April 23, 2006

Into the great wide open

Why it is impossible not to love Portland, Oregon:

1. It has, at any given point in time, twice as many blooming plants as New England.
2. Bike paths. Everywhere.
3. Readily accessible public transportation - buses, a subway and streetcars.
4. It's dog-friendly.
5. Saturday markets with eclectic music.
6. Powell's Bookstore, aka 'city of books' - three-quarters of a million books covering an entire city block. New books. Used books. Books shelved up to the ceiling.
7. Tillamook ice cream.
8. Easy driving distance to the mountains, the waterfalls, and the beach.
9. It maintains a 'laidback' atmosphere.
10. Lots of young people. Lots of liberalism.
11. It's green. It's clean.
12. The things you see while out running or walking - this morning it was a young couple playing on a see-saw while their toddler sat with the dog on the lush grass of a public park.
13. Whole Foods stores. Lots of organic stores.
14. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, which I came upon this morning while running.
15. The mild climate, even if it does rain frequently.

April 18, 2006

Snapshot of Easter Sunday

April 9, 2006

Do you ever just get tired of yourself

One thing I've come to realize, and that I should have realized a long time ago, is this: you shouldn't waste your time on people that don't care about you.

Now, I'm not saying that we all have a right to be selfish and not worry about the lives of people outside our small circles of friends. What I mean is that we've all got, on one hand, those great friends - those people that, should they call you up past midnight on a dark and stormy night and say, "Hey, I could really use some company right now," you'd be there for them. You'd go, no questions asked. Those are the people that mean the world to you. Those are the ones you care deeply about.

But ask yourself, would each and every one of those people do the same for you? Most of the time, the answer is yes. That's how friendship works, after all. It's reciprocal - you have to have a friend to be a friend. But. Should you ever realize that you've been wasting your time caring for someone that doesn't care back - (because like relationships, friendships can have a he/she just isn't that into you component) - well, that's what I mean. That's what I mean, when I say not to waste your time on people that don't care about you. Because there are far too many people out there that do care about you, and those are the people that deserve your time and thoughts and affection.

Just a thought.

While we're at it, I'll throw in a random snippet of poetry inspired by some sweet and sad piano music.

if
if the moon's phases could be stayed
if if my doubts did not wax and wane
if the swingset in the park could form
a launching pad for my dreams at dusk
then maybe i could be convinced
without my heart wincing
warning unrequited, unrequited,
maybe i could be convinced
of love.