tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349443954005366744.post4401498851476472571..comments2024-02-07T03:33:59.712-05:00Comments on Letters for George: My Night on Murderers' RowDavid L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06592799378836125993noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349443954005366744.post-72582638217918028902010-03-30T23:08:42.698-04:002010-03-30T23:08:42.698-04:00Charles is not the only kind soul in "the mos...Charles is not the only kind soul in "the most violent neighborhood in America."<br /><br />When I was 19 I thought I was "oh so wordly," having backpacked by myself through Europe at 17. I was living in Columbus and had never been to Cincinnati. My boyfriend, had just gone back to school at Miami U. I decided to pay him and Cincinnati a visit. Based upon my "thorough" knowledge of the 5 or 6 cities I had explored thusfar, combined with a vague concept that "Vine Street" was a cool place to go, I drove to downtown Cincinnati, parked, and began walking north.<br /><br />My thought was that most cities had the downtown, followed by a rough stretch, followed by gentrified funkyness. This is where I would find, "short vine."<br /><br />Having walked to about 12th street, I realized my plan was flawed. And, I was definitely, the only white chick around. Having some street smarts, I didn't do an abrupt about face. But, instead, decided to turn at the next block.<br /><br />This is when, some young guy comes up to me and asks me if I want to play checkers. I was like, "What the f...?" I haven't played checkers since I was 4. But I don't want to refuse and seem uptight. I should mention here, that this was the height of my punk days and I probably looked like a runaway. So I sat down on the street and played checkers. I didn't even remember that the kings went backwards.<br /><br />Pretty soon, a group of old guys on office chairs wheeled over to coach me. Needless to say, I lost pretty badly. He asked for another game and I respectfully declined. At this point, he invited me to the local park, to share in his 40oz. I did, and met some friends, drew a nice picture of Tyrone in my sketchbook and I had a great time.<br /><br />They asked if I needed a place to stay. Tyrone offered his cousin's place. I declined. Walked back to my car and went to whitebread Miami University, where my future husband was battling a bat that had breached the dormitory hallway.<br /><br />Moving to Cincinnati several years later, I learned that none of the streets connect in Cincinnati. Short Vine was a detached little piece far far away. I also learned that the park, I had such a good time at, was a very scary place.<br /><br />Aaah, ignorance can be bliss...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com