Boring stuff

Life is kind of interesting here in Oregon and it's not quite how I thought it would be.

You get used to some things, like not pumping your own gas.  Usually you're just sitting there waiting for the pump to shut off.  Today though, it was slow so I had a chance to chat with the station attendant.  I like it that I can't pump my gas.  It's not that I'm not capable, but that it gives someone a job.  It might not be a glamorous job, but it is honest work.  I respect the people that do it.  It's also a throw-back to simpler days.

A lot of what Oregon is going to change into was kind of derailed by COVID and practicality.  The state is trying to get away from plastic grocery bags.  I think the corona kind of put a damper on that enthusiasm.  They do charge you a nickel a bag.  Well, Wal-mart doesn't.  I've learned to do without a bag unless I needed one.  I think it's funny though that I can self-checkout from the store but not pump my own gas.

When I first started looking at houses here, if you stopped for fast food, you had to ask for a straw.  They quit that.  They get stuffed in the bag now.  It's funny to me, too, that the coffee place I like gives you a straw for hot coffee unless you ask them not to.  It's just a habit because they make a lot of cold drinks that you need a straw for.  That was a silly thing.  Silly things usually get put aside for practical reasons.  Like needing a straw for your coke from the McDoogies.

I guess you can now have small amounts of narcotics here.  I think that's a bad idea personally but there are countries in Europe that make it work.  I wish we'd focus more on mental health care and rehabilitation than punitive punishments but IDK about flat making small amounts legal.  We'll see.  

It's odd to me to see all these progressive policies.  Where I live, in Coos County, it's country.  The street I live on was a mix of Trump supporters and Biden supporters. Trump carried the county but not the state.  There are about 1/3 more registered Republicans than Democrats in the county.  When I officially move here next year, I'll join the rabble of the unaffiliated.

There are new homes going up in the neighborhood and the piece of property just north of and behind my home will soon enough be a subdivision.  For now, though, I have a small glimpse of the bay from my back yard.

Well, that's all from the coast here today.  I hope the snows in Utah find you well.