All This For a Snake?

I hate to be such a pain in the ass, but, wow. I walked down Myra Street in Riverside the other night, pushing my baby as usual, and saw such a commotion. Three or four JSO (Jacksonville Sheriffs Department) patrol units, all looking for a large Python snake that someone saw and called in. On one hand, I was glad that the threat for that evening was at least a natural threat? I was saddened, however, when I thought about how many times I have called JSO and reported some disturbance or even a suspicious character. If I do get a response, it is normally half an hour or more after the call, and never more than one bored cop. They do their best to try to seem interested, and then tell me that "if I see them again, call us back". Sometimes, these strangers, the people on our street that we KNOW do not live among us, do horrible things. I just wish the police would move like that for every call, not just the ones that are exciting to them. Some of these guys sliding down our streets are snakes too.

Water Water Everywhere-

Just a couple of shots I took on Friday, before I went to the airport to take the most terrifying flight of my life to Ohio.




These were both on College at the Acosta corner.


This was on College near Goodwin.


King Street late Thursday night.

The school/storage building on College at Stockton.

What Are You Gonna Do?

If you walk around the neighborhoods of Riverside at night, you may notice something. If you know what marijuana smells like, you can not walk far before you smell it. And if you don't know what it smells like, you will by the time you get back home. Some nights I can not go one block without walking past a house where either the smell is coming from the windows, or the occupants are out on the steps or porch having a smoke. I suppose different people see this activity in many different ways. I have noticed that some folks are quite rattled by the blatant use of the controversial, and illegal drug. At the same time, many folks are very comfortable around the same "out in the open" use. I notice that most of the people out smoking seem very comfortable, and rather friendly. I cant really decide what I think about it. I cant speak of it as though I am from Mars, or a retired State Trooper- I have smoked "weed" plenty of times, though primarily as a teenager. I never saw much of a problem with it, and honestly I don't see what all the fuss is about. On the other hand, I do want law and order in my neighborhood. So, I'm out there every night, walking through the wafting trails of marijuana smoke, unable to decide how to feel about it. At this time, I choose to NOT do anything about the use of the stuff, though I may not feel the same about the open sale of it. Once again, I have to ask you folks what you think?