Financial- and Seattle-related tidbits
I rode the buses for the first time yesterday, and found them clean and efficient and the drivers helpful and polite in a reserved sort of way. I think the "polite but not especially friendly" personality is the "Seattle Freeze" I've heard about. Personally, I prefer it over making smalltalk with gregarious strangers, which might have been one of the reasons I felt so at home in the Boston area (and a little out of place in Texas).
The buses are $1.25, which isn't that cheap, but you can get transfer tickets. And dogs are allowed on the buses! I saw three yesterday--one tried to climb in my lap and another gave me kisses. Anyway, I may look into getting a pass if it looks like taking the bus more often could be an option for me, and that should bring the cost down somewhat.
Found an auto mechanic with good reviews online, and got my 60,000-mile maintenance done for $250.00.
I have ONE skirt for cooler winter, and it's a black corduroy number with a slit up the side. Tights cling to it, and slips show (even ones with slits on the sides). I desperately need more winter skirts, but I can't find any. Most online retailers are out of my size by now. I went to Value Village (a "thrift department store") yesterday where I found a brown Banana Republic skirt in my size, only it was stained. Arrgh.
It's a bummer paying sales tax on Amazon.
I really need a job. I may look into temporary or part-time employment if nothing happens by mid-January. I'm still hoping something will happen with a particular employer that offers a 7% match on retirement funds to employees 35 and over. It's a library position, but a good one, and the benefits really can't be beat.
And, finally, a tidbit that just barely qualifies as financial-related: the woman on the cover of Kiplinger's Personal Finance February 2007 issue looks like a cross between J's sister and me, which he finds "a little disturbing."
posted by SMB @ 5:08 PM
4 Comments:
You know I never thought about it, but I always try to be nice to people but hate making small talk, I've never heard about "Seattle Freeze" before. And I love it when there are dogs on the bus, they are usually quite nice.
Try looking for work at the University of Washington, I work there and you can get a reduced fare bus pass as part of your perks. You can get temp, part-time or full-time work.
For thrifty skirts, you should also try Goodwill.
I hate paying sales tax on Amazon, somehow it irks me incredibly. I always look on Overstock first because they don't charge us Seattlites sales tax.
I'm amazed that they're allowed to differentiate retirement contributions based on age.
Kassy, I even saw something about a group meeting where people who are new to this area can get together and talk about the "Freeze." A therapist hosted it, I believe. I find it a little surprising and I wonder where these folks are from that makes Seattlites seem so cold in comparison--I mean, I wonder what sorts of social interactions they've gotten used to. Very interesting!
s/100/30, I've seen the difference in retirement contributions before, but it was for people who were a bit older--like 45 or 50.
I visited a friend in Seattle in late September and enjoyed it a lot. It was hot for late September! But the people were really friendly, friendlier than most cities I've visited for the first time. I was looking for directions to the World Trade Center and asked at least 5 people before some woman helped me out. This woman's lived in SF and Hawaii and now Seattle. She told me about all these great places I should visit and suggested I go to Alki Beach for the seafood. The water taxi is cheap if you have a bus pass. Have you scouted the happy hour places? there are tons of great happy hour places and you can get free food at some. Seattlites seem friendlier than SF ... I was at Alki beach sitting on the benches and this old man was standing on rollerblades taking a break. we started making small talk and he invited to join their rollerblade club! he didn't even know i was from SF.
I love the bus ... some routes are free until you get off then you pay. i rode the bus a few times and didn't pay because I was in the "fareless" zone.
the Value Village in the Capitol Hill neighborhood has lots of selection. there's another thrift store on that same street that has lots of cute clothes!
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