Jul 16, 2007 | 5:25 am
keep oregon changing
Earlier today Len and I were driving around Portland’s Pearl District. Everything was so CLEAN. I mean, immaculate. I remember the days when Henry’s pumped out intoxicating fumes right in the middle of the city, and Powell’s was a small and musty stink-hole. I LOVED it. The Armory was a neglected and ancient symbol of forgotten city resources, and the town pretty much ended at Hoyt Street.
In my quick judgment IÂ realized that what was upsetting me was that what I had envisioned, what I truly wanted had really come to fruition. Buildings that were viable weren’t torn down but rather reused and redeployed as new cultural centers. Our City of Books (www.powells.com) has grown exponentially to become a true anchor of a new shopping district devoid of strip malls (and strip clubs for that matter). Housing is available within walking distance to the business district, making the city livable, beautiful, and sharp.
So, where do I stand? I miss the old Portland. And I have such a great opportunity to embrace and enjoy the present Portland. In the heart of the North Park Blocks was the International Beer Festival. Children were playing in the water in one of the city’s newest parks. And this weekend the Armory (Artist’s Repertory Theater) became the home for the Best of the Sketch Fest 2007, featuring my favorite group - The 3rd Floor http://www.the3rdfloor.com/. (And I’m not just saying that because the group’s Jason Duggan is my neighbor.)
So, if the city can change and still maintain a certain character, can you? Who would you be if you didn’t have the fear of rejection, the fear of public speaking, the fear of sales, the fear of commitment? Who would you be if you envisioned your future, chose to act on that, and changed? I trust that you could maintain the best parts of yourself, honor your past, and develop a future of your own.
Homework: What is one area of your life you would like to change? Are you willing to take the first step and write that as a comment? Or send it to me in an email. Imagine all the positive things that might happen.
Truly Yours,
Joseph Lyons