|
K.D.'s Corner
|
|
Friday, 16 October 2009 20:41 |
By K.D. Hopkins
Sometimes when I see something ridiculous, that question erupts without social filters. There have been moments of political inanity, fashion faux pas, and familial stuff that beg the question. Living in Rogers Park has provided some moments that caused me to imagine my head doing the cartoon double take.
We are a diverse lot. That fact is hammered upon whenever we want to justify our flaws or rationalize why things are so weird around here. Make no mistake, I have come to love and embrace our people and the charming quirks.
The languages are musical not distracting. The aromas of food are tempting and have expanded my palate as well as my sense of adventure. Rogers Park is an ad hoc Ellis Island. Huzzah for us!
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
K.D.'s Corner
|
|
Saturday, 03 October 2009 19:57 |
By K.D. Hopkins
I had the privilege of hearing author and mystic Andrew Harvey speak at my church two weeks ago. He spoke of thinking globally and acting locally. I had heard the term before and wondered how would this make a difference in the world.
He gave the congregation some things to ponder and then a challenge. What breaks your heart?
I have been guilty of answering that question with the pop-culture protocol. The Concert for Bangladesh, Farm Aid, Band Aid, We Are The World, etc. were all honorable causes started with the best-stated intentions.
One could buy the album or the t-shirt and feel as if they had done their part in alleviating some great suffering. You could listen to the music and feel good or wear the t-shirt to look cool and feel good. The heartbreak was assuaged and we could go back to our lives.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
K.D.'s Corner
|
|
Friday, 18 September 2009 04:55 |
By K.D. Hopkins
Sunday was a beautiful day. I had a great morning at church, brunch with friends, and was ready to settle in and read my paper. A rare idyll when I can relax with my cat purring by my side and sometimes pawing playfully at the newspaper.
This edition of the paper had all of the fall previews of theater, movies, and music. I wanted to read it all. I try to read the serious news first and then soothe myself with the arts sections.
Well, the news stuck a little longer this week.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
K.D.'s Corner
|
|
Friday, 04 September 2009 19:23 |
By K.D. Hopkins
This has been a weird and yet wonderful summer. The weather has been cool causing some to comment ominously about the impending doom of 2012. I am glad for the cooler weather. It has caused cooler behavior among the natives of my beloved Rogers Park.
Yes there are the usual shenanigans but they seem somehow subdued. It could be that I am getting older and more tolerant or the perpetrators are getting older and keeping their mess closer to home.
I had many plans for this summer for getting out of the neighborhood and checking out the offerings of this great city. Concerts, dance lessons, exhibits, and tours were the intent of my too broke to leave town stay-cation. Turns out I was too broke to really have a vacation and spent a lot of time on the home front and with friends. Thankfully there was great stuff to do on my own turf.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
K.D.'s Corner
|
|
Friday, 21 August 2009 19:22 |
|
By K.D. Hopkins
I watched the news the other day and heard another story of four children found home alone living in what the news media calls squalor. This term and type of story reached a fever pitch in the late eighties when a couple went on vacation to Mexico and the kids were found to be home alone in a nasty house.
Sad talking heads spoke from the television screen about filth, infestation, and sad waifs living on candy and artificially flavored juice-like products. Once in a while, this kind of story comes around on what is maybe a slower news day.
In this case the cameras did not go inside the residence and the police told us that the place was filthy. There was an external shot of the apartment’s air conditioner held in place by liquor boxes. The implication was pretty clear to the unschooled viewer. There was a report that the apartment’s plumbing did not work but no mad rush to excoriate the negligent landlord.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 5 |
