It May Be That the Gulfs Will Wash Us Down

Standing on a precipice I am preparing for graduation and looking for a job. But the effects of the Great Suck, or the Not-So-Great Recession continue their effect.

Some of my classmates, including myself, have already "paid our dues" working at a less than glamorous job before we went to grad school. But now we are graduating and coming out again at the bottom.

On one hand it is good not to act like the world owes you anything as if you do think that you will quickly corrected. But at the same time it'd be nice to catch a break.

Irregardless,

It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:

It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,

And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.

Tho’ much is taken, much abides; -Tennyson

Sharing is Caring

Although Malcolm McDowell is probably already writing about this as I type, I have been really interested in the concept of "sharing" lately. Not the way that children are taught how to share, but how we as human beings, old and young, can share our resources from our homes to our no-longer-needed resources (like extra bricks, discarded toys, etc.,) via sites such as Freecycle.com

When I was younger, and an aspiring hippie, I thought that it would be so cool to live in a commune with other people. As a child of a two-parent, one sibling family to live with a bunch of strangers from all walks of life seemed so exotic and cool.

Then I grew up and realized that I enjoy a little privacy, peace and quiet, and not staring at unrecognizable faces over the breakfast table, who had not been in the house when I went to bed. I did live in a semi-commune-like setting during my first year of grad school. It was an old 1920s-?, two story house that I shared with a revolving door of roommates- it was between two and five other girls on a given day. Plus two dogs and two cats, none of which were mine. It wasn't based on peace, love, and understanding- far from it and resource-sharing was a rare occasion. But it was "interesting."

A really cool example that didn't invoke personal frustration I found in an Amazon.com review of a book that does talk about this subject entitled What's Mine is Yours: the Rise of Collaborative Consumption by: Rachel Botsman by Kare Anderson from Sausalito, CA-

"One Saturday a friend who lives on Nob Hill in S.F. drove a zipcar over to visit me in Sausalito. He was eager to tell me about his trip to Istanbul, paid for by renting out his spare bedroom. Earlier that morning, via a freecycle posting, a stranger picked up some clay pots I'd set out by my garage so he could make a deck garden. Our apparently different actions are, in fact, part of a trend that Roos Rogers and Rachel Botsman dub collaborative consumption in their book, What's Mine is Yours."

And no Amazon (still!) doesn't give me a kickback every time I mention them. :(

The topic of sharing was also the focal point of an interview Planetizen (again, no kickbacks) conducted with a one Mr. Jay Walljasper

http://www.planetizen.com/node/48122

And for my pop culture reference of the day, house-swapping is one of the key plot devices in the Kate Winslet/Cameron Diaz/Jack Black/Jude Law movie, OK, chick-flick, the Holiday. Of course, as only Hollywood can, Kate Winslet lives in a charming English cottage and Cameron Diaz has a gorgeous home in the Hollywood Hills. But both are desperate for a chance of scenery and are more than happy to exchange one picturesque vista for another. And of course, find love in the process. But even Hollywood is clued in to resource sharing!

As the planet gets hotter and the economy continues to make a very slow recovery it will be interesting to see if we shift from "our greed is good" and "he who dies with the most toys wins" mentality to one based more on sharing and exchange. The days of borrowing a cup of sugar from a neighbor seem quaint at best, but who's to say that swapping houses could be the post-modern version? The future is unwritten.

How to Make Friends in a Strange Land

One of the most bizarre social occurrences that I have observed as I have become an adult is that unless one has a specific social group to which one belongs it's really hard to make friends.

Obviously, there are adults of similar levels of intelligence that one interacts with at one's workplace, if applicable.

But what about those who are unemployed? And especially those who are unemployed and not not religious? Nor civically inclined?

I have a friend who had a job and was laid off. She isn't religious and has limited interest in civic engagement. She lived in LA for a whole year before I came to school and she volunteered with two groups. But both of these groups are rather insular in nature and she didn't feel like she could really fit in.

Another friend is highly accomplished and independently wealthy, but has to take care of her mother who has health issues. She lives up in wine country, ie northern California, and has to drive into the city to get social interaction.

On the other hand, I feel very fortunate to have made great friends while attending grad school. I've also made some good friends at my internship.

Making friends is something that we do naturally as children. But as we become adults the social opportunities become more limited. And finding ways to make new ones sometimes feels like building a working spaceship only from parts purchasable at Home Depot.

Helping my point is a clip from the Big Bang Theory.

The brilliant, but socially inept, Dr. Sheldon Cooper, on CBS's the Big Bang Theory wants to endear himself to a colleague who has access to a super cool microscope or particle collider or something physicists lust after. But his colleague rebuffs his advances. Undeterred, Sheldon is determined to turn a colleague into a friend. Seeking advice, he sought out advice at the local children's bookstore. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtyEbAgNJsQ

I wrote a paper for my History of Urban Planning about the loss of thirdspace. My thesis stated that as people were able to afford single family homes their social lives became more and more focused within the home instead of exterior. One need only look at the ever-expanding home entertainment section of Best Buy to see this is true.

This argument fits well within the paradigm of suburbia. But what about in a big city? While the burden ultimately lies within each one of us to find and make friends it helps if there are public spaces for us to bump into people and to make connections.

A Few Takes on the Bible, Through a Planner's Eyes

I pulled the first joke from- http://homepage.tinet.ie/~nobyrne/planning_implications_of_earth.htm

Planning Implications of the Creation of Earth

In the beginning God Created heaven and the earth. Quickly he was faced with a enforcement action for failure to obtain planning permission or submit an environmental impact statement. He was granted a temporary permit for the heavenly project, but was stymied with the Warning Notice for the earthly part.

Appearing at the subsequent court hearing for failing to accept the Warning Notice, God was asked why he began his earthly project in the first place. He replied that he just liked to be creative.

Then God said, "Let there be light." Officials immediately demanded to know how the light would be made. Would there be noise? What about thermal pollution? God explained that the light would come from a huge ball of fire.

God then sought outline permission to make light, assuring officials that no smoke would result from the ball of fire, that he would obtain all necessary licences, and (to conserve energy) would have the light out half the time. God suggested a number of conditions for permission and said he would call the light "Day" and the darkness "Night." Officials replied that they were not interested in semantics.

God said, "Let the earth bring forth green herb and such as many seed." The Parks Department agreed so long as native seed was used. Then God said, "Let waters bring forth creeping creatures having life; and the fowl that may fly over the earth." Planning officials pointed out this would require approval from the Wildlife Service coordinated with the Heavenly Wildlife Federation.

Everything was OK until God said he wanted to complete the project in six days. The Planners informed him it would take at least 200 days to review the application and the environmental impact statement. After that there would be a Council meeting, a series of public consultation hearings. Then there would be 10-12 months before...

At this point God created Hell!

The other one hangs on the wall at my internship at the councilman's office-

Enjoy!

In the year 2006, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now

living in the United States, and said. "Once again,
the earth has become wicked and overpopulated and I
see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark
and save two of everything living along with a few
good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have six
months to build the Ark before I will start the
unending rain for forty days and forty nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah
weeping in his yard... but no Ark.

"Noah!," He roared, "I'm about to start the rain!
Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord" begged Noah "but things have
changed. I need a building permit. I've been arguing
with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler
system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the
neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my
yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to
go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.
Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond
be posted for future costs of moving power lines for
the Ark's move to the sea. I argued that the sea would
be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on
cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl.
I tried to convince the environmentalists that I
needed the wood to save the owls. But no go!

When I started gathering the animals, I got sued by an
animal rights group. They insisted that I was
confining wild animals against their will. As well,
they argued the accommodation was too restrictive and
it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a
confined space.

Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until
they conducted an environmental impact study on your
proposed flood.

I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the
Humane Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm
supposed to hire for my building crew.

Also, the trade union say I can't use my sons. They
insist I have to hire union workers with Ark building
experience.

To make things worse, the IRS seized all my assets,
claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally
with endangered species.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least ten
years for me to finish this Ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine,
and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean, you're
not going to destroy the world?"

"No," said the Lord. "The government beat me to it."

A Few Planning Jokes

Yesterday at my internship at the Planning Department at the City of Los Angeles I overheard two planning jokes. I thought that I'd pass them on~

A bishop, a judge, and a planner were arguing amongst themselves who was the greatest.

"I am the greatest," said the judge. "When I enter a room the bailiff announces 'all rise!' people stand up and address me as 'Your Honor'."

"That's pretty good," replied the bishop. "But when I have an audience people kneel and kiss my ring and address me as 'Your Eminence!'"

"You guys are fooling yourselves." snorted the planner. "When I enter a room people cover their eyes and shout 'oh my god!' "

This other joke was also cited in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, a movie tho incredibly funny and touching, also definitely earned its "R" rating. It goes a little something like this-

How do you know that God is an engineer and not a planner? Because a planner wouldn't put a sewage plant next to an amusement park.

Jason Segel, if you knew this joke before you wrote the movie, call me. I love you. Actually, I love you anyway.

Mixed Income Communities and Reality

I live in what new urbanists would call a mixed income community. Some people own their homes, others, like myself, rent. There are working professionals, students, and families.

New urbanists like mixed income communities because there can be a mix of housing styles to cater to different needs. There can be townhouses, single family homes, apartment complexes, duplexes, etc., Instead of just building a suburban subdivision of just single family homes a developer can diversify his or her portfolio and spread out his or her risk. People can find a home that fits their particular lifestyle and budgets. And unlike what is currently happening around the US, if some homes are foreclosed, it won't turn into a ghost town. If there is a diverse set of options, some one else can move in to the (God forbid) foreclosed townhome or house while the apartment complexes and other multi-family housing continue to operate. Instead of there being whole subdivisions of abandoned single family homes straight out of a zombie flick.

This is a fantastic proposition and one that would be great to be seen in more places.

Unfortunately, this works well only when everyone plays by the rules. The rules being that no one blasts their music, that no one can accidentally overhear anyone else getting intimate, or any other activities that include keeping one's clothes on that would count as noise violations.

Portlandia, Heaven on Earth? Maybe. . .

There is a new show in IFC which I have yet to watch entitled, "Portlandia." Starring SNL's Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, formerly of Sleater-Kinney and now of Wild Flag it takes an absurdist view of life in Portland, Oregon.

http://www.ifc.com/portlandia/

I must admit, if given unlimited resources and more of a predisposition to favor consistent rain over consistent sun, I too might live in Portland.

At first glance it's darn near Utopia. Especially from a planning perspective. It seems like everyone is in harmony, working towards the greater good while consuming only local organic food. There are no NIMBYs. (Not In My Back Yards) only peace and good will. (this is all, of course, on the surface and prone to great hyperbole for dramatic effect).

Oh yeah, and no one seems to mind that the "green belt" that was mandated in the 70s has artificially inflated real estate to levels that rival San Francisco. A green belt, in a nutshell, is a no-build barrier formed around a city, established at a certain geographic point to ensure that development does not infringe on nature. Unfortunately, this means that supply is limited while demand is ever-increasing. Therefore, since supply is constrained price increases. The same thing happens in New York City. Landlords can charge an arm and a leg because if you reallllly want to live in Manhattan proper, well, you have finite options where to lay your head.

One of the biggest causes of my despair was the announcement that Portland is actually dedicating revenues to bicycling! Bicycling the ultimate in utopian form of transportation. Citations of the leisurely activity conjure up images of beach cruisers, Amelie, and safe and happy children.

http://www.planetizen.com/node/47086

And here is the Portlandia version-

http://www.planetizen.com/node/47880

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, my friends at the LA DOT (that's D-O-T, not DOT) work tirelessly on raising bike awareness and bike safety.

http://ladotbikeblog.wordpress.com

While our good Mayor of LA, out on a bike ride, breaks his elbow when a taxi pulls out in front of him!

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-mayor-villaraigosa-breaks-arm,0,318953.story

Trying to find bad stuff about Portland is like trying to find bad stuff written about Betty White. OK, both are a little overexposed (as of late), but to badmouth either of them is like saying you hate kittens and puppies and rainbows.

Joel Kotkin, of whom I possess little favor, bravely campaigns for the position of anti-Portland. He is also one of the most prolific members of the unofficial anti-anti-sprawl movement. (These are not necessarily pro-sprawl, but they don't bemoan it as the smart growth people do either). But here's his pot shot.

http://www.planetizen.com/node/18244

No one ever said that life in Portland is cheap. San Francisco is the farthest thing from cheap, but I'd still give my left arm to live there if guaranteed a well-paying job. Unfortunately, herein lies the problem- how to create nice, livable places people want to live in and interact with, but entry level isn't set at upper-yuppie levels?

Still, in a world of frustrations and backlashes at the smallest imagined slights, it's nice to know that somewhere (over the rainbow?) some one is experiencing a modicum of success.

http://www.planetizen.com/node/92

Snow = Nature's Street Calming Measure?

I grew up mainly in the Midwest and have had my fill of snow to last for two lifetimes.

However, in some misguided form of wanderlust I booked myself a ticket from sunny (warm!) Los Angeles where I live now to Chicago for my birthday. In February. Where the Blizzard of 2011 hit. A day before I flew in. Yes, I am that kind of smart.

My travel plans made complete and total sense back when I booked my ticket in October. I'd completely forgotten about that fluffy white stuff that rains down from the heavens. And sticks together and collects. And collects. And collects. Until there are piles of snow as high as the top of a car's tires.

However, one thing that snow does provide is traffic calming. Traffic calming is exactly what it sounds like- design features built into the built environment to slow down traffic. There is a range of ideas from speed bumps to narrowed streets to changes in texture in paving. But sometimes Nature lends a helping hand and create what traffic engineers call "bulb-outs" or extensions of the curb. These rounded and extended curb corners force drivers to slow down as they round a curve as the street extends into the road.

The author in the video calls them neck-downs. Neck-down, bulb-out, whatever. It works. If only we could drive this safely all year long.

http://www.streetfilms.org/snowy-neckdowns-redux-winter-traffic-calming/