The Observation Deck

Wait a minute, I'm a Freemason, and we don't rumble.

We do however, have spaghetti dinners from time to time, and if you think that people come up with Lakewood Observer conspiracies, you should see a few that we have been accused of! :-)

I don't know, I think I saw JOB in a steel chair cage match on tv back in '82.

I think its a setup. Lets just go back to sharing the crayons.

Now that the heat has cooled I will add my two cents to Jim's comment. After I closed my shop he asked me to write secret shopper, because he knew I knew firsthand the importance of the small shop owner in Lakewood. I was very honored that he asked me to write, and didn't feel qualified as I am not a writer. There was that one time he "encouraged" me to write for a shop that was an advertiser and I became indignant because I didn't want to be part of the political game of many papers who do that. The Secret Shopper may be an insignificant part of the paper to many, but to be able to choose businesses myself that offer unique or supurb services, including customer service with warmth means a great deal to me in a commercialized world. Jim apologized and never "encouraged" me toward another business again.

Since I started writing that, I have become more involved with the paper and my eyes have been opened to the significance it has for Lakewood! Beside the fact that this has given me a project to balance being at home with children, recently when I ran to get bagels from thriving Einsteins wearing my LO hoodie, I saw several customers reading the Observer and felt an immediate pride in being affiliated with it.

Also a Libra, I am indecisive, about EVERYTHING and second guess and analyze my life to pieces. The Lakewood Observer has helped me not to do that with my family's recent decision to buy another house and stay in Lakewood. The LO has reminded me of the awesome and uniqueness Lakewood offers, amidst many negative comments from others who continually put Lakewood down. Some live here and can't wait to get out. One ex-friend said "I heard Lakewood is the next inner city, why are you buying there?" That was the beginning of the end to our friendship. It hurt me to the core, which made me realize I really want to be here and have no room for the "haters". I know now that her comment solidified what I knew deep down, that I love Lakewood and belong here. Resistance is necessary to help us realize what we really want and feel. If we only tasted vanilla, how would we know that was our favorite? I love hearing opposing views on this site, but cringe at personal attacks.

Jim and I have had more arguments than I can count. But what I know, is that he is the most dedicated and loyal person I know AND he may sound egotistical with his view sometimes BUT he is open to change his mind after listening to other views. He has with me with subjects from arguments of being born gay versus choice (like anyone has the power to "choose" who they are attracted to) to spirituality to business. I don't debate politics with him because I lean to the left and agree with most of his views.

Sorry to be long-winded, but as much as I HATE sales, I am selling ads for the observer ONLY because I believe in it 100%. It not only gives me the purpose I need right now outside of the home, but its sole purpose is for the betterment of the city, different political views or not. I recall seeing rather LENGTHY articles from both sidesin the paper so if it leans, it 'aint toppling. And lets be honest, most of us will never change parties because of a writer. We all look at issues and at this war, and at the fact that Lakewood High feels forced to pass students failing in every subject because they will be penalized now if they don't, and that in the ninth hour republicans pushed through leniency for mortgage brokers (who padded their pockets) who were solely responsible for the high foreclosure rate in Ohio and left families without a home, etc. etc.

So, my two cents, which has become a bit more pocket change (or less to some), boils down to what the Observer stands for, to me, with the people behind it, Jim, Ken, everyone. And not just to me, to the school employees and the parents whose eyes light up when I bring it to the schools, to all who see the value and thank ME just for delivering it. This is the most honest and innovative and uplifting thing I have ever been a part of.

Justine-

I find your column to be very influential (and enjoyable). There are so many stores and not enough time to visit them all. You help me become familiar with Lakewood shops. Getting Lakewood to better know itself is the most important part of the Observer mission.

Perhaps when you started writing you felt like you weren't a writer, but since you've been published, I'd guess that makes you... a writer!

DL,
Thank you. I feel the same way. You can live here and drive right by, and wonder what is in there, or think you will stop later...then they are gone because we all do that. I popped into the new consignment shop on Madison just because she did an incredible job with the windows and made a new friend with the owner AND found the perfect vintage shrug I would have missed if I waited....I love stopping in all the businesses whether I buy or not. It is such a different experience than corporate, not that I don't have to do that too sometimes! But thanks, and it was great meeting you the other night!

Justine:

The Secret Shopper has become for me a signature element of the Lakewood Observer. You have an eye for unique qualities and warm empathy for person behind the enterprise. The weave of places in the current issue even made me see IHop in a different light, your light, the light of The Secret Shopper. In writing The Secret Shopper you make it easy for me to see beyond the simply commercial into the sacred side of the people, places and projects we all hold dear in our times together here. That's politics in a new key. That you are doing The Secret Shopper your way in the LO for all of us Lakewood is expressed powerfully and experienced deeply in your post. Thanks again for all you are bringing to the project.

Kenneth Warren

Ken,
Thank you. Your kind words mean much to me. And thank you for all you do for Lakewood.

Justine Cooper wrote:Jim and I have had more arguments than I can count. .

Justine

I prefer strong discussions.

We are both very passionate people for what we believe.

That is good.

I hope I have opened your eyes as much as you have opened mine.

You have made me a better person, for that I am grateful.

You personify everything this project is about.

The Observer and the city are much richer for having you and your family involved.

Thanks for everything.

peace


.

OK I am blushing. We are way off topic now, let's move back to, ah, elections...

Yes you have opened my eyes to much, as has the whole LO project. More importantly, I have seen you pull out the good in people, as you do with the city, reminding them that there is something worthwhile. That is necessary for change. We have to feel worthwhile in order to want to change, ourselves, or the city, and even the country.

I still don't quite understand some of the conflict, or resistance, or hostility to the goals of the observer, but I know that resistance is necessary to test us and push us to be stronger in our beliefs, and sometimes to prove others wrong. There are a lot of good forces in Lakewood working to make Lakewood better, and that is the good part. In the end, the resistance will push all to be better and bring out their best, as others are now watching to see who puts their money where their mouth is.

Let's review:
One minute, we're having a knock down over such things as editorial policy, perceptions of bias, etc.
Gary steps in asking that peace and civility need to be the order of the day...
All of the sudden, we're singing KumBayah, with a banjo accompaniment...

So what have we learned from the exercise? From my view, it seems clear that those who express themselves (Justine) and put themselves on the line are appreciated and can generate a positive impact. And that, of course is at the heart of the project.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, and everyone!

Oh yeah Justine?

My 2 cents worth says that your writing is awesome!

I'm glad we all found a truce this weekend.

We still have much to work on, but with the great people involved, I've got a good feeling about all this.

By the way, did they fix that toilet yet down at the Womens' Pavillion?

All together now!

Ode to a Urinal
(To melody: Battle Hymn of the Republic)

Mine eyes have seen the splatter, and
the dampness on the ground.
Mine ears have heard the rush of
mighty waters falling down.
My shoes, they squeak beyond belief,
with such a seasick sound,
Our toilet gurgles on...

The urinal at Lakewood Park can
really make you squirm.
It can pass more water than a
nervous pachyderm.
The silly thing has got us all up
standing on the berm.
Our toilet gurgles on

Refrain:

Lakewood urinals forever! (3 times)
Our toilet gurgles on!


My wallet thins from water bills,
too soggy to ignore,
Yet still, we dream of better days,
beside the mens' room shore.
Politicians hear us,
or we'll show you to the door.
Our toilet gurgles on!

(to Refrain)

Gary Rice wrote:Thanks Jeff, and everyone!

Oh yeah Justine?

My 2 cents worth says that your writing is awesome!

I'm glad we all found a truce this weekend.

We still have much to work on, but with the great people involved, I've got a good feeling about all this.

Gary

Could it have been the magic of the banjo?

It would seem that the right and the left that came under the spell of the Pete Seeger banjo, understand.

Coincidence?

.

Hi Jim,

I suppose that it's kinda hard to be serious when some jokester like me is bouncing around a room with a banjo. (Well, OK- plodding?)

But there's a dichotomy, a stealth, an allegorical twist to that old banjo.

It does work magic.

I taught Pete Seeger to play the musical saw, back, never you mind how far.

His banjo head reads "THIS MACHINE SURROUNDS HATE, AND FORCES IT TO SURRENDER". By his permission, mine has the same saying, but with the word "also" added after "machine".

Yeah, my machine goes after hate too.

He has many favorite sayings. One of his best?

"Think Globally, Act Locally".

And so we do. Particularly when we get rid of the left-wing, right-wing, chicken wing, running dog-biscuit talk, and roll up our sleeves...

and work together, and yes, sing together.

(and no, ladies, I am not in any way, obliquely referring to your precious puppies with the dog-biscuit remark! I LOVE dogs!)

As the Good Book says, and Pete put to music so well:

Some seeds fall on the rocks and fail to grow. Some seeds fall onto the pathways, and are trampled on.

But some seeds fall on fallow ground.

Keep sowing, Jim.

Hi Everyone,

One more thing.

I've posted a brief banjo photo blog if you want to hop over and see it.

Just click HERE:

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/photobl ... -the-banjo

Have a great week!

Jeff,
Thanks for giving me the credit BUT I added my two cents after the heat was cooling so I will give credit to the banjo!!

Gary, I love that banjo! It helps keep everything in perspective! And I will choose a chicken wing over and left or right wing right now!!!

On that note, I would also vote for any person who shows enough caring and compassion with any of these projects, over a politician right now. I think is it sad that we need a party to define who we are and what we stand for. So many issues with only two parties. I don't need one party to tell me how to think so sticking to the issues seems to work for everyone, I think.