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May 20, 2005
spinning our wheels and sitting perfectly still
Happy National Bike To Work Day! I rode my bike approximately 1/2 mile before being utterly soaked by the rain and deciding to go back home and take the car to work today. Weather: 5 Me: 0.
Other than that, still loving my new neighborhood. Today I just discovered that OregonLive has an Old Town Blog, which points out a lot of issues affecting the development and community of Old Town. The author seems to be shining the hot light of the press upon the PDC in particular. Mr. Norton attends neighborhood association meetings and is keenly aware of issues surrounding urban renewal, ordinances, and the homeless situation in Old Town. I'll definitely be reading often. Old Town has an entirely different flavor than the Pearl Blog just a few blocks west.
Since moving to Old Town, I've been surprised at becoming a lot more comfortable with the homeless population. Growing up in the suburbs, I never had to see or deal with this kind of thing -- it was one of those social problems supposedly solved by suburban neighborhoods. My notion all while growing up was that homeless people were desperate, dangerous winos and drug addicts who would rob or attack anyone who appeared vulnerable. While crime in the downtown area is still considerable, I feel that the homeless population doesn't pose a lot of danger. While walking home from the MAX station, alone, on a Sunday evening, I passed under the bridge where a group of the under-housed spend the night. I was carrying a lot of stuff and must have appeared hesitant, but as I tiptoed under the bridge, one reclining fellow gave me a bright smile and exclaimed "You have a nice night, now!"
I love downtown.
Posted by mara at May 20, 2005 12:57 PM