The blog post about selling my American collection of stuff (shit) got a little long, so this is the part b to finish it.
5 weeks of digging out and getting ready to sell the American Dream. I really wanted my friends to get some of my stuff, but that said, I was now selling to anyone with the money. SALE DAY
PEOPLE LINED UP EARLY
Breakfast treats for helpers
There goes my homemade bed
nice shovel
THIS FATHER-SON TEAM COME BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND LOADED UP WITH STUFF.
I MADE THIS KITCHEN TABLE 25 YEARS AGO, I WAS CRYING WHEN IT LEFT.
CLOTHES FROM LAOS
When my Grandfather passed away my Grandmother gave me his collection of woodworking tools. I proudly used them in several different craft business’s. The tools enabled me to become quite an accomplished woodworker, thanks Grandpa and Grandma. The tools were the best type inheritance anyone could receive.
My grandpa’s table saw, this hurt the most.
I tried to sell stuff during the week and the next weekend, but it cost more than I received in sales. I set a table on the street covered with stuff. I came home and everything was gone-including the table. When I came inside the house I found a note from someone who took the table and said I could call him if I wanted the table back. Nice.
I couldn’t sell the chair for $2 but for free, it’s gone
It took 2 weeks to get rid of everything.
This was my work truck for 25 years, it was 39 years old and ran great.
KIM SHOWING OFF HER NEW LADDER
LUNCH BREAK THE LAST OF THE GARAGE SELL GOING TO THE DUMP
The consumer economy of America is a the biggest hoax being played on Americans. When you buy something new, the value is only in it’s use for you. The idea of receiving any value for something you bought new is a joke. Your lucky to get maybe 10% of what you paid. I will only shop at estate sales in the future, there are some great values to be had.
After selling everything I stopped by Steve & Kimberly’s house,
HE NEEDS TO HAVE AN ESTATE SELL TOO.
I ASKED KIMBERLY WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING THAT STARTED THIS MESS, HER RESPONSE WAS “THE DAY WE BOUGHT THE SHED”
The American appetite for more and more materialism is just plain and simply: UNSUSTAINABLE. I wish I knew how to slow it or for that matter stop it.
THIS IS EVERYTHING I’M BRINGING BACK TO SLOVENIA: ROCK COLLECTION, ART AND SOME CLOTHES.
I still regret selling my Grandfathers tools, that was probably the hardest thing I had to do. But that said, what a relief to have cleaned up my past in Portland and prepare myself for my future with Natasa in Slovenia.
NEXT: post about the 4 vacations around Europe, one an epic solo bike tour.
I “invented” my first bike BackPack from an old hiking pack when I was 16. When all my friends were getting their driving licenses, I was learning to bike tour. Biking gave me the freedom to go where I wanted-when I wanted. The car keys in my house, came with so many stipulations, biking was a better option.
I moved to Portland in 1974 by train and brought my bike with me. It wasn’t much of a bike city back then,.The city hired a full time Bike Program Manger in 1993 and since then bicycling has been given some budget priority.
I started a free bike lights program called Get Lit, for which I received a BTA Alice Award. I was also volunteer of the year at the Community Cycling Center. Bicycling has been in my blood for a long time and Portland was the perfect bike city for me.
THERE ARE SO MANY BIKE PARADES IN PORTLAND, I MADE THIS TO SHOW MY ENTHUSIASM FOR BICYCLINGI HAULED IT AROUND WITH MY BIKE AT BIKE EVENTS. I FOUND SOMEONE TO ADOPT IT AND CARRY ON THE MESSAGE: “BICYCLING IS A BARREL OF FUN WITHOUT A BARREL OF OIL.” BIKING IS GREAT FOR YOUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF THE PLANET TOO.
In 2002 Portland hosted “Bike Summer” which helped kick start Portland’s love affair with Bike Fun. Everyone had so much fun that SHIFT and PEDALPALOOZA were created. Then in 2005, Jonathan Maus started the “BIKE PORTLAND” website. He did a story on the history of what helped Portland to create it’s Bike Culture.
I was lucky enough to be in Portland for this years PedalPalooza bike events. In the past I hosted, Bike to Skate, the Oxbow Campout (an introduction to bike touring) and co-hosted with Jill, The Dandy Warhol’s tour of Portland.
OXBOW CAMPERS GETTING READY TO RIDE OUTWHAT’S HE DAYDREAMING ABOUT?PATRICK HAULING IN THE “SUPPLIES”ZIA (in the green) and JILL (in the white helmet) leading riders around on The Dandy Warhols historical locations tour: album recordings, living situations, favorite bars and a private tour of the recording studio-The Odditorium (awesome!)
PedalPalooza culminated with the Multnomah County Bike Fair, Which really celebrated Portland’s Culture of BIKE FUN.
WITH THE HELP OF MANY VOLUNTEERS THIS WAS ONE OF PORTLAND’S BEST BIKE EVENTS (before Sunday Parkways)
Some photos ofThe Sprockettes performing before hundreds of spectators. I always thought the bike jousting was a little dangerous, but always a crowd pleaser.
I received a grant to offer low cost helmets and lights and had a booth at the event, promoting what I thought was important-Bike Safety.
PORTLAND’S MANY EVENTS WOULDN’T HAPPEN WITHOUT IT’S GREAT VOLUNTEER’SMY FRIEND MIKE BEING FITTED BY ONE OF OUR MANY VOLUNTEERSKIM, PUTTING THE DEALS TOGETHER FOR PEOPLE.
Portland’s best bike event by far is SUNDAY PARKWAYS and I was lucky enough to participate in 2 of them, while in Portland. It’s an opportunity to walk, run or bike Portland’s streets without cars. It’s a great event too, because it’s the one event in Portland that doesn’t have beer as the main ingredient., it’s all for the love of walking and biking.
A FEW YEARS AGO BOTH HANMI & I WERE RECOVERING FROM INJURIES AND COULDN’T RIDE, SO WE HIRED PORTLAND PEDICABS TO TAKE US ON SUNDAY PARKWAYS, WITH WATER PISTOLS!SUNDAY PARKWAYS ALLOWS DIFFERENT BUSINESS’S TO ADVERTISE WHAT THEY DO. LIKE SOUPCYCLE THAT DELIVERS, BY BIKE, FRESH SOUP TO YOUR HOUSE. IT’S SO PORTLAND!
These are some photos from this years Pedalpalooza kick-off ride.
Portland’s bike community wants you to do “everything” by bike.
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO A WEEKEND BBQ IN THE PARK WITH “GRILLED BY BIKE” PORTLAND’S CREATIVE NATURE IS SO INSPIRING!
Pedalpaloozaz’s most attended event for riders and spectators is the WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE. Why ride Naked? The worldwide bike ride highlights the vulnerability of cyclists everywhere and decries society’s dependence on pollution-based transport. It’s also a lot of fun and it’s free for all!. I rode the first WNBR in 2004 and hadn’t ridden one since, Why? I have no idea. But since I’m moving, I thought this would be a great event to participate in.
YEP, THAT’S ME WITH ME WITH THE HANDY PHONE CARRIER AROUND MY WAIST.
My camera lens was dirty and I didn’t have a T-shirt to clean it, so my photos were poor to bad. They estimated there were 10,000 riders.
The streets were lined with spectators and their cameras
I SUGGESTED THESE LADIES RIDE NEXT YEAR, (hopefully they will!)
if you want some more WNBR photos try HERE
Pealpalozza ends again with the Multnomah County Bike Fair, but it doesn’t quite match the effort from years past. But I had a windup bike toy I’ve wanted to give to Dingo the Clown for 5 years and I thought he would be there.
I WAS RIGHT HE WAS THERE AND I FINALLY GAVE DINGO THE TOY.THIS IS DINGO AND OLIVE AT THE MULTNOMAH COUNTY FAIR, HE ATTACHED THE TOY TO HIS HANDLE BARS.MR. RELIABLE, CARL LARSON, AT THE MCBF ALSO ONE OF THE FEW WHO TOOK THE TIME TO COME TO MY PRE-ESTATE SALE, IT MEANT A LOT.
There’s so much more to Portland’s bike culture that I can’t cover it all on this Blog. But I would like to mention just a few more of Portland’s iconic bike pillars that have contributed to making Portland the bike mecca of fun, that it is. Bicycle Transportation Alliance, Portland’s Bureau of Transportation, Jay Graves former owner of Bike Gallery, Nut Case Helmets (for making bike safety cool & fun) Cycle Oregon, Zoo Bomb, Urban Adventure League, Filmed by Bike, Bike Smut (why mention this? I don’t know why)
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this blog post as much as I liked writing it. Your feedback and comments are always welcome, I’ve got some readers, but not so many writers.
Thanks for reading
Jeff
NEXT? LEAVING PORTLAND OREGON: PART II, SELLING A LIFETIME OF STUFF
Sorry for the delay in posting, but Portland and my commitments ate me alive. I’m back now in Skofja Loka, Slovenia with my wife and couldn’t be happier. Since I’m now living in Skofja Loka, I had to return to America for a major house clearing. I had to sell everything I own, tools, vehicles, household goods, art, basically a lifetime of possessions. It’s one thing to have an Estate Sale after you’ve passed away but it’s another thing-if your still alive and watching your life go out the door. But it’s more than the stuff I’m parting with, it’s goodbye Portland and goodbye friends. The next several blog posts will be about all of these things. There has been some laughing, some crying but no regrets. I’ve lived in Portland Oregon for 35 years, had several business’s, volunteered a lot, organized community events, was involved in a political campaign so my network was large and I was well connected in the community (maybe not always well liked?) In this blog I’ll be looking at Portland’s uniqueness & quirkiness. If you live in America, you probably move to Portland. My move to Skofja Loka enabled me to live the life that Portland yearns to be. I just don’t have the 20 years to wait for Portland to actually close it’s first street to cars. I now have: a car-free walk able town square., bike friendliness, 3 days a week farmers market, great bus & train opportunities and I have them today. Oh yea and a super wife too! I’m living the dream here in Skofja Loka, Slovenia.
PORTLAND SCENES
PORTLAND’S AFFECTION FOR VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN FOOD OPTIONS INCLUDES ALMOST EVERYTHING ELSE TOO!EVEN THE FOOD CARTS TRY TO MAKE THEIR BUSINESS’S SUSTAINABLE. CORVALLIS IS 100 MILES AWAY, CLOSE CONSIDERING AMERICA’S AVERAGE MEAL TRAVELS 1500 MILES. MOST OF MY PRODUCE FROM THE FARMERS MARKET HERE COMES 3 MILES–THAT’S SUSTAINABLE.
Portland is a clash of values, there’s healthy local food then there’s VOODOO DONUTS. This is a must visit when you come to Portland, if anything just to see how many people line up for their doughnuts (don’t forget it’s deep fried sugar).
PORTLAND WANTS YOU TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYSBUT THERE’S STILL PLENTY OF REAL FAST FOOD AVAILABLE.THIS IS A PART OF PORTLAND I DEFINITELY WON’T MISS. PORTLAND CAN’T SEEM TO HAVE A MEETING, A GET TOGETHER OR ANY FUNCTION FOR THAT MATTER THAT DOESN’T INCLUDE BEER (usually free) AND PLENTY OF IT. SOMETIMES I WONDER HOW THEY GET ANYTHING DONE?
Marijuana was made legal in Oregon while I was there. For years “Medical” Marijuana had been available with a “medical” card.
There must be a lot of sick people in Portland, there are “clinics” everywhere.
Portland is also known for it’s love of Cats and Dogs, Portland has the most animals per person than anywhere in America.
MORE DOG THAN OWNERTHEY LIKE TO DRESS UP THEIR PETS TOO.BARK-N- BISTRO-DOG TREATS by BIKE!THERE’S MORE THAN DOGS AND CATS IN PORTLAND, ANIMAL RESCUE IS HUGE TOOSHE’S CARRYING HER CAT WHILE WALKING HER DOG AT THE SATURDAY MARKET. NO ANIMAL LEFT BEHIND IN PORTLAND
Portland’s Food Carts are world renowned and hugely popular. It offers an opportunity to nearly anyone with the imitative, to start their own business. The variety of world taste is more than you can imagine. This is a part of Portland I’ll miss, though somewhat unfair to brick and mortar restaurants, who must provide amenities like handicap bathrooms.
One food cart I discovered this time was Rahel’s Ethiopian Food.
The food cart pod , CARTLANDIA is just off the Springwater Bike Trail offers a huge selection of international food. My new favorite and a must visit if your in Portland is RAHEL’S ETHIOPIAN FOOD. It can be as spicy and as vegetarian as you like or add some lamb or chicken. I had the lamb and it was very good and tender too.
YOU DEFINELTY GET THIS WARM FEELING WHEN EATING AT RAHEL’S
Gang violence has been erupting all over Portland, but mostly in the North and Northeast. The Alberta Last Thursday Art event had a shooting last month, but since I’m leaving soon I thought I would take a chance at having one last look before I leave.
THERE WERE PLENTY OF PORTLAND’S FINEST READY TO HELP KEEP THE PEACE.VEGAN–GLUTEN FREE–NICOTINE FREE–SYNTHETIC FREE–AROMATHERAPY BENEFITS. WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?SOMETIMES PORTLAND IS JUST SO FULL OF ITSELF.EARRINGS MADE FROM OLD UKULELE’SSTREET DEMONSTRATIONS OF POLE DANCINGMORE BOW TIES FOR DOGSIF YOUR PRODUCT ISN’T SELLING I GUESS IT CAN ONLY HELP BY TRYING TO GET THE SYMPATHY SALE.I HAD TO GO HAVE A LOOK (I’m a guy)SOMEONE’S “ART” PROJECTHANDMADE TENNIS-BOOTSOREGON INSPIRED T-SHIRT NEVER KNOW WHEN YOUR GOING TO NEED A SLING SHOT!
Thanks for letting me share some of Portland’s uniqueness and quirkiness. There really is only one city in America like Portland and it’s definitely Portland.
Were just weeks away from opening our own AIR B & B apartment in the old town of Skofja Loka. Mark your calendars for a visit.
Until Next time,
Jeff
Next blog? Portland’s incredible Bike Scene
LEAVE RESUME? HOW HARD CAN THE JOB BE, I’VE GOT MY GED!
I ASKED KIMBERLY WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING THAT STARTED THIS MESS, HER RESPONSE WAS “THE DAY WE BOUGHT THE SHED”
THIS IS EVERYTHING I’M BRINGING BACK TO SLOVENIA: ROCK COLLECTION, ART AND SOME CLOTHES.
