Curtis-The Streets

Curtis could be a royal pain in the butt, and there were times when I swore that I would have nothing to do with him again. But, you see, there were his kids and his wife, and the hard luck stories that would drip out of his mouth like honey. Curtis was black, and had grown up on the mean streets of Detroit.Curtis and his family basically lived off the streets in Seattle, too, making Aurora Avenue their basic abode.

Aurora Avenue, as you know from my previous posts was gang and drug laden in the nineties.Cheap motels, used car lots, vacant buildings, and indifference on the part of the City of Seattle, made it easier for crime to fester and reproduce itself.

Curtis was a skinny guy, and looked anything but tough, but he was well connected on the Street. I remember the first time that Curtis, who had seemingly taken a liking to me, told me that he was known on the streets as  Detroit. Wow, after all anyone carrying the name of a bad-ass city like Detroit, might be someone good to have as a friend. I was beginning to understand the intricate social structure of the
Street. The Street was intricately set up like a major corporation. ( I am digressing from Curtis for a few minutes, but I want to talk about the street social and economic structure.)

The under belly of any major city is where the actual heart and soul of the city resides. In this under belly there are fascinating colorful cultures. The drug gangs are so intricately organized that it would make a Wall Street Corporation weep with envy.They have product, a market, sales and distribution, all highly, highly, organized. It is actually amazing to watch in person. If these kids, and they are kids, would put their business savvy to work in the business world, they would be rich beyond belief.

I have gone so far off the topic of Curits that I must stop for now. I just want those who have never really experienced city street life to know a little background on the mind sets of the street people. I will continue in my next post with the story of Curits and the streets.

Time to stop the whale shows

After the tragic death of a trainer at Sea World this week, I think that it is time to stop the shows.
Animals were not created for human amusement. Imagine if you were kidnapped from your family and put in a tiny area. You are fed and cared for only because each day you put on a show. Time to stop these shows for the safety of humans and these incredible animals.

Curtis-Aka Detroit

I have often wondered whatever happened to Curtis, or "Detroit" as he was called on the streets. I  was first introduced to Curtis when he stopped by the Emerald Inn. He walked in carrying a bucket and a squeegee, and asked if he could wash the outside windows of the rooms and the lobby. Heck, they were dirty and from the dust scattered through the air by all of the traffic on Aurora,and the price he quoted was good, so I agreed.

The task would have been daunting to me, and I figured that it would take a minimum of two to three hours to accomplish the mission. I stood in front of the lobby window to see if Curtis was going to be a flake and just try to scam for some money, or whether he could really wash windows. The answer arrived quickly, and I stood there in awe as I watched an artist at work, With the strokes of an artist painting a masterpiece, Curtis directed the brush and squeegee over the windows with precision and grace. Within thirty minutes he had the entire hotel done. I was flabbergasted.

I paid him out of the petty cash fund, and told Curtis that if he wanted to he could come once a week and do the windows. He thanked me, and walked down Aurora. I actually never figured that I would see him again.
I was wrong.

Sports Gone Bad

The college football scene has reached a new low. USC has actually recruited and offered a football scholarship to a 13 year old quarterback.When the kid graduates from high school, he will go to USC without a care in the world. Right? Maybe not. I think that recruiting someone this young is child exploitation, and should be against the law.

Come on, I remember being thirteen. This is a little boy. The pressure he will get as he grows up will be tremendous. He will not be able to enjoy the usual years of fun. USC and his parents will be watching him like a hawk. One injury,and it is all over.

Please, let kids be kids.  I love sports, but this has gone over the top.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/13-year-old-quarterback-commits-to-USC-020510