So one of my employees almost got locked up.

Paleocon wrote:

Hmm. Is there no longer a Goodjer Commandments thread?

It was lost in the site rework. I hope it can be resurrected. I'm not sure anyone but the site admins have a copy. It's how I found this thread myself way back when!

gravity wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

Hmm. Is there no longer a Goodjer Commandments thread?

It was lost in the site rework. I hope it can be resurrected. I'm not sure anyone but the site admins have a copy. It's how I found this thread myself way back when!

I started putting together some notes for a revised version. I don't want to exactly replicate the old version, since some of those threads are better off forgotten. But there are some that are legendary.

I read this thread last night instead of watching TV. Thanks for sharing Paleo.

Paleocon wrote:
mindset.threat wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

The neighborhood is definitely changing. There are a lot more white dudes with skinny jeans and lumberjack beards buying American Spirit cigarettes now. And not just during shows at the Ottobar either. Like actually during the day.

I found out that a hipster food court opened up down the road (4 blocks) from us and caught a whole ration of crap from the self hating hipster community for how working class locals couldn't afford to eat there. They managed to run off the Walmart that was supposed to open in the abandoned used car lot, but the real estate won't stay fallow for long.

There was a time when the city was selling row houses in the neighborhood for $1 in the hopes that young professionals would be willing to revitalize the neighborhood. And though there are still plenty of Section 8 units, the number of boarded up windows and doors is gradually disappearing.

I struck up a conversation with a younger man with an ironic tee shirt and trucker cap on and he complained that it was getting as "bad" as Canton or Fells Point now. I can't tell who he was trying to keep out, but it felt like he was talking about "the suits" and families who would likely bring with them things like the enforcement of noise ordinances which I imagine he equates with "character".

I imagine that before too long, characters like Cripple Jesus, Hancock, and sh*tty Magoo will find themselves moving closer to North Ave or East toward Edmonson.

I hate to say it because it doesn't make a lot of sense, but I'll miss the neighborhood a bit too.

You're talking about Remington right?! I've been in Bolton Hill for the past 2 years and just bought a home in Hollins Park/Market/Whatever...can't tell you how bizarre it was to see Remington rowhomes routinely listed in the $300k range when I was house hunting.

Oh, the hipster food court sucks. Probably because they took a decent idea and turned it into...a hipster food court.

I am. And you probably know by now where my gas station is if you read all the clues.

Hollins is (or at least used to be) a whole lot rougher than my part of town is now. Just west of you in Edmonson is where I always hear of the shootings happening.

I can't imagine paying $300k either for a rowhome in Remington, but that's the market nowadays.

Yup, actually drove by your gas station yesterday.

My brother moved to Hollins back in 2005...back then the area was a warzone but he was able to buy a gigantic townhouse with a yard and carriage house right out of college. Fast forward to present day and home values are skyrocketing with the U of M campus expansion on the east side of the neighborhood (with another 6-7 buildings planned), the city opening up bids for the Hollins Market revamp and developers buying up dozens of properties. Despite all that, list prices are still incredibly low.

Anyway, sorry for the derail.

bepnewt wrote:

I blame all of you for me writing zero code this afternoon. I read this from start to finish.

And now I blame you all for me revisiting Acts of Gord, which I followed about 16(?) years ago. Not exactly the same thing, but in the same vein.

-BEP

I looked back and realized that this thread started months into my adventure in gas station ownership. The trip has been very interesting and mind broadening. Despite the tribulations, I am glad I did it. I encourage others to do the same if for no other reason than to witness the difficulties and contradictions you'll experience as you try to reconcile making a buck and servicing a systemically exploited population. It revealed to me so much of what is wrong with America. Things I knew intellectually, but needed to see, touch and feel. But also so much of what is right despite it. Folks working hard at preserving what little semblance of humanity they had left despite the poverty, drugs, and often arbitrary policing. I found that what they respected most was connection. My regulars kept coming back because we gave them that. Even Russell, the guy who threatened to shoot me for calling the cops after he crashed his car into my repair bay comes by for scratch offs from time to time.

About a week into taking over the station, I was just learning how to run the Lotto machine. Aside from "incident management", this had to be the most stressful part of the job at the time. Folks will freak the fcuk out if you mess up their pick 3's and pick 4's. And gods help you if you are so slow running the numbers that folks miss their midday drawings. It was just such a day that day in April.

I had a line filling my little lobby and threatening to run into the repair area. My marine mechanic had already DI barked half a dozen folks out of "his area" and the lobby was getting jammed up. I made sure to run two lines (one for lotto and one for other customers), but the line for lotto was getting unmanageable.

That was when History X came in.

History X was a wiry white guy in his mid twenties. Shaved head, swastikas and 88's tattooed all over his arms and chest. I knew this because he came in without a shirt on. His pupils were dilated so wide I could swear I saw his optic stem. This had me nervous enough considering the entire room, he and I excepted, was black.

Immediately, he pushes his way to the drink cooler and grabs an Arizona Iced Tea and starts yelling "I AM A MAN! I JUST GOT OUT OF HAGERSTOWN PRISON ON 8 YEARS FOR MANSLAUGHTER AND I'M READY TO PARTY!!".

I could tell the room was getting tense and that what I did next was going to determine the setting for the next few years. So I calmly, got out of the booth, walked up to him and said just loud enough for him and the few people around us to hear "Congratulations, sir. Now go back to your car and get your shirt on.".

He looked stunned and postured a bit, but I stood my ground and didn't flinch. After a couple more seconds, he walked out to his car and drove off.

I think that was the moment the neighborhood decided "that Asian dude" was okay.

Did he at least pay for his drink?!
The nerve!

I commend you on your strength. I'd have probably called the cops. Confrontation scares the crap out of me.

groan wrote:

Did he at least pay for his drink?!
The nerve!

I commend you on your strength. I'd have probably called the cops. Confrontation scares the crap out of me.

He left it on the counter.

The saying is true about the BPD. Only minutes away when seconds count.