It's that time of year when you barrel down I35 to Dallas on a mission to set up Christmas at Ma LSP's place in North Oak Cliff, and it feels good to be back with all the houses lit up for the holiday, all very festive. Nice, but then you drive a few blocks over to the 7-11 to pick up a phone charger and everything changes.
There's a homeless guy slumped over by the doorway, a couple of fat little tackheads in dirty pajama bottoms getting loud over pizza slices, one's wearing a mask, why? and the whole place stinks of pot. Neck tattoo store clerk takes your cash with a snarl and you get the feeling this inconvenience store could go off-hook at any moment, which it could.
Like no kidding. Back in June a store worker was shot and killed in this 7-11 by some random POC who was after cash, I don't know if he was caught. So I was glad to get back to Christmasland HQ and tomorrow we'll venture forth in search of a tree.
Stay tuned for more of this urban Texan story as it unfolds.
Texit,
LSP
What the hell were you thinking, Parson? Did you at least have a wingman, or did you fly solo into enemy airspace?
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ReplyDeleteAh, the urban environment. Fortunately here the AfBros have been replaced by the Cholos, as the blaring music is much improved.
Otherwise, yeah, I get you. When I moved into the apartment, I purposely selected one with a significantly reduced crime rate.
Sounds like it's about time to retrograde Ma LSP out of that part of Big D to me.
ReplyDeleteSon of my late best friend teaches at a Christian academy at Glen Rose, says it's nice. R.I.P. Kenneth Max Birdsong, SGT, USMC, Force Recon, R.I.P Agent Orange 1 DEC,1987. He's mentioned in Life magazine by David Douglas Duncan when he was a PFC at Con Thien and thereabouts. We're pretty sure that's him with the shotgun on the right-hand side of this photo.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13476480@N07/8451574529/in/photostream/
It's been some time since I saw Ma LSP. She may not remember me but give her my regards all the same.
ReplyDeleteI sure will, LL, and she remembers you fondly.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a photo, Wild.
ReplyDeleteShe's in a great part of town, seriously, but go a few blocks and... not so much.
I've been doing the math.
Beans, we have to do something about our cities.
ReplyDeleteIt's increasingly off-hook.
Totally solo, Anon!
ReplyDeleteBtw, I knew the guy who got shot and killed, a Nigerian. No comment.
Those wise words of wisdom from Witness, “Careful out there among da English”. Out and back for a town run is like battle sometimes.
ReplyDelete@LL- who could possibly forget you!?
It kinda is, Paul, and I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteSaying that, there's an off-hook vibe in the city, imo.