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These aren't predictions or anything like that, just my hopes for the City in 2007 and some things I'd like to see in the new year.
- Focus less attention focused on Downtown development, more focus on neighborhoods.
- Interest continues to build in City living.
- Marketing efforts for City neighborhoods begin in earnest with a regional and national target audience.
- The Board of Aldermen is cut in half.
- The St. Louis Public School District fights a state take over and gets its act together.
- Control of the STLPD is returned to the City.
- City officials finally realize St. Louis is an urban city, and not every development is appropriate for the City.
- Specific guidelines are established for urban design and developers who want to develop in the City limits should be forced to follow them.
- I see cops patrolling my streets more often.
- I see a reduction in crime.
- Street lights in the City are synchronized a bit better.
- More people get their news from independent resources and the Post-Dispatch is forced to cover local events accurately and more in-depth.
- The leasing agent for Southtown Centre is either fired or replaced and some quality stores actually open up and Kingshighway and Chippewa. In fact, just blow the whole thing up and start over again.
- Even more shops open up along Macklind Ave. in Southampton.
- The positive stories about the City make it into the press.
- My block has a party.
- I move a bit north and a bit east.
- I get to the park more often.
- I join a gym & lose 10-20 pounds.
- I make it to NYC.
- I get a new job.
- I hope my puppy starts to settle down this year.
- I get up on time so I can start taking the metrolink to work more often.
- I discover something about the City I didn't know.
- I have an experience in the City I've never had.
Well, the interview went well...unfortunately I don't think I'd be happy with the work I'd have to produce. Damn, I was hoping for something good, but I can't make a change just for more money. I have to build my portfolio, and I don't think it would happen at this new place. So, I guess it's back to sending out resumes and making something else happen.
There's a good possibility I may have a new job in the new year and I'm praying that everything works out. I first met with two guys from an advertising agency in September. The one guy had actually interviewed me a few years earlier and he emailed me earlier this year asking if I was looking for a new job. I figured it couldn't hurt to meet him, so I met with him and his senior art director and things seemed to go well. It was all very non-commital, I think they were just feeling me out, so I didn't think much of it after we parted ways.
2 weeks ago I get an email saying that they may be able to talk about the job a little more seriously now. I think they were waiting for someone to leave the company. I have a meeting at the agency on Friday. I'm not desperate for a change, well, that's not true, I am, but at least I'm currently employed and I don't have to take something just to take it. I can think it through, make sure I'm a right fit for them, and they're going to be good for me. I'm trying to play it cool, but in the back of my head I'm screaming "This has to work!"
I've wanted to get into advertising ever since I graduated so many moons ago. For whatever reason, I never quite got there and I want this chance. It's not the agency of my dreams, but it's a start.
One place I'd love to work is TOKY. Oh my gosh their work is amazing. I'd jump at the chance to learn from the designers there. I just love their style. I don't think they've done one thing that I haven't liked. They have a really neat building on Olive, too, a bit east of Grand.
I've decided that 2007 is the year I'm getting a new job and getting a great BF. It's going to be a good year.
2 weeks ago I get an email saying that they may be able to talk about the job a little more seriously now. I think they were waiting for someone to leave the company. I have a meeting at the agency on Friday. I'm not desperate for a change, well, that's not true, I am, but at least I'm currently employed and I don't have to take something just to take it. I can think it through, make sure I'm a right fit for them, and they're going to be good for me. I'm trying to play it cool, but in the back of my head I'm screaming "This has to work!"
I've wanted to get into advertising ever since I graduated so many moons ago. For whatever reason, I never quite got there and I want this chance. It's not the agency of my dreams, but it's a start.
One place I'd love to work is TOKY. Oh my gosh their work is amazing. I'd jump at the chance to learn from the designers there. I just love their style. I don't think they've done one thing that I haven't liked. They have a really neat building on Olive, too, a bit east of Grand.
I've decided that 2007 is the year I'm getting a new job and getting a great BF. It's going to be a good year.
Since winter began pulling the evening into the afternoon, I've been doing most of my dog walking in the dark. Because it gets dark so early I'm unable to take in the neighborhood like I do during the spring and summer months. Today, I cut out of work early and walked the dog as the sun was setting, the moon visible in the red sky. It was chilly outside, but the dog and I were walking briskly, so after a few minutes I didn't notice the chill.
It's going to sounds silly, but as we walked down the sidewalk I felt so lucky to live where I do. Do you ever get that feeling? I don't know where the feelings came from, but I didn't really care, they made me feel good. I'm glad I was able to right the misconceptions I had about the City before I moved here. It's a shame people let what they hear dictate what they experience.
For example, this weekend, on another dog walk, I ran into a guy from south county who was bringing something to an elderly aunt that lived in my neighborhood. My super cute German Shepherd has a special power to either scare people or get them to talk to me. This time Hadley worked her magic and this guy was inquiring about my dog.
"Do you ever take her to Francis Park?" the stranger asked.
"Yeah, but I usually go up to Tower Grove Park."
"Tower Grove? Really? What about all the crime up there?"
Sigh. I didn't get into it, I just said I've always felt safe and left it at that. I felt sorry for the guy, I mean he's missing out on a fantastic park because of "things" he's heard.
It doesn't matter to me what other people think about the City. Well, I mean I guess I care a little bit, but it's much more important to me that I enjoy where I live. I know the truth, both good and bad. To be honest I'm tired of trying to change the minds of the uninformed. I wish everybody felt about the City the same way I did. I wish more people could appreciate what we have. I wish more people would fight for what we have. Problems and all, if I have to live in Missouri, there's no better place for me than St. Louis City.
It's going to sounds silly, but as we walked down the sidewalk I felt so lucky to live where I do. Do you ever get that feeling? I don't know where the feelings came from, but I didn't really care, they made me feel good. I'm glad I was able to right the misconceptions I had about the City before I moved here. It's a shame people let what they hear dictate what they experience.
For example, this weekend, on another dog walk, I ran into a guy from south county who was bringing something to an elderly aunt that lived in my neighborhood. My super cute German Shepherd has a special power to either scare people or get them to talk to me. This time Hadley worked her magic and this guy was inquiring about my dog.
"Do you ever take her to Francis Park?" the stranger asked.
"Yeah, but I usually go up to Tower Grove Park."
"Tower Grove? Really? What about all the crime up there?"
Sigh. I didn't get into it, I just said I've always felt safe and left it at that. I felt sorry for the guy, I mean he's missing out on a fantastic park because of "things" he's heard.
It doesn't matter to me what other people think about the City. Well, I mean I guess I care a little bit, but it's much more important to me that I enjoy where I live. I know the truth, both good and bad. To be honest I'm tired of trying to change the minds of the uninformed. I wish everybody felt about the City the same way I did. I wish more people could appreciate what we have. I wish more people would fight for what we have. Problems and all, if I have to live in Missouri, there's no better place for me than St. Louis City.
Why don't I think ahead and ask for the week between Christmas and New Year's off? I'm sitting at my desk, bored to death...I think I've reached the end of the internet, and I've got 3 more days of this! Poker & word puzzles on Yahoo are fun for a little bit, but after a while it gets almost as tedious as sitting and doing nothing.
I like Poker Superstars well enough, but I'm not crazy about playing against the action script some Flash designer used to create the game. It kind of makes me feel dumb, no, cheated, when I lose. Text Twist is always fun, but that game really makes me feel stupid. When you can't make a 3 letter word out of the letters "C", "A", and "T"...well, I'll leave it at that. There are a couple of arcade games that can keep me entertained for about 15 minutes, but I'm thinking the best solution to this problem is to march into my bosses' office, head high, chest puffed and say "Um, would it be OK if I took the rest of the week off? No? Ok, cool, just checking!"
I like Poker Superstars well enough, but I'm not crazy about playing against the action script some Flash designer used to create the game. It kind of makes me feel dumb, no, cheated, when I lose. Text Twist is always fun, but that game really makes me feel stupid. When you can't make a 3 letter word out of the letters "C", "A", and "T"...well, I'll leave it at that. There are a couple of arcade games that can keep me entertained for about 15 minutes, but I'm thinking the best solution to this problem is to march into my bosses' office, head high, chest puffed and say "Um, would it be OK if I took the rest of the week off? No? Ok, cool, just checking!"
It doesn't matter who you are, what you say, or how you celebrate, I think the most important part of this time of year is that we're more aware of how we treat each other. Perhaps instead of being caring & compassionate once a year because we feel we're required to, we should extend the sentiment all year long.
Blah, enough of that! Have a great holiday!
Blah, enough of that! Have a great holiday!
Just a boring post on some things I've noticed about the St. Louis news media.
- The STLToday website seems to have less and less local news on their front page. All the news in the "latest headlines" section seems to be of the national or sensational variety.
- The TV stations in this town take credit for everything they sponsor. And because they can, the stations create promos to drill into your head how giving the station is and how everything about St. Louis is great. It's funny how you never really hear anything about that during their newscast...unless they've sponsored an event.
- Can someone please explain to me why Fox 2 needs a theme song with lyrics such as "Fox 2 is the best!" and "Fox 2 uh-huuuuuh". The song is beyond awful, but it actually is pretty good for a laugh. I hope you catch it!
- Does anyone else find it creepy that Channel 4 is using children in their promos stating the station has the #1 10 p.m. newscast in the country?
- I just don't care that Karen Foss is retiring. Channel 5 seems to think someone who reads the news off a telepromter is just a step down from the Pope. Congratulations on staying employed for 1,000 years Karen! You're a trooper!
So, last night I had to go to a Christmas party in Chesterfield and I now officially hate long, dark and winding roads. Those people are crazy out there! Speeding and riding my tail while taking tight turns on a narrow 2 lane road! Not that city drivers are any better. City dwellers pretty much think any road is a racetrack.
However, at least the roads in the City are straight and I know where I'm going and in what direction at all times. Those stupid curvy streets in suburban subdivisions really confuse me. They seem to be the way they are just to be that way...I can't really see a visual aesthetic or practical reason to their curviness.
I may have to deal with a bit of crime in the city, but at least if I get in trouble, I know which way to run!
However, at least the roads in the City are straight and I know where I'm going and in what direction at all times. Those stupid curvy streets in suburban subdivisions really confuse me. They seem to be the way they are just to be that way...I can't really see a visual aesthetic or practical reason to their curviness.
I may have to deal with a bit of crime in the city, but at least if I get in trouble, I know which way to run!
This clip is so funny, if a bit...well, a lot, politically incorrect. If you're easily offended, you probably shouldn't watch it. I found it freaking hilarious!
I really enjoyed today's commentary on the Pub Def site.
I live in the "Most Dangerous City in America" and I've yet to be the victim of a crime or made to feel uneasy in my neighborhood. I work in tony Clayton, where a man was shot to death less than a block from my office...it sort of creeps me out, that fact.
I'm certainly not trying to make compare the crime rates of Clayton and St. Louis because there is no comparison. St. Louis has a crime problem that the City leadership needs to address directly instead of wasting time trying to fight meaningless labels given to the City by media outlets. While I don't believe that St. Louis is the most dangerous city in U.S., I must admit that I don't really care how the City is perceived by people who don't live here. I just want to know I'm safe walking down the street and that my fellow city dwellers feel the same security in their neighborhoods. STL has a long way to go, but I'm not going to get into all that today. You all know what needs to happen.
Crime can happen anywhere, to anyone, despite labels of safe & unsafe, good & bad, city or suburb. I guess I wish I lived in a society where taking someone's life was as disgusting to other people as it is to me.
I'm certainly not trying to make compare the crime rates of Clayton and St. Louis because there is no comparison. St. Louis has a crime problem that the City leadership needs to address directly instead of wasting time trying to fight meaningless labels given to the City by media outlets. While I don't believe that St. Louis is the most dangerous city in U.S., I must admit that I don't really care how the City is perceived by people who don't live here. I just want to know I'm safe walking down the street and that my fellow city dwellers feel the same security in their neighborhoods. STL has a long way to go, but I'm not going to get into all that today. You all know what needs to happen.
Crime can happen anywhere, to anyone, despite labels of safe & unsafe, good & bad, city or suburb. I guess I wish I lived in a society where taking someone's life was as disgusting to other people as it is to me.
New songs I've discovered today, thanks to some direction!
Belle & Sebastian:
"I'm A Cuckoo"
"Funny Little Frog"
"Sukie In the Graveyard"
"Another Sunny Day"
"If You Find Yourself Caught In Love"
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah:
"Over and Over Again (Lost & Found)"
"Let The Cool Goddess Rust Away"
"Sunshine and Clouds and Everything Proud"
Belle & Sebastian:
"I'm A Cuckoo"
"Funny Little Frog"
"Sukie In the Graveyard"
"Another Sunny Day"
"If You Find Yourself Caught In Love"
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah:
"Over and Over Again (Lost & Found)"
"Let The Cool Goddess Rust Away"
"Sunshine and Clouds and Everything Proud"
The more I look at newer developments in the City, the more disheartned I become.
Suburbs:
City:
Suburbs:
City:
Suburbs:
POTENTIAL:
It's not that I have a bias against new contruction, on the contray, but I just wish that we weren't turning areas of our City into the "suburbs east". New construction is a great thing, but I wish there would be more thought put into the design of new city homes.
I honestly believe good design doesn't cost any more than poor design...it's just a matter of somebody asking for something better.
Suburbs:
City:
Suburbs:
City:
Suburbs:
POTENTIAL:
It's not that I have a bias against new contruction, on the contray, but I just wish that we weren't turning areas of our City into the "suburbs east". New construction is a great thing, but I wish there would be more thought put into the design of new city homes.
I honestly believe good design doesn't cost any more than poor design...it's just a matter of somebody asking for something better.
I'm enjoying tons of great music right now...thought I'd share some of the bands/people/songs that are currently burning their way through my iPod. Try not to laugh!
Broken Social Scene
"I'm Still Your Fag"
"Lover's Spit"
"Superconnected"
"It's All Gonna Break"
Imogen Heap
"Come Here Boy"
"Speeding Cars"
Death Cab For Cutie
"Soul Meets Body"
Jem
"They"
Zero 7
"Crosses"
Apostle of Hustle
"Song for Lorca"
"Animal Fat"
Frou Frou
"Let's Go"
The Decemberists
"Sons & Daughters"
Jesse Harris
"Slow Down"
"The Speed of Sound"
Tetiur
"I Was Just Thinking"
Moloko
"Statues"
Roisin Murphy
"Sow Into You"
Gustavo Santaolalla
"De Usuahia a la Quiaca"
"Gaucho"
Broken Social Scene
"I'm Still Your Fag"
"Lover's Spit"
"Superconnected"
"It's All Gonna Break"
Imogen Heap
"Come Here Boy"
"Speeding Cars"
Death Cab For Cutie
"Soul Meets Body"
Jem
"They"
Zero 7
"Crosses"
Apostle of Hustle
"Song for Lorca"
"Animal Fat"
Frou Frou
"Let's Go"
The Decemberists
"Sons & Daughters"
Jesse Harris
"Slow Down"
"The Speed of Sound"
Tetiur
"I Was Just Thinking"
Moloko
"Statues"
Roisin Murphy
"Sow Into You"
Gustavo Santaolalla
"De Usuahia a la Quiaca"
"Gaucho"
If you're familiar with the Southampton neighborhood, you may have walked past or seen the building. The city lists the building as a residential building, but to me it looks like a 2 story commercial building located (5401 Itaska) at the intersection of Macklind and Itaska.. It's on the northwest corner across the alley from Keith's bar.
It's a gorgeous, tan brick building loaded with potential. It features a fantastic corner entrance, large display windows and a wonderful paved area in front perfect for a dining area. The building appears to be vacant. All of the windows are painted over from the inside, the glass doors have been covered with plywood and padlocks secure the doors from the outside. The overgrown bushes from the rear yard at times block the sidewalk along Macklind. The building is, in fact, not vacant.
Every time I walk past this impressive building, there is loud music or loud talk radio blaring from it. It's not a muffled, "TV through the wall kind" of sound, it's the "TV is in your room at turned all the way up" kind of loud. When you approach the building on foot, and here's the thing I can't understand, it always, ALWAYS smells like...pee?
There have been numerous CSB complaints filed against the property. I'd like to know what action is being taken against the property owner. It appears most of the complaints filed list "Unsanitary conditions in home" as the reason for the complaint. Just last week, I noticed a yellow sticker on the front window of this building with the city seal on it, but I wasn't nosey enough to go up a read it.
There have been 32 complaints filed against the property since 1996. This building is a blight on the neighborhood and is so underutilized, especially now that Macklind Avenue is attracting new business. How can we get this property cleaned up?
It's a gorgeous, tan brick building loaded with potential. It features a fantastic corner entrance, large display windows and a wonderful paved area in front perfect for a dining area. The building appears to be vacant. All of the windows are painted over from the inside, the glass doors have been covered with plywood and padlocks secure the doors from the outside. The overgrown bushes from the rear yard at times block the sidewalk along Macklind. The building is, in fact, not vacant.
Every time I walk past this impressive building, there is loud music or loud talk radio blaring from it. It's not a muffled, "TV through the wall kind" of sound, it's the "TV is in your room at turned all the way up" kind of loud. When you approach the building on foot, and here's the thing I can't understand, it always, ALWAYS smells like...pee?
There have been numerous CSB complaints filed against the property. I'd like to know what action is being taken against the property owner. It appears most of the complaints filed list "Unsanitary conditions in home" as the reason for the complaint. Just last week, I noticed a yellow sticker on the front window of this building with the city seal on it, but I wasn't nosey enough to go up a read it.
There have been 32 complaints filed against the property since 1996. This building is a blight on the neighborhood and is so underutilized, especially now that Macklind Avenue is attracting new business. How can we get this property cleaned up?
I don't have children in the SLPS system and really the only way I keep up with the district is by reading various websites and watching the evening news.
That said, I do have some opinions.
If I was a city parent, I'd feel helpless. If I couldn't afford to send my kids to private school, I'd be scared to freaking death for my kids and their education...and their future.
The SLPS's are an embarrassment. Everybody involved with the district seems to be out for themselves...teachers, school board, mayor, everybody. All the while our kids are falling further behind, but who cares about them when there is stature, money and politics to attend to.
That said, I do have some opinions.
- Everyone involved with the district seems to love playing the blame game. All the problems are someone else's fault, or the fault of a previous administration.
- A school board that only has 2 members who have children actually attending the schools? Because she can afford it, one of the members actually has her kids shipped out of the city to attend school? Something's just not right about that.
- The school board is nothing more than a circus filled with players who are ineffective at best and are screwing over city school kids at worst.
- I believe lots of City parents are to blame for the state of our schools. The staff in our public schools are not babysitters and they aren't a substitute for good parenting. Parents need to step up and take responsibility for their children.
- We need to stop worrying about how we got into the mess we're in and start implementing solutions to fix things. Yes, look to the past to see what we've done wrong, but LEARN from the past, stop the infighting and come together and start fixing things.
If I was a city parent, I'd feel helpless. If I couldn't afford to send my kids to private school, I'd be scared to freaking death for my kids and their education...and their future.
The SLPS's are an embarrassment. Everybody involved with the district seems to be out for themselves...teachers, school board, mayor, everybody. All the while our kids are falling further behind, but who cares about them when there is stature, money and politics to attend to.
I heard him before I saw him. He was standing outside the front doors of the Hampton Village Schunucks, ringing his bell and belting out the carols. He was loud and overflowing with the Holy Ghost. People who put money in the red pot got a "God bless, you're beautiful, REJOICE IN THE LORD!!!" or something equally as inspiring. There were no other carolers in the area, so I can only assume he was having a contest with himself to see how loud he could sing and thank people.
His voice, not so great, but he's one of those who graduated from the school of "The Louder You Sing, The Better You Sound"...with honors. I couldn't stop myself from laughing as I loaded groceries into my trunk. I was parked pretty far away from the Schnucks entrance, I was almost to the McDonalds, but he literally sounded like he was standing right next to me.
Sigh...the holiday season...I'm pretty much over it.
His voice, not so great, but he's one of those who graduated from the school of "The Louder You Sing, The Better You Sound"...with honors. I couldn't stop myself from laughing as I loaded groceries into my trunk. I was parked pretty far away from the Schnucks entrance, I was almost to the McDonalds, but he literally sounded like he was standing right next to me.
Sigh...the holiday season...I'm pretty much over it.
I sometimes wonder why people stay in or move to the City. According to some, those of us who choose to live in St. Louis have more than a few screws loose, so why are there 340,000+ of us within the city limits? Have I allowed a narrow view, the view of someone on the outside looking in, affect me?
What keeps the lady on the next block in her house? Is it her age, does she feel too old to move & start a new life? Can she not sell her house? Does she feel trapped? What keeps the family across the street in their 2 story home? Can they not afford a home in the county?
Or maybe the all really do like where they live...and why would that be the last reason I think of, shouldn't it be the first? What keeps people in their neighborhoods? I know the reason I stay, are my neighbors here for the same reasons?
What keeps the lady on the next block in her house? Is it her age, does she feel too old to move & start a new life? Can she not sell her house? Does she feel trapped? What keeps the family across the street in their 2 story home? Can they not afford a home in the county?
Or maybe the all really do like where they live...and why would that be the last reason I think of, shouldn't it be the first? What keeps people in their neighborhoods? I know the reason I stay, are my neighbors here for the same reasons?
What's the deal on Hampton Ave. this week? For a few days now, northbound Hampton has been backed up from 44 to Columbia. I was thinking traffic was extremely light this morning then, BAM, stuck.
I hate Wash U. I despise them for the way they are slowly taking over Forsyth Avenue. I especially HATE that they've had a traffic signal installed at Olympian Way. I hate the way construction workers at the university stop traffic whenever they want.
Imogen Heap was FANTASTIC last night!!! What a great show...she really is a performance artist as well as a musician. One of her opening acts, Levi Weaver, was really great too. Ugh, I really think I was meant to be a performer. I saw these people onstage doing their thing and I couldn't stop thinking wanting to be "that" guy on stage, just my guitar and loop machine. Alas, my voice is only suitable for the car, and my guitar skills are amateur at best...but still, I'd love to get up on stage and fucking rock!
I hate Wash U. I despise them for the way they are slowly taking over Forsyth Avenue. I especially HATE that they've had a traffic signal installed at Olympian Way. I hate the way construction workers at the university stop traffic whenever they want.
Imogen Heap was FANTASTIC last night!!! What a great show...she really is a performance artist as well as a musician. One of her opening acts, Levi Weaver, was really great too. Ugh, I really think I was meant to be a performer. I saw these people onstage doing their thing and I couldn't stop thinking wanting to be "that" guy on stage, just my guitar and loop machine. Alas, my voice is only suitable for the car, and my guitar skills are amateur at best...but still, I'd love to get up on stage and fucking rock!
I don't have plans on moving out of my house anytime soon, but that doesn't mean I don't think about where I'd like to end up next. I know for sure I'll stay in the City, but what is in question is the neighborhood I'd want to settle in. For some reason Fox Park keeps presenting itself as a great option.
Fox Park is close to highways, Downtown, Compton Heights, Lafayette Square, Soulard, etc., etc. and its filled with the types of homes I imagine myself living in. Don't get me wrong, I love the homes in Southampton, but I want an old, red brick house! Plus, I just get the feeling the blocks might be a little tighter than my block in Southampton. My neighbors are great for sure! But we've never had a block party, our block has never been closed because we're all having some kind of event. Maybe my block is just boring because I see streets all around me being closed for one event or another.
Anyway, back to Fox Park, I drove through the neighborhood over the summer...well really I just drove the streets behind the school on Russell. It looked like a neighborhood in the middle stages of an upswing. Some homes weren't in good shape, but a lot where. It was almost like every other house was rehabbed or taken care of, with the other ones in need of attention....wait...I think I may have been driving through McKinley Heights!
Well, in any case, the area around Russell/Jefferson/Gravois area really appeals to me. Hope to end up there someday...before everybody else finds out about these neighborhoods and drives the prices up!
Fox Park is close to highways, Downtown, Compton Heights, Lafayette Square, Soulard, etc., etc. and its filled with the types of homes I imagine myself living in. Don't get me wrong, I love the homes in Southampton, but I want an old, red brick house! Plus, I just get the feeling the blocks might be a little tighter than my block in Southampton. My neighbors are great for sure! But we've never had a block party, our block has never been closed because we're all having some kind of event. Maybe my block is just boring because I see streets all around me being closed for one event or another.
Anyway, back to Fox Park, I drove through the neighborhood over the summer...well really I just drove the streets behind the school on Russell. It looked like a neighborhood in the middle stages of an upswing. Some homes weren't in good shape, but a lot where. It was almost like every other house was rehabbed or taken care of, with the other ones in need of attention....wait...I think I may have been driving through McKinley Heights!
Well, in any case, the area around Russell/Jefferson/Gravois area really appeals to me. Hope to end up there someday...before everybody else finds out about these neighborhoods and drives the prices up!
Imogen Heap is playing at the Pageant tomorrow night and I can't wait for the show. It looks like it's going to be a very theatrical performance which will be awesome. I love people who put on a show.
I can't get enough of live music...and I decided I wasn't going to miss this show. Earlier this year a guy named Teddy Thompson came to town and I wanted to see him, but I couldn't get anyone to go with me. Unfortunately, I couldn't bring myself to attend a concert alone...which sucked because I really wanted to see him. A few months later, Jesse Harris came to St. Louis and, once again, I couldn't get anyone to go with me and I couldn't go by myself. I need to get over that. Ugh, I really wanted to see JH, too...his music is so soothing and melodic. I love his song Slow Down.
Imogen will be the first "electronic" artist I've seen live, so I'm looking forward to seeing how everything gets pulled off. I know it's going to be great.
I can't get enough of live music...and I decided I wasn't going to miss this show. Earlier this year a guy named Teddy Thompson came to town and I wanted to see him, but I couldn't get anyone to go with me. Unfortunately, I couldn't bring myself to attend a concert alone...which sucked because I really wanted to see him. A few months later, Jesse Harris came to St. Louis and, once again, I couldn't get anyone to go with me and I couldn't go by myself. I need to get over that. Ugh, I really wanted to see JH, too...his music is so soothing and melodic. I love his song Slow Down.
Imogen will be the first "electronic" artist I've seen live, so I'm looking forward to seeing how everything gets pulled off. I know it's going to be great.
New sidewalks are being poured along South Kingshighway. The new sidewalks, which do look better than the cracked, uneven walk they are replacing, are part of a plan to beautify Kingshighway in South City.
While some of the sidewalks really do need to be replaced, I'm hoping more street trees will be added and...I realize this is a long shot...I hope that businesses along Kingshighway will start stepping up and picking up the trash that accumulates in front of their stores.
To be honest, I've never really taken notice of the condition of the sidewalks along Kingshighway, I always notice the trash. I'm sure all the check cashing & insurance places aren't so busy that they can't send an employee outside once or twice a week to tidy up the sidewalk.
The other thing I don't understand is why people litter at all. It literally takes a huge amount of effort on my part to throw a piece of trash on the ground. It's just not in my genes to litter. I really will go out of my way to find a trash can, and if I can't find one I usually will store the refuse in my pocket if its small enough and not messy.
Anyway, the improvements to the sidewalks are needed and welcomed, now if we could just work on the mentality of the businesses and litterbugs...a much harder task to say the least.
While some of the sidewalks really do need to be replaced, I'm hoping more street trees will be added and...I realize this is a long shot...I hope that businesses along Kingshighway will start stepping up and picking up the trash that accumulates in front of their stores.
To be honest, I've never really taken notice of the condition of the sidewalks along Kingshighway, I always notice the trash. I'm sure all the check cashing & insurance places aren't so busy that they can't send an employee outside once or twice a week to tidy up the sidewalk.
The other thing I don't understand is why people litter at all. It literally takes a huge amount of effort on my part to throw a piece of trash on the ground. It's just not in my genes to litter. I really will go out of my way to find a trash can, and if I can't find one I usually will store the refuse in my pocket if its small enough and not messy.
Anyway, the improvements to the sidewalks are needed and welcomed, now if we could just work on the mentality of the businesses and litterbugs...a much harder task to say the least.
This morning, I found myself watching one of those real estate shows where they take you around the metro and advertise what's available using pictures and cheesy music. The homes were mostly in the suburbs, mostly really big, mostly over $200K and mostly...well, boring.
I saw one home that was 2.5 million dollars, and it was just hideous. It was basically a two story box with a brick facade. The front of the house was also adorned with ridiculously large white columns that didn't quite fit with the style of the home. Those columns held up a large triangle of shingles that sheltered the small porch 2 floors below. This "detail" was beyond out of proportion to the rest of the house. It seems as if proportion is a concept most architects who design new homes have forgotten about. Inside, you could tell that the purchase price reflected the "amenities" inside and not the workmanship of the home. You could have a home movie theater, 4 car garage, a kitchen the size of my house, but wait...The rooms were void of character. There was no detailing in any of the rooms! For over $2 million I'd expect 6 inch baseboards and elaborate crown molding...but there was none of that. 4 walls with a 2 inch strip of molding at the top and bottom, that's all you got.
Maybe it's just a case of different strokes, but I could never go back to living in a house without stained glass, substantial wood molding and hardwood floors. Homes without these amenities feel sterile to me, void of life. Even if a good decorator has been hired you cannot escape the fact that most new homes just lack a personality.
I can't imagine living in a new home ever again. I don't even want to live in a gutted and rebuilt historic home. Yes, I want the modern conveniences, but I also want the old world charm. I definitely think both can live together quite nicely.
I saw one home that was 2.5 million dollars, and it was just hideous. It was basically a two story box with a brick facade. The front of the house was also adorned with ridiculously large white columns that didn't quite fit with the style of the home. Those columns held up a large triangle of shingles that sheltered the small porch 2 floors below. This "detail" was beyond out of proportion to the rest of the house. It seems as if proportion is a concept most architects who design new homes have forgotten about. Inside, you could tell that the purchase price reflected the "amenities" inside and not the workmanship of the home. You could have a home movie theater, 4 car garage, a kitchen the size of my house, but wait...The rooms were void of character. There was no detailing in any of the rooms! For over $2 million I'd expect 6 inch baseboards and elaborate crown molding...but there was none of that. 4 walls with a 2 inch strip of molding at the top and bottom, that's all you got.
Maybe it's just a case of different strokes, but I could never go back to living in a house without stained glass, substantial wood molding and hardwood floors. Homes without these amenities feel sterile to me, void of life. Even if a good decorator has been hired you cannot escape the fact that most new homes just lack a personality.
I can't imagine living in a new home ever again. I don't even want to live in a gutted and rebuilt historic home. Yes, I want the modern conveniences, but I also want the old world charm. I definitely think both can live together quite nicely.
Residents of St. Louis, I'm begging you, please stop replacing your original front doors with doors that look like these:
I've seen these doors installed on too many city homes (especially in my own neighborhood)! I know they're cheap, but they don't match the architecture of most city homes! Friends don't let friends install ugly doors on beautiful houses.
It'd be nice if the Home Depot on Kingshighway supplied exterior doors that complimented the majority of the homes around the store. If grocery stores can customize what they carry to cater to a certain demographic, couldn't home improvement stores?
I've seen these doors installed on too many city homes (especially in my own neighborhood)! I know they're cheap, but they don't match the architecture of most city homes! Friends don't let friends install ugly doors on beautiful houses.
It'd be nice if the Home Depot on Kingshighway supplied exterior doors that complimented the majority of the homes around the store. If grocery stores can customize what they carry to cater to a certain demographic, couldn't home improvement stores?
I'm tired of reading stories like this one. Oh, but here's another one fresh from today's paper.
I'm tired of reading that a developer bought a piece of property, had grandiose plans for the site, once a building or two is demolished ("because the site just won't work if I don't demolish something") and then lets the site sit vacant. Since most of these developers do not live within the City of St. Louis, they don't have to worry about what their inaction does to all of us who live here.
How can any legitimate developer not return the phone calls of an alderman who is wanting an update on a development plan that the city awarded them? What are the consequences to the developer if they fail to live up to their end of the bargain? Too often it seems there are none, and developers know that. Does the alderman or some other City employee do any research to check these developers out before the City awards them a development plan? Why are developers not being held accountable? Ewww, you're going to revoke my development plan? Ouch, so that's what a slap on the wrist feels like.
I personally feel alderman have no business in city development. I'm willing to bet most alderman have no experience in real estate, and yet they're able to sign off on these deals (with or without public knowledge it seems) that may or may not benefit a neighborhood. I can see how an alderman could serve as a middle man between city government and developer & residents if needed, but professionals in real estate development should do the heavy work. Is that something that happens here?
Why do alderman completely ignore the wishes of the residents they serve? Is this how citizens are supposed to feel?
"Josh Wiese, president of the Clifton Heights Neighborhood Association, said residents of the area had resigned themselves to the church being torn down and condos being built to replace them. He said they hadn't anticipated this situation."
Resigned??? City residents should feel empowered, yet how can they when their elected officials don't listen to them. (I realize the current 24th Ward alderman had nothing to do with the development plan in the linked article above.)
Why do I feel like St. Louis, because of its "up & coming" status, is being raked over the coals by greedy developers and alderman who need to rack up a bulleted list of "accomplishments" before the next election.
I'm so fucking SICK of politics and closed door deals...I wish for once someone would put the City and her residents above their own political aspirations. To all you developers who think you're getting in on a good thing, if you can't walk the walk, stay the fuck out of the City. Believe it or not, there are people who actually give a shit about our 61 square miles. It's not perfect, but it's ours.
I'm tired of reading that a developer bought a piece of property, had grandiose plans for the site, once a building or two is demolished ("because the site just won't work if I don't demolish something") and then lets the site sit vacant. Since most of these developers do not live within the City of St. Louis, they don't have to worry about what their inaction does to all of us who live here.
How can any legitimate developer not return the phone calls of an alderman who is wanting an update on a development plan that the city awarded them? What are the consequences to the developer if they fail to live up to their end of the bargain? Too often it seems there are none, and developers know that. Does the alderman or some other City employee do any research to check these developers out before the City awards them a development plan? Why are developers not being held accountable? Ewww, you're going to revoke my development plan? Ouch, so that's what a slap on the wrist feels like.
I personally feel alderman have no business in city development. I'm willing to bet most alderman have no experience in real estate, and yet they're able to sign off on these deals (with or without public knowledge it seems) that may or may not benefit a neighborhood. I can see how an alderman could serve as a middle man between city government and developer & residents if needed, but professionals in real estate development should do the heavy work. Is that something that happens here?
Why do alderman completely ignore the wishes of the residents they serve? Is this how citizens are supposed to feel?
"Josh Wiese, president of the Clifton Heights Neighborhood Association, said residents of the area had resigned themselves to the church being torn down and condos being built to replace them. He said they hadn't anticipated this situation."
Resigned??? City residents should feel empowered, yet how can they when their elected officials don't listen to them. (I realize the current 24th Ward alderman had nothing to do with the development plan in the linked article above.)
Why do I feel like St. Louis, because of its "up & coming" status, is being raked over the coals by greedy developers and alderman who need to rack up a bulleted list of "accomplishments" before the next election.
I'm so fucking SICK of politics and closed door deals...I wish for once someone would put the City and her residents above their own political aspirations. To all you developers who think you're getting in on a good thing, if you can't walk the walk, stay the fuck out of the City. Believe it or not, there are people who actually give a shit about our 61 square miles. It's not perfect, but it's ours.
I wish, gentle reader, that I had something important and relevant to say this morning, but I can't think of one thing about St. Louis to write about. So, I'm going to give my mind some release with this particular entry.
I've been in a funk this past week, a funk that has left me in my own black & white world...my gift of observation temporarily resting in an opaque box. I miss seeing the world in color.
I often find myself struggling to not only exist in this world, but to live here too. I want to live with and learn from all the smiling faces I see around me. I want to share their experiences and claim them for my own, but someone stops me. Disappointment...he's an evil beast who seems to attach himself to so many that I meet. Hurt Feelings and Fear are two other nasty characters that refuse to let me go. I've tried to break up with all three, but it's so much harder to rid myself of them than I thought. Above me, I feel that much needed change is reaching for me, ready to pull me up to the green pastures of brighter days...all I need to do is take his hand.
Without the help of miracles or potions, I've evolved from a shy, tortured creature into a really fantastic soul...but I'm a man who believes letting someone in means getting hurt. Despite the person I am today, I'll still be the person I was.
I'm proud of all I've done for myself, but I am tired of making my own fortune. In moments of selfishness, or perhaps weakness, I find myself asking whoever's listening to send me a kindred soul. Someone to treat me gently, to care for me, to nurture my past, present & future. My benevolent companion doesn't have to bear my burden forever, just for a moment...and then I'll return the favor.
I've been in a funk this past week, a funk that has left me in my own black & white world...my gift of observation temporarily resting in an opaque box. I miss seeing the world in color.
I often find myself struggling to not only exist in this world, but to live here too. I want to live with and learn from all the smiling faces I see around me. I want to share their experiences and claim them for my own, but someone stops me. Disappointment...he's an evil beast who seems to attach himself to so many that I meet. Hurt Feelings and Fear are two other nasty characters that refuse to let me go. I've tried to break up with all three, but it's so much harder to rid myself of them than I thought. Above me, I feel that much needed change is reaching for me, ready to pull me up to the green pastures of brighter days...all I need to do is take his hand.
Without the help of miracles or potions, I've evolved from a shy, tortured creature into a really fantastic soul...but I'm a man who believes letting someone in means getting hurt. Despite the person I am today, I'll still be the person I was.
I'm proud of all I've done for myself, but I am tired of making my own fortune. In moments of selfishness, or perhaps weakness, I find myself asking whoever's listening to send me a kindred soul. Someone to treat me gently, to care for me, to nurture my past, present & future. My benevolent companion doesn't have to bear my burden forever, just for a moment...and then I'll return the favor.
Regular readers of this blog know that Tower Grove Park is my absolute favorite City park. I love the fact that you can't quite escape the sounds of the City, no matter where you are in the park. The sounds of sirens, cars and people are part of the necessary white noise of the park that allows me to find peace. And I truly do find peace at TGP...I find calm, beauty & history. When I'm in the park, I really am aware that I'm walking through a park that has been over a century in the making...and is still under construction.
This year, the park has been hit by two major storms and has suffered considerable tree damage. The storm this past July storm caused the most damage to Tower Grove Park since the Great Cyclone of 1896.
Get well soon, Tower Grove Park...you're beautiful, rain or shine.
This year, the park has been hit by two major storms and has suffered considerable tree damage. The storm this past July storm caused the most damage to Tower Grove Park since the Great Cyclone of 1896.
Get well soon, Tower Grove Park...you're beautiful, rain or shine.
Last night I was walking north on Macklind and I saw it. I could clearly see the lighted dome of the crazy hospital on Arsenal. The curved structure was extremely prominent on the horizon. It looked as if it was just on the next block. I've never been able to see the crazy hospital's dome before and I must admit I was kind of psyched and surprised when I looked north and there it was, shining brightly against the black sky. I'm definitely one of those people who loves me some crazy hospital, it's a gorgeous structure.
I realize this may sound strange, but I've always wanted to be able to see any city landmark from my neighborhood streets. I envy those that can see the Arch or the spire of St. Francis de Sales.
I wonder what downtown looks like from SH, or even Midtown and the CWE. It looks like I need to add a story or 10 stories to my house.
I realize this may sound strange, but I've always wanted to be able to see any city landmark from my neighborhood streets. I envy those that can see the Arch or the spire of St. Francis de Sales.
I wonder what downtown looks like from SH, or even Midtown and the CWE. It looks like I need to add a story or 10 stories to my house.
In the wake of last week's storm, we've all seen Ameren officials phoning in requests of patience and understanding to varous media outlets. I keep hearing the same chorus..."This year, we've been hit with 2 of the worst storms in our company's 100 year history."
Were the storms really that bad, or does Mother Nature just have a way of exposing the ineffective policies and procedures of a large monopoly that has little incentive to keep the power on?
Were the storms really that bad, or does Mother Nature just have a way of exposing the ineffective policies and procedures of a large monopoly that has little incentive to keep the power on?
I heard the first BOOM a few minutes after I walked in the door.
Is my roof going to collapse? was the first thought I had. The second BOOM came a few minutes later around 10:45 PM. What the hell is that? It sounds like fireworks. But these fireworks sounded like they were coming from the middle of my neighborhood.
The third BOOM came around 11. My blinds were shut, but I saw a white light illuminate the periphery of the blinds, then heard the BOOM. What the fuck?
This morning, I woke up to check my email and I had the usual update from the Southampton Yahoo Group. The BOOMS had their own topic. Cops had been called and questions were being asked, and, as usual, someone had an answer for the nervous queries of my neighbors.
"...it's hoosiers about a block south shooting off expensive fireworks, our dog isn't happy, I've heard three patriotic explosions thus far..."
To all hoosiers with expensive fireworks...if you want to celebrate the great day of December 2nd, do it with a beer & a "yee-haw", you scared the hell out of me and my pup!
Is my roof going to collapse? was the first thought I had. The second BOOM came a few minutes later around 10:45 PM. What the hell is that? It sounds like fireworks. But these fireworks sounded like they were coming from the middle of my neighborhood.
The third BOOM came around 11. My blinds were shut, but I saw a white light illuminate the periphery of the blinds, then heard the BOOM. What the fuck?
This morning, I woke up to check my email and I had the usual update from the Southampton Yahoo Group. The BOOMS had their own topic. Cops had been called and questions were being asked, and, as usual, someone had an answer for the nervous queries of my neighbors.
"...it's hoosiers about a block south shooting off expensive fireworks, our dog isn't happy, I've heard three patriotic explosions thus far..."
To all hoosiers with expensive fireworks...if you want to celebrate the great day of December 2nd, do it with a beer & a "yee-haw", you scared the hell out of me and my pup!
Trees made of glass, they're all around today. I took some quick snapshots of the winter scenes that were outside my office window. Nothing special...hate the digital camera at work.
I have to tell you, I'm feeling really bad for residents of North County. It seems like every time there is a storm of any consequence, thousands of unlucky NC residents seem to always lose power. In this day and age, to have thousands of people without electricity on the coldest day of the year just seems...backward. I realize that with all the ice we had, power lines and trees were going to come down, but it seems that up in NC there is no reliability to their power grid during inclement weather.
I feel fortunate that in the 2 and a half years I've lived in South City I've only lost my power once, and that was during the severe storms this past summer. Most of the time I can be confident my power will stay on. However, if I lost power on a consistent basis, as a paying customer, I'd be pretty mad...and feel pretty helpless.
I feel fortunate that in the 2 and a half years I've lived in South City I've only lost my power once, and that was during the severe storms this past summer. Most of the time I can be confident my power will stay on. However, if I lost power on a consistent basis, as a paying customer, I'd be pretty mad...and feel pretty helpless.