So-Lame, a.k.a. Salem

As I was driving through Salem today, I was thinking about how much I really dislike this wretched town. It is eerie that we have been living here for over 4 years and very little has changed or has been added to Salem. It is such a depressing and dreary little city. It feels as if everyone is just existing, instead of thriving. There is no life behind anything. Dead, or just waiting to die.

Salem is about 10 years behind Portland, which says a lot because Portland is about 5-10 years behind major cities in the U.S. So, a lot of things in Salem are like deja vu for me. Didn't I already do this? Wasn't this already the latest cool thing to do? When I visit Portland I am made aware of how "left behind" I am. With each passing mile along I-5 north, I feel the pulse strengthen and the breath deepen as I get closer to home. I worry about my sons living and growing up in this town. I guess the one saving grace is that we make it to the Portland area several times a month.

So, back to my driving through Salem today and my thoughts about how much I dislike this town; I did the usual self-talk that I am so good at doing - "Oh, c'mon, it isn't so bad! blah, blah, blah." Alright. Maybe it isn't so bad. I decided to make a mental list of all of the things that I like about Salem.

Here is my list. Hope you have a lot of time to read it:

1) Devarshi has a short commute to work, therefore can spend more time with the boys.

2) We live about 5 miles from a great little organic u-pick farm that has rock-bottom prices.

3) Having come from Portland we were able to buy a decent house in a safe neighborhood (Safe is all relative. We have the meth users down the street, the alcoholics, the drunk drivers that hit parked cars, mail theft, the guy who is so clearly grooming the little girls for his personal pleasure, etc. The usual suspects. Still, it beats Felony Flats.)

4) Nikash was born here.

5) It is closer to Eugene than Portland is.

That's my list. It is time to go home.