New Season, New City

So, its Fall.  I realized that the Summer has actually come to a close when a. I heard on the radio that it was the first official day of Fall.  And, b. when I needed a sweatshirt to stay warm walking outside.

I live in Baltimore now.  I live in Baltimore now?  I'll get to that later.  I must say, that Baltimore scares the bejeezus out of me, and also I don't really know anyone here.  So, its possible that I will become the Great Baltimore Recluse.  But I'll have lots of time for writing!  And maybe re-learning French or something.

Don't get me wrong, Baltimore has its nice parts and I hardly even know it yet so I'd hate to be judgmental.  Here are my observations, thus far.

One thing I love about Baltimore is all the brick!  Exposed brick walls everywhere, brick sidewalks, brick factories, brick major-league baseball stadium, brick town homes and storefronts.  Its very matchy and industrial and colonial and eclectic, all at the same time.  I've always been a fan of brick things and Baltimore must be keeping the brick people in business.

One thing I don't love about Baltimore is how people just run around in the streets.  Oh, streets are for cars?  Its like a new concept here or something and people are having a hard time grasping this one.  When I drive somewhere I feel like I'm playing Frogger.  Except, I am the frog and I am in the car and I am trying not to hit the pedestrians who are also frogs, jaywalking, or dodging cars, or sauntering toward my bumper as I slam on the brakes and swerve into the next lane.  Its madness I swear it is.

I do love the industrial-ness of this city.  I put cities into two categories, the "nitty gritty city" and the rest of them.  ie. Philedelphia, New York and Boston make the nitty gritty cut.  Washington DC, San Diego and Orlando do not.  Baltimore is grit to the core.  If I make it out alive, I'll have earned some major street cred. But it has the right combination of boats and docks, those brick row houses, and so far, a few really good cocktails.  So I think we'll get along just fine.  Baltimore, show me what ya got!