complains about the things I would think a B & N manager would complain about,.
For instance, bums inhabiting his couches and restrooms.
I asked Linda this morning if she thought the couches and table at her store were a plus or a minus (Not that we would get rid of them -- for one thing, we need them for the groups that meet there.)
"Oh, I think they're a plus. It's where the non-readers go."
"What do you mean."
"If they don't have a place to go and look through picture books, they pester the readers they came with and so the readers buy less books."
"Huh. I never thought of that?"
Anyway, many of the B & N manager's complaints are the same complaints I would have if I was powerless to do anything about them. Fortunately for me, I can make changes that solve most problems.
I'm going to talk more about his rants later, because there are so many parallels and so many differences....
He's amazingly candid. I fear for his job if his corporate overlords ever read what he's saying.
Here's a line in his opening paragraphs of his current blog:
"Bookstore customers kind of suck, they unfairly hold bookstores to an impossible standard — a standard of service they don’t even hold internet book retailers to — and I don’t know how to fix it. (This is a rant; what did you expect?)"
Anyway, he complains about the things I would think a B & N manager would complain about,.
For instance, bums inhabiting his couches and restrooms.
I asked Linda this morning if she thought the couches and table at her store were a plus or a minus (Not that we would get rid of them -- for one thing, we need them for the groups that meet there.)
"Oh, I think they're a plus. It's where the non-readers go."
"What do you mean."
"If they don't have a place to go and look through picture books, they pester the readers they came with and so the readers buy less books."
"Huh. I never thought of that?"
Anyway, many of the B & N manager's complaints are the same complaints I would have if I was powerless to do anything about them. Fortunately for me, I can make changes that solve most problems.
I'm going to talk more about his rants later, because there are so many parallels and so many differences....
Monday, June 20, 2011
Happy Stepfather's Day!
Linda got me an I-Pad for Stepfather's Day. Which I'm going to loan to her to use as much as she wants. She loves the gadgets.
She shall be the Guardian of the I-Pad.
***********
What Bend cares about, based on number of comments to KTVZ articles:
animals and graffiti.
**********
Did the last stretch of weeding for the backyard yesterday. It was the last bit, because I kept putting it off. I think my subconscious knew something, because it was BY FAR the worst stretch of ground I have worked on. A tangle of roots.
But I've done 360 degree weeding, now.
We bought two five foot tall Ludwig lilacs, which can grow as high as 10'. (I've seen 15's around town.) At six inches growth per year, they should be providing the privacy screen I want in about 8 years -- just about the time I intend to be a full time gardener.
The guy at the nursery said it was the "year of the lilacs." A cool spring allowed enough delay for the buds to really develop.
I'm waiting at home today for the sprinkler guys, and hoping they can fix the system. I figure I'm about two sessions from finishing the big stuff for the year -- one to plant the lilacs and the other still potted plants, and one to do the sidestreet side of the house.
Turns out that 3 or 4 hour sessions in the garden, done consistently, is the way to go. Instead of two or three 10 hour sessions and weeks of recovery.
I need to spread the last fourth of the compost pile, and then resurface the gravel in front of the house -- I bought two cubic yards at the same time as the lilacs. (I would NEVER use gravel as a surface, but once you have it, you're kind of stuck with it...)
I'm glad I'm gardening, because it's keeping me out of the house and in the wind and sun and the smells and the feel of the earth and it gives me time to think about writing -- I got most of chapter 4 done yesterday. Also got my first glimmerings of the overall arc of the plot.
**********
I say "most" of chapter 4, because after I showered, I went down and popped a beer and began to finish it. Suddenly, it was 8:00 and we were going to miss The Killing and I took a break for that. Meanwhile, the one can of Tilt I drank completely discombobulated me.
My old habit of sitting down with a beer was 3.5 beer, and I would just use it to ease myself into a creative state. Using a beverage like Tilt just sort of blasted me past my goal, and I find myself looking back.
No more of that stuff. Sheesh.
Came down after the show, and did more writing, and then went up and watched the recorded Game of Thrones.
She shall be the Guardian of the I-Pad.
***********
What Bend cares about, based on number of comments to KTVZ articles:
animals and graffiti.
**********
Did the last stretch of weeding for the backyard yesterday. It was the last bit, because I kept putting it off. I think my subconscious knew something, because it was BY FAR the worst stretch of ground I have worked on. A tangle of roots.
But I've done 360 degree weeding, now.
We bought two five foot tall Ludwig lilacs, which can grow as high as 10'. (I've seen 15's around town.) At six inches growth per year, they should be providing the privacy screen I want in about 8 years -- just about the time I intend to be a full time gardener.
The guy at the nursery said it was the "year of the lilacs." A cool spring allowed enough delay for the buds to really develop.
I'm waiting at home today for the sprinkler guys, and hoping they can fix the system. I figure I'm about two sessions from finishing the big stuff for the year -- one to plant the lilacs and the other still potted plants, and one to do the sidestreet side of the house.
Turns out that 3 or 4 hour sessions in the garden, done consistently, is the way to go. Instead of two or three 10 hour sessions and weeks of recovery.
I need to spread the last fourth of the compost pile, and then resurface the gravel in front of the house -- I bought two cubic yards at the same time as the lilacs. (I would NEVER use gravel as a surface, but once you have it, you're kind of stuck with it...)
I'm glad I'm gardening, because it's keeping me out of the house and in the wind and sun and the smells and the feel of the earth and it gives me time to think about writing -- I got most of chapter 4 done yesterday. Also got my first glimmerings of the overall arc of the plot.
**********
I say "most" of chapter 4, because after I showered, I went down and popped a beer and began to finish it. Suddenly, it was 8:00 and we were going to miss The Killing and I took a break for that. Meanwhile, the one can of Tilt I drank completely discombobulated me.
My old habit of sitting down with a beer was 3.5 beer, and I would just use it to ease myself into a creative state. Using a beverage like Tilt just sort of blasted me past my goal, and I find myself looking back.
No more of that stuff. Sheesh.
Came down after the show, and did more writing, and then went up and watched the recorded Game of Thrones.
The pay off and the piss off.
The Game of Thrones and The Killing.
SPOILERS!!
O.K. Tell me the Game of Thrones didn't pay off, in spades. Great last episode. I was riveted and I read the book! Linda pulled down the book and read the last paragraph out loud, and the show just nailed it.
I liked the show all the way through, but it seemed a little plodding compared to the books. Now I think, like all good things, it just needed to wind up and prepare for the sheer power of the story. Bland camera movements, but you know what? I'm sick of jiggly camera's representing movement. Let the story speak for itself.
Terrific. A couple of times, it sent chills down my spine. When Jon Snow's friends proclaimed their oath, and the dragon unfurling at the end.
Can't wait for next year -- and can't wait for the fifth book.
The Killing.
Come on, really!?
To me this was like watching someone do the most obvious and easy things in very elaborate and sophisticated ways.
First thing I thought when they were talking gas mileage was -- what if the suspect got the car filled at the end of the drive instead of the beginning? But it took the two 'detectives' the whole show to figure that out.
The one detective's total betrayal came out of left field.
Too bad. Great atmosphere, great emotions, great acting, great editing.
Stupid plot.
I'll watch next year, because I'm a sucker.
SPOILERS!!
O.K. Tell me the Game of Thrones didn't pay off, in spades. Great last episode. I was riveted and I read the book! Linda pulled down the book and read the last paragraph out loud, and the show just nailed it.
I liked the show all the way through, but it seemed a little plodding compared to the books. Now I think, like all good things, it just needed to wind up and prepare for the sheer power of the story. Bland camera movements, but you know what? I'm sick of jiggly camera's representing movement. Let the story speak for itself.
Terrific. A couple of times, it sent chills down my spine. When Jon Snow's friends proclaimed their oath, and the dragon unfurling at the end.
Can't wait for next year -- and can't wait for the fifth book.
The Killing.
Come on, really!?
To me this was like watching someone do the most obvious and easy things in very elaborate and sophisticated ways.
First thing I thought when they were talking gas mileage was -- what if the suspect got the car filled at the end of the drive instead of the beginning? But it took the two 'detectives' the whole show to figure that out.
The one detective's total betrayal came out of left field.
Too bad. Great atmosphere, great emotions, great acting, great editing.
Stupid plot.
I'll watch next year, because I'm a sucker.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Stealing plants.
I was asking a friend if I could come by and steal a couple of plants out of her front yard.
"You won't even notice," I said. "I think I can dig up shoots that wouldn't change the look of your garden."
"Which plants?" she demanded.
"Seriously. You won't notice. But you might notice me out there with my shovel...."
I see plants all over the place that no one would notice or care were missing.
But, like I said, they might notice a guy with a shovel. I don't feel like going to jail for stealing plants.
But really...what harm would it do?
I know, I know. Plant lust.
I've got an idea for a non-profit. A plant exchange. Everyone brings in their overgrowth and trades it for someone else's overgrowth.
(The nurseries might not like that much -- I suppose....)
"You won't even notice," I said. "I think I can dig up shoots that wouldn't change the look of your garden."
"Which plants?" she demanded.
"Seriously. You won't notice. But you might notice me out there with my shovel...."
I see plants all over the place that no one would notice or care were missing.
But, like I said, they might notice a guy with a shovel. I don't feel like going to jail for stealing plants.
But really...what harm would it do?
I know, I know. Plant lust.
I've got an idea for a non-profit. A plant exchange. Everyone brings in their overgrowth and trades it for someone else's overgrowth.
(The nurseries might not like that much -- I suppose....)
Writing and gardening.
I'm getting kind of intrigued by the 'process' of writing -- fascinated by the many ways one can tell a story.
When I first started writing this new book, I had just finished reading a book where the chapters were short and punchy, and there was very little narrative. Currently, I'm reading a book that has long chapters, and is full of narrative. Both were good stories.
I'm also getting interested in the work 'habits.' One thing I learned in writing those seven manuscripts all those years ago is that HOW I go about writing was as important to the eventual results as the actual creative process of writing. I really hurt myself with bad habits. (Overwriting too soon, or too much, or not enough or....)
Now, for instance, when I'm not completely satisfied with my chapters, or I see that they need work, I just tell myself that I will be rewriting this whole thing when I'm finished. How and when I choose to rewrite is probably more important in some ways than having the original ideas and first draft.
And whether I can keep up my enthusiasm during the task. I'm telling myself to enjoy it as a process and an experiment.
**********
Our sprinkler system stopped working. I already had a couple of dead heads; and they weren't all reaching the new parts of the garden. We also had the landscaper create a drip hose system last year, but we didn't get it put in place -- I was supposed to call him when I was ready.
So he's coming Monday, and I'm hoping he can get all those problems solved.
I've been watering in three stages, which isn't really that big a deal. But if we ever want to go on trips in the hot months, we will need the sprinkler system.
I have one last little stretch of grass removal left to do.
When I remove invasive grass, I go a foot or two down and remove every little bit of root. It quite a bit more work, but once done, it's solves the grass problem -- as long as I keep up.
When I'm done there, I still have the last half of the side street to clear. I'm going to put my yucka plant babies over there, and be done. This part of our property is out of sight out of mind, but I still feel responsible for it.
Last step for now, is to try to fill two parts of the backyard that need some privacy screening. We've decided on using those purple lilac plants that can get 15 or 20 feet high. They are affordable, and I don't need outside help to plant them, they contour to the fence, and they grow fast and they look and smell nice.
After that, I want to let the garden mature for awhile before I make any more major changes.
Once again, I'm struck by the similarity of gardening and writing. They just seem to go together, somehow.
When I first started writing this new book, I had just finished reading a book where the chapters were short and punchy, and there was very little narrative. Currently, I'm reading a book that has long chapters, and is full of narrative. Both were good stories.
I'm also getting interested in the work 'habits.' One thing I learned in writing those seven manuscripts all those years ago is that HOW I go about writing was as important to the eventual results as the actual creative process of writing. I really hurt myself with bad habits. (Overwriting too soon, or too much, or not enough or....)
Now, for instance, when I'm not completely satisfied with my chapters, or I see that they need work, I just tell myself that I will be rewriting this whole thing when I'm finished. How and when I choose to rewrite is probably more important in some ways than having the original ideas and first draft.
And whether I can keep up my enthusiasm during the task. I'm telling myself to enjoy it as a process and an experiment.
**********
Our sprinkler system stopped working. I already had a couple of dead heads; and they weren't all reaching the new parts of the garden. We also had the landscaper create a drip hose system last year, but we didn't get it put in place -- I was supposed to call him when I was ready.
So he's coming Monday, and I'm hoping he can get all those problems solved.
I've been watering in three stages, which isn't really that big a deal. But if we ever want to go on trips in the hot months, we will need the sprinkler system.
I have one last little stretch of grass removal left to do.
When I remove invasive grass, I go a foot or two down and remove every little bit of root. It quite a bit more work, but once done, it's solves the grass problem -- as long as I keep up.
When I'm done there, I still have the last half of the side street to clear. I'm going to put my yucka plant babies over there, and be done. This part of our property is out of sight out of mind, but I still feel responsible for it.
Last step for now, is to try to fill two parts of the backyard that need some privacy screening. We've decided on using those purple lilac plants that can get 15 or 20 feet high. They are affordable, and I don't need outside help to plant them, they contour to the fence, and they grow fast and they look and smell nice.
After that, I want to let the garden mature for awhile before I make any more major changes.
Once again, I'm struck by the similarity of gardening and writing. They just seem to go together, somehow.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
I should be selling candy.
I chose the wrong business, I tell you.
Seems like every young family who came in over the last two days had bags of candy.
I've actually carried candy before, but I tend to eat up the profits. I can only stare at a candy bar for so long before it starts staring back at me. ("eat me!" it whispers...)
I know one thing -- if parents thought to feed their kids minds with books as much as they are willing to fill their stomachs with candy, I'd be a wealthy man.
(Still -- I'm thinking of giving in and carrying a variety of Costco candies -- and just try to be more disciplined. If you can't beat them, join them.)
Summer business has started -- sorta, kinda.
This week is what I term "transition week." The kids have just gotten out of school; they are transitioning to summer plans -- staying with the 'other' parent, camps, etc. etc. So actually quite a few locals, versus out-of-towners.
Next week we should start seeing more tourists and less at-loose-ends-locals.
It's always kind of a shock to be getting so many people in the door. Don't get me wrong, I still do most of my real business with regulars, but I'll sell the occasional this or that to tourists, enough to boost sales.
The lateness of the summer start is one of those things that have really changed over the last 20 years. Used to be, summer business would kick in right around Memorial Day and pretty much end at Labor Day.
Now, at least two or three weeks later for the start. And the end of summer has extended halfway into September. I think this is because the school year has shrunk the summer months, and we get older tourists taking advantage of the summer weather in September. Something like that.
The old 80/20 rule seems to be in play, though. 80% of the traffic flow accounts for 20% of the sales; and 20% of the traffic flow accounts for 80% of the sales.
It's just everything is at a higher level of activity. Not like the old days, where I'd do as much as 50% more business. It's much more moderate than that nowadays, but it's still helpful to catch up on the bills.
Last summer was the smallest boost I'd ever seen, so I've planned for a small boost this year, too.
It's all about the expectation.
Seems like every young family who came in over the last two days had bags of candy.
I've actually carried candy before, but I tend to eat up the profits. I can only stare at a candy bar for so long before it starts staring back at me. ("eat me!" it whispers...)
I know one thing -- if parents thought to feed their kids minds with books as much as they are willing to fill their stomachs with candy, I'd be a wealthy man.
(Still -- I'm thinking of giving in and carrying a variety of Costco candies -- and just try to be more disciplined. If you can't beat them, join them.)
Summer business has started -- sorta, kinda.
This week is what I term "transition week." The kids have just gotten out of school; they are transitioning to summer plans -- staying with the 'other' parent, camps, etc. etc. So actually quite a few locals, versus out-of-towners.
Next week we should start seeing more tourists and less at-loose-ends-locals.
It's always kind of a shock to be getting so many people in the door. Don't get me wrong, I still do most of my real business with regulars, but I'll sell the occasional this or that to tourists, enough to boost sales.
The lateness of the summer start is one of those things that have really changed over the last 20 years. Used to be, summer business would kick in right around Memorial Day and pretty much end at Labor Day.
Now, at least two or three weeks later for the start. And the end of summer has extended halfway into September. I think this is because the school year has shrunk the summer months, and we get older tourists taking advantage of the summer weather in September. Something like that.
The old 80/20 rule seems to be in play, though. 80% of the traffic flow accounts for 20% of the sales; and 20% of the traffic flow accounts for 80% of the sales.
It's just everything is at a higher level of activity. Not like the old days, where I'd do as much as 50% more business. It's much more moderate than that nowadays, but it's still helpful to catch up on the bills.
Last summer was the smallest boost I'd ever seen, so I've planned for a small boost this year, too.
It's all about the expectation.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Who you gonna believe?
Another ridiculous statement by a local realtor. Honestly, I hate to keep going there. I was going to make a blanket statement that the local media should put a moratorium on interviewing real estate agents about the real estate market.
"Hey, Mr. Used Car Salesman, are your cars any good?"
"Hey, Mr. Drug Pusher, are your drugs any good?"
You see the problem. But I'll forestall the suggestion. I don't suppose being a real estate agent precludes them being candid and truthful. I certainly wouldn't want the media not to interview me about books or comics just because I sell them.
If you are going to interview a real estate agent, it makes sense to have a counter opinion, which is what KTVZ does in this story.
HOUSING PREDICTOR WEBSITE: "...has predicted Bend’s housing prices will drop an average of 11.5 percent this year, topping their “Worst 25 Housing Markets” list ahead of Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Miami, all predicted to see a 10.8 percent price decline"
REAL ESTATE AGENT: "...he doesn’t believe the much-discussed “pending foreclosure flood” and further depreciation in some parts of the country will “be much of a factor here in Bend.”“With less than four months of housing inventory in Bend, buyers could use the extra inventory."
"BUYERS COULD USE THE EXTRA INVENTORY." Really. He said that.
"Hey, Mr. Used Car Salesman, are your cars any good?"
"Hey, Mr. Drug Pusher, are your drugs any good?"
You see the problem. But I'll forestall the suggestion. I don't suppose being a real estate agent precludes them being candid and truthful. I certainly wouldn't want the media not to interview me about books or comics just because I sell them.
If you are going to interview a real estate agent, it makes sense to have a counter opinion, which is what KTVZ does in this story.
HOUSING PREDICTOR WEBSITE: "...has predicted Bend’s housing prices will drop an average of 11.5 percent this year, topping their “Worst 25 Housing Markets” list ahead of Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Miami, all predicted to see a 10.8 percent price decline"
REAL ESTATE AGENT: "...he doesn’t believe the much-discussed “pending foreclosure flood” and further depreciation in some parts of the country will “be much of a factor here in Bend.”“With less than four months of housing inventory in Bend, buyers could use the extra inventory."
"BUYERS COULD USE THE EXTRA INVENTORY." Really. He said that.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Keep it simple.
This is a response to a post on another blog of a store owner who is feeling burnt out.
Keep it simple. Drop everything but the main stuff. Let it go. Don't worry about advertising and promotions; let word of mouth and location do the work for you. Say no to everything except the basics of your business.
It can be hard to say no.
It can be hard not to pursue every opportunity. It can be hard letting go of trying to be perfect.
Just say no.
Keep it simple. Every decision should include a cost/effectiveness measure -- and time, labor and space needs to be included in the cost.
Accept less money, if that is what it takes. Selling a little less, but saving your sanity is a fair trade.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: in my opinion just about as many businesses quit because of burn out than because of money.
Turn down the constant temptation of trying new things, changing old things, adding, adding, adding. Drop something if it isn't working.
In every case -- measure the FUTURE work load involved in every decision and realize you are ADDING to your future work load.
Do more of the stuff you like, but less of the stuff you don't like.
Just say no.
Let the product and service speak for itself. Concentrate on the important stuff -- like the quality of presentation, and the quality of the product and service. Let everything else go. Every contest, every promotion, every event, every meeting, every trip, every organization you join, that pulls you away is extra work.
Just say no.
If your product is good, you'll still be O.K.
Did I mention, keep it simple?
Dunc
Keep it simple. Drop everything but the main stuff. Let it go. Don't worry about advertising and promotions; let word of mouth and location do the work for you. Say no to everything except the basics of your business.
It can be hard to say no.
It can be hard not to pursue every opportunity. It can be hard letting go of trying to be perfect.
Just say no.
Keep it simple. Every decision should include a cost/effectiveness measure -- and time, labor and space needs to be included in the cost.
Accept less money, if that is what it takes. Selling a little less, but saving your sanity is a fair trade.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: in my opinion just about as many businesses quit because of burn out than because of money.
Turn down the constant temptation of trying new things, changing old things, adding, adding, adding. Drop something if it isn't working.
In every case -- measure the FUTURE work load involved in every decision and realize you are ADDING to your future work load.
Do more of the stuff you like, but less of the stuff you don't like.
Just say no.
Let the product and service speak for itself. Concentrate on the important stuff -- like the quality of presentation, and the quality of the product and service. Let everything else go. Every contest, every promotion, every event, every meeting, every trip, every organization you join, that pulls you away is extra work.
Just say no.
If your product is good, you'll still be O.K.
Did I mention, keep it simple?
Dunc
No credit, no cash, no terms.
I've been thinking a lot about that award-winning comic shop that recently went public with their troubles and asked for help.
I don't wish to kick them while they are down; thus, I won't use their name. Nevertheless, an object lesson is an object lesson.
Something was nagging me about the story, more than I had talked about before. This morning I realized what it was.
There seemed to be no awareness on the part of the owners that just getting back into the black -- into NOT losing money -- is only the first, and maybe the easiest step.
Paying back all the money owed -- the angel investors, to loans, to credit cards, and to suppliers -- that's the real bitch.
What bothered me in reading a description of their woes was that there seemed to be little concession toward austerity.
I'm not going to pretend I'm a paragon of thrift -- for one thing, there were hundreds of comic shops in the great collapse of comics in the mid-90's who went through the same sort of crisis.
But I do know that I had to cut back -- really cut back.
I had no credit, no cash, no terms. I was cash on delivery, and I had no margin for error. None.
A full 40% of my gross profit went toward debt for seven years. It was a long, slow, agonizing process.
But I went ahead and did it because I felt that the store itself could provide a living and that I had learned enough lessons that if I could just get through, it would pay in the end. It was a trial by fire.
I think results have proven I was right, though having the Great Recession come along just as I was crawling out of the hole wasn't helpful.
But what I remember was being extremely austere. Cutting every unnecessary expense. Working every day straight for seven years. And so on.
I see no evidence that the owners of the above mentioned shop are making the necessary austerity measures. They appear to want to continue to do business as usual.
My advice, painful as it might be for such a lionized shop, is to give up trying to be a 'model store' and try instead to be a simple, functional store.
Because it's going to take years and years and years to pay back the debt, to climb out of the hole they've dug for themselves.
If they aren't going to make true changes, then any money they beg for is just money down a rat hole.
I don't wish to kick them while they are down; thus, I won't use their name. Nevertheless, an object lesson is an object lesson.
Something was nagging me about the story, more than I had talked about before. This morning I realized what it was.
There seemed to be no awareness on the part of the owners that just getting back into the black -- into NOT losing money -- is only the first, and maybe the easiest step.
Paying back all the money owed -- the angel investors, to loans, to credit cards, and to suppliers -- that's the real bitch.
What bothered me in reading a description of their woes was that there seemed to be little concession toward austerity.
I'm not going to pretend I'm a paragon of thrift -- for one thing, there were hundreds of comic shops in the great collapse of comics in the mid-90's who went through the same sort of crisis.
But I do know that I had to cut back -- really cut back.
I had no credit, no cash, no terms. I was cash on delivery, and I had no margin for error. None.
A full 40% of my gross profit went toward debt for seven years. It was a long, slow, agonizing process.
But I went ahead and did it because I felt that the store itself could provide a living and that I had learned enough lessons that if I could just get through, it would pay in the end. It was a trial by fire.
I think results have proven I was right, though having the Great Recession come along just as I was crawling out of the hole wasn't helpful.
But what I remember was being extremely austere. Cutting every unnecessary expense. Working every day straight for seven years. And so on.
I see no evidence that the owners of the above mentioned shop are making the necessary austerity measures. They appear to want to continue to do business as usual.
My advice, painful as it might be for such a lionized shop, is to give up trying to be a 'model store' and try instead to be a simple, functional store.
Because it's going to take years and years and years to pay back the debt, to climb out of the hole they've dug for themselves.
If they aren't going to make true changes, then any money they beg for is just money down a rat hole.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Schizo for the genius.
There was an article in the Bulletin today about Johnny McDermott, the first American golfer to win the U.S. Open. He won in 1911 at the age of 19, and then again in 1912.
Then...he went nuts.
The article terms it a "mystery", and looks for reasons; "fragile mind," pressure from the golf gods, I suppose.
Combine this with a recent documentary I saw on Bobby Fischer, which tried to explain his madness as a result of his genius.
Well. no. At least, not mostly I don't think. (Obviously, I'm no doctor.)
They both had the onset of schizophrenia at about the usual age. Early 20's. Fischer managed to hold on to his mind a little longer, but it's pretty obvious he was suffering from his late teens on.
Anyway, they weren't crazy because of their genius, but geniuses despite their illness.
It must be particularly poignant for someone to be so successful so early, and then have this happen to them. But it's what happens with the disease.
People seem to want to romanticize these diseases -- long after the fact, because almost no one would be willing to put up with the behavior while they are still around. But for the sufferers, there is nothing romantic about it.
Then...he went nuts.
The article terms it a "mystery", and looks for reasons; "fragile mind," pressure from the golf gods, I suppose.
Combine this with a recent documentary I saw on Bobby Fischer, which tried to explain his madness as a result of his genius.
Well. no. At least, not mostly I don't think. (Obviously, I'm no doctor.)
They both had the onset of schizophrenia at about the usual age. Early 20's. Fischer managed to hold on to his mind a little longer, but it's pretty obvious he was suffering from his late teens on.
Anyway, they weren't crazy because of their genius, but geniuses despite their illness.
It must be particularly poignant for someone to be so successful so early, and then have this happen to them. But it's what happens with the disease.
People seem to want to romanticize these diseases -- long after the fact, because almost no one would be willing to put up with the behavior while they are still around. But for the sufferers, there is nothing romantic about it.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Tuesday tingers.
I watched the last half of the Mavs/Heat game, pretty much the only basketball I've watched all year.
I was rooting for the Mavs, all the way. Turns out, I'm not the only LeBron/Heat hater.
It used to be that teams would try to buy their way to championships.
Now the players do.
***********
It is still taking me all week to read the New York Times, sometimes even longer if you include the magazine.
I have no idea why I read some articles -- they have no utility to my life whatsoever.
I guess I just like knowing random things.
**********
When my Barnes and Noble stock went up 15% right after buying it, I had a momentary urge to sell.
It then dropped 65% and I said, it can't get worse. But if it EVER gets up to the price I paid, I'll sell.
Now it's again 15% higher than I paid, and I still can't pull the trigger.
I should have known -- it's the way I do things. I don't let go; I don't give up.
Even when I know I should.
**************
Some vandals spray-painted the Westside Church, and this was the comment of the "director of facilities:'
"But the bottom line is that God is the one that's going to get revenge -- we aren't."
Heh. I was expecting something more along the lines of, "May God forgive them."
I was rooting for the Mavs, all the way. Turns out, I'm not the only LeBron/Heat hater.
It used to be that teams would try to buy their way to championships.
Now the players do.
***********
It is still taking me all week to read the New York Times, sometimes even longer if you include the magazine.
I have no idea why I read some articles -- they have no utility to my life whatsoever.
I guess I just like knowing random things.
**********
When my Barnes and Noble stock went up 15% right after buying it, I had a momentary urge to sell.
It then dropped 65% and I said, it can't get worse. But if it EVER gets up to the price I paid, I'll sell.
Now it's again 15% higher than I paid, and I still can't pull the trigger.
I should have known -- it's the way I do things. I don't let go; I don't give up.
Even when I know I should.
**************
Some vandals spray-painted the Westside Church, and this was the comment of the "director of facilities:'
"But the bottom line is that God is the one that's going to get revenge -- we aren't."
Heh. I was expecting something more along the lines of, "May God forgive them."
Monday, June 13, 2011
I have to try...
I am emotionally committed to writing this story.
I'm not proceeding very fast; so far, I've managed about 3 four page 'chapters', or about 1500 words each. But I'm satisfied with the results so far.
The main thing is that I'm keeping my headspace in the story. It's still there, just in the back of my mind, and I think the sub-conscious is working on it. I spent two weeks on this last chapter mulling it over, not really getting very far, and then it all came out in about 3 hours.
As long as I can maintain "the fictional dream" I can keep writing.
Back when I was writing full time, I had a wellspring metaphor in my head; the well would fill up and start splashing over, and I'd know it was time to write. I used to leave a starting point for the next session at the end of every writing session; just a word, a line, a glimmer of a scene, was often enough.
When I bought Pegasus Books, too much was going on to maintain the headspace, the fictional dream, the wellspring was neglected.
I think having time off from the store has been the main reason I've been able to commit to another book.
I've had the usual doubts. This time, about originality. The story is about a supernatural detective, which of course has been done -- even going back to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, one of my all time favorite shows. Jim Butcher.
There was even an announcement of this kind of show on network T.V. next season.
Oh, well.
I've always thought you could give the same kernel of story to ten different writers and come up with ten different results.
My thinking about originality has evolved in my time off from writing. I tend to think there isn't really anything completely original, it's what you do with it.
I find myself explaining to customers that I don't read fantasy books much anymore because they aren't original.
But The Game of Thrones and Bujold's fantasies and Name of the Wind are all pretty much standard in their elements -- it's the quality of the writing that makes them stand out.
Not that I think I'm a great writer. I think I struggle to write good fiction.
But I have to try.
Random shows.
The blog is about the current shows I've been watching and is full of Spoilers.
So The Killing has rounded back to the obvious suspect; but it's a little too obvious.
Question: Did the drunk driver push the councilman's wife into the river?
But I figure it's someone on his campaign who did it. Unlike most reviewers, I wasn't really put off by all the red herrings. It was only, what, 12 episodes? I can handle that.
Try three or four seasons of Twin Peaks. Or X-Files. Or Lost! Never did much wrap those up adequately.
**********
Speaking of continuity problems: Went to see X-Men: First Class, and thought it was great.
Everyone I've talked to has mentioned the continuity errors; like I should be outraged as Head Comic Nerd.
Well, hell. I just don't care. I long ago gave up worrying about continuity in comics. There are 50 years worth of stories, by hundreds of different writers and artists.
It's inevitable.
And every time they try to fix it; Crisis on Infinite Earths, or whatever, it just adds another layer of complexity.
52 new #1?
Won't solve the problem, just add 52 new continuities.....
Give it up.
**********
As I said in my twitter, all over America people watching Game of Thrones yelled out: WHAT!?
I have wondered how this would go over.
And Martin doesn't let up -- much -- in the following books. My three favorite characters are still alive, but I expect at least one or two will be polished off before he's done.
War is hell.
Which I think is the point.
(Thanks for not showing the head rolling....)
**********
Random movie: Stone.
I thought this was a really good movie; DeNiro, Norton and Milla did some fantastic acting, and it surprised me all the way.
Got less than 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but they were just wrong....
So The Killing has rounded back to the obvious suspect; but it's a little too obvious.
Question: Did the drunk driver push the councilman's wife into the river?
But I figure it's someone on his campaign who did it. Unlike most reviewers, I wasn't really put off by all the red herrings. It was only, what, 12 episodes? I can handle that.
Try three or four seasons of Twin Peaks. Or X-Files. Or Lost! Never did much wrap those up adequately.
**********
Speaking of continuity problems: Went to see X-Men: First Class, and thought it was great.
Everyone I've talked to has mentioned the continuity errors; like I should be outraged as Head Comic Nerd.
Well, hell. I just don't care. I long ago gave up worrying about continuity in comics. There are 50 years worth of stories, by hundreds of different writers and artists.
It's inevitable.
And every time they try to fix it; Crisis on Infinite Earths, or whatever, it just adds another layer of complexity.
52 new #1?
Won't solve the problem, just add 52 new continuities.....
Give it up.
**********
As I said in my twitter, all over America people watching Game of Thrones yelled out: WHAT!?
I have wondered how this would go over.
And Martin doesn't let up -- much -- in the following books. My three favorite characters are still alive, but I expect at least one or two will be polished off before he's done.
War is hell.
Which I think is the point.
(Thanks for not showing the head rolling....)
**********
Random movie: Stone.
I thought this was a really good movie; DeNiro, Norton and Milla did some fantastic acting, and it surprised me all the way.
Got less than 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but they were just wrong....
Sunday, June 12, 2011
What He said.
You're probably as sick of the housing news as I am. One of the things I learned about bubble crashes is -- just when you think they are at an end, they drop again. And then again.
It's only when you've given up expecting it to change that it does. When you don't care anymore.
Anyway, the Bulletin had two mutually contradictory articles about housing that can be explained, I think, by timing.
The announcement that "Foreclosures Surge 287%" is the beginning of a new trend. (Or a continuation of an old trend...)
The news that housing prices went up for one month, is the end of the last trend -- as well as being what looks to me a temporary blip upward. My interpretation is that it just happened that the houses that sold in April happened to be higher priced.
But a few more months of heavy foreclosures can't do anything but drive prices down again, you would think.
Nevertheless, this is what you hear from the Bratton Report: "We do appear to bumping along the bottom of the market." ...."As you can see, we appear to be in a bottoming process and the large declines that occurred in 2008 and 2009 are leveling out."
"I believe this a great time to buy a house...."
So when does an organization's credibility become low enough not to be quoted anymore?
It's easy. I'll subject myself to the same criteria. Check out what they've said and I've said in the past and see how accurate we've been. Go ahead, all my posts are still there.
I'd be willing to bet that the Bratton Report has called a bottom and used the words "great time to buy a house" oh, I don't know, a dozen times?
Shall we compare notes in 3 or 4 months? It's not just about being bullish or a bear--it's about being somewhere in the realm of reality.
At least the Bulletin also quotes Tim Duy, director of the Oregon Economic Forum:
"Duy anticipates home price could take anoher dip in May and June." "Duy said it is likely to put downward pressure on housing prices."
What HE said.
It's only when you've given up expecting it to change that it does. When you don't care anymore.
Anyway, the Bulletin had two mutually contradictory articles about housing that can be explained, I think, by timing.
The announcement that "Foreclosures Surge 287%" is the beginning of a new trend. (Or a continuation of an old trend...)
The news that housing prices went up for one month, is the end of the last trend -- as well as being what looks to me a temporary blip upward. My interpretation is that it just happened that the houses that sold in April happened to be higher priced.
But a few more months of heavy foreclosures can't do anything but drive prices down again, you would think.
Nevertheless, this is what you hear from the Bratton Report: "We do appear to bumping along the bottom of the market." ...."As you can see, we appear to be in a bottoming process and the large declines that occurred in 2008 and 2009 are leveling out."
"I believe this a great time to buy a house...."
So when does an organization's credibility become low enough not to be quoted anymore?
It's easy. I'll subject myself to the same criteria. Check out what they've said and I've said in the past and see how accurate we've been. Go ahead, all my posts are still there.
I'd be willing to bet that the Bratton Report has called a bottom and used the words "great time to buy a house" oh, I don't know, a dozen times?
Shall we compare notes in 3 or 4 months? It's not just about being bullish or a bear--it's about being somewhere in the realm of reality.
At least the Bulletin also quotes Tim Duy, director of the Oregon Economic Forum:
"Duy anticipates home price could take anoher dip in May and June." "Duy said it is likely to put downward pressure on housing prices."
What HE said.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Who's liberal? Who's conservative?
To follow up on my comments in the last thread, here's a little attempt at irony.
I'm sure that RDC will be along shortly to fact-challenge my assumptions. (Fact-challenged assumptions = common sense. ;)
The reason small businesses are conservative icons, is that I think conservatives know in their hearts that they are the quintessential pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps, work hard and get ahead kinds of businesses.
Especially Mom and Pops.
I think in their heart of hearts, most conservatives realize that not all big business is purely capitalism. Because of their ability to buy patronage and campaigns and interests (otherwise known as lobbying) they are helped in their efforts to expand. There are monopolistic aspects to big business -- special prices, exclusives, favoritism, that seem to me undeniable.
Besides, no one has ever sufficiently explained to me why it is fair for big business to get better prices because they buy more; it seems a little too much like "might makes right" to me, no matter how you rationalize it.
If I was six foot four and you were five foot four, and I demanded two thirds of the watermelon, you'd hardly think it was right.
Anyway, most Mom and Pops get little or no help.
But the same conservatives who tout small business will often shop at big business because they save a few bucks. Even though they know that small businessman is a neighbor and is likely to spend his money locally.
They'll complain about small differences in prices.
Whereas, I'd be willing to bet that most of the Shop Local supporters are bleeding heart liberals.
Big business to me is not conservative -- it is aided and abetted by big government.
Small business is almost always a local thing --
So who's conservative and who's liberal?
I'm sure that RDC will be along shortly to fact-challenge my assumptions. (Fact-challenged assumptions = common sense. ;)
The reason small businesses are conservative icons, is that I think conservatives know in their hearts that they are the quintessential pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps, work hard and get ahead kinds of businesses.
Especially Mom and Pops.
I think in their heart of hearts, most conservatives realize that not all big business is purely capitalism. Because of their ability to buy patronage and campaigns and interests (otherwise known as lobbying) they are helped in their efforts to expand. There are monopolistic aspects to big business -- special prices, exclusives, favoritism, that seem to me undeniable.
Besides, no one has ever sufficiently explained to me why it is fair for big business to get better prices because they buy more; it seems a little too much like "might makes right" to me, no matter how you rationalize it.
If I was six foot four and you were five foot four, and I demanded two thirds of the watermelon, you'd hardly think it was right.
Anyway, most Mom and Pops get little or no help.
But the same conservatives who tout small business will often shop at big business because they save a few bucks. Even though they know that small businessman is a neighbor and is likely to spend his money locally.
They'll complain about small differences in prices.
Whereas, I'd be willing to bet that most of the Shop Local supporters are bleeding heart liberals.
Big business to me is not conservative -- it is aided and abetted by big government.
Small business is almost always a local thing --
So who's conservative and who's liberal?
Unfair competition?
Common Table also raises the question of whether it is unfair for a for-profit business to have to compete against a non-profit business.
In this case, I can't really answer for the other fine-dining restaurants.
O.K. Yes, I can. I'm betting it makes no real difference in this particular case. It's not like there isn't tons of competition already; and I'm betting that the majority of the restaurants downtown are probably in support of the idea.
Good 'em.
But I do know that -- competing against a non-profit for the same dollars when there isn't the same need to pay off employees, suppliers, etc. etc. can be difficult.
I guess, in the long run, I don't mind if it truly is a non-profit charity business where the bulk of the revenue streams toward the intended goals. Charity is needed in this world.
What has always bothered me are the for-profit businesses that cloak themselves as for-the-public type businesses. The kind that says, "Hey, this is all for YOU! We don't care if we make money! We're providing this service and this space for YOU! This is for the COMMUNITY!"
Meanwhile, they are indeed a for-profit business.
So -- I guess it's a pretty good marketing ploy, but I suspect in the majority of cases that is all it is.
If not, they don't stick around long. Because believe you me, a business that is not run like a business does not survive.
Meanwhile, it can be hard to compete with a "holier than thou" type business.
I ran into this problem back at the peak of the sports card business. A store would open up, professing to be "for the kids." "We aren't trying to make money off you," they'd announce, "We just want there to be a place for kids to have fun!"
The implication, of course, is that us "for profit" businesses are making money off the kids and how dare we?
Ummmm. To stay in business?
How is it that the public is totally supportive of the idea of small businesses making a profit -- IN THEORY -- and yet, so often opposed to it in reality?
It's interesting psychology.
Underlying it all, I believe, is the feeling that businesses that earn money are somehow taking advantage of us. Scratch underneath any popular hobby, and there is the feeling that a hobby should be pure -- and how dare you make money! It should be fun! For us! For the kids!
How dare you?
Capitalism is a great idea, until it gets in the way of what you want.
In this case, I can't really answer for the other fine-dining restaurants.
O.K. Yes, I can. I'm betting it makes no real difference in this particular case. It's not like there isn't tons of competition already; and I'm betting that the majority of the restaurants downtown are probably in support of the idea.
Good 'em.
But I do know that -- competing against a non-profit for the same dollars when there isn't the same need to pay off employees, suppliers, etc. etc. can be difficult.
I guess, in the long run, I don't mind if it truly is a non-profit charity business where the bulk of the revenue streams toward the intended goals. Charity is needed in this world.
What has always bothered me are the for-profit businesses that cloak themselves as for-the-public type businesses. The kind that says, "Hey, this is all for YOU! We don't care if we make money! We're providing this service and this space for YOU! This is for the COMMUNITY!"
Meanwhile, they are indeed a for-profit business.
So -- I guess it's a pretty good marketing ploy, but I suspect in the majority of cases that is all it is.
If not, they don't stick around long. Because believe you me, a business that is not run like a business does not survive.
Meanwhile, it can be hard to compete with a "holier than thou" type business.
I ran into this problem back at the peak of the sports card business. A store would open up, professing to be "for the kids." "We aren't trying to make money off you," they'd announce, "We just want there to be a place for kids to have fun!"
The implication, of course, is that us "for profit" businesses are making money off the kids and how dare we?
Ummmm. To stay in business?
How is it that the public is totally supportive of the idea of small businesses making a profit -- IN THEORY -- and yet, so often opposed to it in reality?
It's interesting psychology.
Underlying it all, I believe, is the feeling that businesses that earn money are somehow taking advantage of us. Scratch underneath any popular hobby, and there is the feeling that a hobby should be pure -- and how dare you make money! It should be fun! For us! For the kids!
How dare you?
Capitalism is a great idea, until it gets in the way of what you want.
Raise your hands if you saw this coming....
Re: Common Table.
KTVZ has an article about some of the neighbors of Common Table being unhappy.
Leaving aside the merits of the idea. (Like I'm going to come out against feeding the poor....) This seemed predictable from the very start. I know when I first heard the idea, I sort of wondered -- hmmmm, how is that going to work?
It doesn't seem like all that long ago that the city was exploring ideas of ways to discourage loitering downtown.
Instead, we decided to offer free meals.
Again, without being against the idea of feeding the down and out, I have some questions.
Is there an actual need for a gourmet soup kitchen? A four star fine dining experience for the hungry?
What exactly is being accomplished?
Not that there is anything wrong with it.
I think the title of the restaurant tells us that it's meant as a meeting place for the average citizen, the well-heeled citizen, and the temporarily disconvenienced, and the permanently down and out? Fair enough.
Not that there is anything wrong with it....
The other possibility is that it's meant to be a way to earn enough money to pay for the free meals. Though I have to wonder if -- by the time you subtract the cost of goods and the overhead -- they wouldn't do just as well with donations.
Finally, (again I am not against the idea of feeding people who are down on their luck), I do question the mingling of for-profit and for-charity in the same businesses.
As people who read this blog know, I don't like the idea of for-profit businesses being subsidized. Or of charity businesses attempting to earn profits. (By this, I mean employees being paid beyond what they would be paid in real life -- Blue Cross executives being paid millions, for instance.)
Overall, it just seems like a strange concept. A way to do-good in a congenial setting?
Not that there is anything wrong with it
I've talked to two business owners who are REALLY unhappy with what's been happening in and around the building and who are planning to leave -- the story mentions a third business who has already left.
Anyway, it's possible the landlords will find enough businesses to fill the spaces around Common Table, and no harm will be done. Or it's possible that the place will empty out.
In that sense, the marketplace will decide.
I'll just leave with the comment: there is a time and place for everything.
Based on the comments over on KTVZ -- let the tar and feathering commence.
KTVZ has an article about some of the neighbors of Common Table being unhappy.
Leaving aside the merits of the idea. (Like I'm going to come out against feeding the poor....) This seemed predictable from the very start. I know when I first heard the idea, I sort of wondered -- hmmmm, how is that going to work?
It doesn't seem like all that long ago that the city was exploring ideas of ways to discourage loitering downtown.
Instead, we decided to offer free meals.
Again, without being against the idea of feeding the down and out, I have some questions.
Is there an actual need for a gourmet soup kitchen? A four star fine dining experience for the hungry?
What exactly is being accomplished?
Not that there is anything wrong with it.
I think the title of the restaurant tells us that it's meant as a meeting place for the average citizen, the well-heeled citizen, and the temporarily disconvenienced, and the permanently down and out? Fair enough.
Not that there is anything wrong with it....
The other possibility is that it's meant to be a way to earn enough money to pay for the free meals. Though I have to wonder if -- by the time you subtract the cost of goods and the overhead -- they wouldn't do just as well with donations.
Finally, (again I am not against the idea of feeding people who are down on their luck), I do question the mingling of for-profit and for-charity in the same businesses.
As people who read this blog know, I don't like the idea of for-profit businesses being subsidized. Or of charity businesses attempting to earn profits. (By this, I mean employees being paid beyond what they would be paid in real life -- Blue Cross executives being paid millions, for instance.)
Overall, it just seems like a strange concept. A way to do-good in a congenial setting?
Not that there is anything wrong with it
I've talked to two business owners who are REALLY unhappy with what's been happening in and around the building and who are planning to leave -- the story mentions a third business who has already left.
Anyway, it's possible the landlords will find enough businesses to fill the spaces around Common Table, and no harm will be done. Or it's possible that the place will empty out.
In that sense, the marketplace will decide.
I'll just leave with the comment: there is a time and place for everything.
Based on the comments over on KTVZ -- let the tar and feathering commence.
Friday, June 10, 2011
It's not ALWAYS about the customer...
The Bulletin editorializes today that lowering the transaction fees was probably not going to be passed on to the consumer. Therefore -- I guess -- the banks should keep them? Because they've shown such a tendency lately to pass on savings?
Besides being totally illogical and reliably conservative and establishmentarian, this whole thought process totally whiffed the point.
So the retailers won't pass along the savings?
I never thought they would. Call me callow, but it never occurred to me. I always figured it was about banks overcharging the retailers, not the consumer. Just to be clear, these were not charges to the consumer, they were charges to the retailers.
Forgive me for saying so, but it isn't ALWAYS about the consumer.
I hate to tell you, but sometimes when I make money, or save money, I actually keep it.
Shocking, I know.
It's a system I've heard tell is called "Capitalism." You know, where a guy going to work every day actually earns a profit by -- gasp, charging the consumer.
So there you have it -- a 'real' conservative viewpoint.
If I may, I'll turn this around to illustrate.
I never once thought to raise my prices no matter how high the fees got. I never once asked someone to use a debit instead of a credit card or vice versa. I never once turned down a credit card because someone didn't buy enough with it, or put a minimum. (I did mutter a few times that the cost of the transaction nullified the profit -- and a few times I actually gave the person the item in question, because it was a wash...)
It was the "Cost Of Doing Business." I just accepted it, and didn't try to weasel more money out of the customer.
It never occurred to me.
I ate the costs, and moved on.
As far as I'm concerned, "Cost of Doing Business" went down very, very, very slightly.
Big deal.
Meanwhile, the banks lost their first battle. Of course, it was the first time their opponent was Walmart.
That's how much I love the banks, theseadays. I'm rooting for Walmart over them.
Besides being totally illogical and reliably conservative and establishmentarian, this whole thought process totally whiffed the point.
So the retailers won't pass along the savings?
I never thought they would. Call me callow, but it never occurred to me. I always figured it was about banks overcharging the retailers, not the consumer. Just to be clear, these were not charges to the consumer, they were charges to the retailers.
Forgive me for saying so, but it isn't ALWAYS about the consumer.
I hate to tell you, but sometimes when I make money, or save money, I actually keep it.
Shocking, I know.
It's a system I've heard tell is called "Capitalism." You know, where a guy going to work every day actually earns a profit by -- gasp, charging the consumer.
So there you have it -- a 'real' conservative viewpoint.
If I may, I'll turn this around to illustrate.
I never once thought to raise my prices no matter how high the fees got. I never once asked someone to use a debit instead of a credit card or vice versa. I never once turned down a credit card because someone didn't buy enough with it, or put a minimum. (I did mutter a few times that the cost of the transaction nullified the profit -- and a few times I actually gave the person the item in question, because it was a wash...)
It was the "Cost Of Doing Business." I just accepted it, and didn't try to weasel more money out of the customer.
It never occurred to me.
I ate the costs, and moved on.
As far as I'm concerned, "Cost of Doing Business" went down very, very, very slightly.
Big deal.
Meanwhile, the banks lost their first battle. Of course, it was the first time their opponent was Walmart.
That's how much I love the banks, theseadays. I'm rooting for Walmart over them.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Pirate banks.
I had assumed the banks would win on the debit cards fees issue. But they needed 60 votes and they got 54 votes. Still -- bastards.
Even all the combined retail lobbies (you know, including the largest corporation in the world, Walmart and all the big retailers and all the supposed voters represented by the sainted small business class that the Republicans and Democrats alike profess to care so much about) could barely overcome the resistance of the pirate banks.
We are still so doomed.
**********
I've had a few days to think about Wabi Sabi and Powell's -- and I'm still envious.
They are carrying many items I wish I could carry.
Ultimately, however, I chose to go the route of printed material. My art books alone would probably be equal in value to all the urban vinyl in Wabi Sabi.
Candy and gag toys? I just don't trust myself not to eat the profits -- but really, I just don't have the room.
The only other option would be to have a store more the size of the old Boomtown, and I shudder to think how much work and overhead that would be.
So...don't mess with what's working, I tell myself. (At the same time, there is something reassuring about the idea that there are still viable things to carry if what I'm currently carrying fall apart -- )
**********
I'd probably get tarred and feathered if I mentioned this on any of the comic book industry bulletin boards but....
There is another highly regarded comic shop in another state that is apparently in real trouble. This is the kind of shop that is always nominated for awards. They are held up as examples of how comic shops should be. And very often, they seem to go out of business.
But I have to wonder if there is a direct correlation between their struggling to survive and their ambition.
It's all well and good to have a great looking store, stocked to the gills, with all kinds of social events etc. etc.
But you still have to live within your means.
I often have the urge to try to create my perfect store -- but it would be very costly, and ultimately, I'm not sure I would get enough business to reward my efforts. No matter how nice the store.
I even have an example in my own career.
Our store for the first year in Sisters was a tiny little 100 square foot space, and it did really well.
We rented the space next door, opened up and painted and repaired both rooms, bought new fixtures, and filled the tripled space with merchandise.
And our sales dropped.
I wonder sometimes if people realize that the size and shape of a store is dictated by the size and shape of the customer base -- not on the ambition and tastes of the owner.
Even all the combined retail lobbies (you know, including the largest corporation in the world, Walmart and all the big retailers and all the supposed voters represented by the sainted small business class that the Republicans and Democrats alike profess to care so much about) could barely overcome the resistance of the pirate banks.
We are still so doomed.
**********
I've had a few days to think about Wabi Sabi and Powell's -- and I'm still envious.
They are carrying many items I wish I could carry.
Ultimately, however, I chose to go the route of printed material. My art books alone would probably be equal in value to all the urban vinyl in Wabi Sabi.
Candy and gag toys? I just don't trust myself not to eat the profits -- but really, I just don't have the room.
The only other option would be to have a store more the size of the old Boomtown, and I shudder to think how much work and overhead that would be.
So...don't mess with what's working, I tell myself. (At the same time, there is something reassuring about the idea that there are still viable things to carry if what I'm currently carrying fall apart -- )
**********
I'd probably get tarred and feathered if I mentioned this on any of the comic book industry bulletin boards but....
There is another highly regarded comic shop in another state that is apparently in real trouble. This is the kind of shop that is always nominated for awards. They are held up as examples of how comic shops should be. And very often, they seem to go out of business.
But I have to wonder if there is a direct correlation between their struggling to survive and their ambition.
It's all well and good to have a great looking store, stocked to the gills, with all kinds of social events etc. etc.
But you still have to live within your means.
I often have the urge to try to create my perfect store -- but it would be very costly, and ultimately, I'm not sure I would get enough business to reward my efforts. No matter how nice the store.
I even have an example in my own career.
Our store for the first year in Sisters was a tiny little 100 square foot space, and it did really well.
We rented the space next door, opened up and painted and repaired both rooms, bought new fixtures, and filled the tripled space with merchandise.
And our sales dropped.
I wonder sometimes if people realize that the size and shape of a store is dictated by the size and shape of the customer base -- not on the ambition and tastes of the owner.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Shop Local -- or not. But try.
I think it's a mistake to be too ideological about the Shop Local movement.
As I've matured in my business, I've tried very hard to be calmer about customer reactions to my business. I try to take things in stride.
I wish that people could see the wisdom of buying locally. But I couch it a little differently. Shop locally whenever you can.
I was talking to a dealer from another town, and his anger at the current game customers and their lack of loyalty to his business felt very familiar -- in fact, I'd say his mindset was my mindset circa 1997 toward sports card customers.
It didn't do me any good. My reactions pissed off a lot of people.
Like this dealer, I knew at the time it was a mistake, but I couldn't help myself.
I still have a residual anger there that can surface under the wrong circumstances -- so I try really hard to be aware of that and avoid it.
Anyway, while I appreciate the Shop Local movement, I don't expect it to totally change the shopping behavior of the modern American. I mean, I want and wish and hope locals would shop locally, but I don't --demand it.
Mostly because I have my own shopping behavior to look at.
I buy my CD's from Ranch Records, on purpose. If I was buying new books from a bookstore, I'd buy from the local bookstores. (I can buy my books from the wholesale distributor.) I might have to wait a day or two or a week for the order to show up, but there isn't a book that I'm not will to wait a day or two or a week to get.
I buy my gardening supplies locally.
That's just about all I purchase. I'm just not much of a consumer.
Food and clothing?
Here's where I fall off the wagon. I have pretty simple tastes -- 501 Levi's, t-shirts, button down shirts, dockers type pants, that kind of thing.
So I buy from Fred Meyer, or places like that.
I just don't care about brand names, and am not willing to pay extra to get brand names. Except for shoes -- those I try to buy from Birkenstock, because they seem to last so much longer and feel so much better.
Anyway, my point is -- buy locally when you can. Be conscious of your choices. Whenever possible and convenient buy locally, even if it costs you slighter more.
I used to tell my card customers -- "I'm not telling you not to save money. I'm not telling you to spend every dime here. But I am asking that you buy from me when there isn't much difference. That you remember me. If I were to get half of your spending dollars, I'm a viable sports card shop."
In that case, it didn't make any difference. I learned that if you have to explain, it's too late.
Shop Locally whenever you can. Try a little harder to remember that these are your neighbors.
Really, in the long run, it won't matter if you spend just slightly more; and you may get more bang for your buck in service and knowledge and selection.
Or just in the personal smile you may get back, because that five dollar bill you just handed the guy behind the counter will be his -- and not some behemoth back east.
As I've matured in my business, I've tried very hard to be calmer about customer reactions to my business. I try to take things in stride.
I wish that people could see the wisdom of buying locally. But I couch it a little differently. Shop locally whenever you can.
I was talking to a dealer from another town, and his anger at the current game customers and their lack of loyalty to his business felt very familiar -- in fact, I'd say his mindset was my mindset circa 1997 toward sports card customers.
It didn't do me any good. My reactions pissed off a lot of people.
Like this dealer, I knew at the time it was a mistake, but I couldn't help myself.
I still have a residual anger there that can surface under the wrong circumstances -- so I try really hard to be aware of that and avoid it.
Anyway, while I appreciate the Shop Local movement, I don't expect it to totally change the shopping behavior of the modern American. I mean, I want and wish and hope locals would shop locally, but I don't --demand it.
Mostly because I have my own shopping behavior to look at.
I buy my CD's from Ranch Records, on purpose. If I was buying new books from a bookstore, I'd buy from the local bookstores. (I can buy my books from the wholesale distributor.) I might have to wait a day or two or a week for the order to show up, but there isn't a book that I'm not will to wait a day or two or a week to get.
I buy my gardening supplies locally.
That's just about all I purchase. I'm just not much of a consumer.
Food and clothing?
Here's where I fall off the wagon. I have pretty simple tastes -- 501 Levi's, t-shirts, button down shirts, dockers type pants, that kind of thing.
So I buy from Fred Meyer, or places like that.
I just don't care about brand names, and am not willing to pay extra to get brand names. Except for shoes -- those I try to buy from Birkenstock, because they seem to last so much longer and feel so much better.
Anyway, my point is -- buy locally when you can. Be conscious of your choices. Whenever possible and convenient buy locally, even if it costs you slighter more.
I used to tell my card customers -- "I'm not telling you not to save money. I'm not telling you to spend every dime here. But I am asking that you buy from me when there isn't much difference. That you remember me. If I were to get half of your spending dollars, I'm a viable sports card shop."
In that case, it didn't make any difference. I learned that if you have to explain, it's too late.
Shop Locally whenever you can. Try a little harder to remember that these are your neighbors.
Really, in the long run, it won't matter if you spend just slightly more; and you may get more bang for your buck in service and knowledge and selection.
Or just in the personal smile you may get back, because that five dollar bill you just handed the guy behind the counter will be his -- and not some behemoth back east.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A sobering experience.
Whenever I go to Barnes and Noble, I come out thinking -- why do I even try? Why do I bother!
They have SO many books! Good books! Wow!
So I don't go to B & N very often, because I don't need to be dispirited.
Thing is, I carry a certain number of books, and I pick as good of books as I can, and people walk into my store occasionally and buy them. It really doesn't matter what B & N does.
So, today, I had the afternoon off, so I visited a few stores downtown.
First I went to Game Domain, because I had finally met the owner, Casey, and had a talk with him in my store. Turns out, we've had many similar experiences. We were both carrying sports cards at the same time, when he had a store in Redmond, through the nineties and the aughts.
So I went to visit his store, and we had another long talk. His store was exactly what it should be and he had TONS and TONS of magic cards, and packs, and sets and every other kind magic thing. Other than turning my store into a Magic the Gathering type store, I'm never going to come close to that.
But -- like above, I have people come in off the street and occasionally they buy what magic I have and that's all that matters.
I also explored Wabi Sabi for the first time. What a cool store! They had lots of urban vinyl and other cool things I wish I could carry. The level of inventory just wowed me. My brain turns into an adding machine going, ching, ching, ching, and I'm just flabbergasted.
Then dropped into Powell's Candy.
Again, lots of cool stuff and in both stores the atmosphere was prosperous and fun and I was very envious. Ching, ching, ching.
Thing is, both stores reflect a kind of investment that I don't think I can do. Well, maybe I have done, but I've taken a long time to get there and it's mostly bound up in bound up material, so to speak. They seem way more capitalized than I ever was; but I come from an era when downtown was downtrodden, and rents were cheap, and there were lots of shoe-string startups.
I'm envious, but bless them and more power to them.
One thing I noticed is that other stores tend to buy quantities of each product, whereas more often than not I try to buy just one unit. This comes from buying from my comic distributor, who because comics are sold in single low-cost units, often offers the same feature for toys, games, etc. (Not always, and not all at once, but if I hang back and pick stuff up opportunistically.)
Having batches of the same type of product gives a thematic unity to their displays that I'm often missing.
I know, in my head, that I probably have as much material as these other stores, but it's mostly in books -- graphic novel and otherwise -- that are mostly spine out. (I've estimated I could fill a store ten times my current size and not look skimpy.)
My investment is in reading material, or boxed games,-- and everything else is ancillary.
But I tell you what, I don't think my store is any more packed (overwhelming) than either of those two stores, so I think I'll quit worrying about that.
As far as the looks. I would need to clear out my store and completely renovate to compete with the feel of either store (new fixtures, flooring, walls) -- and who knows, maybe I'll be able to do that someday. But meanwhile, I've been ensconced there for 30 years, and I just make the best I can of the space.
I do what I do. I sell what I sell. Who knows, maybe they have the same reaction when they come into my store...
But it is very sobering to see how well put together some of the downtown stores are.
They have SO many books! Good books! Wow!
So I don't go to B & N very often, because I don't need to be dispirited.
Thing is, I carry a certain number of books, and I pick as good of books as I can, and people walk into my store occasionally and buy them. It really doesn't matter what B & N does.
So, today, I had the afternoon off, so I visited a few stores downtown.
First I went to Game Domain, because I had finally met the owner, Casey, and had a talk with him in my store. Turns out, we've had many similar experiences. We were both carrying sports cards at the same time, when he had a store in Redmond, through the nineties and the aughts.
So I went to visit his store, and we had another long talk. His store was exactly what it should be and he had TONS and TONS of magic cards, and packs, and sets and every other kind magic thing. Other than turning my store into a Magic the Gathering type store, I'm never going to come close to that.
But -- like above, I have people come in off the street and occasionally they buy what magic I have and that's all that matters.
I also explored Wabi Sabi for the first time. What a cool store! They had lots of urban vinyl and other cool things I wish I could carry. The level of inventory just wowed me. My brain turns into an adding machine going, ching, ching, ching, and I'm just flabbergasted.
Then dropped into Powell's Candy.
Again, lots of cool stuff and in both stores the atmosphere was prosperous and fun and I was very envious. Ching, ching, ching.
Thing is, both stores reflect a kind of investment that I don't think I can do. Well, maybe I have done, but I've taken a long time to get there and it's mostly bound up in bound up material, so to speak. They seem way more capitalized than I ever was; but I come from an era when downtown was downtrodden, and rents were cheap, and there were lots of shoe-string startups.
I'm envious, but bless them and more power to them.
One thing I noticed is that other stores tend to buy quantities of each product, whereas more often than not I try to buy just one unit. This comes from buying from my comic distributor, who because comics are sold in single low-cost units, often offers the same feature for toys, games, etc. (Not always, and not all at once, but if I hang back and pick stuff up opportunistically.)
Having batches of the same type of product gives a thematic unity to their displays that I'm often missing.
I know, in my head, that I probably have as much material as these other stores, but it's mostly in books -- graphic novel and otherwise -- that are mostly spine out. (I've estimated I could fill a store ten times my current size and not look skimpy.)
My investment is in reading material, or boxed games,-- and everything else is ancillary.
But I tell you what, I don't think my store is any more packed (overwhelming) than either of those two stores, so I think I'll quit worrying about that.
As far as the looks. I would need to clear out my store and completely renovate to compete with the feel of either store (new fixtures, flooring, walls) -- and who knows, maybe I'll be able to do that someday. But meanwhile, I've been ensconced there for 30 years, and I just make the best I can of the space.
I do what I do. I sell what I sell. Who knows, maybe they have the same reaction when they come into my store...
But it is very sobering to see how well put together some of the downtown stores are.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Lady Liberty turns her back.
Linda had a dream last night where the Statue of Liberty had turned her back on New York.
Well, I think technically, she already is turned outward, to welcome the immigrants. But I love the image, and I feel the metaphor. And it works the other way -- turning her back on
" your tired, your poor,
There is a new book out about the building of the transcontinental railroad that flays the corrupt and mean-spirited men who got rich off the government subsidies. Here's the crux of the mystery:
"...how so many powerful and influential people are so ignorant and do so many things so badly and how the world still goes on." RAILROADED; Richard White.
Sound familiar?
Well, I think technically, she already is turned outward, to welcome the immigrants. But I love the image, and I feel the metaphor. And it works the other way -- turning her back on
" your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
There is a new book out about the building of the transcontinental railroad that flays the corrupt and mean-spirited men who got rich off the government subsidies. Here's the crux of the mystery:
"...how so many powerful and influential people are so ignorant and do so many things so badly and how the world still goes on." RAILROADED; Richard White.
Sound familiar?
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Out training the lawn.
Hope you all had an exciting weekend. Movies, Music, running in a race, climbing cliffs? Stuff like that?
Hah. I was out training my lawn. (Otherwise known as mowing the lawn.) I had new lawns put in last year, and I let them get pretty lush before I mowed them the first time. The grass sort of just laid down.
I was forced to mow at a higher height, which seemed to get the lawn even floppier.
But I wanted strong roots, so I put up with the little rows of half cut grass.
This year I was determined to get the lawn tamed. I've been mowing at the next lowest height, and after the first couple of times, it's gotten easier.
So the lawn is being trained.
Exciting, no?
Hah. I was out training my lawn. (Otherwise known as mowing the lawn.) I had new lawns put in last year, and I let them get pretty lush before I mowed them the first time. The grass sort of just laid down.
I was forced to mow at a higher height, which seemed to get the lawn even floppier.
But I wanted strong roots, so I put up with the little rows of half cut grass.
This year I was determined to get the lawn tamed. I've been mowing at the next lowest height, and after the first couple of times, it's gotten easier.
So the lawn is being trained.
Exciting, no?
Launch your Business.
The Launch Your Business series that the Bulletin will be doing, following 11 startups who took the L.Y.B. class up at C.O.C.C., should be interesting.
Far be it for me to be nitpicky. But there was one statement in the first article that seemed dubious to me: "More than 80% of businesses fail in the first 2 years."
Now the figure I've always heard, is 50% of new businesses fail in the first two years. Even that, I've always kind of doubted based on my observations.
Most businesses seem to last two years.
Now -- five years out? That's another story. I could believe that 50% figure at 5 years; 80% at 7 years.
I wonder if these stats are urban myth.
As to why they last 2 years? I think there is enough hope and enthusiasm usually to overcome the first few hurdles. They usually haven't built up enough debt quite yet.
So both money and enthusiasm are a little stronger at first. It probably takes a few months to a year for most new businesses to start to have the suspicion that it may not work quite the way they hoped.
**********
O.K. So the second article has come out.
I wasn't going to comment -- because I don't want to "Stomp on their Dreams" as a friend so elegantly put it.
For one thing, from the outside I can't gauge the motivation levels of the owners -- which is probably the most important factor of all, if more than a little intangible.
But I couldn't help noticing that almost all the new businesses have a environmental/social slant.
I guess this is fine, but I wonder if putting those concerns so front and center is wise. Yes, have a socially conscious business but first make your business work; make money, then make good.
Anyway, I wonder what it means. If it was something easily done, then one would think existing businesses would be doing it. So I suspect there is extra cost and effort and a diversion to adding social concerns to a business plan.
Either that, or it's a promotional appeal. Which, as I've mentioned many many times on this blog, often puts the cart before the horse. I have my doubts that appealing to the public on environment or social levels to buy from you can be anything but extra to your basic plan of actually selling them something they need and want.
Far be it for me to be nitpicky. But there was one statement in the first article that seemed dubious to me: "More than 80% of businesses fail in the first 2 years."
Now the figure I've always heard, is 50% of new businesses fail in the first two years. Even that, I've always kind of doubted based on my observations.
Most businesses seem to last two years.
Now -- five years out? That's another story. I could believe that 50% figure at 5 years; 80% at 7 years.
I wonder if these stats are urban myth.
As to why they last 2 years? I think there is enough hope and enthusiasm usually to overcome the first few hurdles. They usually haven't built up enough debt quite yet.
So both money and enthusiasm are a little stronger at first. It probably takes a few months to a year for most new businesses to start to have the suspicion that it may not work quite the way they hoped.
**********
O.K. So the second article has come out.
I wasn't going to comment -- because I don't want to "Stomp on their Dreams" as a friend so elegantly put it.
For one thing, from the outside I can't gauge the motivation levels of the owners -- which is probably the most important factor of all, if more than a little intangible.
But I couldn't help noticing that almost all the new businesses have a environmental/social slant.
I guess this is fine, but I wonder if putting those concerns so front and center is wise. Yes, have a socially conscious business but first make your business work; make money, then make good.
Anyway, I wonder what it means. If it was something easily done, then one would think existing businesses would be doing it. So I suspect there is extra cost and effort and a diversion to adding social concerns to a business plan.
Either that, or it's a promotional appeal. Which, as I've mentioned many many times on this blog, often puts the cart before the horse. I have my doubts that appealing to the public on environment or social levels to buy from you can be anything but extra to your basic plan of actually selling them something they need and want.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
A graph of Bend's economy.
The story arc of the Great Recession.
A. The sky is falling, we're doomed, man. At this phase I was having customers coming in, asking solicitously, "How are you doing? Are you going to make it?"
(I'd say about 95% of the news was negative.)
B. Yes, things are bad, but they have stabilized. The world isn't ending.
C. Hey, I see a ray of light. Look! Oh, never mind. It was a false dawn.
D. Oh, I think this is really a new dawn. Look! O.K. Maybe it's a little cloudy still, but life goes on!
(At this point, I'd say about 50% of the news was negative.)
E. Oops, a bit of a fall back. But don't worry. Things are getting steadily better!
F. Look this stat is up. So is this one! (Never mind those negative stats over there.)
(At this point, I'd say maybe 20% of the news was negative.
G. Nothing but positive stories, with the occasional buried bad news.
I could go on, but my point is this. As far as I can tell the following graph is the real state of the Bend economy since the crash.
Pay attention.
_________--------------____--______---_____-----
Something like that.
A. The sky is falling, we're doomed, man. At this phase I was having customers coming in, asking solicitously, "How are you doing? Are you going to make it?"
(I'd say about 95% of the news was negative.)
B. Yes, things are bad, but they have stabilized. The world isn't ending.
C. Hey, I see a ray of light. Look! Oh, never mind. It was a false dawn.
D. Oh, I think this is really a new dawn. Look! O.K. Maybe it's a little cloudy still, but life goes on!
(At this point, I'd say about 50% of the news was negative.)
E. Oops, a bit of a fall back. But don't worry. Things are getting steadily better!
F. Look this stat is up. So is this one! (Never mind those negative stats over there.)
(At this point, I'd say maybe 20% of the news was negative.
G. Nothing but positive stories, with the occasional buried bad news.
I could go on, but my point is this. As far as I can tell the following graph is the real state of the Bend economy since the crash.
Pay attention.
_________--------------____--______---_____-----
Something like that.
Blind to the Conflict of Interest.
So it's O.K. to have a subsidized cafe in government offices, because it's convenient to the people in those government offices?
Ummmm.
Let them plan ahead a little and buy their coffee and donuts from a store who IS paying rent, just like the rest of us.
If a cafe isn't viable if it has to pay rent, then it isn't viable.
But, hey. As long as you're at it. My customers would love to have a much bigger store and more selection, a few extra employees, maybe some extra space to sit and read.
It would be very convenient for them.
Could I have free rent, too?
**********
Ummmm.
Let them plan ahead a little and buy their coffee and donuts from a store who IS paying rent, just like the rest of us.
If a cafe isn't viable if it has to pay rent, then it isn't viable.
But, hey. As long as you're at it. My customers would love to have a much bigger store and more selection, a few extra employees, maybe some extra space to sit and read.
It would be very convenient for them.
Could I have free rent, too?
**********
An Open Letter to Bend Regal Cinemas
Please find room in one of your 3-D theaters for Cave of Forgotten Dreams.
I've been looking forward to this movie since I first read about it.
However, 3-D seems to be a crucial part of the experience.
You know that fellow Roger Ebert? He doesn't much like 3-D generally. But here's what he has to say about this movie:
"It was shown with bright, well-focused digital projection." "...he never allows his images to enter the film' space, instead of way for it to enter ours. He was correct to realize how useful it would be in photographing those walls. To the degree that it's possible for us to walk behind Herzog into that cave, we do so."
I won't be going to the 2-D version of this movie.
I've been looking forward to this movie since I first read about it.
However, 3-D seems to be a crucial part of the experience.
You know that fellow Roger Ebert? He doesn't much like 3-D generally. But here's what he has to say about this movie:
"It was shown with bright, well-focused digital projection." "...he never allows his images to enter the film' space, instead of way for it to enter ours. He was correct to realize how useful it would be in photographing those walls. To the degree that it's possible for us to walk behind Herzog into that cave, we do so."
I won't be going to the 2-D version of this movie.
Downtown Comings and Goings: 6/4/11
It looks like Perspectives is gone. Also across the street from us on Minnesota, the Smith and Wade salon has vacated.
Meanwhile, another established business is moving, with Bond St. Market moving 2 blocks south and across the street on Bond, to the River Bend Gallery space...
By my count, since Fall, 2008 -- (2.5 years):
78 new businesses.
70 leaving businesses.
NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, Bond St. 4/5/10
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails
(Fall, 2008 or so).
BUSINESSES LEAVING
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro
(Fall, 2008 or so.)
Meanwhile, another established business is moving, with Bond St. Market moving 2 blocks south and across the street on Bond, to the River Bend Gallery space...
By my count, since Fall, 2008 -- (2.5 years):
78 new businesses.
70 leaving businesses.
NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, Bond St. 4/5/10
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails
(Fall, 2008 or so).
BUSINESSES LEAVING
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro
(Fall, 2008 or so.)
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