Easing into the Coze

Welcome Fall!  Maybe we are jumping the gun a wee bit, but there are definitely boots and sweaters in the office today.  Not that we aren’t excited to see the sun (it really is gorgeous out there right now) but, you know, boots, sweaters, wool dresses, and tights all absolutely, definitively trump rumpled sundresses.  This time of year is always probably going to be a big yay for clothes, but always feels a little melancholy.  That’s okay – console your inner angst with autumnal strolls through Forest Park or on Mt. Hood, yummy treats, and much, much better outfits.  There are plenty of activities to ease you into our “cozy” (and longest) season.  One happening has caught our interest is the upcoming fundraiser for In Other Words feminist bookstore and community center; you may be familiar with the site as the bookstore that is home to several sketches on Portlandia.  Not sure if Fred and Carrie will be at the October 6th fundraiser like they were for the August event, but there will be music, raffles, food, and beverages.    

 

we could order that for you; it'll take a year to get here

We were also thinking about going to GoGreen next Tuesday, but collectively our team has already been to several green business events or continuing education courses this year.  And we already have the big ones booked for next year.  If you go, fill us in on the extra special bits!     

Carefree, CarFree

Today marks another World Carfree Day (WCD, as some call it, ugh acronyms).  For many of us, participation in this event is hard if not impossible without calling in "carfree" from work.  Portland is absolutely a great place to walk, cycle, or use public transit to get to work.  However, in America, a relatively recently developed country, we have LOTS of infrastructure built for automobiles.  Driving and certainly parking in Europe is not nearly as easy or fun as driving in the US.  (Yes, there are some scary stories around this experience.)  Like Elaine from Seinfeld, we tend to prefer the luxury of wide lanes/ streets.  Which has always made us wonder - are insurance rates a lot higher in places with tiny, cobbled streets and kamikaze pedestrians??

For some of us lucky enough to have some flexibility in our work lives, enjoy steering clear of the hassle of driving today:  traffic, running out of gas, road rage, pesky curbs, shiny distractions.  Instead dust off the good old legs for a tune-up; it is amazing how much neglect they can take and still work.  If there isn't really a feasible way to stay away from the car today, we think picking your own day this weekend to avoid the metal beast (or tin can whatever the case may be) would be a great way to participate in CarFree Day.  Actually, creating your own personal CarFree Day might get you some sort of bonus points...

parallel parking nightmare

These boots were made for walking

We love to help people find the perfect place to nest.  For many souls in the Pacific NW, a neighborhood needs to be walkable to truly feel like home.  One fun way to discover the most walkable communities is by hoofing it all over town!  For those of us that aren't made of time, walkscore is a great way to explore the walkability of your hood (remember how much more exercise we got before the information superhighway?).  You can also check out cities you are contemplating living in or visiting.  For kicks, we checked out three of our home addresses...we are proud to announce that one of our very own teammates lives in a 100 out of 100 "walker's paradise" here in PDX.  As you may have guessed, it is a downtown address.  If you are unhappy with the lack of pedestrian-friendly thoroughfares in your little corner of the world, you can always help foster change.  For those of us in or near Portland, the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition is a wonderful and effective way to get involved.  If you have been enjoying the new bike lanes and crosswalks on N. Rosa Parks near Peninsula Park, you can stop by to thank Erin as she contributed to the RFP with some telling photos!

MFNW and then

Looks like tonight starts off Music Fest NW.  It always so tough to decide which shows to try to see.  The last time we tried to hit one, we must have chosen well because we got nowhere near getting in the door.  Here's what this year brings.  If you are feeling too old (or just too cozy in your phat pad) maybe next week's Heart & Def Leppard event is more your speed!  Not feeling in the mood for music?  No problem, Def Leppard gives a mean in service on being denim-clad :)

hipsters