Conformity

What is the obsession people have in this country with uniformity? Sarah has been talking about painting her apartment for months. The managers didn't tell her that she couldn't do it, but they didn't exactly encourage it either. Finally, she just did it thinking that she would be OK with either losing her deposit or repainting it white when she moves out.

Now I ask you - why do apartments always come with white walls, neutral carpet, and white countertops? I mean, I personally would be much more attracted to an apartment that had some color in it than to a boring, standard, neutral color scheme. I suppose if a person owned an orange couch, you wouldn't really want an apartment with purple walls. But, come on - you can always paint!!! And the idea that Sarah should have to lose a deposit or repaint that wall white when she moves out is ludicrous because the apartment complex always has to repaint between residents anyway.

It's the same thing in my neighborhood. You have to use standard paint colors. You have to apply for permission to change your landscaping. It's boring. Sure, in life you sometimes end up with the oddball that paints his house hot pink. But, on the whole I think I'd rather live down the street from a pink house than see how much everyone wants to look just like everyone else.

On a completely different topic, we saw the Machu Picchu exhibit at the museum yesterday. It was a great way to hype up for our trip. 4 days to Peru!