The bumper stickers on my Prius (yes, I'm one of those.... I don't own a car, I own a 'Prius'!). The notable one is from Real Art Ways: "Hartford: You Could Do Worse". I recently decided to remove it. Long story short: I've decided that I will do my best to make Hartford better.
It's been a really bizarre 12 months (yes, that is a year, but not a calendar year... but it's been a rollercoaster ride). But one thing that has come to the forefront of this is my admiration for my hometown and my decision to stay here instead of heading to the 'bigger cities' years ago. Unfortunately, I admit, I do get snotty about it and slightly elitist, especially when people have this thing to dog it while claiming that our neighbors are soooo superior. Take for example this recent response to a post from January:
I'm sorry you dislike West Hartford so much. It just so happens I went to the Bow Tie cinema in Hartford recently and after getting my car smashed into there, I can definitely sympathize with those who may not wish to put themselves and their property at risk. Hartford police dept. doesn't exactly inspire confidence either by not even wanting to file a police report, much less come out to the scene. It's not a "class thing" simply a safety thing. Also, the tatood customers there didn't look like they were into higher society stuff like indie movies, classical music, etc., but the bass in the car stereos surely made my rib cage rattle!
Frankly, I've never felt at risk at either Bow-Tie Hartford location, whether leaving my car or bike parked there or even walking to the New Park Ave. location day or night. I'm also really offended by the comment that "the tatood customers there didn't look like they were into higher society stuff like indie movies, classical music, etc." Clearly, "Jim", you've not read all my posts. I, my wife, and several of our good friends, are tattooed of average looks who while we're not 'high society', are very into Indie Movies, Classical music, Jazz, triphop, days at the park, Victorian society, Mark Twain, futbol, comics, reading, folk music, R&B, history, art (I do work at the Wadsworth Atheneum), foreign cultures, etc., you stereotyping douche!
Honestly, I'm sorry that happened to "Jim"; it unfortunately happens. In fact, it happened to me in the Farmington Borders' parking lot years ago. Did I stop going there? No. Did I resent the place or town or police who never showed? No. My mom's car was broken into twice in West Hartford, my parked car hit twice in West Hartford Center and does that add to my admitted animosity towards the town? No. I actually do like West Hartford. I dislike Blue Ball Squared. Partly because it got finished while we in Hartford wait for ground to break on Front Street, for decent supermarkets, for department stores, for those of us that can't afford to drive out of town for things that most cities have (Staples, Borders, Trader Joe's). Do I blame West Hartford and other suburbs? No; I actually blame the dumbasses in our city who can't get their shit together to make these things happen. Including myself for not being more vocal.
And that brings me to why I removed that sticker and have decided that I will do my best to make the city and life for it's residents, better. A latino gentleman saw it and asked me what I had against Hartford. I realized that despite the irony of the slogan, yeah, it was still too negative. So, who can think of a better, positive, less-douchy, slogan to inspire us? (will not give credit to any take on the New England's Rising Star, cause I really hate that slogan more than Blue Ball Squared!)
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