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3 june 2003
currently reading
A People's History of the United States, by Howard Zinn. I'm only about a third of the way through this book, but I can already tell you that it's one of the best I've read in awhile. Engaging and detailed, this is everyone else's history: Native Americans, women, child laborers, and the poor. Zinn does an outstanding job of balancing what we learned in high school textbooks with a less glorified discussion of our country's oft-violent, imperialist past. I will be incorporating selections from this book into my next batch of 8th-graders' lessons.
current listening
Tish Hinojosa, "Flag of the Sun".
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the liony chick has landed
My insulting name is Pissknickers Chubchoppler!
What's yours? Your pal, Miss Chubchoppler.
I'm back. For good. For awhile. Now, I can really move in, unpack the boxes, and paint. Or paint and unpack the boxes--perhaps that is the better order in which to do things.
I am neither a housekeeper nor a home decorator. I cannot find my keys or my right shoe on most mornings. If Martha Stewart had a polar opposite, I would be that gal. Also I don't illegally dump stocks.
Our trip to St. Louis was great! On the way, we made a detour to Indiana to visit Gramma and Grampa, and from there we headed to St. Louis. Dave had never been to the rural Midwest or St. Louis before, so it was an extra-big adventure for him that included White Castles , Skyline Chili, and Indiana's custom-designed time zone, and very, very flat landscapes as far as the eye could see. Getting there was no problem, until we drove into St. Louis, where everything is under construction. Every road. Every off ramp. Everything. Also, no one seems to be in charge. The sign putter-upper is apparently out fishing. So, you know, good luck navigating St. Louis. Good rule of thumb: drive toward the river on any major highway, and you'll find stuff. You're on your own after that.
Once you do find your way in St. Louis, you will not be disappointed with the hospitality. We began in LaClede's Landing, which is tourist-heavy, but not bad. There's plenty to eat--the St. Louis Fish Market was a high point, as was the riverboat ride along the Mississippi. What turned out to be super-cool, though, was our trip to the Gateway Arch. I'd never thought much about the Arch until this trip. It was a ubiquitous image in slide shows of American landmarks, but I otherwise knew nothing about it. When you see this thing, though--wow! For one, it's huge. It's also really pretty, and surrounded by a lovely park area overlooking the river. Did I mention that it's huge? You will get vertigo looking upwards at it.
Here's the real bonus, though--you can ride to the top in a ferris-wheel-like pod thing. Riding to the top of the Arch is every claustrophobic's nightmare, and it's not recommended for the extra-extra-large. Get to the top, though, and you'll get a magnificent view of St. Louis city, and of East St. Louis and the river. You're a tenth of a mile up in the world's tallest monument, and you feel it. If you're in St. Louis, I would think that a visit to the Arch is required, if only to learn its history. It is a monument to American westward expansion, and serves, literally, as a "gateway to the West". They don't seem to portray an unbalanced view of westward expansion--the accompanying museum and bookstore have plenty of items discussing the Native American view of America's push westward. The arch, at least, doesn't seem distasteful.
I was puzzled, however, at the celebration of Thomas Jefferson in so many places--museums, street names, etc. The Louisiana Purchase is a big deal in this city. Jefferson, big hero. Growing up in these politically correct times, it just seems jarring when considering the history of those who suffered and lost in America's westward expansion. I am specifically referring to the monster-sized Jefferson likeness at the Missouri State History Museum, adjacent to the gallery of Native American items. We did enjoy the exhibit that discussed growing up African-American in St. Louis, and reading copies of some of the laws enforcing segregated residential neighborhoods in the 1900's. It was also interesting to learn how desegregation actually destroyed some of these neighborhoods' unity, causing people to become detatched from one another, and thus distrustful as integration took place.
Our final stop was in the Delmar Loop, a funky, lively, diverse neighborhood. I was finally able to get some locally-brewed coffee and a fun skirt at Rag-A-Rama, the nifty thrifty shop. Also enjoyed some time at the bookstore, and chatted up a local. Dave dug Vintage Vinyl, as evidenced by the resulting stack o' CDs he took home.
As to the reason we were there in the first place, The Written Word Magazine premiere party and readings were wonderful! They also unveiled the magazine cover (Nikki Giovanni is on the premiere cover--we were ecstatic!) Maya Angelou is featured in the premiere issue, however, if you're interested in her new book. The readings went smoothly, the company was great, and my friends Amy and RJ were able to attend and have dinner afterward! It was a wonderful evening, and I was honored to be a part of it. If you want a copy of the magazine, you can contact them through their website, or ask about distribution elsewhere.
And so, here I am, back in North Carolina. Able to finally begin living in my new place. There is so much to do at any given time that I'm stumped. Where to begin? The bookstores, the museums, the live music, groovy merchants and eateries--I'm going to weigh 300 pounds if I don't find a gym soon. Actually, I did finally locate an all woman's gym.
All women.
Gym.
Ack.
I'll let you know how it goes. Let me just say that if the television dial is permanently welded to something stupid, I am not responsible for my actions. I apologize in advance if you're between StupidTV and me with a dumbbell.
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