folks gonna miss this guy down here. Hopefully, he ends up in a better
spot and will see his business grow..
Friday, June 5, 2009
folks gonna miss this guy down here. Hopefully, he ends up in a better
spot and will see his business grow..
names on his arms are for his friends who have/had MS.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Someone's not drinking Coca-Cola
Aron insisted that I flick this pic. Most definitely worth it.
It's getting to be crazy season on 4th street again. Since my time there is limited, I will definitely be on the prowl with my camera all summer.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Spit-Spat with a Bum.
It happened again.
I was walking down 4th street. he was hanging around, loitering.... waiting for me to make eye contact with him as I approached the spot he had staked out.
"Can you help me get something to eat?" he says.... Trying to look pathetic. Whatever!
I don't look at him, and I start to cross to the other side of the street. "No! You called me a cunt."
He starts to smile and laugh. He says "Well, see you later.... CUNT!"
Douche bag.
I keep walking then run into a person that I know. Meanwhile, he's slowly making his way up the opposite side of the street, asking other chicks for money along the way.
He spots me, then starts to pick at me.... licking his lips, trying to piss me off.... making nasty comments, staring.
From across the street, I point him out to the woman I am speaking with.... I tell her not to ever give him any money, that he called me a cunt. I tell her he's been working 4th street for the last 4 years, minimum.
He keeps walking by, though taunting me along his way.
Stupid douche bag.
Aggressive Fucker.
He's lucky my camera was full. Next time, I'm getting his picture.
I was walking down 4th street. he was hanging around, loitering.... waiting for me to make eye contact with him as I approached the spot he had staked out.
"Can you help me get something to eat?" he says.... Trying to look pathetic. Whatever!
I don't look at him, and I start to cross to the other side of the street. "No! You called me a cunt."
He starts to smile and laugh. He says "Well, see you later.... CUNT!"
Douche bag.
I keep walking then run into a person that I know. Meanwhile, he's slowly making his way up the opposite side of the street, asking other chicks for money along the way.
He spots me, then starts to pick at me.... licking his lips, trying to piss me off.... making nasty comments, staring.
From across the street, I point him out to the woman I am speaking with.... I tell her not to ever give him any money, that he called me a cunt. I tell her he's been working 4th street for the last 4 years, minimum.
He keeps walking by, though taunting me along his way.
Stupid douche bag.
Aggressive Fucker.
He's lucky my camera was full. Next time, I'm getting his picture.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
August 5th, 2008 - The past week's romps around 4th Street
The past week has been interesting around these parts.I took this picture on 4th street, between York and Breckenridge Streets. I used to park my car in a $2.00 lot over there. Its sandwiched in between the Unitarian Church and Spaulding University. I had to walk 2 blocks to work, absolutely worth the cheap parking.
That same day, on my walk to the office.... I saw this guy getting arrested in the alley that runs between my building and Cunningham's Restaurant. It was 4 white male cops with cars versus one black guy who was riding a bike. What excitement! I zoomed in for you to get a better look.
One day, Keisha Jones and I went to lunch. I got an iced coffee and a toasted sesame bagel with butter from Nancy's Bagel Box. Keisha got a massive coconut and almond cookie.
We were sitting at a table on 4th Street enjoying our tasty treats when along came Alex Plamp. He posed for a picture, and then reluctantly pulled up a chair to join us after we pressured him repeatedly. I took a picture of Alex's feet, because I felt they "told a story". Just look at that stance..... arms crossed, feet turned.
This guy came walking by while we were sitting there, and I asked if I could take his photo for my blog because he looked interesting. He was reserved and seemed a little distrusting, but none the less agreed to participate and stuck his pose. (Note Alex in the background looking suspicious.) I don't remember what his name was.... but, he told us that he was a chef and he cooked at various local places, including the Seelbach Hotel, two blocks down the street at the corner of 4th and Muhammad Ali.
The Seelbach is actually across from my favorite place: 4th Street Live. I think its unfortunate, because the presence of such a ridiculous place with all its neon signage and corporate chain bars really cheapens the Seelbach's historical relevance and legacy, sort of like building a strip club next to a grand old Victorian home.
I asked Keisha if she wanted to go try on some wigs, because its something I've always wanted to do. She was totally into it!
So, we walked down the street to the first wig shop we came upon. Their lights were not on, but their door was open. We popped our heads in and Keisha shouted "Hello!". An Asian lady came walking from the back and flipped the lights on. Then she went to the back of the store again.
Keisha snatched up a wig that was sitting on a Styrofoam head (I have no idea what you call these things) on the counter. She threw it on and said "How to I look?". She looked pretty damn good in that wig! So, I managed to snap this photo of her.
Then, the Asian lady made a b-line for us. "You can't try that on without a wig cap!" she exclaimed.
Keisha is trying to get this wig off her head, but its caught on her dreads. She's bitching "Okay, I'm trying to get it off!".
The shopkeeper is really impatient. "No picture unless you buy!".
Keisha gets the wig off her head. The lady is pushing a wig cap toward her. "You have to wear a wig cap if you want to try."
Keisha agrees and reaches for the wig cap. She had commented that she actually had been considering buying a wig, anyway.
"One dolla!" That's what the shopkeeper says. "One dolla!".
Keisha and I crack up laughing. She's got to be joking.... Its costs you a dollar to even try on a wig. What a joke! So we left, being as loud and obnoxious as we could on the way out. It was very important for the rude shopkeeper to know how inane we thought her policy was. Her "wig caps" should be considered a cost of doing business. Period.
I commented to Keisha that I felt the woman had just treated us like street trash. Her antics were the opposite of good customer service. I would venture to guess she treats all her customers that way. I suspect she is being racist against all the black women who patronize her shop. Hopefully people don't buy wigs from her if she treats them like she treated us. One dollar for a wig cap. Ha! She must not want to sell her wigs that badly!
The above shopping cart was parked outside the church on the corner of 4th and St. Catherine. They provide a lot of services for recovering addicts and the poor. I met a man who is an assistant pastor at the church. He mentioned that the church was having problems with the residents of the neighborhood who were upset about all the people that their services were bringing into the neighborhood. The residents went to far as to have the bus stop on the corner shut down! How terrible! You have to be a nasty, bitter person to hate on a bus stop. For real. Triumphantly, the church managed to get the bus stop reinstated.
That same day, on my walk to the office.... I saw this guy getting arrested in the alley that runs between my building and Cunningham's Restaurant. It was 4 white male cops with cars versus one black guy who was riding a bike. What excitement! I zoomed in for you to get a better look.
One day, Keisha Jones and I went to lunch. I got an iced coffee and a toasted sesame bagel with butter from Nancy's Bagel Box. Keisha got a massive coconut and almond cookie.
We were sitting at a table on 4th Street enjoying our tasty treats when along came Alex Plamp. He posed for a picture, and then reluctantly pulled up a chair to join us after we pressured him repeatedly. I took a picture of Alex's feet, because I felt they "told a story". Just look at that stance..... arms crossed, feet turned.
This guy came walking by while we were sitting there, and I asked if I could take his photo for my blog because he looked interesting. He was reserved and seemed a little distrusting, but none the less agreed to participate and stuck his pose. (Note Alex in the background looking suspicious.) I don't remember what his name was.... but, he told us that he was a chef and he cooked at various local places, including the Seelbach Hotel, two blocks down the street at the corner of 4th and Muhammad Ali.The Seelbach is actually across from my favorite place: 4th Street Live. I think its unfortunate, because the presence of such a ridiculous place with all its neon signage and corporate chain bars really cheapens the Seelbach's historical relevance and legacy, sort of like building a strip club next to a grand old Victorian home.
I asked Keisha if she wanted to go try on some wigs, because its something I've always wanted to do. She was totally into it!So, we walked down the street to the first wig shop we came upon. Their lights were not on, but their door was open. We popped our heads in and Keisha shouted "Hello!". An Asian lady came walking from the back and flipped the lights on. Then she went to the back of the store again.
Keisha snatched up a wig that was sitting on a Styrofoam head (I have no idea what you call these things) on the counter. She threw it on and said "How to I look?". She looked pretty damn good in that wig! So, I managed to snap this photo of her.
Then, the Asian lady made a b-line for us. "You can't try that on without a wig cap!" she exclaimed.
Keisha is trying to get this wig off her head, but its caught on her dreads. She's bitching "Okay, I'm trying to get it off!".
The shopkeeper is really impatient. "No picture unless you buy!".
Keisha gets the wig off her head. The lady is pushing a wig cap toward her. "You have to wear a wig cap if you want to try."
Keisha agrees and reaches for the wig cap. She had commented that she actually had been considering buying a wig, anyway.
"One dolla!" That's what the shopkeeper says. "One dolla!".
Keisha and I crack up laughing. She's got to be joking.... Its costs you a dollar to even try on a wig. What a joke! So we left, being as loud and obnoxious as we could on the way out. It was very important for the rude shopkeeper to know how inane we thought her policy was. Her "wig caps" should be considered a cost of doing business. Period.
I commented to Keisha that I felt the woman had just treated us like street trash. Her antics were the opposite of good customer service. I would venture to guess she treats all her customers that way. I suspect she is being racist against all the black women who patronize her shop. Hopefully people don't buy wigs from her if she treats them like she treated us. One dollar for a wig cap. Ha! She must not want to sell her wigs that badly!
The above shopping cart was parked outside the church on the corner of 4th and St. Catherine. They provide a lot of services for recovering addicts and the poor. I met a man who is an assistant pastor at the church. He mentioned that the church was having problems with the residents of the neighborhood who were upset about all the people that their services were bringing into the neighborhood. The residents went to far as to have the bus stop on the corner shut down! How terrible! You have to be a nasty, bitter person to hate on a bus stop. For real. Triumphantly, the church managed to get the bus stop reinstated.To me, this shopping cart represents all that is wrong with society - Throw Aways! Whoever this cart belongs to is someone that is saving these cans from going into a landfill. I don't really care what they intend to do with the recycling money. This person deserves some respect for their contribution!
My co-worker, Michael, and I went to Dairy Del on Shelby Street for some delicious ice cream yesterday. While we were there, a TARC bus pulled up and stopped. A skinny, small, unassuming man wearing a hat ran off the bus. He dashed over to the ice cream stand and was crowding our space, holding a small plastic bag in his hand, bouncing up and down on his feet impatiently."How much is tha ice cream?", he asked.
Michael and I gave each other confused looks, like "Why the hell is he asking us when there is a board right there with all the prices on it?"
Being really impatient, still bouncing, he reaches into his pocket and then extends his hand, palm up. Yup.... There's abut 35 cents there. He starts saying repeatedly, "How much is it? I'm gonna be mad! I'm gonna be mad!"
I tell him the ice cream is $1.45. Then, feeling sorry for him, I give him $2.00. Hell, if the guy needs ice cream that badly, I gotta help a brotha out.
He orders a vanilla ice cream in a cup at the other window. I notice that he is still bouncing and acting nervous. Then I realize, the TARC bus is still sitting there on the side of the road - waiting for him! How in the hell did this guy convince the TARC driver to pull over so he could get some ice cream, and to wait on him?! That's why he was acting so impatient and hurried.
After getting the ice cream, he makes a mad dash back for the bus and they take off. Then, Michael notices that the plastic bag the guy had in his hand got left on a shelf in front of the price board. he probably set it down while he was digging out his money then forgot to pick it up. Curious, Michael says "I wonder what's in there?"
He leans over and takes a look. "Ha! He's gonna be pissed off when he realizes he left this!""What is it?" I asked.
"Condoms!" Michael says.
"No way! Are you serious?!" I exclaim.
"Yes! Its a bag full of condoms! I'm just gonna leave it sitting right there. Hahahaha."
"Well, I'll have to get a picture of that." Priceless, I thought. Popcorn chicken in the background.
I am now parking my car in a lot next to my building. Its across the street from "The Body Shop", "Centerfolds", and the "Show and Tell" strip clubs. Every day, there are girls hanging out in front, smoking their cigarettes, talking to each other, and keeping the security guards entertained. They are always scantily clad with their PVC heels and their fish nets.I always joke that one day, I'll gonna get so stressed out in my office that I'm going to snap! I will eventually be driven to end up in the strip club, sitting at the bar, drinking shots and talking about all my problems.... like some married guy
with 4 hateful kids and a wife he can't stand who has been fired from his job and is hiding out at the strip club while his wife thinks he is at work.I got this shot yesterday evening as I was leaving work. I zoomed in so you get the full effect.
And, Here's something random for you!
My Favorite Song this Week, Click this link to listen on Jango.
Twisted Sister, Burn in Hell
Lastly, Here's Quimby. She's cool. She works at Nancy's Bagel Box. We're friends. She has a cool tattoo of a lobster on her bicep.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Long Time No Blog
Hi ya'll.
Yes, it has been a very long time since I posted on this blog. I abruptly stopped because the LAVA House burnt down on January 26th, which basically ruined my life for a few months.
www.thelavahouse.org
I'm back now, and I'm going to try to keep up with posting interesting things on this blog.... because, let's face it.... There is NO shortage of interesting things happening on 4th street. The freaks are always out and about.
For instance..... I certainly wish I had a photo of this. Today, I was walking into the Borders on 4th to get an iced coffee. I see a woman bent over a trash can, digging. Her ass is totally hanging out. She has on a filthy swimsuit bottom, and her thighs are completely covered in red bumps. She is pulling a bag on rollers, wearing a hat, and has long brown hair. She stops digging and takes off walking, trying to look somewhat distinguished. Although, she is obviously on the streets.
Now, I'm not making a joke out of homelessnesses, drug addiction, or mental illness. All I'm pointing out is that there are plenty of weird sites to see on this glorious cracked out strip, which happens to be an advertised tourist attraction in downtown "Possibility City". Its a promenading strip of corporate neon and channel lighting. They close part of the street down on the evenings and weekends, as the security guards will tell you "It becomes a 'PRIVATE STREET' after 6 PM" pretty much whenever the management company wants to book a crappy, washed out, 80's/90's B-lister band.
This street, offering tourists and convention goers all the safety and glory of the mono-cultural corporate haunts they have in their own hometowns, features the "Hard Rock Cafe - Louisville" (another 80's throwback because we're so cool here in Louisville), Lucky Strike bowling alley (which costs you an arm and a leg!), Red Star Tavern, and no corporate hell would be complete without a TGI Friday's.
Promotional text from 4th Street Live's website claims.....
"Fourth Street Live! is Louisville’s premier dining, entertainment and retail destination "
A "Premier Retail Destination".
LMAO! How can they take themselves seriously when all they have to offer is a bookstore (Borders), CVS (pharmacy), Game Stop, Footlocker, Hall Mark card shop, and T-Mobile.
You can't even buy a sweater at this place! Not a sweater, a pair of heels, some gourmet chocolate, or an authentic Kentucky take home like a bottle of bourbon or some Kenny's cheese.
I just don't think you can call yourself a "premier retail destination" when you have to include a CVS Pharmacy, T-Mobile, and a card shop on a pathetic list of 7 locations to spend the almighty dollar. Possibility City..... We've hit the big time, Louisville. Mayor Generic, at his finest.
But don't take my work for it. Check out their website for yourself. http://www.4thstlive.com/info.cfm
The UPSIDE to all this lameness happens to be all the homeless people, the drunks, the petty thieves, the trash diggers, the bike couriers, the cabbies, the cubicle-dwelling smokers, and people like me with nothing better to do then point out the grand irony. I appreciate these people for keepin' it real (something Hard Rock Cafe knows nothing about).
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