See Gina Blog

Citygarden – “Kindly Gepetto” by Tom Otterness, originally uploaded by Nikon66.

You should definitely check out this photographer’s work. His photos of the Citygarden in downtown St. Louis are just incredible. His shots are absolutely inspiring!

Pit Bull, originally uploaded by pwcorgigirl.

I walked down Cherokee Street (almost to Jefferson where I needed to catch a bus) and watched as a man left his unleashed Pitbull puppy sitting on the curb, a friend with his Pitbull on a leash on that same side of the street. The man told his unleashed pup to stay and walked across the street to talk to another friend with a Pitbull puppy on a leash. The unleashed pup found his way across to his owner and got dragged right back to the side he’d been told to stay on. The owner returned to where he’d been standing and continued talking to his friend.

The unleashed pup would not be deterred, however. Oblivious to cars coming at him, he began walking across to his owner again – he would have been dead if not for drivers paying attention – and his owner, once the pup made it to his side of the street, kicked the dog so hard I heard the impact of boot to backside and the dog ended up midway in the road to return to where he’d been told to stay put. I was sure the man’s foot was going to kick the dog clean through from boot to brain. It was heartbreaking. I would not have felt safe calling the authorities and was not sure who I would call in any case.

Bus stop tag, originally uploaded by nic0.

Sitting on a bench at a bus shelter, sometime around 7 on a Saturday, I made small talk with a pregnant woman sitting nearby. She proceeded to tell me about an abusive ex, how that is why she now carries a gun everywhere, her baby daddy (a different ex) who just got out of jail after 2 months and she is not sure she wants him back, and having one child she gave up for adoption and another two or three at home, then this one on the way. Then, she continued on and explained that she has a blood disease (in addition to hemophilia) that is terminal. She described what the disease does to her in some detail.

Following this strange conversation, a man stood in front of the shelter, also waiting for the bus, and smoked a joint. The pregnant woman threatened to call the cops or beat his ass if he didn’t either move or put it out. She said it “stank.” I suggested he shouldn’t smoke it by a pregnant woman and he denied noticing she was pregnant (she had to have been at least five months along!). Then the bus came.

I have been having some wildly weird and interesting experiences in the city lately, so this may become a wee series on See Gina Blog.

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 At the metro bus station, I stared in curiosity at an overweight African American woman with clown-red hair (she usually had bright purple hair). She noticed me looking at her from my bench, sat squarely down on the concrete, her short cotton skirt and too-small pink cotton shirt raised a bit much and her flab and ass hung out for all to see. While plopping to the ground, she said something along the lines of “I see you staring at me, Bitch,” then mumbled incoherently and angrily to herself. I am, from other observations of her, convinced she is mentally ill. 

Top 7 of St. Louis

1. B.B.’s Jazz, Blues & Soups – Incredible blues musicians have come from all parts to play here.  Some musicians have included Billy Peek Band, Henry Townsend, Magic Slim, and Marquise Knox.  B.B.’s has a great selection of beers for those beer lovers out there and delicious food too – the sweet potato fries are a big hit.
2. City Garden – This is the newest feature of St. Louis city and I absolutely love it.  Located downtown, numerous sculptures are found throughout; twisting paths snake around the trees and sculptures; water features add a whimsical touch, and a flat screen displays unique imagery.
3. City Museum – Exceptionally unique and artistic, the City Museum is an experience no other city can offer.  This year the City Museum opened its rooftop theme park.  Several multiple floor slides, recycled items adorn the walls and floors, and a quaint bar called the Cabin Inn is attached and is in fact the relocated cabin of Daniel Boone’s son.
4. Fabulous Fox Theatre – The theatre is a gorgeous, remarkable space and a fantastic venue.  Some outstanding Broadway shows come to this theatre.  Well-known comedians and musicians perform here.
5. Missouri Botanical Gardens – This is a very picturesque setting and is often a peaceful place for reading, thinking, or writing.  Several times a year festivals are held that offer incredible culture and variety to patrons.  Also held here is the Whitaker Music Festival, with local favorites performing here for free concerts every Wednesday throughout the summer months.
6. The Sheldon – This is a perfect, very intimate setting for a great concert.  The modest size allows for up-close viewing of the musicians and a greater acoustic sound throughout.  Musicians including Cowboy Junkies, Herbie Hancock, Suzanne Vega, Wynton Marsalis, and a slew of others have performed in the space.
7. Tivoli Theater – A beautiful, historic theater space, the Tivoli shows interesting and provocative independent films.  What’s more, every November the St. Louis International Film Festival screens some of its films here.