Monday, November 30, 2009

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Carondelet Park Rec Plex-Grand Opening

The city just became a better place to live and raise a family. This place is amazing. I trust the YMCA will take care and run this facility with professionalism and fairness. I can't say I would trust the city to staff/run a clean, safe, professionally organized facility. We walked in today to many familiar faces, neighbors, friends and Loughborough YMCA acquaintances. Everyone was stoked about this place. Check it out:
There are bike racks in two separate areas:There are 3 kids areas. One is for infants and toddlers, up to 4 years old; there are cribs, padded floors, etc. The second is for 5-7 year olds. There are legos, blocks, slides, computers and a wii with guitar hero. The 3rd is for kids 8 and up with foosball, rock climbing wall, dance dance revolution, computers, etc:
The cardio and weight area is huge with lots of natural light:
Indoor track, 11 laps = 1 mile:

Double gym for volleyball, basketball, etc.:Indoor pool area has 2.5 story waterslide, lazy river, zero entry kids splash area, steam room, sauna, lap lanes, hot tub, whirlpool, family shower/locker rooms:
Outdoor pool has kids area, swim lanes, diving area, concession stand and a waterslide:Ballet/yoga/pilates/etc:
Senior area with fireplace:
Meeting rooms:Check it out for yourself, comment with your opinions.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Daydream # 382

You have a 12% chance of meeting a true St. Louisian in this metropolitan area.

St. Louisians account for 354,361 of the total 2,871,421 citizens of the metropolitan area.

For what it's worth, I feel a general bond with my fellow St. Louisans. In very general terms, I feel like we're all on the same team, aware of the same pluses and minuses that the city has to offer. It doesn't matter which of the 79 neighborhoods of the city you live in, you are a St. Louisian and I can get behind that.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Proposition N and a St. Louis City Talk Flip-Flop

One of the things I hope I'm transparent about as the writer on this blog is that I change my opinions and stances quite often. Please don't fault me. To me this is part of learning, aging and striving to be an objective viewer of life. Remember when the Republicans skewered John Kerry in an act of solidarity during the 2004 presidential election? "Flip" "Flop" over and over, all in unison. I think that really hurt Kerry in the minds of the average viewer. They made it seem shameful to change your mind....and in politics that can be deadly. However, in real life it's okay to flip flop on issues even if you have the power to leverage action on one side or the other.

With all that said, I'd like to announce a flip flop on anti-smoking. Back in August, 2008 I laid down a smoke em if you got em Libertarian rant.

At the time, I was fresh off the heals of being smoke free for nearly 9 months. My wife and I vowed that once we quit, we wouldn't be among those holier than thou anti-smoking judgemental types. Hopefully we've been true to that commitment. Yet, being smoke free has been great. As a non-smoker, going to a see live music in Illinois is better than Missouri.

I recently went to a week night show at Off Broadway (Camera Obscura) and it was smoke free, and much more enjoyable. The older I get the worse the hangover becomes from second hand smoke. That's just a fact. Anyhow, I hope St. Louis someday goes smoke free. It's just better and healthier for all of us.