For a city that prides itself on being clean and 'green', Portland has a very real litter issue. On sidewalks, in public doorways and thrown from car windows, cigarette butts are everywhere!
Almost as bad as the smoke that comes out of them, these non-biodegradable eyesores threaten our city's reputation for livability.
'The world is a smoker's ashtray', so the saying goes...but that shouldn't apply to a place as progressive as ours. Most residents are too smart to litter; it's a small minority of smokers causing the majority of offenses.
Portland needs a public awareness campaign to raise the consciousness of those who litter, not only their butts, but gum and wrappers or any other superfluous packaging.
There are receptacles for that called 'garbage cans'.
As a kid, I remember many slogans were created to raise good citizens. One in particular stuck: 'Don't be a litter bug!'. This I learned not from the green streets of Portland, Oregon but from the mean streets of Detroit...Michigan!
We require dog walkers to pick up their pooch's doo-doo. Why not smokers, too?
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
All of Me
Such a dichotomy of contradictions, I am.
Introspective and outspoken.
Strong and vulnerable.
Smart and naive.
Those who know me well may not agree but then that only proves, they don't.
Perhaps it's because I am Aquarius, known for being unconventional, unorthodox and non-conformists. As a kid, I was greatly puzzled by these words whose meanings eluded me...especially unorthodox; this conjured up religious notions; an odd fit, for sure.
Years later it all made sense. I came to understand fully the true measure of those words...adjectives which, indeed, do describe
all
of
me!
Introspective and outspoken.
Strong and vulnerable.
Smart and naive.
Those who know me well may not agree but then that only proves, they don't.
Perhaps it's because I am Aquarius, known for being unconventional, unorthodox and non-conformists. As a kid, I was greatly puzzled by these words whose meanings eluded me...especially unorthodox; this conjured up religious notions; an odd fit, for sure.
Years later it all made sense. I came to understand fully the true measure of those words...adjectives which, indeed, do describe
all
of
me!
Rock, Scissors, Paper
As one of the very few urbanites left on this planet without a cell phone, I can honestly say, I heart being unplugged and unavailable.
Of course, I can still be dialed-up the old fashioned way via land line--suits me just fine.
By not using a cell phone, I'm not only saving money, I may be doing myself a health favor, avoiding the very real risk of stimulating cancer cells.
Keys, glasses, water.
That's all I need when I walk out the door. At the rate I misplace my glasses, I really can't afford one more thing to keep track of or lose.
Of course, I can still be dialed-up the old fashioned way via land line--suits me just fine.
By not using a cell phone, I'm not only saving money, I may be doing myself a health favor, avoiding the very real risk of stimulating cancer cells.
Keys, glasses, water.
That's all I need when I walk out the door. At the rate I misplace my glasses, I really can't afford one more thing to keep track of or lose.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
No Coincidence
OK, I'll admit: I am a big dreamer!
Not just a daydreamer but particularly, while I sleep. I usually can't remember many details but I try anyway. Never sure where I am or what I'm doing there, one thing is recurrent. I am traveling, solo.
What a perfect metaphor for life since we're all temporary visitors on this plane we call Earth. No one can walk in your shoes with your purpose or your gait.
We all walk alone.
Is it coincidence that I live in the state whose slogan boasts: "We love dreamers"?
Nah! There are no coincidences!
Not just a daydreamer but particularly, while I sleep. I usually can't remember many details but I try anyway. Never sure where I am or what I'm doing there, one thing is recurrent. I am traveling, solo.
What a perfect metaphor for life since we're all temporary visitors on this plane we call Earth. No one can walk in your shoes with your purpose or your gait.
We all walk alone.
Is it coincidence that I live in the state whose slogan boasts: "We love dreamers"?
Nah! There are no coincidences!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Music Therapy
Today is a sad anniversary. Four years ago my Papa, dear patriarch of our family, passed away...after, gratefully, only a short struggle.
Sad also because I missed seeing him alive by mere hours, although my siblings assure me I was fortunate not to be there. His audible suffering the night before and refusal of any more morphine, was a sure sign the end was near.
On the flight back to Michigan, I knew Dad was already gone. I needed the truth; it was my oldest brother who called to tell me, "Yes, dad just died..."
I flew with the heaviest heart, trying to hold back tears, glad to have my mate's shoulder to cry on.
It's only been four years, but it feels like forty!
Maybe all these mixed emotions are what compelled me to find and listen to Neil Young's "Old Man" today.
Oddly comforting but taking it wherever I can get it.
Sad also because I missed seeing him alive by mere hours, although my siblings assure me I was fortunate not to be there. His audible suffering the night before and refusal of any more morphine, was a sure sign the end was near.
On the flight back to Michigan, I knew Dad was already gone. I needed the truth; it was my oldest brother who called to tell me, "Yes, dad just died..."
I flew with the heaviest heart, trying to hold back tears, glad to have my mate's shoulder to cry on.
It's only been four years, but it feels like forty!
Maybe all these mixed emotions are what compelled me to find and listen to Neil Young's "Old Man" today.
Oddly comforting but taking it wherever I can get it.
Ewwww!
In an effort not to offend foreign visitors, Chinese officials have ordered all food venues to curtail the sale of "prepared dog" on their menus during the Olympics.
Upon reading this report, my immediate response was "Ewwwwww!" but the truth is: had I grown up eating dog meat, I'd probably think nothing of it...just as I do whenever I eat cow, pig or chicken.
Were those animals singled out as acceptable livestock to slaughter and consume in America because, aesthetically-speaking, they're the least attractive? The most plentiful?
I kept waiting for the author to report that dog tastes "just like chicken" but was surprised to read it tastes like lamb. That's some strong meat!
I'm not going to make any wise cracks about tough times in America and missing dogs but I will say this. Despite not being a "dog" person, the very thought of eating man's best friend makes me want to heave...
...proving once again, we are all nothing more than creatures of habit and indoctrination.
Upon reading this report, my immediate response was "Ewwwwww!" but the truth is: had I grown up eating dog meat, I'd probably think nothing of it...just as I do whenever I eat cow, pig or chicken.
Were those animals singled out as acceptable livestock to slaughter and consume in America because, aesthetically-speaking, they're the least attractive? The most plentiful?
I kept waiting for the author to report that dog tastes "just like chicken" but was surprised to read it tastes like lamb. That's some strong meat!
I'm not going to make any wise cracks about tough times in America and missing dogs but I will say this. Despite not being a "dog" person, the very thought of eating man's best friend makes me want to heave...
...proving once again, we are all nothing more than creatures of habit and indoctrination.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Past Lives
Though I'm grateful not to have lived during Victorian times, encumbered by layers of garb and prurient attitudes, I find many of the graces that came out of that era to be very endearing.
Life may not have been easy but it was simpler. Afternoon tea was a time set aside each day to take a break and enjoy one of life's natural beverages.
I have an affinity for vintage things.
When it comes to music, I dig classic rock and American standards; retro household items, too, for nostalgia's sake. With an old Raleigh bicycle and an '87 Honda Accord, my love for old things makes me wonder, "Am I an old soul"...
...or just old?
Life may not have been easy but it was simpler. Afternoon tea was a time set aside each day to take a break and enjoy one of life's natural beverages.
I have an affinity for vintage things.
When it comes to music, I dig classic rock and American standards; retro household items, too, for nostalgia's sake. With an old Raleigh bicycle and an '87 Honda Accord, my love for old things makes me wonder, "Am I an old soul"...
...or just old?
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