• Cyburbia is a friendly big tent, where we share our experiences and thoughts about urban planning practice, the built environment, planning adjacent topics, and anything else that comes to mind. No ads, no spam, and it's free. It's easy to join!

Daily things 5️⃣ Five Things Friday

1. The new job at the Council of Govts is slower pace than City Hall. I am the only one holding down the fort
2. I am finishing out the week streaming the 2nd Round of the PGA Championships on my phone
3. Dog sitting for my inlaws. Their dogs are unruly and have dug many holes in my backyard
4. My oldest son asked for a ride to school today instead of taking the bus. I made him leave early and sit at Starbucks with me for a while before driving to the school. It was nice.
5. Taking the youngest to a birthday party tomorrow. Wondering what age (he is 7) I would be comfortable dropping him off instead of hanging out.
 
1) Yesterday was an entirely pathetic day
2) No Brownfields grant award yet again - which was the icing on the cake
3) The highlight of the day was taking mom to see Book Club 2 - yep, that was the highlight
4) Weekend's plans are washed out, but at least there's soccer on the tele
5) It's Friday & at least I got that going for me.
 
1. Contractors working in the hallway outside, making it too loud to return a voicemail.
2. Alone in my office since people are either taking the day off or working in other locations.
3. Going to a friend's house tonight for game night!
4. Having other friends over tomorrow for cocktails and smoked pork.
5. Running a 5K on Monday in my hometown.
 
1) Not many of us working a full day today. And I'm working it from home, so it's really slow and quiet.

2) Family plans 2 days of the weekend, then recovery on the actual holiday.

3) Next week is the director's last week.

4) I could use a nap or a cup of coffee.

5) I like having a pet, but I also like being able to run away for the weekend.
 
1) My to/do dry erase board looks like I am a mad man.
2) Thinking about taking the department beyond just 'land use and permits'.
3) Yesterday I was informed that there is a communication breakdown in City Hall. When I asked for details, I was informed that they where quite upset that they were not told that a a parade that was being organized by an outside non-profit was not going to move forward. Knowing this person's duties with the City, I was not quite sure why this was a problem, especially knowing that I just learned about it on Wednesday and we have our staff meetings on Monday.
4) Going out to a restaurant for what I think might be the best wings in the region.
5) I am going to try to get my oldest to come to the gym with me tomorrow morning.
 
Going to see Jackson Browne with a couple thousand of my closest friends tomorrow evening. Great seats, so I'm pretty stoked.
First time going to a historic theater over in the big town. Wasn't avoiding it, but just never had circumstances work out.
Had a nice note from my newfound Argentine cousin. Wrote back immediately.
My office remains the only one in our c.1845 rehab not getting cooling for some reason. Supposed to fix that tomorrow. We'll see.
My climate intern is entirely too polite. Bless his heart.
 
1. Belligerence is not sexy
2. There's a house that still has their trump pence 2020 sign up - I want to ask them which one, but I won't
3. Had the hedge wall along the side property line trimmed up today, but should've had them take another foot off the top - still looks better than it did
4. The Entitled Ones (that's what I'm calling the local vocal naysayer group) is making noise again
5. Picking out office furniture for the new place is both fun and frustrating.
 
1. Wife gets to practice nursing exam items on me to prep or a Monday test.
2. She is enjoying the 1:45 train ride to/form school instead of driving in traffic.
3. I enjoy taking and picking her up at train station.
4. Weekend golfing a course I have not played in 15+ years.
5. Enjoying the pleasant evenings while on my patio couch.
 
1) I was going to come back into my work town this weekend for several festivities to show support for the elected officials. I will stay home and go to the neighborhood pool instead.
2) Going to break in the new grill tonight with burgers. Tomorrow's lunch will be wings and I am going to smoke a brisket as well.
3) I have to run to the other side of the county this afternoon. I may stop at the house to change into shorts and a t-shirt
4) I really need to water the plants in my office
5) As much as I hate on Planet Fitness, it is the only gym in close proximity to where I live, and they give HS students a free summer membership. So my oldest has been working out with me all week.
 
1. Trifecta: Friday, payday, and three day weekend.
2. Also, the 16th anniversary of my mother passing away (today), and what would have been my 28th wedding anniversary (tom'w).
3. Appointment with the Mayor in my office this afternoon. He's already 21 minutes late ...
4. Hazy from Canada fires here. Not @Dan crazy, but still unpleasant.
5. Cardinals vs Mets this weekend. I think the Redbirds will find a way to drop at least 2 out of 3.
 
1) I am looking for more landscape ideas for our back yard. Our long term goal is to have the same feel and characteristics that one would find in the courtyard gardens that are typical in Charleston and Savannah. I would still love to include a 10 by 20 plunge pool, but the wife still thinks it is unsafe to have something only 10-feet wide. Regardless, the back yard project is not a one year, or even five year project, but will go on for at least 10 to get the height of the plants and trees that we want.
2) I have zero idea what I want to do for lunch. However, I do know that we are going to go out some place for dinner. Having said that, I don't know where we will go and the wife does not like picking were we go.
3) We hung up blinds in our house this week and it looks so much better than the temporary paper shades that we bought and installed almost 8 years ago.,
4) The weather this week has been different. Originally, the forecast called for washout rains and localized flooding everyday this week. For our part of the county, we have had a couple of decent showers, but still not enough rain to address the deficit.
5) @Gedunker, I can relate to your #2 from last week. The 16th was also the anniversary date of my mother passing away 13 years ago, and is also my father's birthday. We think she held on just to make sure he got his present from her knowing it would be the last.
 
1 - there's a lot of furniture moving going on in city hall & my conference room has become the storage area because new spaces have to be renovated
2 - can't complain too much since some of it is for our new offices
3 - trying to hold off on a large back yard project for another couple of years, part of me :)rollofhundreds:) wants to & part of me ( :cool: ) doesn't
4 - going to see new Wes Anderson movie tomorrow with another couple, which will also include stopping at a couple taprooms
5 - went to dinner with a group of friends last night which included elderly mothers, it looked like a parade of walkers going to the table.
 
1. First overseas vacation since 2019 starts next week.
2. Completely unintentionally my wife and are taking separate vacations - me with my brother, her with her maman. Long story.
3. I'm looking forward to riding lots of trains and visiting many pubs and whisky distilleries. My wife is looking forward to eating seafood and going to the beach.
4. Seeing our niece tonight who is staying over on her way to Montreal for a conference.
5. Still not used to being "Great Uncle" Tranplanner to her little one.
 
Tranplanner said:
Still not used to being "Great Uncle" Tranplanner to her little one.
Click to expand...
Episode 9 Grandpa Simpson GIF by The Simpsons
 
1. Finally getting to the end of design changes on the new house.
2. Equally exciting and terrifying at the same time. Builder has a really good interest rate so I've got that going for me.
3. The waves of uncertainty are washing over City Hall. It's odd because things are actually going quite well. I think it's a power flex thing.
4. I'm mildly concerned for myself but I can only control what I can control.
5. We've had so much rain this week I'm afraid to even step on my lawn it's so soaked.
 
  • Birthday weekend
  • Pizza dinner desired
  • Getting gas at Costco then a Costco hotdog ( :cool: )
  • I don't know
  • Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps



 
1. Relatively new to cyburbia
2. Internship I am currently in is more busy work than any meaningful
3. Reading Strongtowns to get through the day
4. Going to cincy this weekend (hype)
5. Doing more research into grad schools
 
emckinne21 said:
1. Relatively new to cyburbia
2. Internship I am currently in is more busy work than any meaningful
3. Reading Strongtowns to get through the day
4. Going to cincy this weekend (hype)
5. Doing more research into grad schools
Click to expand...
Welcome, post early and post often.
 
1. Worked a whole lotta hours this week.
2. Tired but don't want to go to bed early because it is Fri-yay!
3. Hubby made a tasty dinner.
4. 5 day weekend next week!
5. Really missing NYC these days.
 
1. Got the afternoon off
2. I'll probably harvest garlic, remove the dead pea plants, and transplant the cucumbers I started from seed to take the place of the peas this afternoon
3. I've already got San Marzano tomatoes forming
4. For that matter I've got a single grape tomato forming too
5. The last beer I had was a Dark Horse stout
 
1. Turning over the keys to the old townhouse.
2. Paying the rent on the new townhouse.
3. I have a tomato plant growing in a pot on the deck of the new townhouse.
4. My new office is fancy, but messy.
5. My old office is un-fancy, but empty and neat.
 
1) Past few days have been good days and I feel like there have been several good foundations put in place for upcoming projects.
2) I am going to get a haircut tomorrow. The woman who cuts my hair reminds me of Jenna Elfman.
3) Two projects that I thought were dead came back to life this week. Both are good projects for the City.
4) Wife 'gets' to be on call for the 3rd weekend in a row. She is also on call for the 4th of July. We have a vacation planned in a few weeks.
5) I have no idea what I want to eat for lunch. I might pick up something on my way back to the office.
 
1 - dealing with a scatter-brained designer and an old-school contractor is making this building remodel more difficult than it should be
2 - going to a sporting event in a couple weeks & they just opened purchase of parking passes for $80...they know they've got you
3 - Mrs. P has to work on Monday, but I'm taking it off
4 - had a citizen confess to me and the clerk that he likes to post things on FB just to poke & get people riled up
5 - going to be sitting in the lake on Tuesday, sipping on a beer. HAPPY 4th!
 
1) Big Annual Event over - until this time next year!

2) Have a feeling changes are a-comin

3) Long weekend, have tickets to see Indy, along with plans with the fam

4) I foresee several naps during the weekend

5) I'm ready for a nap right now!
 
1. Made the decision to close City Hall on Monday since so many people asked off.
2. Have to burn a day of PTO but it's totally worth it for the 4 day weekend.
3. Home plans have been finalized, contract signed and pre-approval obtained. Let the nervousness begin!
4. Saltwater on the menu this weekend.
5. Had a ride in the new BMW electric SUV. Have to admit it's pretty sweet.
 
1. Payday!
2. Finally get to see my cat again after leaving her with my parents while we were on vacation
3. One of our staff members left work to be a full time mom, making her family a Meal Train dinner tonight while they take care of the newborn
4. Our team has been a skeleton crew since two of our planners left, 20+ permit reviews here I come!
5. 20+ permits wouldn't be so bad if architects would stop pushing back on every requirement we have
 
1 - new office chairs delivered today, I felt like Oprah - you get a chair & you get a chair & you get a chair & I get a chair
2 - The Girl is staying an extra day in the mountains (& I'm not surprised at all)
3 - 3 day work weeks are nice
4 - SHPO report won't write itself unfortunately
5 - going to MLS match Saturday night & nothing else planned for the weekend except rest.
 
1. It's Junior's 18th birthday. It defies reason for anyone to consider him an 'adult'
2. I harvested the garlic and replanted the area with bush beans and filled a 7 gallon bag with dirt and seeded rutabagas in it
3. I did not, however, get the peas cut down and transplant the cucumbers. Guess I will this weekend
4. I just discovered I have an aptitude for doing that 'auctioneer talk'
5. It's a half day for me at work today.
 
1) Website updates today! And of course, some GIS updates/edits are needed, and I can't do those. That part will have to wait until next week.

2) Most of mom's artwork is boxed up for shipping to the online auction place. The remaining couple of pieces will go to the thrift store that supports a women's shelter.

3) Short week, but got a lot done. Feel productive!

4) Hair appt and lunch with a friend this weekend. Otherwise, puttering around the house (some light cleaning, laundry, etc).

5) Might rain. We need it, but not in storm format.
 
Gedunker said:
Architect drawn site plans are, hands down, no arguments, teh worst of all.
Click to expand...

1) We have our share of disagreements with interpretation of our architectural regulations. We we require drive-though buildings to have at least the appearance of a two story mixed-use building.
2) I have way too much laundry to do this weekend
3) Finding a pool contractor has become a PITA
4) I may have overwatered one of my plants this morning.
5) This study was referenced in a book that I am reading. The book seems to think it will be sooner than 2030. It makes me think of all the things we can do to the built environment to change this direction.

News: By 2030, nearly half of all U.S.... (The Los Angeles Times) - Behind the headlines - NLM

(The Los Angeles Times) By 2030, nearly half of all U.S. adults will be obese, experts predict. Associated research findings from the National Library of Medicine.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
 
Gedunker said:
Architect drawn site plans are, hands down, no arguments, teh worst of all.
Click to expand...
He's basically refusing to make any changes I'm asking. For instance his easement line is offset from the rear property line even though the survey shows them on the same plane :facepalm:
 
We have the architects full employment act in our state as well. Architect for the building, engineer for the G&D or building parts that need engineering and LA for the landscape, but we allow any of the above to do simple plans within limits of what the law allows. We need a planner's employment act.
 
1 - Last night's downtown concert was rained out halfway through - still was good.
2 - It was much nicer breaking things down in a cool rain than setting up in the hot sun
3 - I'm meeting the city attorney for lunch
4 - There are idiots in town that think they can open a manhole lid & pour whatever down the drain - public works is having "fun" with them
5 - Mom has transitioned very well into her new living arrangements - her social calendar keeps expanding (which is fantastic).
 
1) Had to get more paperwork to fill out re: mom's estate.

2) Date Night tomorrow with Hubby. Reservations made and everything!

3) No other big plans for the weekend. Run some errands most likely.

4) Leftovers for lunch!

5) I hate asking people for money, but that's what's on my calendar for this afternoon.
 
1) I just had popcorn for a snack.

2) New director starts in 2 weeks.

3) I need to get some new shoes - but I hate shoe shopping.

4) It's my weekend to grocery shop. I may do delivery this time.

5) Trying a new to us Italian place this weekend.
 
1 - Too hot to grill tonight
2 - Election filing closed today & looks stupid crazy
3 - Going to see my brother on Sunday in the mountains to play golf & take advantage of cooler temps
4 - Contractor on our building is playing games with Change Orders, thing is I know who trained him so I know their games
5 - Pink Floyd's Fearless
 
1. One of the hardest parts of living overseas is when your friends move away and you have to make new ones.
2. Had Popeyes for dinner.
3. It has been a looooooooooooong short week.
4. Sunday is family movie day. Hubby has requested Indiana Jones movies.
5. I am tempted to try out for some local theater group but have no experience.
6. My coworkers thought I was joking when I told them I had always wanted to join a Gospel Choir.
 
1. I'm working at a service plaza along the PA Turnpike. I've had Popeye's more than once in a couple of weeks.
2. How I donate money. Put a few bills in the same pocket where I carry my keys. Take out the keys, which drag and drop my money.
3. We're leaving at 2 today, which gets me home around 4:30, after I stop at the office.
4. It was really dusty up here yesterday, and I think that I was the dirtiest I've ever been.
5. I cant wait to get home.
 
1 - crepe myrtles are blooming & there's tiny pink flowers all over my car
2 - hasn't been a bad week, but hasn't been a good week
3 - looking forward to a gathering @ a friends house tonight with a couple people from out-of-town coming too
4 - The Girl moved into her apartment for the year this week & is very excited to get settled in
5 - more than 6 million cubic feet or 168,000 cubic metres of water go over the Horseshoe Falls alone every minute.
 
1) Spent all day at an Elected and Appointed Officials training session.

2) Plans both days this weekend.

3) Next week our new dept director starts. Will be interesting!

4) Hubby is cranky because it's so hot even early in the morning so he's missing his morning jog/run. We don't have room for a treadmill so I tell him to just ride the peleton.

5) Need to find some reading material to take to the upcoming jury duty day.
 
1. I'm getting emails from IT that says I have to update my password. I'm going on vacay for a week so there's no way I'll set up a new password because I won't remember it
2. there's 5 of us heading to the airport tomorrow & 4 of us are checking bags - guess who ain't
3. building contractor still trying to play games with change orders on our new building
4. I haven't had Popeyes in a while since its location sucks here, but I've BoJangles recently
5. middle of the night leg cramps suck
 
1. Got the afternoon off as usual, but apart from a bit of gardening don't really have any plans
2. Not having plans can be a good thing when taking time off
3. Maybe sit out on the back patio and read this afternoon
4. Maybe take a nap
5. Maybe sow the bush beans like I've been meaning to do the past week
 
1. TGIF.
2. Had a baked potato for dinner.
3. Not gonna go to my high school reunion. If they have one.
4. The faucet is still dripping.
5. Our friends moved away.
 
1) Trying to get some time with the boss before her vacay.

2) Plans both days of the weekend. Only one day looks like fun.

3) Can't remember the last time I had cheap beer. My taste buds rule when at the store, so I always end up spending more for the good stuff.

4) I'm turning into a nosy neighbor. I found myself looking at and wondering about my neighbor's construction crew in their back yard.

5) I think I'm ready for another dog.
 
Back
Top