If you’re reading this, you’re not going to be an Olympian. We Out Here Magazine believes in you (#supportland), but we don’t really support you…monetarily. So, although you might be able to do it, at this stage in the game the odds are against you. Keep trying at that rap career though, that might take off.
Since you can’t pull America’s weight in the Olympics, the least you can do is pull your weight in the Northwest.
1. Reduce
Portland has one of the best transit systems in the country, and depending on where you work, you’re paying for it indirectly already (via your employer), so you might as well use it! Depending on which end of the rap life scale you prefer, I could argue that riding the MAX is or is not extremely #raplife. Standing on a crowded MAX, headphones on, beats-only playing…rap life. On the other end of the spectrum, Lambo…rap life. If you’re more the later rap life type, at least carpool.
2. Reuse
Most of the NW has this on lock. You guys are great at finding vintage digs at Goodwill and selling back books at Powell’s. Keep it up, and try reusing a bit more. Do you take a lunch to work? Take it in a lunchbox, not a brown sack. Do you put items in your lunch in Ziploc baggies? Pack them in a Tupperware instead. Do you get a to-go order of coffee everyday? Why not bring a travel mug? And like a true Oregonian, reuse even the things that most people don’t; for example, refill your Vitamin Water bottle with water, wear your denim a few times before washing it, some Oregonians go as far as reusing their bath water! So just know, you’re doing the least you can do.
3. Recycle
If you’re living in the NW and not already recycling… MOVE.
4. Volunteer
Volunteering goes a long way. Volunteers keep places like OMSI running smoothly, and events on the Waterfront coming back year after year. Beyond the obvious, volunteering at events comes with the perk of free admission. So next time you can’t afford a ticket to Brew Fest, Blues Fest, or any other “fest” on the Waterfront, see if you can pick up a shift to get a free pass. Find a list of local places that need volunteers here.
5. Tip your barista
We already established that you get coffee to-go on a regular basis. Probably something like an Americano from Stumptown… (Don’t take that for granted!) Tip your barista. They make your day, everyday. It’s time for you to make theirs.
6. Give a woman your seat on the MAX
I had a man the other day take the last empty seat on the bus while I was wearing high, oh so high, heels. I hope that man goes to some sort of The-Devil-Wears-Prada Hell. Men, you should always give women, children, and elderly your seat on the bus. This shows charm, class, respect, manners, education…I could go on. See more etiquette tips here and here.
7. Give what you can to a bum
RE: Number Five—Seriously, don’t take your Stumptown for granted. Portland has one of the highest hunger rates in the county. You, yes you reading this, obviously either have a computer or smart phone or likely both, which you’re reading this on. So, you’re fortunate; yet you say “not today” to bums everyday. What day will you finally give a bum a dollar for a cheeseburger? Today?
8. Vote
You can’t do America good by competing in the Olympics; you might be able to represent your state on a national-level with your rap career, but you’re not all the way there yet… Something you can do for both? Vote. It’s not only your right, it’s your civic duty as a citizen. If you don’t vote in the up-coming election, please quit complaining about politics. Thank you.
9. Support the local arts
Did you know, there’s more to #supportland than rap? Did you know, there’s more to supporting the local arts than First Thursday? Go on a graffiti hunt under bridges, see the Oregon Ballet or Symphony (both often give out free or discounted tickets for a variety of reasons), walk through the Portland Art Museum (free every fourth Friday of the month from 5-8 p.m.) or stop by one of Portland’s many small art galleries and boutiques. What would the NW be without art?
10. Support local businesses
Like the local arts, support local businesses. If we don’t, we’ll lose the Portland culture that we love. We’ll lose the hole-in-the-wall cafes that serve Stumptown and vegan-gluten-free-sugarless pastries. Produce Row will become a Denny’s or a Walgreens. The Ace Hotel will serve a continental breakfast and pop-up like Holiday Inns. Our Saturday market people will become bums and the job market will decline even further.
Just do it. –Nike, an Oregon-based, but nationally successful company