The Weekly Wrap: April 9, 2023

We live in a neighborhood with an active email group. I don't jump into the conversation often but, when I do, it tends to destroy my inbox for the next few days.

In black and white terms, I am a YIMBY when the most vocal writers on the list-serv are NIMBYs. Or, rather, the vocal members just don't want to see anything change in our immediate area. 

Usually, I drop a message to counter the trending argument simply to remind people that there are other views. Once I send a message, I tend to receive a flurry of responses - both public and private. Sometimes I'm thanked; more often than not, however, it's a lot of... umm... well... I've not so nicely called it a "hive of villainy." People are really mean when they can't see your face.

This week, after someone posted angrily about a local neighborhood Commissioner (a popularly-elected, volunteer position) not representing their particular views about historic zoning, I jumped in with my counter point. That, yes, some of us did, indeed, support his work to change zoning. The backlash in my inbox was immediate.

Usually, I don't respond to the mean messages. This week, I couldn't let one go. The same person kept responding to me over and over and over again. Finally, I replied if only to end things. I'm including it below because I'm still cranky and feel like parts of the message need to be more public. Namely, that views vary and a neighborhood email list is not where decisions and policy are made.

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​This country has historically under built housing for the last two (plus!) decades. It’s why home prices and rent have risen so dramatically. The rate of housing creation is far below what is needed for population growth. My daughter may, literally, have nowhere to live because DC, like many other urban areas, is not growing fast enough. Even small towns, like the 2,000 person one I grew up in don’t have enough housing.

A moderated email list is not where decisions are made. Nor are they a representative sample of all voices. I shared my opinion as others have. But that does not mean any one person on the list holds views that are more important than anyone else. Just because some “owns” a home doesn’t mean their voice gets a bigger say. Apartments are homes too. Renters care just as much about their neighborhoods.

I merely want those who own property in this area to have more options for what to do with it. If folks want ADUs. Great! If not, they don’t have to build one.

Existing zoning structure preserves the status quo and all the problems inherent in that. 

There’s a great Substack newsletter, The Deleted Scenes, which posts thoughtfully on these issues. The author discusses how, in refusing to build density upwards we move outwards, thus clear cutting all the greenery and nature we wish to preserve. 

We can’t stay the same as we’ve always been. 

***

Again, opinions vary and I, myself, am not necessarily right. It's just aggravating to me that some folks think being louder means they should "win."

Grr.

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• Why don't we move closer to our friends? [Culture Study]
• Architectural hermit crabs. [Colossal]
• This piece on overstimulated motherhood spoke to me on a cellular level. [Motherly]
• There's some interesting things to know about bread crumbs. [Wordloaf]
• A midwestern conversation. [Men Yell at Me]
• How many brand colors do you know? [The Verge]
• Wow! [Colossal]

• You would probably have to drag me out of this museum. [Atlas Obscura]
• How the Netherlands came to love bikes. [99% Invisible]
• We may be able to overcome allergies. [Short Wave]
• How do you determine legal damages? [The Indicator]
• Oh, Lydia. [Live from Pemberley]

• The Northman has been on my watch list for a bit. We put it on because, sure, why not. Still asking myself that. Not would have been a good idea. I don't understand how this film has a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It's not good. It takes itself too seriously to be an action flick. The acting is too forced. (Don't get me started on the clearly put on accents.) The script is trying too hard to be ​Lord of the Rings. The filmmaking and direction is far to present to even be considered artsy. Even though the story, costumes, and violence are relatively historical accurate, it's all too overdone. [Amazon Prime]
• Another movie that has been on our watch list for awhile is The Midnight Sky. Luckily, this one was a much better film. It's a rather quiet suspense. The pace is slow with bursts of action. This film is most psychological. That means the plot moves slowly but always with forward progress. The ending is easy to figure out, but that doesn't diminish the intricacies of the narrative. Also, this one is just beautiful to watch with wonderful set direction and staging. [Netflix]

• Slow cooker season is on the way out. As one of our last dishes, I threw together yellow chicken curry and rice. The sweet potato essentially disintegrated but the flavor was there.  Using coconut milk is a nice touch, too. It provided an elevated level of flavor. This could have been spicier. Next time, I will toss in a touch more cayenne. Our kiddo accidentally dropped our entire bottle in when she was helping and I was worried it was already too spicy. [Ambitious Kitchen]
• Busted out an old favorite - Greek quesadillas with tzatziki. This is fairly quick to throw together. Since we bought already julienned sundried tomatoes, that was one less thing to chop. We add shredded mozzarella to the filling mix for extra meltiness. [Scrummy Lane]