Day: February 2, 2006

Fleeing the Bay Area

I can’t believe this was published so prominently in Sunday’s Chronicle. Imagine someone suggesting that the reason the middle class is fleeing the Bay Area has something to do with the fact that planners and assorted NIMBYs are making it very difficult — or at least rather disagreeable — for them to stay there.

On top of that, imagine them publishing something which suggests that the middle class contributes more to the economic vitality of an area than the very rich or the very poor.

Even better, imagine the author having the audacity to suggest that planners might be wise to consider compromises based on how people WANT to live rather than merely dicatating how they SHOULD live.

Scandalous.

She May Live

After a very sketchy first few months, where she often looked a little like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree, the plant above suddenly seems to be thriving. Apparently, she’s found her preferred solar angle. I haven’t named her — nor any of the other new kids yet — partly out of respect for the ones I left behind, and partly because, you know, once you name them and start feeding them, it’s extra hard when you lose them.

I think this one’s going to make it, though. Ultimately she’ll be one of my favorites since she had to work so hard and all. She might get a name very soon.