My name is Jen(n), and I'm a yuppie.

Yesterday I went to a public meeting about land use planning. It was the first time I'd been to a public meeting that was not about crime. So that was exciting.

As an aside, the meeting was sponsored by a local art school, the same one that sponsored Billy Bragg a few months ago. They currently have an exhibit featuring several architects/designers' views on how the city will look when it is accommodating a million more people than it is now (e.t.a. = soon = YIKES). I learned some interesting things, namely that I really like the approach the mayor-elect has toward city planning. Most of the designers were focused on how to build a neighborhood around a green space, but he suggested the radical idea of talking to neighborhood people and thinking about what those people - and the million new people - will need in 20, 30, 40 years (social services, retirement homes, walkable grocery stores, etc). To be fair I think the assignment for the architects was to build in green space, which is a bit worrysome and which shows you where Portland's mind is today. A million people more is a lot of people... it's time to start thinking outside the box. End of aside.

After the meeting I stopped by Whole Foods. I didn't get charged for my expensive organic spinach, but I didn't complain. I felt a bit out of place amongst the goths and crunchy granolas in my business skirt and button down shirt. Hey, it's laundry week. There's plenty more where that came from.

And then on the way home I read my yuppie book, which I wasn't really enjoying until recently, and halfheartedly listened to two strangers debating the cover article in some yuppie magazine one guy was reading.

To counter all the activities from yesterday, today I will listen to the Dead Milkmen, forget to pay a bill and eat potato chips for lunch. Good times!