Another reminder to CM CeeSaw as he cowers in his bunker: “One-way streets in our city helped hollow out the core, and still do to this day.”

Such craziness. You actually start thinking subversive thoughts, like what if you designed it to encourage good outcomes?

LINQ: Businessman speaks out against one-way streets (TheSpec.com)

 ... “That, in a nutshell, is what we’ve created: a place to get through as quickly as possible. That’s the legacy of one-way streets and they have worked well to achieve it.”

Problem is, a downtown should be much more than a place “to get through as quickly as possible,” Newman says.

Let me stand next to your fire.

Like innumerable others, Mrs. bluegill and I spent last evening celebrating our continued survival in the company of good friends. Our gracious hosts introduced us to a new, at least to us, New Year's ritual. Simple yet compelling, I thought it worth sharing.

Everyone in attendance made a list of influences, behaviors, objects, etc., that impact or could impact their lives-- positive on one piece of paper, negative on another.

Just before midnight, the lists of negatives were burned to ceremonially rid ourselves of them. Just after midnight, the positives were likewise turned to ash in the hopes of inducing their presence in the new year.

Having been alerted to the impending blaze ahead of time, some came prepared with extensive lists detailing personal difficulties and opportunities. Others were more economical, sticking with wide ranging concepts and qualities best described with singular words.

Mine were easy, with "liars" and "Dutch bicycle" making up the negative and positive, respectively.

As a community, what would be on your lists for the city?