Crazy- Not Real

$450.00. I don't understand.
This is a lovely top, I just don't understand the price.

Obama- Rally in Portland, OR

75,000 attend Obama Rally in Portland, OR






My father is from Portland. My grandfather and grandmother (immigrants from Switzerland) raised their four children in a quiet neighborhood just SE of the city. I grew up in Ashland, OR and have spent quite a bit of time in Portland. Sometimes I wish I lived in Portland instead of Seattle.
I supported Hillary, even though I could tell she was not going to win the democratic nomination. I felt and still feel that I made the correct choice. I really, really wanted a woman to be president.
Obama inspires. I think he has an excellent chance of becoming the next president of the United States.

Friday- Seattle Real Estate

Georgetown
Ballard Brass has signed a lease for 47,000(+) sqft in Georgetown at NW Corporate Park X (not sure where that is. Thanks to NAI Puget Sound Properties- 1st quarter report.

Seattle Median Home Prices- Compare of April 2007 to April 2008
My neighborhood has declined by 16%. Doesn't seem that way. Beacon Hill has the lowest median prices in the central close to downtown core. Info below is courtesy of Rob Graham.

Seattle Median Home Prices April '07 vs. April '08 by Neighborhood

Neighborhood	Median Price April '07	Median Price April '08	Change
West Seattle	$427,825.00	$398,450.00	-6.87%
Mount Baker /Seward Park	$405,000.00	$391,944.00	-3.22%
Beacon Hill /Georgetown	$395,000.00	$331,000.00	-16.20%
Madison Park / Capitol Hill	$607,000.00	$499,888.00	-17.65%
Queen Anne / Magnolia	$699,000.00	$670,000.00	-4.15%
Ballard / GreenLake	$475,000.00	$454,000.00	-4.42%
North East Seattle	$499,997.00	$445,000.00	-11%
Richmond Beach / Shoreline	$398,000.00	$392,000.00	-1.51%
Lake Forrest Park	$412,000.00	$415,000.00	0.73%
Bellevue South / Issaquah	$674,950.00	$650,000.00	-3.70%
Bellevue West	$1,159,650.00	$1,080,000.00	-6.87%
Bellevue East	$580,000.00	$532,500.00	-8.19%
Issaquah / N. Bend / Snoqualmie	$604,975.00	$552,500.00	-8.67%
Redmond / Carnation	$719,975.00	$620,000.00	-13.89%
Kirkland / Bridal Trails	$699,500.00	$665,000.00	-4.93%
Juanita / Woodenville / Bothell	$530,000.00	$499,000.00	-5.85%

Here are the numbers for April last year, compared to this year, single family homes. The numbers look pretty bleak, but the good news is that these numbers are still well above the national average. Also, keep in mind that many of you who are selling your home are also buying in the Seattle area. If that is the case, while you may be getting slightly less for your home, you are also paying less for the home you are buying. If you are selling and moving out of the area, you are in even better shape, because many areas of the country have experienced even more of a drop off. If you are a first time home owner, you are getting bargains compared to last year, and interest rates are still low.

Trees and Wet Spring in Seattle

Our neighborhood planted trees from the Neighborhood Parks/Tree program.
I am pleased the trees made it through the winter.

Dogwood














In front of house.




















It has been a wet spring in Seattle. Here is are two pictures of my office park parking lot.
















I work in a swamp! I was not able to get a picture of the ducks!















Buddhist thought of the day:
In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.
- Robert Lynd

Manic/Art

I am embarrassed to say this, but I have been kind of manic the last few days. I am feeling very focused or maybe I should say "on". Not sure if it is due to the spring-like weather here (Seattle), or if the stress of last week has given over to relief.

Below is a very talented artist. Pictures make me feel soft and soothed.


Please have a look here to see more of Jessica Gonacha's new great artwork...