kjpepper | Rambles

I realize the push to gentrify Brooklyn has reached something of a fever pitch in the past few years, especially along major subway lines. That said... good GODS it's weird seeing the occasional white people strolling around any part of Flatbush. Comfortably. Cause, you know, it was okay if they were scurrying around looking over their shoulders looking like they were gonna get shot the next second, cause then we could laugh at them.

I've been slipping out of the house in the early afternoon to stroll the neighborhood a bit, ostensibly to pick needed things up, but also to walk around and get the feel of the place back into my blood. I've been doing a lot of running up and down Flatbush Avenue, which has been fascinating in terms of comparing my memories of walking up or down it with my mother to what it's like now. In some ways it's changed a lot - more chain stores have moved in - but in a lot of ways it's pretty much exactly how I remember it: crowded, heavily accented... okay, maybe it's a bit cleaner these days. :) And you can find anything you could ever want if you just walk far enough down. Haven't made it all the way out to Marine Park yet. I will at some point. King's Plaza beckons to me.

I've been rather daunted by the House, so I've spent the last couple of days hanging out with Dad and making no progress whatsoever on it. That stops this evening. I have staples boxes and red bull (still no NOS to be found around the area, alas, and the two bottles I brought with me are to be saved for later) and a mission. I also have work things to do today. Here's hoping I get to all of it. But it's been nice and quiet so far. I may get a little bit of actual vacation yet if this keeps up. Helps that Dad's been mellow. I think having me and I. (Nuke's former babysitter; she's staying with Dad in NY to keep and eye on him and go to school) around is making him quite happy.

I see