Update

OK, I am meeting my new myspace correspondent tomorrow after work for a drink. I was overly conservative with that 4-5 day estimate. Her name is Uzma. She's rented movies from Facets before, which is another plus.

In other news, I read a story in the Chicago Tribune today about the issue of sidewalks in the suburbs. Seems some suburban village boards would like to add sidewalks to the many neighborhoods that don't have them. And, seems many local denizens are up in arms over this blatant example of civic intrusion. Some folks are upset over what the sidewalks will do to their immaculately landscaped lawns. One local fella complained that the 'walks might bring undesirable elements into the neighborhood.

The complainer lives in Northbrook. Northbrook. What's going to happen, hordes of African-Americans will march all the way from Chicago into Northbrook because of the presence of sidewalks? One of my great urban pleasures is walking---I love to explore neighborhoods in Chicago. A common complaint Europeans have of life in the U.S. is that we Americans rely too heavily on our automobiles, and sometimes the simple act of walking as recreation has been all but forgotten. Anyone who's ever spent any amount of time in Los Angeles will understand.

I will never understand the suburban mentality.