Missing the City -- DC that is

As I drove into the city for my 9:15 doctor's appointment (unrelated to yesterday's stomach malady), I almost enjoyed the hustle bustle of traffic, moving slowly into downtown DC. I loved that I could get out of my car and find a Starbucks within a block. Being in the city made me wish I had worn a nice suit and good heels instead of my casual work clothes with sandals.

I really like the feeling I get walking down the sidewalk passing people of all descriptions and all generations, all seemingly intent on going some place. I even saw a child doing homework in the Starbucks, probably waiting for a nearby school to start.

The life of the city is quite in contrast to the feeling I get as I exit the Suitland Parkway and enter the suburban ghetto. There the people are mostly waiting – waiting for a bus, waiting to make a drug connection, or just waiting for life to call them into action. WOW – what a contrast!

This morning I longed for a downtown job once again, as I had had many years ago. I wanted to be part of that pulsing throng that testifies to the life of the city. I wanted this so badly until I went to leave and the parking attendant said, "That will be $15 for 1 hour and 9 minutes." At least the suburban ghetto offers free parking!

(My apologies to Kate, who seems to expect that I will post before 12 noon!)