City Living: Clusterfuck Galore

mr. nina and i traveled to portland yesterday for a mini-family reunion (his side). we took hwy99 up and had a very peaceful, relaxed drive until we reached newberg. we haven't been to the portland area in a couple of years, and i swear to god, even though it doesn't seem possible, the place is even more congested.

we had planned on being there between 12 and 1. we would have reached that goal if we hadn't come to gridlock hell. we made it to newberg at quarter til 1. but once we reached tigard, we sat. moved a few feet. and sat. moved another few feet. and sat. etc. etc. almost 45 minutes later, we arrived at our destination.

as we sat in that traffic, not moving, i reflected on some things, mostly to keep me from screaming or having a panic attack. i first tried distracting myself on a tree, but then the sound of thumping stereos and the smell of car exhaust sort of ruined that experience. i then imagined that, instead of everyone in cars, everyone was on bikes. but then i thought of china and crowds of people pedaling all over the place and, well, that ruined that experience as well. crowds of people are crowds of people. i don't care if they are on a bike or in a car or walking. i despise crowds. especially when i cannot escape them when i want.

there is debate on whether we have over-populated the earth or not. for myself, it isn't just about resources. it's also about comfort. having lived in seattle and portland, having lived in those massive apartment complexes where people are shoved into small spaces like sardines, i can say i find those experiences smothering and unhealthy. i need open spaces. not just to visit--but in which to live.

i can confidently say that, according to my values and my needs, this planet is way too populated. it was scott peck who wrote "city living is not conducive to spiritual growth." while i do not subscribe to the notion of spiritual "growth" but rather it is our human self that evolves into/merges with our already "perfect" state of spirit/soul, i believe he was on to something.

when we finally arrived, we apologized for being late and began relaying our experience, hoping for some sympathy, of which we received little. lol it slipped our minds that they live with this daily. so i walked over to our little nephew, who is not quite 4, scooped him up in my arms and told him he needs to tell mommy and daddy to move out of the city (which they have talked about doing eventually), closer to us, where there was fewer people and more trees. and as only a little child would do, he said: "can i bring my monster truck?" i had to laugh at that.

yes, you can. only if it's the toy variety.