If it weren't for my sense of style, I'd have absolutely no cents at all ...
Forget for a moment that living in a metro area — really, in the core of the metro area — has tons of perks. Nightlife, great places to eat, the ability to walk wherever you want, no dependence on a car, etc. Forget all of that. And remember, that the worst part of downtown living is dealing with the people.
First, the up-tight professionals who drift in for their shift and speed out when it's done. You know, the ones that tie up all the streets, take all of the good parking places, rush all of the restaurants en masse and then go home to suburbia and complain about every aspect of downtown. It's crowded, it's tied up, it's slow, it's poor. They go home and forget that those problems are created in part by a commuter culture. On Saturday, I can park wherever I want, wait 2 minutes or less for my food and basically get the run of the entire city for as long as I'd like.
Second, the people who live downtown. You know, the ones with the false sense of entitlement. The ones that think: "Hey, when all you suburbanites leave, us yuppies can do whatever we want." They are the ones who pay $250,000 for a one-bedroom apartment beside the railroad tracks just so they can say they live in the heart of the city. The ones who say "I've always supported the inner-core." Say what you want about the 'burbs, but at least you're congenial with your next door neighbor. I've lived in the same place for 10 months, and I haven't spoken a word with any of my 8 neighbors. I've said hello in passing and have done my best part to be considerate and what not. But, to no avail. I've spoken to one person in this building at length ... and I work with her.
Third, the out-of-town visitors. You know, the ones that wouldn't speak one word to me — nay, look me in the eye in passing — until they can't find the convention center. The ones with Kansas license plates that roll up their windows air-tight in fear of being car-jacked. The people who come downtown cause they want to experience the life — in the daylight, of course. Kansas City being the largest city in the area, we attract a fair number of curiosity seekers. But usually just before 6 p.m. That's when the "gays" come out and it's time to leave the den of sin.
Fourth, the homeless people. You know, the ones that spark the fear of God into the three types of people listed above. They are why the commuters don't live downtown. They are why the yuppies don't talk to anyone else. They are why the visitors roll up their windows and lock their doors. And for what? 50 cents? Is there anything in the world more stupid? Being afraid of giving someone something that you don't even think about until you need to suck down some carbonated beverage, is ridiculous. And, what happnes if that guy happens to be African-American ... forget it. That guy? He's not out to get 50 cents, he wants your wallet and will resort to violence to get it. He's got to feed his apparent crack addiction. Obviously. Forget his alcohol dependency and total disregard for outward appearance. That guy? He's what could happen to all of us.
Fifth, the person who hates all of the above people because he's afraid he could become anyone of them at any moment in time without any warning.
Forget all of that.
We are all part of the problem.
First, the up-tight professionals who drift in for their shift and speed out when it's done. You know, the ones that tie up all the streets, take all of the good parking places, rush all of the restaurants en masse and then go home to suburbia and complain about every aspect of downtown. It's crowded, it's tied up, it's slow, it's poor. They go home and forget that those problems are created in part by a commuter culture. On Saturday, I can park wherever I want, wait 2 minutes or less for my food and basically get the run of the entire city for as long as I'd like.
Second, the people who live downtown. You know, the ones with the false sense of entitlement. The ones that think: "Hey, when all you suburbanites leave, us yuppies can do whatever we want." They are the ones who pay $250,000 for a one-bedroom apartment beside the railroad tracks just so they can say they live in the heart of the city. The ones who say "I've always supported the inner-core." Say what you want about the 'burbs, but at least you're congenial with your next door neighbor. I've lived in the same place for 10 months, and I haven't spoken a word with any of my 8 neighbors. I've said hello in passing and have done my best part to be considerate and what not. But, to no avail. I've spoken to one person in this building at length ... and I work with her.
Third, the out-of-town visitors. You know, the ones that wouldn't speak one word to me — nay, look me in the eye in passing — until they can't find the convention center. The ones with Kansas license plates that roll up their windows air-tight in fear of being car-jacked. The people who come downtown cause they want to experience the life — in the daylight, of course. Kansas City being the largest city in the area, we attract a fair number of curiosity seekers. But usually just before 6 p.m. That's when the "gays" come out and it's time to leave the den of sin.
Fourth, the homeless people. You know, the ones that spark the fear of God into the three types of people listed above. They are why the commuters don't live downtown. They are why the yuppies don't talk to anyone else. They are why the visitors roll up their windows and lock their doors. And for what? 50 cents? Is there anything in the world more stupid? Being afraid of giving someone something that you don't even think about until you need to suck down some carbonated beverage, is ridiculous. And, what happnes if that guy happens to be African-American ... forget it. That guy? He's not out to get 50 cents, he wants your wallet and will resort to violence to get it. He's got to feed his apparent crack addiction. Obviously. Forget his alcohol dependency and total disregard for outward appearance. That guy? He's what could happen to all of us.
Fifth, the person who hates all of the above people because he's afraid he could become anyone of them at any moment in time without any warning.
Forget all of that.
We are all part of the problem.
posted by dr gooch at 29.5.05
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