9/26/25
Hey, Nice Tool
Yep, that's what I said to my mechanic as he rushed by me in the waiting room. I thought it would slide over his head but no he laughed. I took a photo to illustrate my wit to Pist when I noticed the old spelling of my last name. I asked if his people were from BLLVLL and lo, we are related along the line. 
9/24/25
9/23/25
One must dress The Part
When attending performances at The Rep. This necklace collection was for the Cottage. 
9/22/25
The Ville. North St.Louis City. During the Thunderstorm.
I was delivering food to the camp. I was met with hugsand people who offered to unload the trunk. 
School's Out Forever
Euclid School. Ponderous Romanesque Revival style designed by a German. So sturdy that the tornado only *budged* part of the roof. INO, this school survived as a blatant eff you.
Chris, over at St. Louis Patina, wrote an article on this school in 2020.
Chris, over at St. Louis Patina, wrote an article on this school in 2020.
9/21/25
Yesterday. After the Storm. Benton Park West
After a stromy afternoon in NSTL I picked up Pist at WU and we headed to Frazier's. I told him that I was taking the scenic route.
Along the way he divulged the plot to the movie, Scenic Route, which he suspected I would love becuase of its Mojave desert setting.
Along the way he divulged the plot to the movie, Scenic Route, which he suspected I would love becuase of its Mojave desert setting.
9/20/25
Effing Kudzu is in North St. Louis City
I was about today in NSTL. I went to visit Aaron in his Mom's house on Garfield and then on to Ashland to drop off stuff to Larry and Avon.
On the ride home I passed Urban Leauge, Looked to the east and did a triple take: IS THAT KUDZA IN North St. Louis CITY?
It is. Not to be confused with the 3 leaf posion ivy, Kudzu has hairy stems. DAMN! This shit grows up to a foot a day and swallows buildings! https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/invasive-plants/kudzu-control#:~:text=Kudzu%20(Pueraria%20montana)%20is%20a,is%20one%20of%20the%20worst.
On the ride home I passed Urban Leauge, Looked to the east and did a triple take: IS THAT KUDZA IN North St. Louis CITY?
It is. Not to be confused with the 3 leaf posion ivy, Kudzu has hairy stems. DAMN! This shit grows up to a foot a day and swallows buildings! https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/invasive-plants/kudzu-control#:~:text=Kudzu%20(Pueraria%20montana)%20is%20a,is%20one%20of%20the%20worst.
Horatio
Horatio Hung-Yan Law moved to Portland after two years with me on McPherson and started making Public Art. Tom Howe took this picture of his installation "Velosaurus" at the Powell 17th Ave Underpass at dusk. He figured there's about a one-minute window where all four panels were completely lit by sunlight.
Ho is one of the funniest men I know. I thought of him as Ratio. He tried to teach me how to say his Chinese name, Hung-Yan. I stumbled. Christian, he said, Just call me Hung.
One day he asked, Christian! Do we have any good mails today?
Ho, I replied, Mail is singluar.
Oh yeah, he said, My students always get on my butts for that....hey, don't make fun of my Chinglish!
Your chinglish is fine! It's your English that is hilarious.
Hung is a love.
9/17/25
#7
TinkerBelle, Number Two Daughter, is likewise obsessed with prime numbers. At the dog park she will gather 3, 5, or 7 balls. She'll stand in the midst. She also loves to be dressed. 
9/11/25
Spanish Revival "Four Fam" in NSTL
Rows of missing mortar in the second photo. Makes me cray just looking at it. 
The Original O'Connell's Pub - Gaslight Square
I used to volunteer at KDHX radio station (under the tutelage of the legendary and innovative Jeremy Landsman!) on Olive when I was 16. Gaslight Square had recently faded.
The Pub was located on Boyle across the street from where I was standing for this photo. O'Connell's Pub, owned and operated by Jack, was where the apartment building is now.
During the 80s I resided between SF and the CWE I would stand on this corner waiting for the Olive bus to take me to work in DTN STL.
The Pub was located on Boyle across the street from where I was standing for this photo. O'Connell's Pub, owned and operated by Jack, was where the apartment building is now.
During the 80s I resided between SF and the CWE I would stand on this corner waiting for the Olive bus to take me to work in DTN STL.
9/8/25
North St. Louis Tornado Victims - September 8, 2025
Yesterday I delivered bags of food to Larry (In the red shirt) who is running a makeshift free kitchen for the surrounding blocks of N Taylor and Ashland.
This area was hit extremely hard by the tornado. Larry's house, a rental, had some roof damage that Chad Jackson repaired for free.
Larry has fabricated a food truck and with appliances, a grill, a generator, and food donations is trying to feed the community.
The young man wearing the hoodie is Avon. He shares cooking with Larry. Both are volunteering their time and skills.
Avon told me that his mom taught him to cook when he was 12. Avon has recently joined the military so he'll be leaving soon.
Every day I'm there I'm humbled and mortified by the destruction and poverty. I thought I understood poverty until I spent time with these men and talked to those needing food. I've met people so grateful for a meal that it was heart crushing. I've seen things that I can't write about and no, it wasn't drug related.
EVERYONE there needs assistance. Housing, employment, mental health help, ETC. Down to needing a laundry.
The most basic of those needs is food.
While Urban League is passing out food ALL of the people I've encountered don't have a car to get in line. They walk if they are nearby but many can't carry what they need. MANY of them are disabled.
I'm here to ask local readers for your help with food.
You're welcome to deliver it yourself to the outpost that Larry created or leave it on my porch.
They do have a frig. Basics are critical. Round buns are prized. Basic condiments are needed and dill pickles would cause amazement. Bottled water is very much needed.
I deliver on Thursdays.
>
This area was hit extremely hard by the tornado. Larry's house, a rental, had some roof damage that Chad Jackson repaired for free.
Larry has fabricated a food truck and with appliances, a grill, a generator, and food donations is trying to feed the community.
The young man wearing the hoodie is Avon. He shares cooking with Larry. Both are volunteering their time and skills.
Avon told me that his mom taught him to cook when he was 12. Avon has recently joined the military so he'll be leaving soon.
Every day I'm there I'm humbled and mortified by the destruction and poverty. I thought I understood poverty until I spent time with these men and talked to those needing food. I've met people so grateful for a meal that it was heart crushing. I've seen things that I can't write about and no, it wasn't drug related.
EVERYONE there needs assistance. Housing, employment, mental health help, ETC. Down to needing a laundry.
The most basic of those needs is food.
While Urban League is passing out food ALL of the people I've encountered don't have a car to get in line. They walk if they are nearby but many can't carry what they need. MANY of them are disabled.
I'm here to ask local readers for your help with food.
You're welcome to deliver it yourself to the outpost that Larry created or leave it on my porch.
They do have a frig. Basics are critical. Round buns are prized. Basic condiments are needed and dill pickles would cause amazement. Bottled water is very much needed.
I deliver on Thursdays.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)