Wednesday, August 24, 2005
The other night I was reading an old copy of Portland Monthly while at a nanny job. I got pissed off because they had this fake little quiz called "Stumpkin or Bumpkin" (Fyi: portland is often called Stumptown). Portland Monthly is our major city-focused magazine, which is only a couple years old. I enjoy reading it. Well, I enjoyed it until I read this quiz. Basically it concluded that you were a "real" Portlander (and Stumpkin) if you adhered to certain criteria. This meant living in a couple of certain neighborhoods, driving an upscale SUV, and etc. I got pretty pissed.
Someone I know who recently moved to Portland from the midwest mentioned his intentions for living in Portland, meaning the only area he wanted to live in. He mentioned not venturing beyond the 70s, knowing that's not where he wants to be. While I actually want to live in the same area he does, the comment has begun to bother me, and maybe only because of its polar opposite culture when compared to those I mentioned in the first paragraph.
I don't know. I guess I'm just bitter.
Portland was cool before you left New York and wrote back to your family and friends about the glorious parks and scenery, and before you bought that million dollar home in the West Hills. Portland was awesome before we got Doug Fir and all the cool new bands from here were being lauded by indie rock journalists. Portland is a jewel of a city, a city of entrepeneurs, earth conscious individuals, and innovative people. It has a long history of inspiring ideas.
Not only that, but it's part of a state that is magnificent, and the city in itself is cool within its whole self, not just that special part where you shop at cool grocery stores and go to really awesome literary readings. Yeah. It's hip and cool. And it's normal as well. I mean, c'mon. Guys walk their dogs with the leash around their own waists. Now that is cool.
Someone I know who recently moved to Portland from the midwest mentioned his intentions for living in Portland, meaning the only area he wanted to live in. He mentioned not venturing beyond the 70s, knowing that's not where he wants to be. While I actually want to live in the same area he does, the comment has begun to bother me, and maybe only because of its polar opposite culture when compared to those I mentioned in the first paragraph.
I don't know. I guess I'm just bitter.
Portland was cool before you left New York and wrote back to your family and friends about the glorious parks and scenery, and before you bought that million dollar home in the West Hills. Portland was awesome before we got Doug Fir and all the cool new bands from here were being lauded by indie rock journalists. Portland is a jewel of a city, a city of entrepeneurs, earth conscious individuals, and innovative people. It has a long history of inspiring ideas.
Not only that, but it's part of a state that is magnificent, and the city in itself is cool within its whole self, not just that special part where you shop at cool grocery stores and go to really awesome literary readings. Yeah. It's hip and cool. And it's normal as well. I mean, c'mon. Guys walk their dogs with the leash around their own waists. Now that is cool.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Today, on the way home from work and the library, I saw a fellow walking his dog. "How nice," I thought to myself, "a fellow walking his dog on a nice warm, sunny day." Yes, this gentleman was indeed walking his dog, in the casual wardrobe that consisted of a white undershirt and grey sweatpants. As I stopped at the stop sign I realized that this man was walking his daschund not by holding the leash by his hand, but walking the dog while having the leash tied around his belly. And by "his belly" I mean the man, not the dog. That leash sure is heavy.
I love people. I sincerely do. I love that this man wanted to tie that leash around his stomach instead of hold it in his hand. I love that it was warm and sunny and so many people were out riding their bikes. I loved walking with those kids today, yet having to tell them to "shhh, we're in public" when they started talking about bodily functions in the local coffee shop.
Yiza. I love people.
I love people. I sincerely do. I love that this man wanted to tie that leash around his stomach instead of hold it in his hand. I love that it was warm and sunny and so many people were out riding their bikes. I loved walking with those kids today, yet having to tell them to "shhh, we're in public" when they started talking about bodily functions in the local coffee shop.
Yiza. I love people.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
I still get emotional about it. I nearly cried the other day.
And last night I had a creepy/scary dream.
"Tonight we will be disappointed together"-the myriad
And last night I had a creepy/scary dream.
"Tonight we will be disappointed together"-the myriad
