Dre’s Ramblings

Today marks two years since I officially became a full time resident of the City of Birmingham as I still operated on eastern time and almost tried to show up for work an hour early (granted my first thing was a 7:30 a.m. Design Review Committee meeting).

In two years I’ve gotten a little slower, a little wider, hopefully a little wiser and more seasoned. There are three strands of gray hair that have decided to camp out on the right side of my face, reminding me that the best is yet to come. I’ve seen progress, steps taken forward and backwards, friends come and go, reality set in and dreams both die and rise from the ashes to take flight over the city, pulling our heartstrings with them. The words that bloggers write provide a window into the author’s soul, though I’m not quite sure what these words mean to those that read them.

I’m now volunteering for the event that made it very difficult to move into the loft, adding to a legacy I left behind in Savannah of not quite knowing how to say the word “no.” I don’t because I want to do it all. I want to do whatever is necessary for this city to achieve its hopes and dreams and for me and Bets to achieve ours.

I watch work out the window every morning on buildings and dreams. I watch as class and race still permeates everything that we do, whether we like it or not. I see people walk into my office sill hopeful in the American Dream coming true for them, whether because of or in spite of what I do. For every person I see with bars on their doors, I see others that remind me that I can just call up a few people and have them over for drinks on a whim. I wonder exactly what does it mean when you still get up in the morning and love what you do, even though you wonder if there is another challenge out there that may finally get the engine going faster and work you more than you’ve ever been worked before.

I have an orange ragdoll tabby that has enjoyed what I promised him when I took him in years ago; the chance to enjoy views from a loft during the day and to be comfortable. He could have run away a few times but I think he’s happy he’s hung around. I have a girlfriend who has sacrificed her career so I could start mine, despite requests from me not to do so for my sake. I’m glad to have her in Birmingham.

I have neighborhoods of opportunity, villages as someone once called them, in and out of the city that scream for the stars on the state license plate to fall on them and lift them up into the national spotlight.

I know people that love to dream as much as I do and who do all they can to make them come true. It lets me know that hope is still eternal and useful.

And there are people that read the words that appear in this corner of the blogosphere whenever I post them, some who comment and continue to push to see what else they can learn, others sitting quietly by with their thoughts, hopes and criticisms in their hearts.

These words that bloggers write provide a window into the author’s soul, though I’m not quite sure what these words mean to those that read them. Nor do I know what magic the central city of the state holds for me next. I sometimes wonder if the beach and impromptu cookouts would be better.

I guess we’ll see.

Enjoy the weekend.

Cheers.

There’s not a lot I can add to Artwalk coverage for the weekend. If you want to learn about the artists, they have a page. If you want to see the festival layout, there’s a page for that already too. They will still have chances to win the Stella scooter as well as chances to pick up Artwalk swag at their online store. And when I thought about putting up a list of bands, I was reminded of their MySpace page and the information available there. So I just figured I’d link to it all for you

I could try to go into detail about the Urban Reversi game taking place on Saturday morning and starting at the Catalyst table before the crowd shows up. Click here to learn more about how it’s played and to see images from last year’s game during Sidewalk. The game is being played based on time, though it could also be an excuse to check out some of the artists while they get ready for Saturday’s crowds. Urban Reversi is a result of the $20,000 grant awarded to Catalyst and TechBirmingham last week by Verizon Wireless. The game is also being played as a demonstration in Brooklyn next week and making its second appearance at Sidewalk the weekend of September 22-24.

The festival has expanded their site to include First Avenue South. If you’re wondering how you’ll be able to get around from one end to the other, you’ll enjoy riding around on a trolley this evening. The rubber tire vehicle is going to provide attendees to ride through the streets and get a taste of what’s going on around the site. It is a locally owned vehicle and it is also available for rental as well. The atmosphere created by Artwalk in downtown should give an accurate glimpse into what would happen if people continue to invest in the urban areas of our city, including downtown and the other urban commercial districts throughout the city and the region.

After all of the excitement of Artwalk, you may want to get out and kick the ball around… say by playing Kickball in Avondale Park. The first official blow you socks off Kickball game in town starts up this Sunday in Avondale Park. We just wrote about the recent creation of the MySpace page for the group. Hopefully the crowd will show up and not only participate but support this activity. And just imagine what it could be like after the completion of the Railroad Reservation Park’s first stage.

This is an interesting time in the history of the city. The idea that there are so many things to do over the course of the weekend is incredible. Supporting all of these events is physically impossible, however it’s important to remember them whenever you run into someone that tells you that there’s nothing to do in town. The only way to change the perception is to get people to come out and take a look for themselves.

Enjoy the day.

Cheers.