More like it!

Well, something besides guns, drugs, and cops for a nice change! Positive Ypsi press-- I'll take it, indeed I will.

But not without a ten-foot pole...

Generally, my blog posts tend to sit on the fence, politically and such, as I usually avoid the local hot-button issues, as I find a few of my fellow Ypsi bloggers can cover societal and political topics far better than I. Still, a few things have cropped up in recent days that find me needing to vent, just a tiny bit--
Foremost of course, is the recent "police action" that took place around N. Huron/Arcade streets, in which a man was gunned down eluding police officers after a botched and set up drug buy. If you've read the latest there seems to be some questions as to whether the man was armed or not. For the cops sake, as well as our own, I hope he had brandished a weapon, or at least had one on him-- Because just being a low-life, is no reason to be shot down like a dog, running away-- Especially for a stupid back lot drug buy. I find the "quietness" on the LAWNET personnel's side, troubling to say the least. Some of my neighbors are saying that they're (the cops) just trying to get their stories to mesh-- Hopefully not true, and I usually do give the police the benefit of doubt, at least initially. Now if there was/is anything suspicious regarding the law officers use of deadly force in response to this "sting"-- Then my hat's off to local blog-star, Brett Schutzman for seeing/sensing it first, while he commented on Laura's site. I guess we'll just have to wait.

Another sad point: Are that some of my south-side neighbors are apathetic to say the least about this story: They see this as everyday shit, around here. Not quite true, but I understand their feelings-- Shootings are a little too common around here. Somewhat ignored on the official level, as well. Fusillade's of bullets fling about "Heritage Park" much more frequently than Arcade or N. Adams, in general, I'd wager. Yet after almost twelve years on the south-side myself, I can somewhat see where some of my neighbors are coming from, or at least how many of them seem to have developed and grown accustomed to this bunker-like apathetic mentality, and when you toss in a somewhat dormant (but still there) historical distrust of police-- I can sort of see their point, if only a little.

My two cents towards their viewpoint? Although the gunfire is by far more prevalent here (south-side), as well as the majority of gun -related deaths, I find that the news, the traditional sources as well as the blogosphere, tend to ignore it, somewhat. Yes, when a shooting incident or something happens here (south-side), it does get covered, of course-- Bad news is good news, as they say. But at most its a little blurb article in the newspaper, or a quick blurt on someones blog, so I find the news bits around here on this topic "lightly" covered at best, whatever the source. I also can't help but wonder if that's because folks in this town are used to just shrugging and saying something along the lines of "Same old south-side shit" and then go on about their day? I hope not. Yet when I compare, say, the blog postings about this Arcade Street shooting, and see the number of comments being currently made on these posts, it's in direct contrast with the amount of "blog-action" or attention given to someone killed around here-- It usually gets a little posted feedback then its on to the next topic. Look, I'm not about to gather up tireless links to support my argument, I'm sure that if you care too, you can look up the archives of various local bloggers and you'll be able to see where I'm coming from. For instance: One local blog is up to 44+ comments in two days on this Arcade shooting-- True, there's the added element that a cop was involved, so the numbers get ballooned somewhat. Still, if you can find that many comments archived on any other blog about a south-side shooting, I will eat one of my hats. Also irritating me slightly as well, is the shocked tone of some of the posters on these blogs: "Gasp! That's too close to depot town!" To which I infer that if it happens on the south-side (like it usually does) then it's better, if not downright OK? Aren't we all in the same town? Shouldn't an incident here have the same weight of importance as one on the north-side by cutesy-poo depot town?

Just wondering.

So, to finish: One of my neighbors sadly made a remark that sort of fits Ypsilanti in this present time: "Gun violence isn't new in this city-- Just seems so to some folks, when it steps up north of Harriet street...."

Nothing lasts forever....

I've always been curious as to just how the most "faithful" of religious zealots can explain away some of the latest theories being kicked around, such as this little tidbit: Earth's Moon Destined to Disintegrate - Yahoo! News I mean even if you want to accept prehistoric man keeping velociraptors as pets in an earth of around six thousand years old, ya still gotta wonder...

In this time of Iraq, American Idol, and the latest on Miss Spears, seemingly getting lost amid the information overflow are the great strides that have been made in astronomy during the past decade-- A time in which more noteworthy gains have been achieved recently in this field than practically in the entire history of that field that has gone before. I am tickled pink knowing that "out there" in the quiet circles of academics, there are scientists and engineers able to tune out the mundane quality of our so-called modern and "advanced" life (Iraq aside, maybe), and concentrate on things that manage to lift mankind above the mud in which too many of our species are just a little to happy to dwell in. So watch the Superbowl, or the upcoming NASCAR season, and worry about Britney's choice in men, if you must. My hat gets doffed to the weird little science geek you probably picked on in high school, whose only recognition comes from amongst his peers-- Someone who's been quietly working for the advancement and betterment of humanity-- Such a novel idea, huh?

Winter: Book and movie time...

As I work crazy effing hours during the summer and fall, winter and early spring is the time for me to catch up on my reading, movies, and I admit somewhat sadly, television. So, today for the first time in about six months (oh, how embarrassing!), I'm headed over to the library to check out a few books, perhaps some new, and (being a fan of the 'lost generation' school of writing) something old.

Today I'll be stopping in at Ypsilanti's downtown branch (the former main branch), for my needs. Although the new main building on Whittaker is excellent, and deserving of the praise its garnered since opening-- I still prefer the smaller and (to me) more architecturally interesting historic building on Michigan Ave., especially since its restoration-- Remember that hideous paneling that covered all that nice marble? No one misses it, I think.

Today's hunt will be for the novels of Erich Maria Remarque- Of "All Quiet on the Western Front" fame. Yes! That's the one along with Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye" we all had to do book reports on, back in our salad days... Aside from "All Quiet" he wrote some other interesting novels, including a sequel to "All Quiet.." called the "The Road Back" that many people don't know about-- It even contains some of the (surviving) characters from the previous novel, and its main thrust touches on the troubles of veterans returning from war, so it may have some relevance today... Of course, Remarque has other novels that I have enjoyed as well, "Three Comrades" (touching tearjerker) and "Arch of Triumph" (showcasing his socialist leanings that got him booted from Nazi Germany), comes to mind-- Good stuff!

In any case, I'm off! I promised myself not to get mired in television tonight, which I've already admitted to partaking of too much, lately. Damn, then again there's that "Little Miss Sunshine" DVD sitting at home-- So I guess we'll see what "wins out" insofar as my inner self....

Weather fun...

Well according to this:WeatherMichigan.com - Michigan's Internet Weather Supersite! we're about to be clobbered by freezing rain, sleet, snow etc... Great. I hope the freezing rain portion of tonight's weather isn't too bad, I'd rather see six inches of snow, rather than a quarter-inch of frozen rain. I used to live in the countryside around Manchester, MI. and remember an incident of freezing rain taking out my power lines for nearly a week-- Nasty stuff.

So my long dormant country instincts kicked in today, and I dragged the kerosene heater from the cellar, and gave her a good look-over: Everything seems a-ok; also did a grocery store trip, so I guess I'm prepared "urban-survivor" style. Hopefully nothing happens much-- Hate that freezing rain! Hate it!

Thanks, Shrub!

For those of you that don't know, the word of the month "surge" was recently coined by our 'supremely' elected President, feel free to use it, in any analogous fashion you see fit. Note: But understand by doing so, you are giving tacit approval to this nation's leadership and its policies, whenever you "jump on board" and use said word of the month. Good job, AA news! (Moral of the story: Don't be faddish-- Words can kill!)

Our Blogs are better....

Brian Robb, our newly elected councilmember from the third ward, has a right to be miffed, even if only playfully so. Yet, he should know that things aren't worth mentioning unless they happen in Ann Arbor first-- Even if they don't! Check out his excellent blog at www. eastcross.com and see his latest post on another example of Ann Arbor condensention directed toward, well, everyone else.

I for one, find the blogosphere of Ypsi more spicy and interesting, despite being perhaps but a fifth in size when compared to the Ann Arbor area's number of blogs. The vast majority of Ann Arbor blogs are family oriented fluff; pages and pages of vacationing families and their pooches wearing colorful bandanas, in photos of what seemingly look like the same stretch of Florida beach-- (Of course the neckwear could be hazardous to Rover, if he were visiting Ypsi wearing the wrong color, in the wrong hood! )

Maybe I find our local blogoverse the more interesting because of Ypsi's various woe's-- No "Water Street" type problems being tossed about Ann Arbor dinner conversations, I'd bet. To be fair, there are excellent Blogs that call Ann Arbor home, and I browse a number of them quite regularly. Also, most of Ypsi's blogs are nothing more than pictures of the kids and Fido as well.

However, the big guns of Ypsi blogdom, such as markmaynard.com or ypsi~dixit, and others, match up well, if not better than anything being posted to our immediate west. The topics that fuel them are often meatier (I for one have read enough posts on AA's parking problems-- If Ypsi could only be so lucky..sigh!) and whoa! The public discourse often gets rather heated in the various comment sections of our local blog stars!

Anyway, what I most appreciate is the intelligent discussion, that is often laced with brightly lit comical insight-- Informative and fun, our blogs! They're better? Hell, they are the best!

Funny schitt

I've got two of my fingers bandaged due to what my wife and I now refer to as the "Kitchen Aid incident," thus, I know how this
guy feels after all my erroneous keystrokes... Grrrr!

Throwing gasoline on the bonfire...

The current problems with Ypsilanti's Water Street project is and has been covered by several of Ypsi's better known blogs-- Mark Maynard (markmaynard.com), bless him, is trying on somewhat of a short notice to engender an adult and constructive chat about the current woes of Water Street at Cafe Luwak in Depot Town tomorrow night. I expect and hope that some positive ideas get bandied about.

Mark is right-- It's time for the finger pointing to stop, along with all the "See, didn't I tell you's..." We, the residents are in this together, and it's our own bootstraps that we need to be tugging on. The blaming of people, again, has to stop-- Many of those somewhat responsible for this current mess, are long gone. As an aside, I can't recall the number of times I've seen people post on some other blogs calling for Megan Gibb's head-- Let it rest, people! She's also "long gone," having left to work on Portland Oregon's "South Waterfront" project, and at least judging from this article, it looks like she jumped from the pan into the fire.

I've long been a proponent of "down-sizing" this project-- Which is not something that comes easily to me, having been "shortened" once myself. Don't get me wrong. I for one, love grand projects on grand scales-- It's one of the pinnacles of mankind, in my view. Still, I think it's imperative that we parcel off the land that fronts Michigan Ave., for a start. Sell it-- And sell it fast. Sadly, I feel that this is what Ypsi must do, we can't afford to squat on these properties, like Ann Arbor or even Canton Twp. are able to. On the other hand, I'm for holding onto the land fronting the river, safe guarding it for better times... I like the idea of having a garden-like walking path connecting to the park across the river-- Some day. Also, I remember reading somewhere on someone else's blog that the proposed Walgreens for the corner at Prospect be moved down the hill, to maybe the corner at Park st. I urge this. I urge this strongly, or at least, other things along this train of thought. To rant a bit: While I agree with Mark that the finger-pointing stop, I also believe it's time to stop forming all these endless city-driven committees/panels to "come up with strategies" to offset the latest setbacks. We're in the "hole" now, that's all the "setback" we need to acknowledge.

My thoughts? I think we need to tear Water Street down to it's nuts and bolts, one final time, and scrutinize everything-- See what has to be done, in what sort of time frame that slams the city, and its inhabitants the least. I also feel our elected officials should be hamstrung by their electorate-- A special (costly?) public referendum if necessary, one that outlines what they can and cannot do in our name, and how the monies are to be spent. Somewhat harsh, I know. I feel like a Soviet Kommissar for saying that, but maybe it should be said, all the same. They, and their hired "experts" have had their chance, more than their chance, I think. I further feel, that they should not be allowed to make anymore financial-type moves, at least not of the "shifty" kind unless their public has previously given them the greenlight to do so. In a way, it could be somewhat freeing for them, to be tied is such a fashion-- Especially if things go from bad to worse. Then they can point the finger at us, as well.

-- Rob ( Whoops! No link! Apparently an old web page-- Just go to www.wweek.com and use their search function on articles about Portland's "South Waterfront" project... looks like a big headache, to say the least-- But at least its moving forward!!

Just close my effing account!

Just a quick one: PC World magazine's current issue has a good article for those of us who've tried to cancel or switch an internet provider or some other service. It brings forth dark memories and feelings from a few years ago when I finally broke from AOL-- It was one of the most frustrating bureaucratic experiences I've ever had. It really sucked to put it mildly.

Basically, I had in 2003 tried to cancel my subscription, after being a good customer for a number of years. I went through the process step by step as listed on their website, only to get-- Nowhere. The whole "cancel my account" screen was a sham. I eventually figured out I needed to call an 800 number to achieve cancellation, which I did. Only I didn't. For in the end, despite listening to a service rep's hard sell to stay with AOL, which I doggedly refused, I remember asking: "So that's it? I don't owe anything else, like a balance?" "No sir, Mr. R!" Said the rep, adding: "You're free and clear, your service will still be up for the balance of this billing period (it wasn't) and please think of us in the future, if you should need a new ISP..." Remember, I said: Only I didn't.

The next month, I receive a bill from AOL informing me that I owe an additional $24.95; or another month's service. So stupid me, I toss it figuring the billing dept. Of AOL was behind the times, accounting -wise. At least, that's what I thought until the next month, when I received a nasty letter in the most vicious legalsleeze tone informing me that if I don't pay my account balance I'd be handed off to an collection agency. Needless to say that put me on the phone, ASAP, in a lovely mood.

"What the f***?" I remember asking. "Oh, Mr. R.-- You were suppose to pre-ask (pre-ask, he said I kid you not) for a service refund when you cancelled..." The smooth operator purred. Needless to say, this wasn't explained to me up front. So to shorten this tale, I caved-- Payed them their lousy final $25, and walked away.

Having read this PC World article, it warmed my heart to see AOL get the shitty press they so rightly deserve, winning the title of "big hassle" in the article. I also learned that AOL's practices landed them in a nice class action suit back in 2005-- Hell, I would've considered joining that one! Sorry to rant on, like this. Obviously a few embers burn hotly within me...... Anyway, the article can be found here.

As a postscript to my sordid tale, I recently purchased a new laptop for my wife as a graduation present. "It comes with a whole year of AOL-- Free!" Gushed the sales clerk from Circuit City. "Is it pre-loaded on the computer or is it on a separate CD, or something." I asked.
"It's on a disk, I think." Said the clerk.
"Good!" I stated with some flair, "I've been wanting to test that CD function on my paper shredder...."

Battle of the Huron?

FOUND! At an excavation site located on the south side of Ypsi, I recently unearthed irrefutable truth of a little known armed incursion of "northern" soil by a Confederate raiding force-- Heretofore only whispered about down through the years as quiet rumors, by the local citizenry over dark ales on equally dark nights-- Perhaps the whole truth known only to State and Federal officials, past and maybe present as well. Now, thanks to the powers of the internet, that which was so carefully secreted, can now be exposed.

Over the years, I've had hints-- Hints of a small, but fierce engagement centered about my very home. Every year since I've occupied my house, especially during spring/fall rakings I've discovered a few tell-tale signs. A kepi hat. A belt buckle. For years I didn't think much of this-- I merely dug the stuff up, cleaned it, and sold them on E-bay for a tidy sum.

But now, seemingly, I've stumbled across the mother lode: The location (I believe) of the main battle site of this skirmish now lost to history. For I had recently exhumed these rather well preserved corpses while puttering about my globally-warmed yard, this past December. Yes, photos! My friends. I have photos! Proof of which I am proud to offer here for the first time, thus putting to bed what was probably the greatest political cover-up in nineteenth century America.

Judge for yourselves:



3 corpses of Confederate dead, despite the fact their bodies are remarkably preserved, not so their uniforms. I could not make out unit insignia or the like.... I will however pry those Springfield Armory rifles from their mummified hands-- To sell on E-bay, of course. I am at a loss as to explain those strange discs attached to the feet of the deceased. The remnants of body boards to cross the Huron? Who knows. With the second picture you can see that this battle wasn't without loss to our valiant boys in blue, perhaps they were called forth into battle by a desperate telegraphic message, maybe from the barracks of the old Thompson block building! In the second picture (the Union dead) the figure on the left was an officer, the rigor of death setting his legs forever astride his horse-- Also recovered, but due to the putrification of the large beast, it won't be posted, so's not to offend the delicate sensibilities of my fellow Ypsilantians. Also recovered (not pictured), but suffering heavily due to exposure of the elements, and the march of time, was a lovely field artillery piece-- Which I believe to be a twelve-pounder Napoleon. I've always wanted a cannon for the front yard!

Confession time: Although I've stumbled across various items of civil war equipment down through my years of yard work, I only received recently some clues on the location of the main battle site from a "mysterious stranger" -- Nothing much. Just notes accompanied with what appear to be historic news clippings hinting at the posibility of this find, and its location-- Shoved under my door. These notes are only signed J. M. Any ideas?

God bless the boys from YCUA

Recently, just before the holidays and a mere day after my father's funeral, my homes soil pipe failed (i.e. the sewer). At that point I was wondering if the month of December could get any worse.

Nothing gives one a headache faster than plumbing problems. You never realize how nice it is to flush the ol' thunderbox-- Until a time comes and then you can't, thus your house is quickly relegated to nothing more than a heated tent. If there's anything 'good' to this tale, it's the fact that my wife and myself were able to use the bathroom at my sister's house across the street during this "emergency."

Yes, I knew that something wasn't right the minute I saw the 'gray water' backed up in the utility sink in the basement, mostly because I had recently had my main 4 inch pipe augured out-- So I knew that something was wrong, terribly wrong, underneath me in the Stygian world of pipes and sewers.

This happened on a Friday-- So there was no-WAY I would call a plumber for a weekend $$$ service call, so the wife and I sucked it up and took care of our business elsewhere.

After we lived semi-third world for that weekend, I called R&R Sewer Service (their name says it all, eh?) to re-auger my drainpipe-- although I just KNEW that wouldn't be the "fix." Well, I was right-- Despite the man from R&R's best efforts at that nasty task, he couldn't snake through to the main sewer line. "Great. I knew it. Great. " I remember thinking. I thanked and payed the man for his valiant efforts. By the way, (insert shameless plug) I highly recommend R&R Sewer Service (PH# 734-487-5000) for augering out drains in the Ypsi area, if for no other reason than that my own company has dealt with them for over twenty years, and we've always been satisfied with their work.

The only good that came from this was the fact that the R&R man and myself managed to figure out how far his auger head got before it was stopped cold by the obstruction-- Aprox. 66 feet which put it out to the curb in the street: WHEW! That placed it outside my property line and under the Ypsilanti Community Utility Authorities area of responsibility. I say again, WHEW! Now I am luckier than most people that have had their sewers blow up on them, for even had the problem been on my side of the "fence" the fact that I work in road construction gives me access to power equipment like air compressors and backhoes.... Yet even with this peace of mind, who wants to dig up sewer pipes in the middle of December just days before Christmas? Plus, I'd have needed to pester (and pay) a few co-workers to help... That's the sort of personal debt I tend to avoid.

The next step was to call YCUA to camera inspect my sewer line, which I did right after the R&R man left. This was Monday afternoon by then so they couldn't make it until the following morning. I have to admit I was pleased with their timeliness-- They said they'd arrive around 9:30 am; and so they did. Now if only Comcast could match this! I know, I know, cable hook-ups are in a mysterious realm that we mere mortals shouldn't question. Period!

So the YCUA people inserted a video camera that snaked down through my pipes giving a cool full color picture that seemed almost like a special Hollywood movie effect as the picture on the screen raced along my pipe works below. It was also a relief in that the camera's picture showed that the pipes just outside my house were seemingly in good condition-- At least up to the blockage, anyway. Outside a YCUA worker used a metal detecting sensor gizmo to locate the head of the video camera, which I was happy to see was only about six inches from where the R&R man and myself thought it was-- Not bad for a measuring tape and guesswork, I'd say.

So now having confirmed that the Problem was their responsibility, the YCUA guys wasted no time. They put my problem down as an "emergency repair" which put it at the top of the list for what would be Wednesday's work list for them, barring a water main break or something, which thankfully did not occur.

So Wednesday comes and once again, true to their word, they show up within minutes of when they said they would, an army of dump trucks, backhoes and workers and they waste little time in preparing to dig up the lawn extension in front of my house. My only regret is that I had to go to work then-- I wanted to buy that crew some pizzas or something! Well, the short of it is, by 1 PM I could FLUSH again, HIP-HOORAY!

To conclude: I know that I, and perhaps you as well, when you see that bi-monthly YCUA bill; warm fuzzy thoughts aren't exactly at your minds forefront. However, I would ask that if/when you see a YCUA crew working on the street-- Especially this winter, give a honk and a wave won't you? Who knows. Your pipes may be next!

Detroit-- Never a "motor city"

At least according to the ramblings of some kid from California, posting on some message board tag following a news article discussing the recent woes of Ford and GM, which also covered the continuing surge of the juggernaut-like Toyota Corporation.

Now, I can accept the view of some of the other posters I read stating that Detroit is no longer a "Motor City"-- this argument I can grudgingly, painfully accept (hurtful as it is to my pride of home and history). Detroit, and Michigan overall has been closing and demolishing plants left and right since my adult years began. But never a "Motown"? Horse hockey kid! I myself spent a summer feeding Ford Ranger fuel lines into a "crimping machine" (while trying not to feed my fingers in at the same time); and the ghosts of relatives whom had worked at the old Dodge Main and Lincoln Assembly (both the people and the plants now long gone) rise up as well with a loud razzberry for this Californian's skewed view.

When I first read his post ( and I wish I could find the link- but I was using my wife's laptop, and can't recall what page or site that was) I almost spewed the tomato soup I was slurping. "Never a Motor City? Arrrgh!"

Well, California dude how about a short list... Not even a complete list (just through the letter 'K' ) of Automobile MANUFACTURERS that once called Detroit home.

Aerocar Motor Co (ah, yes who could forget the famous Land Yachts of Aerocar!).... Alden-Sampson... American Voiturette (Keeton cars)... Anderson Electric Car Co... Anhut Motor car Co(buy an "Anhut Six" anyone?)... C.H. Blomstrom Motor car co(Oh, nothing like their "Queen gasoline engines!)... Briggs-Detroiter Co... Buell Co... Cadillac Motor car Co... Chalmers-Detroit Motor Co(remember their "Champion Car" of '09?)... Chevrolet Motor Co... Commerce Motor Co... Day Automobile Co... Detroit-Dearborn Motor Car Co... Dodge Brothers, Inc... E-M-F Co... Ford Motor Co.... General Motors... Graham-Paige Motor Co... Herreshoff Motor Co... Huber Automobile Co... Hudson Motor Car Co... Hupp Motor Car Co(ah, yes! the playboy's fave "The Huppmobile!")... King Motor Car Co... K-R-I-T -Motor Car Co.....

Obviously, there's more, and of course many of those listed perhaps were in business but a few years and maybe turned out only few cars before merging with someone else or going under. The point is, the city of Detroit was once a powerhouse of manufacturing and engineering know-how, and although this perhaps is no longer the case, to state that it never was the motor city of yore..... Is misinformation pure and simple.