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LETTERS MAY BE EDITED FOR STYLE. CLARITY AND SKACE CONSIDERATIONS
COOL OLD FOOL
I was in my regular video store over the
weekend with my two-year-old, hunting for
some entertainment and trying 10 distract
her from pulling all the boxes down—when
the two pierced employees behind the
counter (who avoided all eye-contact with
me) began a conversation for my benefit. I
was the only customer and they were iu^t
loud enough to hear no matter where 1 went
in the store. They were discussing details of
their personal lives in a way that made me
think I was meant to be impiessed that they
had their own apartments now.
1 brought my movie up to the counter, the
recent release of Breakfast of Champions.
The girl disappeared, but the guy acknowl
edged me with, “Oh, have you read the
book?” with that snotty edge to voice
that a teacher recognizes so well. I said yes.
but it had been a while. This surprised him:
“You have??" (A close-minded conformist
suburbanite like you??) I have to admit I
snickered to mvself when he confessed he
hadn’t read it.
Kids trying to act cool is nothing new, but
this happens to me so often in Athens that 1
just had to complain about it this time. 1
understand my lack of “freak flags" and my
child accessory make me loo!: like the demo
graphic grown-up they think they will never
become. I also understand the reason they
are so defensive. This is the first time most
of them have been in a place where they
didn’t feel alienated: 1 remember how that
felt. But there doesn’t seem to be any way to
reassure them that 1 am no threat to them,
even if I do drive an SUV. Oh well, maybe this
is what middle age is going to be like.
Miss Hickish
Athens
BIKE IT
I am writing in response to many things
written and spoken about alternative trans
portation ideas, more specifically bike lanes
and their use and viability. I want to com
mend local politicians and officials for
responding to the idea and developing some
plans and goals. It seems that many have an
opinion on this issue, but I want to clear the
air from an actual cyclist standpoint as to
how effective logistically the lanes arfc/can
be. Using Baxter Street as the obvious
example that so many speak about, 1 wonder
how many of the folks who planned these
bike lanes have ever actually ridden a bike
on Baxter St.? It seems to me that to know
how effective the bike lanes are, trying them
out first-hand would be a prerequisite. 1 don’t
mean effective in terms of how much use is
referenced in some report they get; 1 mean
effective from a cyclist position of actually
riding in them. 1 have ridden these lanes on
Baxter a few times, up and down both sides,
and for the most part was not very pleased
with the standard of use-ability. The best
way to explain this to non-cyclist and cyclist
alike is to co.npare the experience to driving
a car. For a car traveling down Baxter, there
are certain unsaid, understood expectations
a driver has. Such things would include not
having rocks in the road of the size that
could alter the car’s path or flatten its tires,
or not having large amounts of sediment,
sticks and dirt gathered up that could physi
cally slow the car, or cause it to wreck. This
is exactly the situation that cyclists actually
can face when riding down Baxter currently.
My whole point is, it is not enough for offi
cials and taxpayers, who mean well, to
simply say here is a bike lane, we support
the idea and now we want you to use it.
There must be further responsibility to main
tain these lanes, keep them safe, swept, clear
of debris, and desirable to all types of
cyclists. So often planning and development
are done for all the right reasons and with
earnest intentions; all the while the very
ones who are to benefit most directly find
themselves in the end feeling like they were
never truly thought of to begin with.
Philip A. Verrastrc
Athens
AWAROSFEST CONFUSION
Couldn’t help but notice that Bluestring
(awarded best band live at the AlhFest 2000
and nominated for Best Band overall for
AthFest 1999) didn’t even receive any men
tion in the promos this year. Nor were they
included on “The CD." Nor are they ever
invited to play at your outdoor events. After
releasing their own first CD at the Georgia
Theater in April, they have already sold out
of their first run and are booked all over the
Southeast through November. Also couldn’t
help but hear the comments from another
band receiving an award at this year’s award
show: “Thanks, Flagpole, for telling everyone
that we suck,” when they accepted their
award. Why is it that Flagpole seems to be so
biased in the selection of the local bands
they promote? Could ii be that you only pro
mote your friends, jealousy, etc.? Isn’t it time
you listened to the “people's choice" awards
that your own publication sponsors? Athens
will not enjoy the gratitude of future success
story bands like R.E.M. if you continue to be
so insensitive.
PMP
Atlanta
APOLOGY TO BILL
I would like to issue an apology to Bill
Mallonee for the rude interruptions of his
incredible acoustic performance at this
weekend’s AthFest 2000 by the self-
absorbed, inconsiderate group of losers
(with the green-haired “Flea” wannabe on
bass) that played after he finished his set.
According to the Flagpole event schedule,
this band was, “Planet Jive." They, along
with their road crew, began to set up and do
a very amateurish sound check on the main
stage by noodling with their bass, drums,
keyboards and microphones, while Bill was
baring his soul on the nearby acoustic stage,
like he wasn’t even there. He noticed, but,
being the professional, roadwise/weary vet
eran, continued onward with only a subtle
acknowledgment of the disruption. While I
have seen and expect varying degrees of
rudeness by concert attendees in the past, I
have never witnessed such arrogant, unpro
fessional behavior by feilow performers/
roadies. Bill Mallonee is by far Athens’ and
one of America’s most talented musician/
singer/songwriters, and his music and mes
sage rose up over the din of the ignorant.
Oh, and guys, that rehashed, post disco,
“white boys got the woo-woos,” groove funk
ripoff is so 70s. Otherwise, AthFest 2000 was
great, thanks, Jared & Co.
WD. Hellhound
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