Westfalia restoration portland

The nerve of some people, update on previous post
Am i screwed?. I'll keep this really simple, I sold a mac pro online, Was sent to Portland Oregon and received by signature 11 days ago. Person contacts me yesterday to say there's a lock on it and it's a company computer. This is not true, i got it from a points system through a company i do business with for free, it came to me sealed in the box, i used it for a month, literally just used it to watch some movies on a trip, decided i wasn't using it alot otherwise and really needed some extra cash so i thought I'd offload it as i got it for free
I already factory reset it and it was ready to go, but the guy contacts me showing me an Amazon log in screen for employees and says it's a bad computer. He then proceeds to tell me he knows a place that can unlock it for$200. I'm very suspicious so i fight it, he sends me a very small pic of the back of the computer conforming the serial number, to prove its the same. I receive no large pictures of the laptop.
We then decided after much back and forth that he's sending it back for a refund. I'm terrified he's sending me a locked computer in its place and I'll have to refund him... What can i do??
Edit....Do you know that I received the laptop back today and it wasn't even the one I sent. It was a completely different model. It is a night and day different model so this is a complete bait and switch he is trying to pull. I sent my old pictures and the new pictures to eBay. There is no way that they let him get away with this is there?? I mean he didn't even try to make it look like the one I sent, it's all scratched, he sent me a pic of my serial number to confirm and this one even has a different serial number on it. I mean who is he trying to fool. AND he didnt even return a charging cable, the audacity. Grrrrrr.
*****2nd edit.....5/14/24. GOT MY MONEY BACK!!!!!. I was denied after the first investigation but decided to appeal while supplying a police report. I was then asked to sign an official affidavit under threat of perjury that what i was saying was truthful and this morning they approved my return and it was done instantly. Faith restored, in ebay anyway not in that buyer. Keep at it and maybe just massive fate will work in your favor. I don't think I'll ever sell high end stuff again though.

In the other forum it was clear that I had planned out too much in too short of a timeframe. Given the requirement to start in NY and horrific ME traffic in summertime, this is the new plan that reduces traffic and is a bit more leisurely. did have to cut Kennebunkport sadly.
DAY ONE: Brooklyn and Summit ONE Vandy, overnight NYC Westin GC
DAY TWO: Morning (745) Acela to Boston, see Harvard, shop Back Bay, overnight BOS Westin
DAY THREE: Boston city exploration, Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, overnight BOS Westin
DAY FOUR: Morning (8) downeaster to Portland, pickup car rental from PWM (12), stop at Portland Head and a blueberry farm someplace, other spontaneous Rte1 stops, get to Bar Harbor by 6 and overnight BHB BestWestern
DAY FIVE: Leisurely morning hike (maybe kayak if time) and drive the Park Loop Road in Acadia NP, overnight BHB BestWestern
DAY SIX: 9am Puffin cruise in Bar Harbor, Drive back down to Portland, See LL Bean Store and Mansion Mcdonald’s in Freeport, return car by 6, overnight POR HolidayInn
DAY SEVEN: Explore Portland, sunset at Portland Head (if not done on D4), overnight POR HolidayInn
DAY EIGHT: Morning downeaster train to Boston, whatever was missed in Boston from before, SOX game, overnight BOS 2Tree
DAY NINE: Fly home
Questions: When is the best time to see Portland Head? What are must-sees in Boston besides the Faneuil and Common? Is the Boston Tea Party worth it? Are tours in general worth it in Boston or self-guided better? Should I try to fit in a Boston or Portland harbor cruise? Lobster cruise? What's an easy Acadia hike?
So far saved in google maps:
RESTAURANTS:
Time Out Market in either Brooklyn or Boston (which is better? is it worth it at all?)
BOSTON: Toro, Chilacates, Mmmac and Cheese, Wagamama, Alcove, Union Oyster House
PORTLAND: Holy Donut, Luke's Lobster, Portland Pie Company, DiMillo's, Boda
BAR HARBOR: Havana, La Bella Vita, Galyn's
ATTRACTIONS:
Desert of Maine
LL Bean Freeport
McDonald's Freeport (restored mansion, do they still offer lobster roll?)
Stewart's Blueberries
Portland Head Light
Rockport Lighthouses
Boston Tea Party Museum
Back Bay Shopping District
Boston Common
Faneuil Hall
Old Port Portland
Any feedback on must-eat restaurants or must-do attractions? Are there any on this list that are not worth visiting?

Some of you might remember me from my posts years ago where I talked about my restaurant cleaning business and how I was making $1000 per night by myself, restoring floors. Those post generated quite a bit of interest, and I’ve received messages over the years asking for updates. Well, here I am!
Since that post, a lot has changed. My small venture has grown into the largest provider of restaurant cleaning services in Portland, Oregon. I now lead a team of 30 incredible people, and we often bring in over $10k a day in revenue. The growth has been phenomenal, and I'm grateful every day for where we are.
As for what my typical day looks like now, it's much less hands-on compared to the early days. Most of my tasks involve overseeing operations rather than doing the cleaning myself. Here’s a brief rundown: - Morning Check-In: I start my day checking in on my team via Slack. - Manager Calls: I have quick calls with my service manager and office manager to ensure there are no unresolved employee or customer issues. - Customer Visits: I like to keep a personal connection with our clients, so I try to visit a couple of them each day. This not only helps in maintaining relationships but also gives me direct feedback on our service.
Running this business now allows me more freedom due to the systems and teams we've built. I’ve documented a typical workday in a video for those who are curious about the day-to-day operations of a successful cleaning service business. You can check it out here if you're interested.
For those who prefer reading, this post pretty much covers the essence of my current role. It’s mostly about management and maintaining the quality of service that got us here.
I’m not here to self-promote, just wanted to share an update since this community was part of my journey. Your encouragement and advice have been invaluable. For those just starting or thinking about scaling up, know that it's possible with the right systems and people in place.
Thanks for reading, and feel free to ask any questions about the journey, the management, or anything else!
Cheers, Joe

In the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon, where nature meets urban living, car detailing isn't just a chore; it's a meticulous craft. Nestled between the majestic Cascade Range and the serene Willamette River, Portlanders take pride in their vehicles, and for good reason. With a climate that oscillates between rainy winters and dry summers, cars here endure a unique set of challenges, making professional car detailing a necessity rather than a luxury.
Car detailing portland oregon isn't just about achieving a sparkling finish; it's about preserving your vehicle's integrity in the face of the Pacific Northwest's diverse weather conditions. From relentless rain to scorching sun, the exterior of your car is constantly exposed to the elements. Professional detailers in Portland understand this, employing advanced techniques and eco-friendly products to protect your car's paintwork from oxidation, fading, and corrosion.
Moreover, the interior of your vehicle isn't immune to Oregon's climate either. The dampness can lead to mold and mildew growth, while the summer heat can cause leather seats to crack and plastic surfaces to fade. A comprehensive interior detailing service not only restores your car's aesthetics but also ensures a healthier environment for you and your passengers.
What sets Portland's car detailing services apart is their commitment to sustainability. In a city renowned for its eco-consciousness, detailers use water-saving techniques and biodegradable products to minimize their environmental footprint. From steam cleaning to waterless washes, these innovative methods not only conserve precious resources but also deliver exceptional results.
Furthermore, car detailing in Portland isn't just about maintaining appearances; it's about enhancing the driving experience. By meticulously cleaning every nook and cranny, detailers ensure that your car not only looks good but also feels good. From eliminating unpleasant odors to restoring that new car smell, the attention to detail is unparalleled.
In essence, car detailing in Portland, Oregon, is more than just a service; it's a testament to the city's ethos of sustainability, craftsmanship, and quality. Whether you're cruising down the scenic Columbia River Gorge or navigating the bustling streets of downtown Portland, a professionally detailed car is a reflection of your pride and respect for both your vehicle and the environment.

In my last post I wrote about the Norwegian tax system. So for this one I figured I would write about the benefits and safety net programs that many of those taxes provide for. Basically all these benefits are for citizens/eu/eea people only but it's an insight to what benefits you or your family could get if you make the move and become a citizen. All currency conversions done as of April 2024.
Healthcare
Norway has a universal single payer health insurance model, which most people rely on and use. Only about 10% of the population has private supplementary coverage.
The healthcare system covers most medical services such as primary care, hospital care, mental health services, prescription drugs, rehabilitation, specialists, emergency services, pregnancy care, home care, hearing, travel expenses, children and young adult dental. On top of this you are also eligible for a European health insurance card which grants you access to medically necessary care within all EU/EEA countries in addition to the UK when traveling. In addition to this Norway also has reciprocal agreements with Quebec and Australia which grants access to medically necessary care in those countries when traveling abroad.
There is cost sharing involved, however all yearly cost sharing is capped at a max of 3,165 NOK (~287.27 USD). There are also groups of people/services with no cost sharing involved. These include pregnancy care, in-patient hospital treatment, healthcare for children under the age of 16, mental healthcare for children under the age of 18, occupational injuries, ground and air ambulances, prevention and treatment of transmittable diseases, and home healthcare services. In addition to this recipients of the minimum state pension are exempt from cost sharing for covered prescriptions.
Dental is a gap within the healthcare system, however some groups do get coverage. Children age 0-18 get dental covered for free from the healthcare system. From ages 19-24 the payment must be 25% of the rates set by the Helse-og omsorgsdepartementet (ministry of health and welfare). Those who live in a nursing home and the mentally disabled also get their dental costs covered.
There is also dental coverage for the following groups of conditions.

1. Rare medical condition (ask the dentist about the conditions that are on this list at any time)
2. Cleft lip-jaw-palate
3. Tumours in the oral cavity, adjacent tissue or in the head region in general
4. Treatment to prevent infection in connection with special medical conditions
5. Diseases and abnormalities in the mouth and jaw
6. Periodontitis
7. Tooth development disorders
8. Bite abnormalities (dental braces/ jaw orthodontic treatment)
9. Pathological loss of tooth substances due to attrition/erosion
10. Hyposalivation (dry mouth)
11. Allergic reactions to tooth restoration materials
12. Tooth damage related to a recognised occupational injury (the occupational injury must have been acknowledged by NAV and the dental treatment must have a connection to the occupational injury)
13. Tooth damage related to an accident that is not an occupational injury
14. Inability to care for oneself due to permanent illness or permanent disability
15. Full or partial loss of tooth, without own teeth in the lower jaw (and unable to use loose-fitting prosthetic)

Any copay involved with groups 5 and 6 are subject to the cost-sharing cap.
Another gap in the system is most vision care is not covered unless you have very limited vision. However the government will cover most of the costs associated with children's glasses.
Healthcare sources:
https://www.helsenorge.no/en/payment-for-health-services/exemption-card-for-public-health-services/
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-centecountries/norway
https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1021&langId=en&intPageId=1759
https://www.helsenorge.no/en/payment-for-health-services/who-pays-your-dental-bill/
https://www.nav.no/briller-til-barn
https://www.helsenorge.no/en/patient-travel/about/travel-to-the-following-treatments-is-covered/
https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559
https://www.helsenorge.no/en/patient-travel/about/patient-travel-for-foreign-citizens/
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/reciprocal-health-care-agreements-visiting-from-norway?context=22481
https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citizens/health-insurance/social-security-agreements-other-countries
Higher Education:
Higher education, including undergraduate, vocational school and graduate level education is tuition free in Norway. Typically the only fee one has to pay is a semester fee. For example at NTNU, a university in Trondheim, the fee is 700 NOK (~63 USD) per semester which amounts to 1,400 NOK (~126 USD) per year. Most universities in Norway have a mandatory fee around this amount, however other than this cost, for the most part, everything else is covered for education costs themselves. Unlike some other countries, there is also no limit on how many degrees or years of education someone may get from a university with no tuition fees. In the US typically after you get your first degree you are cut off from most forms of financial aid, so if you want to make a career switch down the line it's not so easy if you aren't in a good place financially.
The government also supports students with a loan/grant program known as lånekassen, which can be used for undergraduate, graduate, and vocational school. The amount varies, for example someone who is attending an undergrad program can get 60,676 NOK (~5,507 USD) as a grant and 91,014 NOK (~8,260 USD) as a loan to help cover living expenses over the course of the school year. Typically the way it works for all levels of education is that 40% of the loan is converted to a grant. The grants are also usually means tested, for 2024 if your parents earn more than 806,902 NOK (~73,507 USD) you aren't eligible for the grant, however loans are not means tested and are available for everyone. You can also get additional loans and grants if you have children, as well as an extra grant if you have a reduced functional ability.
The repayments for loans are also calculated based on the amount of loans you have received. Since a bachelors degree is 3 years long, if you were receiving 3 years of 90,014 NOK (~5,507 USD) you would have a total debt of 270,042 NOK (~24k USD). The repayment at the current interest rate of 4.765% would be ~1,900 NOK (~172 USD) per month over 18 years. Payments can also be deferred for up to 36 months for any reason. The interest rate is based on top five mortgage offers on the market, so because interest rates have been going up it has been lower in the past couple of years. There is also an interest deletion safety net based on sickness, low income (limited to 36 months), unemployment, birth (interested deleted for 12 months after any birth), education, caring for a close family member, etc. You can also have the debt forgiven or be put on a repayment plan if you are experiencing persistent difficulties in making repayments due to your financial circumstances. And of course these are all just for living costs, the education itself is tuition-free. You can receive this support for up to 8 years, with the year limit being allowed to increase if your studies were delayed because you were sick, had a child or had a disability.
There are also certain other forgiveness programs, if you live in certain parts of northern Norway, you can get 20% of your loans forgiven every year. If you are a doctor in certain municipalities up to 30,000 NOK (~2700 USD) can get cancelled per year. If you become disabled you can also get all or part of your debt deleted, depending on income.
Higher Education sources:
https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/English/Semester+fee+and+registration
https://lanekassen.no/en-US/grants-and-loans/income-and-assets/
https://lanekassen.no/en-US/gjeld-og-betaling/unemployed-aap-sick-and-low-income/income-limits-for-interest-deletion/
https://lanekassen.no/en-US/gjeld-og-betaling/unemployed-aap-sick-and-low-income/
https://lanekassen.no/en-US/gjeld-og-betaling/interest-rates-and-fees/historisk-renteutvikling2/
https://lanekassen.no/en-US/gjeld-og-betaling/finnmark-or-nord-troms/
https://lanekassen.no/en-US/gjeld-og-betaling/doctors-in-selected-municipalities/
https://lanekassen.no/en-US/gjeld-og-betaling/disabled/
https://lanekassen.no/en-US/gjeld-og-betaling/Repayment-deferral/persistent-payment-difficulties/
https://lanekassen.no/en-US/rules-and-regulations/tildeling/del3-kapittel10/how-long-you-can-receive-support-fo
Maternity/Paternity Leave
To get family leave you must have had a certain level of income, that income being at least ~59,000 NOK (~5,300 USD) for six of the last ten months. The length of leave is 49 weeks with 15 weeks being reserved for each parent at 100% pay, or 59 weeks with 19 weeks being reserved for each parent at 80% of pay. The maximum amount of pay you can get is 6 times the G amount (basic amount of the national insurance scheme), which is equivalent to ~711,720 NOK (~64,596) USD.
For example at 100% pay, the mother is required to take at least 3 weeks before birth. Then after birth the mother and father get 15 weeks they can take at the same time. Then following this there is an additional 16 weeks that can be shared between both during what is known as a "common period", however one parent must be working during this period. The amount of weeks can be longer if taken at 80% as well.
Maternity/paternity leave sources:
https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/rates/national-insurance-scheme-basic-amount/
https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1123&intPageId=4704&langId=en
https://www.nav.no/foreldrepenger#hvor-lenge (in Norwegian)
Childcare/education
Childcare is heavily subsidized by the Norwegian government, starting in August 2024 the maximum price that can charged for the first child is 2000 NOK (~181.52 USD) per month. For the second child a 30 percent discount is applied making the second child cost 14000 NOK (~127 USD) per month. The third child and any additional child attends for free. On top of this for families who are low income they qualify for 20 hours of childcare free of cost, income limits vary by municipality. There are also reductions in payment available if costs for childcare exceed 6% of income, so no family will have to pay over 6% of their income for the cost of childcare. On top of all that childcare fees are only charged for 11 months each, with the 12th month being free. Recently certain parts of northern Norway have also begun to receive childcare without any costs. The only additional costs other than these fees is the cost of food, which in the case of one American woman living in Bergen is about 30 USD extra a month. Once the child has aged into the primary school system, the cost of education is free.
Childcare sources:
https://www.oslo.kommune.no/english/kindergarten/prices-and-payment/
https://www.fredrikstad.kommune.no/tjenestebarn-familie-utdanning/barnehage/betaling-for-barnehageplass/ (in Norwegian)
https://www.udir.no/regelverk-og-tilsyn/barnehage/foreldrebetaling/ (in Norwegian)
https://www.alta.kommune.no/pris-og-redusert-betaling.558281.no.html (in Norwegian)
https://www.scarymommy.com/parenting/childcare-costs-america-vs-norway
Child benefits
Giving birth is completely free of charge in Norway. Once you have a child you are eligible to receive monthly payment from the Government. For a married couple the current rates are 1766 NOK (~160 USD) per month under the age of 6, with those over the age of 6 up to age 18 getting 1510 NOK (~137 USD) per month. These payments are tax-free and there are also supplements for single parents available.
https://www.nav.no/en/home/benefits-and-services/relatert-informasjon/child-benefit https://www.nav.no/satser#barnetrygd (in Norwegian)
Workers Rights
Norway has extensive workers rights. All workers are entitled to 25 paid vacation days per year. Because the law counts Saturdays as days though, this ends up being 21 days of paid vacation per year. Those over the age of 60 get an extra week in addition to this, so they get 26 days of paid vacation days a year. These days accrue during your first year of work, so you get the vacation days starting your second year of work. On top of this workers also have 10 paid public holidays per year.
For working hours in Norway regular working hours are 9 hours per day, 40 hours per week. This can include a 30 minute break which is paid if you are required to stay at the workplace or be available for work.
Norway also has extensive overtime rules. Overtime is only permitted under certain circumstances such as when there is short staff, unexpected increase in demand for work, or seasonal fluctuations. All overtime must be limited by law, the limits are 10 hours in a 7 day period, 25 hours in a 4 week period, and 200 hours over a 52 week period. Cumulative working hours, or total hours worked including overtime, cannot exceed 13 hours in a 24 hour period, and the average cumulative hours cannot exceed 48 hours in an 8 week period. On top of this all overtime must be paid with a 40% premium on top of your regular salary. The only exempt groups from this law are senior posts or particularly independent posts. Particularly independent post, according to the government entails the following.
"A particularly independent position implies a clear and obvious independence or independence in how and at what time the employee organizes and carries out his work tasks. The employee himself must assess and decide the need for his own work effort and be relatively free to decide when the work is to be carried out. For example, lawyers with their own portfolio and process responsibility will in many cases have a particularly independent position."
Given the average Norwegian works only ~35.5 hours a week, these overtime laws seem to be well designed and enforced. You also have the right to refuse to work overtime for health reasons, and social reasons such as caring for young children or family events.
While Norway does not have a national minimum wage there are minimum wages applied to some sectors such as cleaners, construction workers, hotel workers and some other sectors. For example an unskilled construction worker with 0 experience in construction is entitled to 214.90 NOK (~19.50 USD) per hour. I have a link to all these rates in the sources.
Norway also doesn't have an at-will work policy, you can only be fired for good cause. Good cause includes reasons such as a necessary downsizing of the company or a breach of the employment contract. On top of this a notice of dismissal is required between 1 and 6 months depending on age and years on the job, with the right to keep the job during the legal proceedings in relation to the termination.
These are all just the basic minimum required by law, with 50 percent of workers in a union and around 70 percent covered by a collective bargaining agreement many workers get expanded benefits on top of these minimums. These can include higher retirement contributions, 5 weeks paid leave, and 37.5 hour work weeks, higher overtime pay among other things.
Workers Rights sources:
https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/1995-02-24-12
https://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/employment/working-hours-and-absence/holiday/holiday-pay/calculation-examples.html
https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/en/working-conditions/working-hours/
https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/arbeidsforhold/arbeidstid/ledende-og-sarlig-uavhengige-stillinge (In Norwegian)
https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/en/working-conditions/working-hours/overtime/
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20230920-1
https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/en/working-conditions/pay-and-minimum-rates-of-pay/minimum-wage/
https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/en/working-conditions/dismissal-with-notice/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1356735/labor-unions-most-unionized-countries-worldwide/
https://www.ilo.org/digitalguides/en-gb/story/collective-bargaining-recovery#extensive/cb-coverage
Sick leave
For the first 16 days of sick leave, the employer is responsible for covering the salary. For the first 3 days of this sick leave, self-certification can be used for a sick note. This means no sick note is required. Self-certification can be used for up to three calendar days in a row, up to four times a year. After this is reached you'll need to receive a sick note from a doctor. Once you get on the sickness benefit you can be on it for up to 52 weeks with up to 100 percent of your salary covered. Once this time period lapses, if you are still sick you can either receive disability or a work assessment allowance depending on your condition.
You are also eligible for benefits to stay home to take care of a sick child age 12 and under, or chronically ill/disabled child 18 and under, with 10 paid days off for families with 1-2 children, and 15 paid days off for families with 3 children or more. Extra days may be granted in the case of a child with a chronic illness. Sick notes are only required from the fourth day, with pay being based on whatever salary you have. In addition to that you can get 60 days of leave when you have a relative in the final phases of their life.
Sick leave sources:
https://www.nav.no/en/home/benefits-and-services/Self-certification-egenmelding#chapter-3
https://www.nav.no/en/home/benefits-and-services/Sickness-benefit-for-employees#chapter-1
https://www.nav.no/omsorgspenger (in Norwegian)
https://www.nav.no/samarbeidspartnepleiepenger-sluttfase (in Norwegian)
Disability benefits
Those with disabilities can get disability payments from the Government, the amount you get can vary depending on your previous income. The general rule is that it is 66% of your income up to 711,720 NOK (~64,531 USD). There is also a right to a minimum payment which is twice the National Insurance Scheme basic amount which as of April 2024 is 294,178 NOK (~26,700 USD).
If you have a disability that can be improved over time, you are eligible for a work assessment allowance. The amount you can get is a similar to the disability benefit, The general rule is that it is 66% of your income up to 711,720 NOK (~42,633 USD). There is also a right to a minimum payment which currently is twice the National Insurance Scheme basic amount which as of April 2024is 294,178 NOK (~26,700 USD) for those 25 or older. For those 25 or younger you can get up to 2/3 of this amount which is ~198,118 NOK (~17,352 USD), once you turn 25 you can receive the higher minimum amount. This benefit does require you to work towards improving your work status and meeting with the government (NAV) to setup a plan to do so and attend meetings.
Disability benefit sources:
https://www.nav.no/uforetrygd/en
https://www.nav.no/aap/en
Unemployment Insurance
You are eligible for unemployment insurance if you were laid off, terminated for reasons that weren't your fault or lost more than 50 percent of working hours. You are also eligible if you resigned from your job for reasonable cause such as health issues or workplace bullying. If you did not have reasonable cause for resigning, or you were terminated for something that was your fault, you are eligible for unemployment insurance after 18 weeks.
The amount you can generally get is 62.4 percent of your past yearly income, or the average of 62.4 percent of your income over the past 3 years, whichever is higher, up to 711,722 NOK (~64,000 USD). You will also get supplements if you have children. If you had an income above 237,240 NOK (~21,528 USD) you can receive benefits for 104 weeks. If you had an income below that amount, you can receive benefits for 52 weeks. While receiving benefits you must be applying for jobs and accepting jobs made available to you.
Unemployment insurance sources:
https://www.nav.no/dagpengeen
General Safety
Statistically speaking Norway is a very safe country, to give you an idea Norway had the most violent year last year in over a decade with a grand total of 38 murders. For a population of ~5.457 million people that is a homicide rate of ~0.7 per 100k people. To give you an idea, one of the safest cities in America, San Diego had 45 murders last year despite having a lower population than Norway at ~1.38 million people. In Portland a city with ~635,000 people there were 73 homicides in 2023. Most American cities have much worse murder rates both in a sheer numbers perspective but also from a per capita perspective. If Norway was a state it would have the lowest homicide rate in the US. Norway's roads are generally safe as well with one of the lowest road fatality rates on earth.
General Safety Sources
https://www.statista.com/statistics/670978/number-of-people-killed-by-firearms/
https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/03/29/sdpd-crime-numbers-2023-drop
https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/24/portland-crime-violent-homicide-gun-statistics-reports-murder-oregon-police/
https://ourworldindata.org/graphedeath-rates-road-incidents
Pension
The Norwegian pension system is split up into 3 different sources, the state pension, your work pension, and individual savings.
The state pension is based on contributions you have made throughout your working years and can vary based on the year you were born. For those born after 1963 the minimum pension that you are guaranteed after 40 years of contributions is ~210,418 NOK (~19,097 USD) for those who are married and ~227,468 NOK (~20,645 USD) for those who are single. The retirement age is currently 67 and linked to life expectancy, however if you have sufficient earnings you can start getting the pension at age 62. Those who are 67 and older and have a pension lower than the minimum because of a shorter period of residence can also get a supplemental benefit that makes ones income equal to the guaranteed minimum, subject to income and asset tests.
In addition to this there is the work pension, otherwise known as the occupational pension scheme. Your employer must contribute at a minimum 2 percent of your income. This 2 percent minimum applies up to a maximum of 12 G or 1.4 million NOK (~127k USD). Any additional benefits offered by an employer for this work pension must be applied to all employees at the company. The maximum contribution to this scheme is 7 percent of income up to 7.1 G which is ~842k NOK (~76k USD). With an addition limit applying between that amount and 12 G or 1.4 million NOK (~127k USD) of 18.1% of the amount between that range.
The final aspect of the pension system is private savings which individuals make to private retirement accounts on their own. The maximum amount that can be deducted from your taxable income for this purpose is currently 15,000 NOK (~1,316 USD) annually.
https://www.nav.no/minstepensjon
https://www.nav.no/en/home/benefits-and-services/relatert-informasjon/retirement-pension-for-those-born-in-and-after-1963#chapter-1
https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/taxes/get-the-taxes-right/employment-benefits-and-pensions/otp---mandatory-occupational-pension-scheme---when-youre-employed/
https://www.tekna.no/en/salary-and-negotiations/pension/how-pensions-work-in-norway/
https://www.tekna.no/en/salary-and-negotiations/pension/#occupational
https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/rates/maximum-annual-deduction-for-payments-to-an-individual-pension-scheme/
https://www.nav.no/supplerende-stonad-over-67/en
Elder Care
Most elder care involving home care/assistance is provided for free by the municipality. Home health services including help getting up and going to bed, personal hygiene, going to the toilet, dressing and undressing, eating and health care are provided free of charge. Other services such as cleaning, washing and changing bed linen, throwing away rubbish, washing up, ordering food can have some form of co-payments. Depending on your income and municipality charges can vary. For example in Trondheim, the maximum co-payment for the lowest income bracket, income at or below 237,240 NOK (~21,500 USD), is 230 NOK (~20.88 USD) per month, while the maximum co-payment for the highest bracket, 474,481 NOK (~43,108 USD) and above, is 2815 NOK (~255 USD) per month.
Nursing home stays are also subsidized by the state. Generally for long term stays the way it works is you get a free amount of 9400 NOK (~853.16 USD). Then the amount above that up to 1 G, or 118,620 NOK (~10,766 USD) requires 75% of the amount going towards to cost of a nursing home. Then the amount over this up to the cost of the nursing home itself requires 85% of the amount going towards the cost of a nursing home. This also only takes into account income after tax. This system is also only on income, no assets are taken into account and the government won't go after your estate after death. This covers most of the costs, for example in Bergen it will cover all linens and towels, personal hygiene items, cost of glasses, hearing aids, medical supervision, cost-sharing for specialist services, transport to specialist treatment, as well as necessary dental care. In addition to that it covers TV and Internet along with furniture as well as assistance towards the costs of haircuts and podiatry care.
Within Bergen short term stays are also capped, for example a short term stay of up to 60 days in Bergen will come with a cap of 163 NOK (~17 USD) per day. For any stay above 60 days the cost sharing previously described is applied.
https://www.trondheim.kommune.no/aktuelt/om-kommunen/priser-avgifter-og-gebyrehelse--og-velferdstjeneste (in Norwegian)
https://viover60.no/artikledette-ma-du-betale-for-en-sykehjemsplass/ (in Norwegian)
https://www.bergen.kommune.no/innbyggerhjelpen/helse-og-omsorg/helsetjenestesykehjem/egenandel-for-opphold-pa-institusjon (in Norwegian, list of covered services can be found in the Hva dekker egenandelen? (what does the deductible cover?) section)
Welfare support
Other than the various social programs already discussed, there is also a last resort support for people who have little to no savings and nobody else to rely on. If you meet these conditions the government will cover only the bare essentials, these being the cost of your housing, electricity, clothing, communication and food. While you are receiving this support you'll have to be in education or searching for work. However, for those in a bad situation it can help, and it’s probably part of why there aren't that many homeless in Norway. The scheme is also going to expand to take into account phone, internet and moderate transportation costs starting in July 2024. Along with this they can also cover any medical cost-sharing and dental costs while you are on the benefit. The welfare support unlike most other forms of support in Norway are checked for assets, so you'll truly have to be in a bad situation to receive this benefit. However some forms of benefits are not taken into account during the calculations, for example the monthly child benefit from 2022 is no longer taken into account.
Welfare support resources
https://www.nav.no/okonomisk-sosialhjelp/en
https://frifagbevegelse.no/nyhetefolk-pa-sosialhjelp-far-mer-se-hva-det-betyr-her-6.158.1010255.e51b7f557b (in Norwegian)

Hey fam, I am in a sticky situation (literally and figuratively). I just went to a Postural Restoration Institute course out of town where I would earn 16 contact hours. I ate something bad the night before - I was on a budget and had to get food from a nearby McDonalds in Portland. On the second day I had to step out for 20 min due to bowel problems - I don’t think I’ll be allowed back in the facility in future years because of the damage I did to the stall.
Needless to say, I only earned 15.67 hours for the course and therefore am 0.33 hours CEU units short of being able to renew my license. What would you do in my brown-stained shoes? Should I get a Medbridge subscription?

hello everyone! i cannot say how happy it makes me that there's a subreddit for this console, it's one of my faves. i just restored my old vsmile pocket, wiping it down with some alcohol to get all the dirt and debris off. but now it doesn't work that well.
it won't run on batteries, so i have to plug it into an adapter. i'm pretty sure the adapter is kind of finicky, but i also think the console itself has something wrong. it was stuck in bootloop for a few good minutes. the furthest i can get in finding nemo is the pixar and disney logos, then it turns off. toy story 2 straight up will not work.
does anyone have any advice for me? i really want this console to work, my regular vsmile is in storage and i don't have room in my bags to bring it home with me (storage in portland, live in las vegas). if i need to get it serviced, if any of the 100+ of you happen to know where i could get it serviced in portland, oregon or las vegas... please let me know!!

# Today In Phishstory - April 14th Brought to you by tiph-bot. Beep.
All data extracted via The Phishnet API.

Phish

Phish, Friday 04/14/2023 (1 year ago) Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA, USA
Gap Chart, Tour: 2023 Spring Tour
Set 1 : Blaze On -> Plasma -> Blaze On , Vultures , Sample in a Jar , Ya Mar , Steam > My Friend, My Friend ¹ > Walls of the Cave > Ghost
Set 2 : A Wave of Hope , Bouncing Around the Room , No Men In No Man's Land -> Golden Age , Martian Monster , The Wedge , Bug > Back on the Train
Encore : Fluffhead
1 No "Myfe" ending.
Jamchart Notes:
A Wave of Hope - A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the early stages but Fish keeps things afloat with constant forward motion. Around 12:00 the jam begins to gradually emerge from darkness with Trey wielding his guitar like a blazing beam of light cutting through the gloom as it builds and builds to a series of peaks.
Golden Age - Tight, airy play hews closely to the song proper for quite some time before Trey calls for improvisational departure. Fish breaks the beat - listen, a bit after the 8:00 mark, for this wonderful moment - before the groove bleeds to become hushed, restrained play, evoking early (as in 60s) psychedelic experimentation. And then... memorable almost for what doesn't happen as opposed to what does, this is Phish at their seemingly effortless best, bathing the base with another dose of the finest in the nation.
Fluffhead - Arrives in fine fashion with an unusual modulation, giving the outro a "YEM"-like twist before returning home at 14:54 to close the show.
Show Notes:
My Friend My Friend did not contain the "Myfe" ending. Trey teased The Secret of Life (The Dead Milkmen) in A Wave of Hope.
Listen now at Phish.in!
Phish, Thursday 04/14/1994 (30 years ago) Beacon Theatre, New York, NY, USA
Gap Chart, Tour: 1994 Spring Tour
Set 1 : Runaway Jim , Foam , Sparkle > Down with Disease , Glide > Rift > Demand , Split Open and Melt , The Squirming Coil
Set 2 : Also Sprach Zarathustra > Run Like an Antelope ¹ , The Horse > Silent in the Morning > Scent of a Mule , You Enjoy Myself , Nellie Kane ² , Dog Faced Boy ³ , Slave to the Traffic Light
Encore : Rocky Top
1 Random Note signal. 2 Acoustic, without microphones. 3 Debut; acoustic, without microphones.
Jamchart Notes:
Run Like an Antelope - One of those great probing versions that leaves "Antelope," comes back briefly, leaves again, home again, off again, etc. etc.
Show Notes:
Antelope contained a Random Note signal. YEM featured a guest trampoline jumper pulled from the audience taking Trey's place in the tramps routine. Nellie Kane and Dog Faced Boy, which made its debut, were performed acoustic and without microphones. Mike teased Sunshine of Your Love in Nellie Kane.
Listen now at Phish.in!
Phish, Wednesday 04/14/1993 (31 years ago) American Theater, St. Louis, MO, USA
Gap Chart, Tour: 1993 WinteSpring Tour
Set 1 : Buried Alive > Poor Heart , Maze , Bouncing Around the Room , It's Ice > Stash -> Kung -> Stash , Kung ¹ > The Horse ² > Silent in the Morning , Divided Sky , I Didn't Know ³ , Golgi Apparatus
Set 2 : AC/DC Bag , My Sweet One , Tweezer , Mound , Big Ball Jam , You Enjoy Myself -> Spooky Jam ⁴ -> You Enjoy Myself , Harpua ⁵ > Runaway Jim
Encore : Lengthwise > Contact > Tweezer Reprise
1 Trey used an acoustic guitar to improvise on the intro to Horse. 2 Trey on acoustic guitar. 3 Fish on Madonna washboard. 4 Included a verse sung by Page. 5 Narration centered on a story about people who steal your dreams at night.
Jamchart Notes:
Stash - "Stash" -> "Kung" -> "Stash." The jam is typically great Spring '93 stuff with exploration beyond the norm. Returns, seemingly to conclude, then heads out again for more exploration, winding up in the Land of "Kung."
Kung - -> in from "Stash." Great combination, a tense, improvisational "Stash" paired with "Kung" in the middle, which includes "DEG" jamming. -> back to "Stash."
Stash - -> in from "Kung" to conclude this excellent version of "Stash."
You Enjoy Myself - Excellent jam segment -> to a "Spooky" sandwich.
Spooky - -> in from "YEM." A "Spooky" jam is sandwiched in this "YEM" jam. -> back to "YEM."
You Enjoy Myself - -> in from "Spooky" as this excellent "YEM" jam continues.
Show Notes:
Kung segued into a Dave's Energy Guide jam before turning back into Stash, which also featured Kung quotes. The second Kung was recited while Trey, using an acoustic guitar, improvised on the intro to Horse and contained a brief Pinball Wizard jam. The second Kung and The Horse featured Trey on acoustic guitar and the intro to The Horse contained a Harry Hood tease. I Didn't Know featured Fish on the Madonna washboard. At the beginning of the second set, Trey's friend Roger Holloway got on stage and asked his girlfriend Jen to marry him. She said yes, and in response the band played AC/DC Bag (which references Roger in the lyrics), which also included Woman from Tokyo and Johnny B. Goode teases from Trey. The Spooky Jam inside of YEM included a verse sung by Page. Mike teased Spooky in the return to YEM. The YEM vocal jam included a Jeopardy! tease. Harpua featured teases of Dream Weaver and The Jetsons theme as well as vocal quotes from The End (The Doors); the narration centered on a story about people who steal your dreams at night. Trey dedicated Contact to Roger and Jen "on the road of life." This show was released as part of the St. Louis '93 box set.
Listen now at Phish.in!
Phish, Saturday 04/14/1990 (34 years ago) The Inferno, Steamboat Springs, CO, USA
Gap Chart, Tour: 1990 Tour
Set 1 : Split Open and Melt , Uncle Pen , Cavern > Divided Sky , Colonel Forbin's Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird > Rift , Mike's Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove
Set 2 : I Didn't Know , The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg > Tweezer , Bathtub Gin , Bold As Love , Wilson ¹ , Ride Captain Ride , Golgi Apparatus , Fee > David Bowie
1 Heavy metal style.
Show Notes:
Trey teased Dave's Energy Guide and Jean Pierre in Weekapaug Groove. Mike teased "Charge!" before I Didn't Know. Trey teased Stairway to Heaven in Suzy Greenberg. Bold As Love was dedicated to Hamm and Chris Cottrell who had made the band a barbeque dinner before the show. Mike and Fish teased Iron Man after Bold As Love. Wilson was played in a heavy metal style. Ride Captain Ride was played for the first time since May 28, 1989 (116 shows).
Listen now at Phish.in!
Phish, Friday 04/14/1989 (35 years ago) The Base Lodge, Stearns Hall, Johnson State College, Johnson, VT, USA
Gap Chart, Tour: 1989 Tour
Set 1 : AC/DC Bag > Foam , Walk Away , Fluffhead , Fee , Halley's Comet > Run Like an Antelope , Contact , Fire
Set 2 : You Enjoy Myself , Bold As Love , The Lizards , The Sloth , Possum , If I Only Had a Brain ¹ , Mike's Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove , Esther
1 Fish on trombone.
Jamchart Notes:
Esther - Great early version which showcases the song's potential, featuring particularly strong playing from Page and great soloing from Trey.
Show Notes:
Some recordings of this show have the venue mislabeled as Chez Pierre. Possum contained a Woody Woodpecker theme tease from Trey and If I Only Had a Brain featured Fish on trombone.
Listen now at Phish.in!

Trey Anastasio

Trey Anastasio Band, 2017-04-14 The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/trey-anastasio-april-14-2017-the-capitol-theatre-port-chester-ny-usa.html
Tour: Not Part of a Tour
Show Notes: This show featured the debut of Everything's Right and the TAB debuts of Feel It Still and The Parting Glass.

John Fishman

The Mallett Brothers Band, 2018-04-14 Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/jon-fishman-april-14-2018-higher-ground-south-burlington-vt-usa.html
Tour: Not Part of a Tour
Show Notes: Benny featured Mason Strunk on mandolin.
World's Largest Cowbell Ensemble, 2012-04-14 Church Street, Burlington, VT, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/jon-fishman-april-14-2012-church-street-burlington-vt-usa.html
Tour: Not Part of a Tour
Show Notes: In honor of the 15th anniversary of the launch of Phish Food ice cream, Ben & Jerry's and the WaterWheel Foundation partnered to host this gathering in downtown Burlington that purported to be, as the name would suggest, the "World's Largest Cowbell Ensemble." Led by Jon Fishman, the gathering attracted roughly 1,600 participants. Whether the ensemble was indeed the largest of its kind is still being confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records. Most of the proceeds from the event were donated to WaterWheel Foundation's Vermont Flood Recovery Fund, which helps to repair the devestation left by Hurricane Irene. Prior to the performance, Mike made an appearance at Ben & Jerry's and signed copies of his Steamroller Wheelies: A Restoration Convoy compilation, also benefitting Vermont flood recovery.
Pork Tornado, 2001-04-14 Milestones, Rochester, NY, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/jon-fishman-april-14-2001-milestones-rochester-ny-usa.html
Tour: Fish - Pork Tornado Spring 2001
Show Notes:
Pork Tornado, 2000-04-14 The Rave, Milwaukee, WI, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/jon-fishman-april-14-2000-the-rave-milwaukee-wi-usa.html
Tour: Fish - Pork Tornado Spring 2000
Show Notes:
Pork Tornado, 1999-04-14 9:30 Club, Washington, DC, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/jon-fishman-april-14-1999-930-club-washington-dc-usa.html
Tour: Fish - Pork Tornado Spring 1999
Show Notes:

Other

Everyone Orchestra, 2006-04-14 Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/guest-appearance-april-14-2006-crystal-ballroom-portland-or-usa.html
Tour: Not Part of a Tour
Show Notes: This gig (and the following night) were part of the Third Annual Pangaea Project Benefit, and featured music, poetry, and multimedia presentations. The show consisted largely of improvised music performed by multiple combinations of musicians, including, notably, a rendition of "You Enjouy Myself." The main participants for the two shows were: Fish (drums); Matt Butler (conductor, percussion); Tony Furtado (banjo, guitar); Kai Ekhardt (bass); Tye North (bass); Jason Hann (percussion); Jamie Masefield (mandolin); Reggie Watts (vocals); Asher Fulero (keyboards); Scott Law (guitar); Horns from the March Fourth Marching Band; and the Axe Dide Music and Dance Group.
Everyone Orchestra, 2005-04-14 Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR, USA
Setlist: https://phish.net/setlists/guest-appearance-april-14-2005-crystal-ballroom-portland-or-usa.html
Tour: Not Part of a Tour
Show Notes: This gig (and the following night) were part of the Second Annual Pangaea Project Benefit, and featured music, poetry, and multimedia presentations. The show consisted largely of improvised music performed by multiple combinations of musicians.

Hello everyone,
I'd like to thank you all for the positive responses to my first post about the post-ice-storm situation at everyone's favorite old timey radio station, 88.3 FM WYAR. That post is here: https://www.reddit.com/portlandme/comments/1btmzgu/883_fm_wyar_temporarily_off_air_due_to_ice_storm/
I apologize for the delay in providing an update, I know some of you have been eagerly anticipating our return to the air-waves. Well, today I am happy to announce that we are back on the air, however we are operating at a limited power output of only 50W, versus our previous power output of 1000W. Amazingly, I am still able to receive a faint signal here at my home in Portland, however I have a very sensitive receiver.
I hope that many of you are within range of our signal, which originates on Cousin's Island, and are able to once again enjoy our unique programming.
For the many of you who are now no longer able to hear our signal, I can let you know that we are working to once again begin broadcasting at 1kW, however we will need to make arrangements to either repair or replace our primary power amplifier, which is suffering from a fault likely caused by powerful electrical transients created by the destruction of our power hookup. It is difficult to say how long it may take to restore full output power.
As the Assistant Station Engineer (volunteer), I will be making efforts this weekend to diagnose and repair or replace any damaged components inside the Power Amplifier, while working with the equipment's manufacturer to source replacement parts we may need. It is not out of the question that we will have to replace the amplifier completely, however.
If you would like to support the station in our efforts to restore our output to full power, and just in general, please navigate to www.wyar.org where you will find a "support us!" link, as well as information about the station and our mission to provide coastal southern Maine with the great tunes of the early 20th-century, entirely for free over the public airwaves. Also, please don't hesitate to simply send us an email of support to the address listed on the website, and let us know what you love about the station. We love hearing from our listeners!
WYAR is an entirely listener supported, non-commercial and ad-free community radio station which keeps alive the greatest music from the first half of the 20th century, including jazz, blues, big band, swing, and more!
Thanks for reading,
MWS

First Prev Archive Royal Road Next Patreon
"How did you react to the discovery of your new status, given the situation in Portland?", Ms. Marisol was looking at me from the seat in her studio, while I sat in what was now my office in the H.A.A., talking over my computer monitor.
I sighed, and blinked a little, "It was.. it's big. Kind of hilarious, though. I was eating wings at the time, when John Cox, head of the H.A.A. branch, dropped it on me. I kind of just stared, holding up this half-eaten wing. I imagine I looked pretty silly, but I mean, how would you have reacted Ms. Marisol?"
She did a good-natured laugh, "I can only imagine what you're going through right now. What are your priorities at the moment?"
"The biggest priority right this second is making certain I have everything in place, and that I speak with all involved parties. I know I should be aiming for a flashier beginning, but I've done my research. Plenty of attempts to alleviate homelessness have been made, and so many have gotten buried because people tried to make it look like they were making progress, rather than focusing more on making actual progress," I said, quietly sending off memos through my technopathy was I chatted away. The interview was important, but I had more to do, and I couldn't fully spare the time.
Ms. Marisol had caught me just before entering the H.A.A., asking for an interview. My initial instinct was to put it off. After all, how much could there be to report? I hadn't even gotten my badge yet, but when I brought it up to her, Anna had a much different take, "Marcus, have a seat."
I wanted to get on with my day, but Anna was rarely insistent, so I had a seat, and she started, "You need to do the interview."
"Come on, really? I can do it later when I've actually got some stuff together. Right now? I've got like a million things to do," It was a waste of time.
Anna didn't let me off that easy. "Yes, you do have a million things to do, and the interview is the first one of them. Have you really considered what this looks like right now? The entire world woke up a few hours ago to find out that a fourteen year old was given executive authority over a state. Boy Scout not withstanding, the world doesn't know you. They don't know your plans, and they don't know what your ultimate goal is. There will be plenty that are scared of what's happening, scare of you."
She wasn't wrong. I'd love to think I had a reputation for being someone trustworthy, but trust is earned, and whatever trust they might have in me to be a decent person, it was different now. They could laugh things off when it was just 'hero stuff'. Now, though, I was in charge of a state. I mean, not a terribly highly populated one, but still. It was expecting too much that I could just do whatever, and the rest of the world would just be cool with it.
"So are you saying that other attempts at curing homelessness have been more in line with publicity stunts?"
That snapped me back to the conversation real quick, "No. Image is important, and the image of progress in itself can be important to those in the struggle. The problem is that limited resources get expended on the initial vision of progress, and then the resources for the actual progress taper off, and... they get screwed again.
"It's what we see again and again, and it's a large part of the reason that those most in need of help avoid it amongst the homeless. They've been let down, abandoned, and abused so many times. I intend to break that cycle."
Ms. Marisol was clearly getting direction from whomever was on the other end of her earpiece, but it made sense. This was a developing story, so most likely, they were feeding her various updates from her producer. Knew that Newsroom marathon would pay off. She had a new question, "You've used the term homeless, but there many who believe that the proper term should be unhoused individuals. Would this language better fit the situation?"
I actually felt Anna's palm hit her forehead as the question came out. Alright, I'll be honest... lost my cool for a moment here, "On behalf of the homeless of Portland, the greater State of Oregon, and on the behalf of every person in the history of all of humanity that has been homeless... they can go fuck themselves!"
Oh yeah, there it is. Shock registered, as people on the show had gotten used to me being generally polite, but there was a line here, "Inane bullshit like this stalls legitimate help! It doesn't 'raise awareness' or whatever other asinine bullshit buzzwords you wanna jam together. It wastes time, and starts idiotic arguments that are the height of privilege. No one trapped in this shit cares, they don't have the capacity for it, cause they have real problems, like where the next meal comes from, where they can sleep safely tonight. They don't have the free time to come up with new language to be offended by.
"So you know? They can go argue about the language, and I'll keep myself busy with getting them homes, jobs, and help that actually matters."
Yeah, I was gonna pay for that one. The interview wrapped up shortly after that, and having given the internet enough fuel to go fully nuclear, I went on about my day. The next fun moment? I had to go talk to a slew of local business owners that wanted a word about what was happening. They seemed to think I was going to speak with them each individually, but I don't have the sort of time to have the same conversation dozens of times. So, we rounded everyone up in what was just a gymnasium in the H.A.A., and I stepped up front with a mic, "Okay, I know everyone here has seen the news, and yes, I'll be handling things to take care of the current crisis. Now, you'll see mics on either side, as well as down the center. Once I say my piece here, there'll be an AMA section, and then, I've got more people to talk to."
I pretended to shuffle some papers for a moment, and launched off, "Okay, first off, I get it, you have businesses, and we'll need businesses in order to make sure this succeeds. Part of this whole system is jobs, we need jobs to keep this from turning back into the same situation or a worse one. Portland businesses are at the forefront of my plans, even if I'm not immediately involving all of you.
"Next. We'll be making use of as many Portland industries that produce what we need as possible. I could just order everything in, true, but we might as well use what we have, and in helping that way, we funnel economy into Portland that helps us out with the relief of homelessness. If anyone here is involved in a business that can help in solving this crisis, there's a man over here on my left named Gregg. He's running point on the H.A.A. disaster relief for businesses. Talk to him, and we'll get the ball rolling."
Everyone seemed a bit more relaxed in general. They'd heard the magic words: I'm not coming for you, and you could make some money. Unfortunately, there was a particular class that was about to be made considerably less relaxed, "As to the renting situation in Portland... here, landlords will be far less happy with me. It's gotten out of hand, and it's getting stopped, but to my other business leaders here, understand me: They've screwed all of you. Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z would love to join country clubs, but that rent allotment says no. They'd love to go out to bars and restaurants more often, but that rent says no. Buy better clothing? Rent's a problem. The rampant theft? Desperate situations breed desperate solutions. Student debt pretty much assures that they might never get to buy homes, and combine in with rent, that's just a pipe dream as it stands now.
"This exists at all levels of Portland society, because just as the cost of living has gone up for the poor, it has skyrocketed for everyone else as well. It's hurting every business outside that group, and due to the rise of corporate-owned apartment complexes, competition in the market has been gutted, since many apartment complexes are in fact hiding their true corporate ownership, groups of companies that are owned under the same umbrella company. Their money leaves Portland, never to return, and that stops now."
I knew the landlords were going to pitch a fit, so I went ahead and got myself my own angry mob. The people of Portland would yell at them, sure, but they hadn't really changed anything from that, because why would they? People still needed places to live, so there wasn't really a proper motivation to change the arrangement. The first landlords stood up, only to get shouted down by the other business leaders, who were now starting to get the picture of how many of their businesses were losing business to them.
Now let's take it for a spin, "My first emergency proclamation is this: All apartment complexes must prominently display their full corporate ownership, and must show that ownership to all new or current residents in clear terms. If this is not taken care of in one week, you will be fined, and from there, if you haven't taken care of it, then two weeks after that, we will be severing the ties. The property will revert to the City of Portland until new owners buy the property from them. You're free to argue this after the emergency situation has resolved, but it will be seen to in the mean time."
While some landlords looked furious, I noted one or two who heard it, and the potential possibility: Encourage your competition to reject the current rule, then potentially you could scoop up a shiny new complex for next to nothing. The sharks would be swimming, but swimming against each other as much as me.
"Mall owners, we have a special provision for you, a separate presentation by my company, Aegis, Inc.. This is not paid, it's pro-bono, it costs you all nothing, and represents a potential new revenue stream for your consideration. You can contact Miguel Suarez for more information, and he has business cards available for interested parties."
From there the Q&A started, and it generally went how I expected. Business owners in downtown who'd had their stores robbed, vandalized, and otherwise seen their business crumble away over the last several years who wanted to know what I was going to be doing about it. I went over my initial plans, focusing on creating what were essentially rehab communities, and moving the homeless to there, cutting the numbers involved. This would also involve cleaning up the camps around the city, and some restoration projects. I didn't mention my eventual plans for the actual criminal element of the city. I didn't want it getting back before it was time to spring the trap on them.
Then, one particular owner stepped up to the mic, a middle-aged woman named Sheila, "Hi. My question pertains to your upcoming mall. I own a bakery on the west side, and I was wondering about leasing rates for businesses in your new mall."
I hadn't expected the question, but it wasn't too difficult... then I saw a bunch of other nods around the room, "Well, it's not really the purpose of this meeting, but you can also speak with Miguel about that. He would have the information on it."
Another owner was in business around the mall, "If I might ask: How long until the mall is finished? My bar's been kind of on the edge for a bit."
More nods of affirmation. Okay, this is going in an odd direction, "I've ordered in things to get the renovations of the mall done as fast as possible. This means increased work crews, so I do apologize, but there's definitely going to be some noise for a while. Our current plan is to be operating within the next ninety days."
The owners from around the mall took it... differently than I would have thought. I'd assumed they would kick a bit, but when they heard mention of construction crews, felt more secure- OH. Construction workers would most likely hit up whatever was convenient nearby, rather than go hunting for somewhere specific. It was more or less automatic business for them, much as the construction noise might be otherwise harmful, and their business had already been reduced with the mall dying, so it wouldn't be driving off much business.
A few needed help to stay afloat, so I directed them to Gregg. Finally one of the landlords stepped forward, "I have a problem with this 'proclamation' of yours. The companies that bought these complexes are just trying to earn profit, like every other business here. What right do you have to hurt that?"
I could feel Anna's disapproving look back behind me, so I took a moment to breathe before responding, "And people have a right to be able to afford to live in the city they work in. It would be one thing if it was one or two, but nearly every complex in this city falls under that heading. Your companies knew what they were doing, and didn't just build new apartments, but bought out existing complexes, drastically raising the rents to 'recoup' your investments, investments that should not have been made if they required such staggering rental prices to be recouped. I have evidence in front of me of independent complexes that have literally doubled their rents in the last ten years, while offering no new services or amenities to counter or explain that rise in rent, all owned by similar companies. It's ahead of inflation, and even raises in property value, taxes, pretty much any metric that would explain such a constant shift.
"If I had the authority for it, I would not be outside of reality to label the practice as monopolistic price-fixing, since, let's be real, you're not even competing with one another, all charging remarkably similar prices across all instances. But, you have given me an idea, so thank you.
"I will be setting up three distinct websites for rentals, leases, and homes. For rental, all Portland renters will be able to post, not just the complexes as happens on the larger renting sites. The same will be done for homes, including what homes are going up on bankruptcy, and we will arrange it for private sales, not just those through realtors. Finally, a leasing site for commercial and industrial spaces following the same essential rules."
I did the paper shuffling again, like I was looking for a particular note, "Now, a final note: We're going to be working with Tenant Court here at City Hall to work things out on evictions. While I'm not currently going to halt evictions, we will be directing resources to help get people out of current predicaments with their rent, whether that involves them keeping their current lease or us figuring out somewhere else for them to live. This does not halt eviction for things like vandalism, theft, or violent behavior, just the people who are behind on their rent. You've oddly enough hurt yourselves in a lot of ways on that count, so we'll come up with stuff for getting you paid out, and keeping what people we can in their homes while we get the new paradigm sorted out."
The other landlords peeled out of the question line. Some people's kids, man. I spent the better part of an hour fielding questions until it looked like everyone was done one way or another, either satisfied that they had all the information they needed, or going off to seethe on their own time. The latter group was going to be an issue.
They filed out, I got enough time to grab a bite real quick, and the next group launched in, the H.O.A.s... they're not happy with me either. Researching H.O.A.s had been troubling. For so many, they operated with next to no real restrictions, and it definitely showed. Portland had made no proper, concrete regulations for these, nor had a number of cities around the country drawn such things up. H.O.A.s in and of themselves weren't a problem, and could be really good, but they needed better oversight, restrictions and regulations that protected against the worst impulses of those running them. Some of the things they got away with were just idiotic, like people getting fined for parking their own cars in front of their own house for just one example. Other H.O.A.s seemed barely functional, unable to handle even simple matters.
Preventing evictions and bankruptcies was important, as both were things that led directly or indirectly toward homelessness, and we needed to stem the bleeding. Get evicted, and you would have trouble getting another place around Portland, especially with so many 'sister company' apartments. Bankruptcy could destroy years of otherwise good credit, and knock you into a different life.
Next came groups like Oregon Food Bank and Salvation Army, all the groups that were associated with working with the homeless more directly. Their questions were more related to what was going to be happening over the next little bit, and what their roles would be, and while I might argue with certain groups' individual policies, I needed all of them. I was a little surprised to see the head of the BSA District Council in attendance. This meeting kind of loved me immediately. I mean, my donations budget not withstanding, I'd demonstrated incredibly active desire to do the same thing they were trying to get done. Every shelter and Food Bank in the area was overworked and understaffed, had been for years now. The prospect that someone was going to potentially change that dynamic had them ready to go.
The head of the BSA District stepped up to the mic, "Lincoln Tsumpti, representing the Boy Scouts council here in Portland. What do you need from us?"
I, uh... okay, another little gap. I hadn't properly factored in Boy Scouts, so it did take me a moment, "Mostly, we need folks who can clean up around the city, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts if we can get them. I'm also certain the Food Bank and kitchens could use some volunteers. There's been a lot of damage, and we need to get it cleared up."
It was kind of like that here. This group was more about working out federal funding and marching orders. I directed a lot of it through Fred, since that was specifically our non-profit group, to come together and create a council. They wanted assurance more than anything else.
All-in-all, I spent eight hours up on that stage, largely just answering questions, laying out the game plan, and then on to the next group. Anna let me know that I had one final group, but it was much smaller: The mayor, city council, and Oregon's Congressional Reps. We would hold that meeting in a conference room, and everyone felt awkward. I was drained from the all-day press of everything, and they were dealing with a fourteen year old kid who was apparently their boss for the next few months. Super fun.
The first thing I did was actually take the office of Commissioner of Police from the Mayor, and she wasn't deeply thrilled with me on that, but I mean, she's never been a cop, or any other member of law enforcement. That should have been the job of someone who was in the field, and had some degree of proper experience with the thing, but with an eye to the future. It was an old holdover from before the Portland population boom. Locating one had been back-burnered repeatedly over the years, but we needed action now that would roll over into whatever became of Portland in the aftermath of this. The council had a ton of things to say, none all that helpful really, but I assured them I would seek their input whenever I needed it, and the people from Congress needed to go over paperwork with me for submitting reports, and to get an idea of what precisely my intended goal was.
By the time evening rolled around, I was just done. I was finally sitting in Jersey Mike's with Anna and Miguel eating, when I got a text from Mr. Bethel, who was confirming the time to leave for the hunting trip. Fuck. I almost cancelled, but Anna halted me, "Marcus. We have several days before anything really happens. It's coming up on the weekend, and there just isn't anything to be done until Monday. You should go, take the weekend."
"Anna, there's a lot of shit that needs to be in place before-"
She held up a hand, "That's why heroes get sidekicks. I can keep things moving, and help get heroes settled as they come in. This is probably the last weekend you'll get to yourself for a while, so you need to take it. I'm telling you that as your sidekick, your friend, and a fully-licensed therapist. I'll take care of Portland. You go."
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2079 - 2095 The Water Wars
The Water Wars were a series of conflicts taken place in Central Asia. After years of mismanagement and exploitation of the surrounding powers (Russia, China, Iran), What remained of the fresh water sources mostly evaporated in Central Asia. With oil spills occouring in recent years that contaminated much of the Caspian Sea, it was seen that the nations in Central Asia had no other choice but to resort to war to secure the remaining sources of water left. Over the next 16 years, 6 wars would take place to control the remaining sources of fresh water in the region. The conflicts lead to over a million deaths, with hundreds of thousands more dying from starvation, thirst or other natural afflictions. As Iran, Russia and China were seen as the cause of this catastrophe by most of the international community, harsh sanctions were placed by the United Nations and much of the world, sparking tensions that would lead to other wars, including the 3rd World War. Left alone, the nations of Central Asia were forced to fight wars among each other, for the survival of their people. Unfortunately, the wars ended with the entire evacuation of the region, as society began to collapse, creating one of the worlds worst refugee crisis in modern history. By the 2700s (The current present time), Central Asia has been mostly depopulated and void of life. Some surrounding countries have made attempts to grab some parts of the territory, with the exception of China and Afghanistan, with very little success. Today, what remains of central Asia is a few minor independent settlements and military facilities, most of it being dominated by Russia.
2102 The Wallace Corporation is founded
The Wallace Corporation is a company that specialized in developing supplemental, healthier foods and farming synthetic foods alongside it. They're perhaps one of the most influential corporations in human history, often acting as a "part charity, part company", as Mr. Wallace, CEO and founder of the Wallace Corporation, describes. The Company was vital for rebuilding much of the western infrastructure after WW3, and helped prevent various famines in the aftermath of the war.
The company was founded in response to the Water Wars. Originally starting as a charity started by Mr. Wallace himself to help the victims of the catastrophe, he realized that he needed more money to do more in the face of disasters such as this if he and his close friends wanted to keep on helping the less fortunate. Luckily, the company grew incredibly fast due to Wallace's keen eye for business and handling money, and grew to be a moderately large company, supplying food to other nations and help stabilize supply lines, especially those in intergalactic colonies settled by humanity after the 3rd World War.
2109 The USA nearly avoids a civil war, as Texas secedes
On December 28th, 2108, The United States signed one of the most controversial bills in the nation's history. Bill c190, also known as the "Bill of Devils", is an act that violated the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th amendments. America previously was running on hard times, and it went through a recession in 2098, which sparked outrage across the nation. The economy started to dwindle as the years went by and the nation, at least on paper, was slowly starting to dissolve. Bill c190 would've allowed a temporary "police state" to form in the country to prevent the nations total collapse. The bill was seen as a "necessary sacrifice to save the nation and the American people", but much of the country, to put it mildly, disagreed. In response to the bill being signed, Texas worked up a coalition of Democrats and Republicans alike to secede from the union. California and the Southern Alliance do the same a bit later. In the months after the signing of the bill, crucial negotiations and peace talks took place to potentially avoid all out civil war. While the Southern Alliance hadn't officially declared secession (many states that the alliance claimed were a part of it denied ever working with it or seceding), it was agreed they would step down if the bill was abolished. California much in the same vein, also agreed to be reintegrated and avoid civil war if the bill was abolished. Texas however, refused to be reintegrated again, citing that: "The United States had many chances to justify the annexation and statehood of Texas, and this was the last straw". Texas would never be reintegrated into America, and later the Republic of Atlantica again. While it agreed to a temporary free trade deal with the nation and agreed to fight by the west's side in potential wars, the nation is now defacto independent.
2122 The Indonesian Civil War begins
In the middle of editing, but the basic idea is a country falling on hard times due to climate change among other reasons, causing many of the islands to break into anarchy, and subsequently declare independence. Still researching and figuring out what to do. Suggestions and criticism is welcomed and needed.
2130 South Africa peacefully separates into various countries, officially dissolving the country
In the middle of ironing out details. Basic idea is that South Africa decides to fully dissolve the nation, a result of a poor economy and controversial policies in their government that basically encourage the idea of independence throughout its provinces. As I said, WIP. Criticism is welcome.
2152 - 2163 The events of WW3 begin, and end
WIP, so I’ll use this to document to put casualties and other misc. details:
American Nuke Targets: San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, Seattle (For now, WIP selection). Estimated Casualties for American Nuke Targets: 3,800,000. European Nuke Targets: Kyiv, Warsaw, Berlin, Paris, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf (WIP Selection) Estimated casualties for Europe: 4,300,000 Asian Nuke Targets: Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto Estimated casualties for Asia: 2,490,000 Total WW3 Casualty list: 1.3 Billion people (Might lower into the hundred millions depending on data).
Keep in mind, the west did not respond to the nukes launching by China and Russia, knowing it would be the end of humanity as knew it. China and Russia stop launching their arsenals when no western nukes, not even American, are detected within their airspace or touched down on major cities. This causes a massive psychological change in humanity as a whole, as both sides look upon a preview of a world that could've been. One laid in waste, caused by humanity's greed and lust for power. Immediately after the launch of nukes, both sides agreed to a truce. No land was exchanged, no cries for revenge and etc. etc. Collectively, humanity signed the famous treaty of Sol, agreeing to end all conflict between the human race forever. As the years went by, every nation agreed to denuclearize, pledging to use the power of the atom for the betterment of humanity, and not in spite of it.
2241 The Space Station "Equinox" finishes construction
The Equinox was a global initiative to repair the earth after failing to meet climate goals that plunged the world into chaos. The space station is an expansive and advanced feat of human engineering, able to cool down the planet and restore the planet to net carbon neutrality. While by this point renewables became much more advanced and productive than fossil fuels, the Equinox was able to repair any damage caused by Climate Change without any nasty side effects. The Equinox became one of humanity's firsts test to see if it can cooperate on large scale projects and further the cause of humanity. The result was an astounding success, and the Equinox is still in service in the present year (2701).
2700 Chernobyl officially becomes (somewhat) habitable again
Yeah, what it says on the tin. Haven’t worked out every detail yet.
2701 The events of The Forever Promise begin
The Forever Promise, where this nation is in, takes place 700 years into the future, in a world where humanity has united to end war and conflict for the betterment of the human race. In the years since it's unification it has been able to develop incredibly advanced technology the likes of which was never thought to be possible. Now with it's established presence on much of the Milky Way Galaxy, humanity must solve an all new problem, one where the stars of the Universe are dying and decaying faster than ever, several trillions of years ahead of schedule.

Now that TOWL is over and confirmed that the Civic Republic has now reformed the CRM and opened up their existence to the world. The whole plot of Dead City makes zero sense especially given its timeline of being 5-6 years in the future.
You're telling me that Maggie, abandons both the Commonwealth and Alexandria, both two fully functioning modern and safe communities with her kid and everyone from Hilltop, treks through Civic Republic borders, to go live in a fucking abandoned brick factory near New York with no sanitation, electricity, and surrounded by raiders???
And then to the fucking surprise of absolutely no one, Herschel gets kidnapped during a raid, and instead of calling up Rick for help and asking for a few helicopters and special forces team to go into and save him, she goes on a wild adventure to basically kidnap Negan and trade him for her dumbass son she couldn't give a shit about.
This is a person who had the option of THREE fully restored and modern cities with their own functioning school system, military forces and safety in Portland, Civic Republic, and Commonwealth, and thought an abandoned brick factory represented the best future for her kid.
Is Maggie just stupid???

...that is, if you are a YouTube viewer!
My current most watched right now (no links & small summary):
@ChiefScheider (usually short movie clips and not much to describe - GenX will get it) @wangjenniferr - Jennifer Wang - Tips on choosing well-made clothing @EmilyWheatley - Edgier style, capsule wardrobe advice @SimpleLivingAlaska - Homesteading couple from Portland builds a life in Alaska. Beautiful, long form videos and feels like a TV program, not a typical 'vlog' @bkrewind - Be Kind Rewind - Top-level video essays of classic - modern female actors. Just excellent.
Bonus Mention: @cnliziqi - Liziqi - a Chinese vlogger who mysteriously stopped uploading videos a few years ago. Her library contains some of the most beautiful and relaxing content on YouTubel. So worth a watch.
Edit to add a few more: Bliss Foster (fashion), Hans Atelier (for you restoration fans) Every Frame a Painting (ended uploads in 2017 but great archive) Never Too Small (Architecture) and Cozy Bedroom/Healing Comma/Sweet Dreams (Ambience channels)
Another ETA: I've added everything you ladies have recommended and still going. My algorithm is beautiful and suggested pages are 💪🏻. Crappy Childhood Fairy is currently on 😭 Please keep them coming - no karma requested...just really grateful for you all.❤️❤️