Communities

The word communities is a very broad term, so I will usew it in the sense of hobbies because hobbies and the lunch pad in which we develop relationships. My two "communities" are that of sporting and gaming.
History
I first became involved in sports as soon as I could pick up a ball. Ive made most of my friends through such activities and still have them in most cases. As Ive gotten older my role has better much increased with my skill level changing, the more I play the more freinds ive made. When I am in the heat of competition i feel most comfortable and able to speak my mind.
Gaming has been apart of my life for sometime now. Alot of my friends and family members paly such activities in order to entertain our fill our need for competition and ive been playing ever since my dad bought me a NES for Christmas many years ago. As the systems and games change the one thing that doesnt is our and my will to play.
Boundaries
Anyone who doesnt play regularl in gaming is not considered "in" because they probably suck, same as in sporting. You need practice. Being good at it gets you in the door, and excelling keeps you there. When you stop playing or lose skill level or athleticism your practically take yourself out but few still linger until they are pretty much kicked out.
Identity
Values most carry in both communities is that of competition and fun, but some tend to lean on the one rather than both. I play many times a week in both, sometims daily especially in the summer. Membership is very important because its a cruch to my social legs.

A Rebuilt Detroit neighborhood area...in my eyes

My new Detroit community would be a completely new neighborhood filled with new buildings furnished and supplied my donations by fortunate ones and companies, along with labor through volunteers and my inhabitants.
The city layout would be a series of rings.
The middle would be the community center. Where neighborhood meetings would take place, along with an area dedicated to physical health (gyms, tracks, ect.)
In between each municipal "ring" would be a ring of residential living.
Third ring would be the neighbor hood schools and parks, so that they will be safe and fully visual to parents and authorities alike.
Fifth ring would be consistant with commericial buildings, so that the neighbor economy will be healthy.
Seventh would be my last ring which would include the area for the places of worship, so that the neighborhood will be healthy not just finanicially and physically, but also spritually.
The housing would be condo style living becuase I want to encourage positive interaction between neighbors. My coummity will be marketed for familys and married couples alike. It will be a family atmosphere.
The neighborhood would be gated because of the family atmosphere protective is a premium. The layout will help ensure my vision will become a reality because it encourages such a community.

Tour Detroit with me

If you want to see the real Detroit, let me the real tour...It is my believe that when you want to experiance a new city you must take in the food or restuants of the area. There is no better way to meet people and get an ideal of atmosphere of the new area you in. Also there is no better was to experiance more diversity of an area than its places of food. Here are my top five spots and why.
1) Slows BBQ - Detroit-By far and away the best BBQ food in the area, probably the this hemisphere. Try the BBQ chicken it is amazing. Trust me.
2) Bangkok 96- Dearborn - The best hole in the wall Thai food joint in the area, a good place to enjoy some real quality Thai food...you have to have the tom yum soup...great.
3) Mosiac - Greektown - A trendy authentic greek resturant that offers a after hours bar for those who like to party.
4) Saltwater- MGM Casino Detroit- A Michael Mena resturant (so it's very expensive) but worth the price if you enjoy seafood as I do, located in a casino so you can go gamble, relax for a drink, or hit the club scene. Whatever you feel like.
5) River Cafe'-Renaissance Center (At the top)- Over looking the landscape of Detroit it scenery alone is worth the high price of the food. Good food and a clear night make it a must see.

There you have it the top place we would go. Give me a call.

Dream Vacation

If I had to chose just one city where I would spend a week in it would have to be Barcelona, Spain. I have always wanted to visit Spain and epsecially this region of that country. I guess what attracts me most to to since particular city would have to be the weather which is always great, beaches, cafes and restuarants, soccer games (big fan of Barcelona FC of the la liga), and who could resist the nightlife of Spain most notingly Barcelona. They only thing that would concern me would be the language (I dont speak Spanish and cost (I hear Spain is SUPER expensive). Not knowing the language could prove difficult and make it hard for navigation. The cost would suck because well I dont have much money as a college student. The positives that steem from the great weather there which is a constant, the constant supply of activities to do while there, and the reputation Spanards have for have a great time the world over. The only real negative ideas i have heard or read about was the extremely high cost of living there and that European attitude many people seem to experiance coming from America over there. My cousins girlfriend spent a summer there for school last year and was bragging about what a wonderful time she had there, seen some pics in travel mags but other than that nothing else. So there you have it, Barcelona is my dream spot...for now ;)

Public Perceptions of Detroit

When you first think of Detroit images of landmarks such as Joe Louis's fist, Hart Plaza and the Renaissance building immediately appear. Although lately the images being portrayed by many media outlets and suburbanites alike is that of a city in ruin. We are constantly bombarded with stories of a city in crisis from affects of the recession both nationally and state-wide, crime and neighborhoods and city areas suffering from city scandals (i.e. Kwame Kilpatrick) and just plain neglect. Images of struggle dominant popular culture landscape of Detroit. The accuracy of these images are with no doubt true. Working and driving through Detroit on a daily basis I've seen these images in real life. People with not much hope, city blocks where only one or two houses remain occupied or still standing, drug addicts comb through city streets, home invasions and violent crimes widespread, and the only area somewhat "free" from these problems is the downtown area. Talking to many Detroiters the feeling is that of abandonment with little to no hope for much change. Living in the metro Detroit area I have noticed what a difference a mile or crossing the street matters in quality of life, in some areas the difference between Detroit and Dearborn is 100 feet. Living in a suburb of Detroit I am able to experience the best of what Detroit has to offer without dealing with its many and frequent problems.

Mike K

Histoy on the East Side

Ive been working for a family business on Gratiot and 6mile for most of my adult life. My father purchased land less than a city block away from where he grew up. It seems he has been there his whole life. The image Detriot's east side has isnt a very good and true one. Yes its rough and sometime could prove to be a very dangerous place. One time murder capital of the world. But it is filled with many wonderful people and to be honest some pretty horrible and rotten ones. This blog will fill you in on my weekly adventures on the sometimes scary, funny and downright strange times at work. If past experiances serve me well youll be in for a fantastic vonage. Hope youll enjoy.

Mike K