To my Saturday night dinner guests
We had no problem deciding on a restaurant. All four of us piled into the Vue, rolled down the windows, tossed on some NIN and Daft Punk and drove Downtown. All was well until it came time to find a parking place. I wanted to park at my office -- seven blocks away and free -- and walk. I was vetoed by all three of my partners-in-crime that night, one claiming laziness and the other two quite sure we'd be mugged.
I tried to allay their fears. Last time he was in town, Matt gave me the walkthrough for dealing with the panhandlers (He's quite charming!), and I've come to know a few of the regulars around the office. In general, I can say on sight who is harmless and who needs to stay at a far distance. "Come on, guys," I pleaded with my partners-in-crime as pitifully as I could. "I've lived Downtown. It's safe Downtown. I promise you nothing is going to happen."
The words "Trust me on this one" hadn't even left my lips when, by popular vote, it was determined we'd park in a paid garage near the restaurant. We took the easy road, and sure enough, didn't get robbed. But we missed out on a heckuva walk.
Check out the sign I snapped near PaperWorks (South Bluffs area) Monday afternoon. Even the taggers say you don't have anything to worry about. They want you to know you are, indeed, safe Downtown. Hey. if the locals have your back, you've got it going on.
posted by Kate at 2:47 AM
Copyright 2001-2009, L.K.C.S. It's MINE, all MINE. If you wanna use it, gimme credit and a link, okies? And don't run with scissors, because you're just going to poke somebody's eye out with that thing. No, really. 
7 Comments:
Sorry, Kate. That doesn't help make me feel safe. :)
BTW, which one of us said didn't want to go because of laziness?
I know I didn't want to go because of the whole possible mugging thing. And Pablo, of course, is always fearful of being stabbed in the leg. But I seem to remember Matthew saying something about Memphis being extremely unsafe. So, um...I'm confused.
Wait. I have to correct what I just wrote. (I'm super tired, and not making much sense.)
I think we were all three lazy. And afraid.
You were the only brave, unlazy (is that a word?) one.
Paul specifically said he was lazy. (As a former Downtownite, I don't think he's too scared of the area.)
I figured you and Matt weren't lazy, just so paralyzed by your fear that you couldn't walk seven blocks. :)
also - walking seven blocks versus paying 2 dollars...?
ill take the dollars
I bet the YOUR SAFE thing is more like reverse psychology where the gang-muggers make you feel safe then...BAM mugging time!
"I bet the YOUR SAFE thing is more like reverse psychology where the gang-muggers make you feel safe then...BAM mugging time!"
Gotta agree with Paul here. That graffiti probably joins "The check's in the mail," "I'll call you," and a few dirty ones I won't write down as society's biggest lies!
I can't help but believe the sign. They even went to the trouble of using you're over your. People who spell things right don't want to kill you.
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