I decided to blog again

I had the flu this last week. I actually think this is the first time I ever had the flu. I basically never get sick. Let alone have a 102 degree temperature. I would like everyone to know it sucks. What sucked even more was the fact that my parents were in town for a week visit. So I was kinda moody the entire week. But, being the good parents they are, they still did a lot of work on my condo. Dad tiled the bathroom floor and installed a screen door with a small door for my cat; my aunt planted the garden in the back; and my mom cleaned my bedroom and kitchen. Overall, it was a good visit – or I’m sure they would say it was a good visit. 

If I haven’t mentioned it before (and probably haven’t since I don’t blog anymore) I bought a townhouse ’cause I thought it was a wise investment. In other words I’m not saving any money thus far and I thought some equity would be a good option. The place is located in mid-city, which isn’t downtown. But within walking distance of two grocery stores, a coffee shop, a bar, and varies other things, which is more then my fifth story on-bedroom apartment in Spanish Town could say. Plus I don’t have a landlord from hell anymore. It’s somewhat amazing that this location could actually be more convenient then a downtown location – but then that’s Baton Rouge. Not to say my Government Streetlocation is paradise. When I first moved here I would have told you that this area was horrible. Now I think its great because it has sidewalks and walking access to most my essentials (including a brain surgeon, which is good).

Anyway, I was sick this weekend so I took a responsible position and decided to bypass the "out" scene Friday. And on Saturday I did the Grid Iron show that my friends in the Capital Bureau were in. Definitely worth the time and money. And contrary to the beliefs of the reporters sitting behind me, I can get most the jokes even though I haven’t lived here for more then fifty years. I didn’t exactly get that comment. It came right after the second reporter commented on my short stint down here and gave me a face when I said I wasn’t sure if I was sticking around. Neither of them was rude, just inquisitive. This put me on a mental thought process that preceded me wondering why people complained about the "brain-drain". Almost every place in this county experiences a ’brain-drain’ and says that is the weakness of their place; and at the same time every one encourages their youth to get out and experience life and learn different angles. You can’t get both. Therefore places shouldn’t be worried about the losing of their youth, they should be worried about if they are attracting the youth.

And Baton Rouge isn’t doing a horrible job. People my age find Louisianainteresting – it’s culturally rich, and that’s what kids these days want. New Orleans andLafayette might be the real cultural spots in Louisiana, but Baton Rouge is the center of government. The culture bleeds over, but the city can’t kid itself by saying it will ever be on the levels of the other two cities. Which isn’t bad. It should focus on its position as the governmental hold for the state. People are always saying what they "want" Baton Rouge to be: a small town of neighborhoods, a big town with entertainment, a culturalMecca, a college town and on and on. When Baton Rouge is really just one thing - theLouisiana government center. No other city in Louisiana will ever have that title, so Baton Rouge should build on that one thing. Then, once it defines itself as the center of government, it can have all the other things: a dense urban core, an artsy Mid City, intimate neighborhoods.

But I went back to watching the political skits which were rather funny. At least Louisiana people can laugh about their corrupt government, right?