Thursday, October 11, 2007

Portland, Oregon

Having a quite boring and mindless job, I've had a lot of time to surf the internet AND think of the several reasons why I don't like Portland. So I thought I'd share the "Ten Reasons Why I Don't Like Portland" with my readers. But I'm trying to work on being more positive so I had to write the things I like first...

Yea Portland!!!!!
1. Wyatt
2. Wyatt's family
3. picking berries (and other fresh fruit)
4. green trees and beautiful scenery
5. cheap parking!
6. easy access to city and outdoors and the beach
7. NO TAX
8. 150 miles to Seattle
9. don't have to pump my own gas (which is something I really hate doing - don't know why)
10. the Portland Temple
10a. abundance of good deals on Craigslist because everyone is about recycling and reusing

Boo Portland!!!!!!
1. the bottoms of my pants get wet (i said bottoms, not top.....)
2. not a hub city for a major airline - more legs, harder and more expensive to travel anywhere
3. vegetarians (it's just the high abundance of them....)
4. slow drivers
5. slow drivers in the fast lane
6. slow drivers in the fast lane monitoring the speed of other drivers by refusing to move to the right lane because they are, in fact, going the speed limit (even though they are holding up a line of cars behind them)
7. bumper stickers
8. bumper stickers stating their great adoration and over the top love for the democratic party
9. only 3 million people big
10. lack of some of my favorite chain restaurants - Maggiano's, Panera, Corner Bakery, Noodles and Co.
10a. limited amounts of Chipotle
10b. lack of HOT weather in the summer - reaching 85d at best
10c. lack of warm weather in the fall - reaching a high of 60d at best
10d. lack of SUN
10e. high abundance of Fantasy Video, Fantasy Lounge or any other Fantasy something (seriously there is one in every town!)
10f. easy access to a COLD beach (though it is a VERY pretty beach)
10g. weird people in general (just walk downtown and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about)
10h. the deficit between average income and the housing market - there is NO way one could afford a house here! I understand the housing market bit. But the average income?! Come on people! One can't survive on $10-12 an hour.
10i. ZERO dollar theaters - you would think, in Portland, where everyone is all about recycling, there would be one.....
10j. great respect for the earth (that is good) - lack of respect for personal appearance and appearance of own home (this is rare but still enough for it to make it on my list)
10k. wearing sandals with flannels/sweatshirts - i don't even understand this
10l. no good deals at thrift stores because EVERYONE shops there
10m. only professional sport is basketball (where's the baseball and hockey?)
10n. bikers taking up more than their share of the road and not obey the laws like they're supposed to (actually, this doesn't really bug me - but it is number one on Wyatt's list)
10o. rain - not that it rains in general - it's just that the same amount of rain that Chicago gets in one day can be spread out over a week in Portland (i don't think Portland is being very efficient with the weather and how much sun it really could have)

I'm sure I could go on. But I'm trying to be positive, remember? All in all, Portland really isn't a bad place to live. It's just the little things that tend to bug me from time to time. I think I just don't fit in here. I can't relate to the people. And that is why I loved Chicago so much - because I could relate. But I've come to the realization that being in Portland with Wyatt is 100 times better than being somewhere I love without him. Okay, that's not entirely true. I would enjoy that place I love by myself for a few days. Then I would be really unhappy because Wyatt wouldn't be there. So moral of the lesson - move to a place you love - with someone you love - and make sure they love that place too.

Someday we'll make it to Seattle.....



12 comments:

Hamblin Family said...

Although I can't relate to Portland, I know how you feel in relation to Nashville. It is just something different and its even harder when your away from family. I feel for you Britt!!

Jeanna said...

Brit,

I used to hate Utah too, but the more I stayed here the more I realized that it was great for so many reasons.

Too bad that won't ever happen with you and Portland. :)

I offer you my sympathies.

(Sorry, I couldn't help poking fun.)

Anonymous said...

um, you don't pump your own gas...ever? that's weird. portland is weird. (i know that was a positive on your list, but it would be a BIG FAT negative for me)

Jake said...

My favorite dislike.

"8. 150 miles to Seattle"

Not a bad thing to dislike about portland and I wholeheartedly agree with you. But as a Seattle-ite, I would never want portland to be even an inch closer to Seattle than it currently is. Loved the post.

Emalei Ambrosio said...

Britty,

This is your cousin (1st cousin once removed) :), Emalei...I'm in Seattle and LOVE giving promotional tours of Seattle. Come and visit any time! :)

mom/Janet said...

Britty,
Okay, I finally have to make a post. I've been reading your blog but have tried to stay hidden but I couldn't help myself on this one. You will get the same kind of weather in Seattle as you do in Portland. If weather is an issue, stay away from Seattle. I've never heard of a dollar theather in Seattle. Just thought I'd point it out. Also to your friend Josette, it's the whole state of Oregon that can't pump your own gas. It takes some getting used to but I like it when I pass through. And last about liking and disliking a place: I've always thought I could like anyplace as long as Bill was there. That is pretty much what you concluded also. Any hopes of moving to Seattle? We're only 3 hours from Portland and Seattle both. We fell we have it great - - except our traffic is slow - - just ask Emalei who is used to the LA pace of traffic.
Well, there I've made my post and so you'll maybe be hearing more from me.
your cousin Janet

Jen Demaris said...

Hey girl here is our site! Keep in touch! Forever!
http://thedemarisfamily.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Um.....did I tell you that I'm thinking about moving to Portland? And though it's not Seattle...it's not excactly Detroit either.

Wyatt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wyatt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wyatt said...

"Wilson, Brittany"
10 Things I don't like about BNW
1. Just kidding
2. There's nothing I don't like about Brittany
3. I strongly disagree with her negative sentiment towards Portland
4. Brittany actually loves Portland, but is trying to keep the population small
5. Portland takes 4 years to grow on you
6. But once your covered with Portland all over you stay warm in the winter

Abbie said...

Britty, we might be moving up to Portland if Scott gets into law school there, but let me tell ya, I would much rather live in Seattle. Here's to hoping for Seattle!