sof8mile

The End

2007-08-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

I'm quickly approaching 2 years that this blog has been up and blathering. During that time I have been a means of entertainment for most of my readers. I've also received emails from people interested in moving to Detroit, people who had moved away decades ago, and some inquiring about things I may have said. I've received emails from more than a few Detroiters who lost loved ones, victims of one of the many senseless homicides. I've spoke with them about life in general, offered my perspective, having lost a brother myself, and hopefully helped that person at some level to ease their pain.

My perspective on Detroit has changed dramatically since I moved here, which is now over 5 1/2 years ago. I've seen a lot of ugliness over those years, and at times questioned why I even remained. Though through all the shit we wade through in this city, there has always been that small glimmer of hope. For me, that glimmer has started to shine brighter, and my belief in a greater Detroit is seeming more real than ever.

In my opinion, I've grown up a lot these past few years. To me, growing up takes on a much different meaning than what most would think of. To me, growing up is when you truly begin to understand life, as well as others, different cultures, and what your purpose here is. For me, I feel it took 30 years for that change to happen. My life has never felt more rich than it does right now, at a time when my career path is still waiting for a new direction.

I am very thankful for my current job at the casino, as it has broadened my understanding of different cultures even further. As you may recall, my last job consisted of 4 whites, 1 African American, 1 Indian, 1 Brazilian, 2 Chinese, and 4 Japanese. The majority of which were here on work visas, so I was able to get a first hand description of what their homelands were like.

However, what that job lacked was anybody who lived in Detroit. My new job has an equally diverse workforce, though the guys I deal with most are predominately African American as well as a few Chaldeans. The majority of people whom I deal with are Detroiters, so it gives me their take on Detroit, as well as why they remain here, and on what they feel is still wrong here.

Back to where I was heading with all of this. As I approach the 2 year mark, I feel it is time for things to come to a close. I'm going to make an honest effort to start concentrating on my automotive blog more, and this one...well, only time will tell what will happen with it. I may simply cease posting, or I may have something to say every now and then, I'm not really sure right now. I will say this, I feel that Detroit is heading in the right direction, much more so than when I started this blog 2 years ago. Today's paper had an announcement for 3,000 new homes to be built on the east side, ranging from $65,000 to $300,000. While projects of this scale aren't announced often, housing projects are increasingly happening all over the city, many of which seldom make the papers.

I wish to focus more of my time on getting to know Detroit even better. Back to the days when I'd hop in my car and drive around the city for 3-4 hours, hoping to stumble upon an area, or things I had never before seen. I also will be frequenting more automotive related events, which will be material for my automotive blog, though don't expect daily entries over there either. Look for pictures and informations on one or two local cruise scenes a week. Woodward is one of the last large cruises of the year, but next season I'll hit the ground running. In the off season, I will attend many of the local automotive museums and indoor shows. I will continue to report progress on my project cars as well as those of my friends.

So, I hope you all enjoyed reading over the last couple years, and I hope that those I only met through this site will keep in touch via my email. Who knows, maybe I'll find myself eventually coming back every now and then with something to say, especially during the dead of winter, but for now, it's goodbye my friends. I'll see you in the Next Detroit!

Detroit ranked #1 sports city

2007-08-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

Finally, we're not making headlines because we are #1 in unemployment, last in attracting new business, #1 in foreclosures, fattest city, most expensive city to own a car in, or worst public school system in the nation. No, for once we find our self #1 and it's tied to a good thing!

Sporting News came out with their 2007 rankings for top sports cities, and Detroit came in 1st place. Not surprising, considering the Pistons and Wings were 1 round from making the finals, while the Tigers took to the World Series. It's been a very exciting year to say the least, now if only the Lions could break out a .500 record or so, I think we'd all be happy. Really good article, casting Detroit in a very good light for once.

Motown is the town for sports in 2007

Is Detroit a disaster?

2007-07-31T19:00:00.000-07:00

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich has managed to piss off some city leaders, as well as school officials, as he labeled Detroit as a disaster. I have to wonder, is this a case in which the truth hurts?

I love Detroit, it is my home, and I don't foresee myself leaving anytime in the near future. That being said, there are a lot of things around here that are pretty fucked up. First and foremost, as Mr Gingrich pointed out, the Detroit Public School System It is interesting how when criticized, an unbelievable amount of people will stand up for the system in place. All the while, our very own mayor was pushing hard until recently for more charter schools, as he seemed to feel that DPS was failing. Whether or not the statistics for the drop out rate are accurate is really of little importance, as the discrepancies seem to be whether or not the students transfered to a charter school, or perhaps another school. I ask, does it matter? It should be all the proof you need, when combined with the 10,000 or so students DPS has lost in recent years, it's quite obvious something is wrong.

DPS has it's gems, schools in which I would send my own children to, schools that would almost insure a full ride at the state's best colleges upon completion. The problem is, these schools are but a handful of all those within the city. I have many many former DPS students, many of whom were drop outs, many of whom have about a 5th grade reading level at best. I work with some of these people, and I hear the problems first hand that went on at the schools they attended. Arrests were not uncommon, somebody bringing a gun or knife to school happened plenty often to be concerned. With very few exceptions, all the criteria is in place to earn the "disaster" designation. I highly doubt there are many other cities in the United States with a school system as bad as Detroit's.

Now how about the unemployment, which was also targeted by Mr. Gingrich? In this case, I think you can point the finger all the way to Lansing. Our economy continues to be in the shitter, with I believe the highest unemployment rate of any state. Detroit's unemployment rate far exceeds the national average, perhaps even double, if I recall the last article it was reported in. Again, a sure tell sign of "disaster," don't you think?

Whenever we travel to the warehouse for work, the area we stroll through on the east side looks like a war zone. I'd estimate about 50% of the warehouses have long since been abandoned. Few houses remain, though the vacant lots unmowed and full of trash still exist. As do the packs of wild dogs, prostitutes, and drug deals, all of which happen in the middle of the day. Take a stroll through some areas of the city, and you'd easily label it as a disaster.

I've visited probably a dozen major cities, yet I really can't say that I've seen the problems Detroit faces on a equal basis in any other city. I stored my Detroit pom-poms away shortly after moving from the downtown area, and started seeing the city for what it really is.

I accept the fact that Detroit has many problems, I can even accept that some may perceive the place as a disaster. Yet for me, I have also seen the progress that has been made, as well as the direction the city is headed. I have experienced Detroit's gems, and I know why people grow to love it here. While at one time I would have taken strong offense to what Mr. Gingrich had to say, now I simply accept the fact that yeah, perhaps you may see my city as a disaster, but it's my disaster. It's a place in which I'm doing my part to help change that perception, and I see the change taking place with each passing day. Sure, we have a long ways to go, and I'm not sure we'll ever completely erase everybody's negative opinions on Detroit, but can't we try?

I mean damn it, I love it here. I think a new wave of people, people of all ages, are sharing in this new found love. I wish that all of the critics would just shut the hell up, pull up their sleeves, and give a helping hand. Perhaps if Dan Gilbert, owner of Quicken/Rock Financial, makes his long anticipated announcement to move downtown, even more people will take notice. Detroit needs more Karmanos, Forbes, Penskes and yes, even Ilitches, if this place is going to continue its forward push. I believe in the NEXT Detroit.

Sometimes it takes a little PBR

2007-07-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

With the recent heat wave, my dogs have simply lost their appetite. At first they were eating about half their normal amount, then today, they didn't even touch their food. I tried putting a little syrup on their food, as it not only usually makes it more appetizing, it helps make their coats shine. Well, I tried that this morning, and no luck. Sasha took a few bits of hers, though Zeus still had a full bowl.

A little bit ago, I figured I'd take it a step further. I cracked upon a PBR and dumped a little bit on both of their food bowls. Though still hesitant (perhaps their not PBR fans), they soon slowly starting to chow down. PBR to the rescue!

Woodward Dream Cruise

2007-07-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

The Woodward Dream Cruise officially takes place August 18th, though unofficially starts a good week, week and a half prior to that. The cruise has always been a love/hate relationship in this region. Some, like myself, will be attending for the 12th year straight, only missing the first year the cruise was held. Others plan their yearly vacation around the event, as it's nothing but an annoyance to them. What I find shocking is that for those who live downtown, seldom do those people complain when traffic is backed up for hockey, baseball, football, parades, fireworks, festivals, or concerts. Yet north of here, you inconveniece some people for a week along a historic stretch of roadway, and you'll have some hollerin' bloody murder!

Today's paper reports an effort to expand the cruise into Detroit, making it more of a regional event, Cruise Looks Towards Detroit. In the past, I felt that expanding into Detroit made little sense, as the stretch of Woodward is less cruise friendly since there are few parking lots, less businesses and really not much to do. Today's plan however changes my opinion, as it sounds that they aren't focusing so much on just the cruise strip as they are the events surrounding Dream Cruise week, creating an automotive themed Mardi Gras.

Think about if the Big 3 all got involved on a larger scale, with each hosting a car show at their HQ's during the week of the event, displaying all makes and models from over the decades, while also giving the public a look at current and future plans vehicles and technologies. Imagine if Greenfield Village established a huge car show on their grounds, as they do each summer anyways, but one specific to the Dream Cruise. Advertise the Ford Rouge tours to the cruisers in town, perhaps even extending the hours of the tours for the visitors. Any gearhead would enjoy The Henry, as well as the Automotive Hall of Fame, Walter P. Chrysler Museum, and the Ford Pauquette plant. Arrange all these events during the week of the cruise, saving Saturday for the big day of the event itself. Perhaps such a move would have a great impact on lessening the congestion up there as well. Make each car show held elsewhere like a festival, perhaps even lasting multiple days.

This cruise has truly grown into a monster, yet it often seems to have grown into an unorganized monster, not fully capitalizing on all it's money making possibilities. We already have the North American International Auto Show, as well as the Autorama, which is amonst the best shows on the tour. Why not take this Cruise to a higher level, utilizing our theatres downtown, our automotive HQ's, and other means to truly make this event a serious money maker for our region? Hell, why not host a Monster Truck event as Ford Field, with Ford kicking back some of the money to help communities pay for security for the cruise itself. Tack on a $1-$2 charge on all tickets related to the Dream Cruise, as I'm sure few people would complain about a few dollar charge going to a good cause.

Been missing out, and staying out of touch

2007-07-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

Seems like life has just been getting more hectic lately, though I can't really say why. I helped somebody move yesterday, so that consumed pretty much the whole day. Even so, I still seem to miss big events that have been taking place in Detroit lately. While at work on Friday, I could tell by the number of people, as well as the age group, that something had to be going on in Detroit. Yet I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was.

I picked up a few newspapers yesterday, because of the front page headlines in regards to Tiger Stadium, and that was when it hit me. The Vans Warp Tour was taking place in downtown Detroit, at and around Comerica Park. I've never hit that conert tour before, and even had I known about it ahead of time, wouldn't have made it this year. I'm glad to see that it was downtown though.

Another show, which was unknown to me until reading about it online today, was a national model train show at Cobo. I would have simply LOVED to check this show out. Model trains are something that I'll never out grow. There is simply some sort of facination with them, perhaps its the small world/environment that the true enthusiasts create with their layouts. Anyways, yet another event that I'll miss out on.

I'll be spending the Sunday working on the house yet again, though I have the crew of mom, dad, and grandma coming up to give a lending hand. Last weekend I tore the wallpaper off the walls in my dining room, leaving one less room with flowers plastered all over the place. I still have half of my bedroom to do, as well as the bathroom, then that is all there is in regards to wallpaper, thank God!

I'm going to be concentrating on scraping paint on the outside of the house, hoping to get some more painting done over the next few weeks. I'm having all new gutters installed on my house and garage this week, so hopefully the fuckin' scrappers will stay away from my downspouts on the alley side, as they are notorious for stealing them. I also have a new grill sitting in the box out in the garage, which I may get around to assembling today, since my current grill is on it's last leg with a rusted out burner, heat shield, among other isues.

The weekly car progress will have to wait a few more days, but I will continue to put forth an effort to start reassembling the car, which I will report on my automotive blog. So, it's out to the yard for me to get started on today's list.

Tiger Stadiums days are numbered

2007-07-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, city council took a vote, a vote in which Tiger Stadium took one step closer to it's final days. While there is some discussion as to whether or not they can proceed with demolition, they can proceed with an auction of items from the stadium. I guess perhaps I didn't attend enough games there growing up to consider myself emotionally attached to the place, as some people are. Yet strangely enough, as I've sat looking at it since moving to the region back in 2001, my sadness seems to grow a little bit with every pass. I feel more than anything, it's not the memories I have from the corner, but all the history or the game, all the memories others may have, and the significance of the site.

I personally feel that they current development plan, which looks to preserve the field, is quite possibly the best option by far. That being said, here is Ernie with his last farewell from the corner on 9/27/1999.

Still a freak

2007-07-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

I can't recall if I ever saw Marilyn Manson or not, as I saw NIN so many times, I almost wanna say Manson must have performed with him one of the times. While I bought a tape or two of his back in the day, there is no denying that the guy is a total freak. Anyways, there's no better way to say it, THIS IS THE NEW SHIT!

The Liberal media strikes again.

2007-07-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

This morning, before heading off for work, I checked out the news websites to see what was happening. On the front page I read the headline "Weapons enthusiast takes aim at canidates." Here is the article from the Freep.

Weapons enthusiast takes aim at candidates

He challenges Dems on gun control in debate

July 25, 2007
BY JIM SCHAEFER and JULIE HINDS
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS

CLIO -- Jered Townsend is a single, 30-year-old gun enthusiast who lives north of Flint on a rural road with his parents and his baby.
Well, "baby" is his way of putting it. He doesn't have children.

As America learned Monday in a nationally televised debate featuring Democratic presidential candidates, Townsend's baby is a Bushmaster AR15 semiautomatic rifle, all black and polished and pretty.

He does like his weapons.

Townsend brandished his rifle in a YouTube video he created to raise the topic of gun control during the presidential debate, which featured the first-ever video questions from everyday citizens.

If a gearhead can call his car "baby," and a sailor can call his boat "baby," can't he refer to his weapon with the same affection?

"It's just my hobby, you know?" the proud owner of "11 or 12" guns and a concealed-weapons permit said Tuesday afternoon.

Townsend shot his video last week in his family's spare bedroom, beneath wall posters of sleek speedsters from Porsche and Dodge. He posted the clip on the Internet video repository YouTube, which invited submissions for Monday's debate aired on the CNN cable network. Townsend's was among about three dozen chosen from thousands.

The format produced several unexpected moments and inspired some refreshingly different queries, such as one that asked whether the candidates would be willing to work for the minimum wage if elected.

"It really gave the average citizen an opportunity to present questions that are relevant to Americans' lives," said Eric Foster, director of political strategy for Urban Consulting Group, a Detroit-based communications firm.

"It wasn't contrived. It wasn't from an elite perspective. It was about real people's lives," he said.

For Townsend, the topic at hand was guns and what the politicians were going to do about it.
"Tell me your position on gun control," he asked in the short clip. "Myself and other Americans really want to know if our babies are safe."

Then Townsend reached temporarily out of view, grabbed his AR15 and hoisted it onto his lap. "This is my baby," he said. "Please tell me your views. Thank you."
The view of U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., was that Townsend "needs help."

"Whatever," Townsend retorted Tuesday. "I'm not the one on stage trying to get the presidency, making myself look like an idiot. ... And if I did make myself look like an idiot, I don't care."

His mom doesn't think he did. "I'm just glad that he's trying to understand what guns are supposed to be used for, and not what they are being used for," said Kathy Townsend, 55. "He likes shooting. He's very proud of that gun."

Jered Townsend said he paid $800 for the rifle in 2003. Since then, he has added a special stock and a scope that push the weapon's value to about $1,400. For the record, Townsend and his parents all have a taste for target shooting, and collecting guns is a passion father and son share. They store their pistols, rifles and shotguns safely in three gun lockers in the spare bedroom.
"I got all kinds of stuff," Townsend said. "I have a 30-30 deer rifle ... couple of .22s, four pistols ... a couple of shotguns. I have a shotgun that's actually 95 years old that was actually my great-grandfather's gun."

Their property north of Flint abuts a farmer's field, on a fenced 1.5 acres patrolled by a 9-year-old malamute named Tux. There is plenty of room for outdoor fun, but they said they respect their neighbors and go target shooting elsewhere.

"No problem about the guns," neighbor Patricia Rose, 60, said of the weapons cache next door. She noted that her own son has a stash of guns at his home in North Carolina.

Mom Townsend will even fire the family .22 caliber on occasion, though she doesn't have a permit as her husband and son do. "I've thought about it," she conceded.

Jered Townsend said he doesn't carry a gun on him often, mostly just around the holidays.
"Let's say you go to Christmas shop and the stores are packed and you know you got cash on you," he said. "Anything can happen anywhere. But we're not cowboys anymore. There's carjackings all over. It doesn't just happen in the inner city anymore."

The family said it keeps a police scanner running in the kitchen. Townsend recounted the tale of a local pizza deliveryman who recently fended off attackers by pulling his weapon.

Despite the potential threats, Townsend said he never has had to pull his gun in self-defense. He said he gets his fill wielding his AR15 in the woods, plinking targets and hunting for coyotes -- so far, unsuccessfully.

It truly makes me sick how manipulative our media has become in this country, as well as how Liberal they are. Within the first few sentences of this article, I could tell which side the writers were on. They couldn't simply report about the question at hand, nor could Mr Biden, who challenges the guy's mental stability. The guy referred to his gun as his baby, which is no different than somebody referring to their car as their baby, their boat, the love of their life, or any other thing they are passionate about. I've met a few police officers that even go so far as to name their guns. Everybody has hobbies, this guy's hobby is collecting guns.

The newspaper had to add that the guy was single, 30 years old, lives with his parents, and doesn't have any children. So naturally, he must be a gun carrying radical...right? I mean come on, the guy is single, 30, and living with his parents. Here is a thought, perhaps he's living with his parents because this state's economy is such a shitpile right now, he can't afford to live on his own. Maybe he can't even find a job, as the state leads the nation in unemployment. There are many reasons as to why this guy may be living with his parents, though it truly has nothing to do with the question he asked the canidates, but the writers took it upon themselves to point that out in the first senence. Here is the question along with two of the canidate's responses.

I find it sad that most will read about this incident, listen to Mr Biden's response, and look at Jered as the bad guy. So he owns an AR-15, so what. An AR-15 is next on my list of guns to buy, right up there with a back up pistol and tactical shotgun. Yes, I see myself heading down the path of gun collection as another hobby of mine, yet as Jered made apparent, it's more than just a hobby, it's sometimes for self protection as well.

I would love to hear the canidates field a question as to whether or not they believe the citizens of our major cities would be safe if they no longer had police departments. I am certain that the overwhelming majority would agree that a police agency is required in order to maintain peace, and to protect the people.

Well, how about incidents like last week when two people lye bleeding on a sidewalk in Royal Oak Twp, after being shot, waiting 30 minutes for the police to respond? That is all the proof you need to see that the police won't always be there. I have spoken with officers that have said that while they would love to be able to respond to each and every home invasion emergency, the fact is, they often get pushed down the list as a lower priority. Shootings and other emergencies tend to supercede them. How safe and secure does that make you feel, that you can call 911 while an intruder is in your home, and they may not be able to respond for hours, if at all?

How about the person who was carjacked at gunpoint for their Cadillac a few weeks ago by one of Detroit's most wanted? The victim shot the guy dead, possibly saving his own life, who knows. The fact is, there are situations like this when the police simply won't be there. While some may view they AR-15 as an assault weapon that has no purpose in the hands of the public, we should all recall the black out from a few years ago. Let's say that black out continued for a few more days than it did. I personally had no water nor electricity for about 1 1/2 days. Now think if that had continued for a few more days. Society would have turned into a mob scene, as people will turn to their own means for survival. Hell, look at what happened to New Orleans when response took a good 5 days. People looted stores of everything in stock, and the majority of the police simply up and left town. So if you and your family were trapped in a situation like this, how would you protect yourself? Stories of murder and rape followed up the aftermath, even reports of children being raped during all the chaos. THIS is a situation in which even the biggest anti-gun crown would probably with they had a gun. Something else to consider, in case of an emergency, who do you call? Somebody with a gun, the police.

It really bothered me today when we discussed this topic at work, as people seem to be quick to judge the guy asking the question. I was recently single, unemployed, am 30, and was arguably in a situation where I could have been once again back living with my parents. I also have a gun, and a permit to carry that gun. What gives some asshole newspaper writer the right to pass judgement upon me? What gives a political canidate the right to question my menal stability, thus avoiding the question at hand? It also bothers me that so many canidates seem to take the 2nd ammendment of the Constitution so lightly.

Destruction, terror, and mayhem

2007-07-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

Last week I started watering my backyard. It had got to the point where it was looking bad, REAL bad. It almost looked as if aliens had dropped down from above and created a crop circle in my yard, as it was almost a perfectly round spot that encompassed nearly my whole yard.

So I figured I get out my sprinkler and start watering it an hour or so each day. I'm not one to get to concerned about how my yard looks, so you must realize, it was on it's death bed. The watering was going good, for about 5 days or so. Then, as I left for work on Friday, I came upon some little bits of plastic on the sidewalk, as well as off in my grass. I figured something must have blown into the backyard and the dogs got a hold of it. As I looked around though, I found the source, or at least the remains of the source.

I figure Zeus was responsible, as it looked like his work. He literally obliterated my sprinkler. The plastic legs were broke in half and the timer to adjust the spray pattern was unrecognizable, that was the plastic graffiti I saw littering the yard. Now mind you, he accomplished this much damage in about a 15 minute window of opportunity as both dogs were let out to go bathroom before I left for work. I swear, the minute I think he's outgrown his destructive nature, he pulls some shit like this.

Over the weekend, my parents picked the dogs up a couple of toys. I told them to buy nothing except Kong toys, as they appear the most durable. Even then, Zeus managed to recently rip a Kong toy open, which was about 1 year old. I contacted the company today to see whether they will stand behind their "satisfaction guaranteed" claim, and it seems that claim is for 30 days after purchase. Anyways, they didn't have Kongs, so my parents picked up something else. They only gave them the one to play with yesterday while I was away. My intentions were for both toys to be outdoor toys, so this morning I tossed the other one out there after I let the dogs out.

The toy seemed durable enough, as it was constructed of recycled tires and seemed to be a very tough rubber. It took Zeus a whole 15 minutes before he was able to chew both ends of the rubber off the bone, again, leaving the shreds all over my backyard. Seems it's Kong or nothing for this dog!