Took my first real trip through the Occupy Portland movement earlier this week. I had observed the on-goings at Chapman square in passing earlier, but things have grown and developed quite a bit since that first bewildered week.
The sight is amazing. I must admit the Occupy Portland encampment might be the most mind-blowing thing I’ve ever seen. I felt like I was walking through a scene in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, and half-expected David Bowie or Mel Gibson to jump out from behind a lean-to. Like I said, it was awesome.
Hundreds of protesters, volunteers and sympathizers all figuratively under one tent, fighting for a selfless cause that’s larger than them all. It’s more romantic than a Julia Roberts movie.
Meanwhile, I occupied the newsroom today. I felt like protesting against our office cleaning habits, they probably need to improve so there’s not so many half edited articles, empty coffee cups, and other loose junk laying around. I’m surely responsible for my share of the mess, but on the other hand, all the stuff makes the office feel more busy, thus making me feel more important, which increases my feeling of self-worth, which then makes me a better and more confident person.
Has the anti-littering movement been overblown?
Or perhaps I’m just a bit grumpy from being here since 9 a.m. and the sun is starting to set and I probably have another hour or so in front of me before I can finally get out of this dungeon. When people ask how long I plan on occupying the Vanguard basement, I should probably respond with ‘indefinitely’ from now on.
I also felt like looting and rioting the office printer/fax machine for obvious reasons. It would be so fun to take a baseball bat to that thing, in honor of the sports section of course. If not me, then who?
