Not Your Mother's Park Blocks

Back in the day, when I was a technical dweeb, there was Powell's Technical Bookstore. There was the resident cat "Fup", who had his own (her own?) business cards. A spiral staircase that went... up, someplace.

The dusty stacks, the only place in Portland to find technical books. It is gone from the Park Blocks, moved over towards "regular" Powell's. Have not been there, yet.

But the North Park blocks, that used to seem somewhat seedy. Then the Sister City gift from China arrived, for kids to check out in the park. The play structure. Alas, Daisy Kingdom moved out. So too the sheet music store.

Now, there are trendy urban spaces along the west side of the blocks. Large barely furniture-populated urban spaces. Very well lit. No people, but warnings of security cameras.

But, true to history, there is still something seedy about these blocks. Still homeless people in the park. So look like you know where you're going. Still people who are no longer institutionalized talking and swearing and making strange gestures. Ignore them.

I wonder what will move into the old Powell's Tech store. Alas, the few software types I run into of late have turned to (chose one): {telecommuting, home remodeling, teaching high school math}. Yes, there really was a time when you could drive into a new parking lot and find yourself a new job. There really was a time when you could count on those bonuses to upgrade your standard of living.

A new couch this year! A new TV next year! A new car! Hey, now I realize what is wrong with the economy. Do I get bonuses? No, which severely limits my ability to contribute to the economy.

This morning I recommended performance bonuses if technical projects hit their projected budget. Hmm, maybe this can help the economy after all.