A Streetcar Named…Cincinnati?

The Streetcar is once again in the news and, as usual, polarizing themasses.

Now, I’ve never been to Portland, but they seem to have a streetcar that works in favor of their economy. I can’t say I know why as it’s been there for a couple years on top of decades of strong urban core development. There is also strong rhetoric juxtaposing race issues between Cincinnati and Portland. I’m not a smart man, but I’ve found the strongest race-related language comes from the individuals NOT living in the city. That’s not to say anything about anything, but rather just my own personal observation and experience.

I have, however, been to New Orleans a couple times. NO has a fairly large black/low socioeconomic population, an urban core that has experienced some fairly significant economic hiccups over the last couple years, and sure enough a streetcar system. I have ridden their streetcar the times I have been there and found it to be a pleasant experience.

I know, it’s pretty impossible for me to talk about the strengths of a system which I know virtually nothing about. What I do know is the City of Cincinnati is a pretty great place. Even if you put aside Samuel Clemmens quote of Cincinnati being decades behind the rest of the county, this city has a rich history and a potential for even greater impact-if leaders will rise up and lead that kind of change.

And ‘that kind of change’ is directly related to the the biggest source of my frustration in opposition to the Streetcar Development. Opponents believe it won’t stimulate economic growth along the planned route(s), won’t curb urban crime rates, and wreak havoc on the City’s tax base.  I’m not an economist, and I’m not an urban anthropologist so I can’t speak to any of those issues without an emotionally charged debate ensuing-just read the comment thread of any online article regarding the streetcar to get your fill of that.

No, what bothers me most is hard to put my finger on, but it has to do with the, seemingly, lack of want of change. Themasses want change but don’t want to risk anything to create change. All I ever see, hear, and feel is a ‘chicken and the egg’ debate about how the streetcar will provide a tax base or it will cause a tax void and how you have to have one to fulfill the other. Same with crime rates and how one has to be fixed before the other will see positive growth…

So why not risk? Why not take a chance to develop a system that works in other cities? What is the worst that happens by following through with this development? Will more people leave than are already leaving? Will crime really go up further? Will business really leave the urban core faster than they already are because of this system? At the end of the day, we have to risk something to see change. I would hate to see projects fail before starting because some, who usually don’t even live in the city, won’t take a chance on a small project that could have huge rewards for a terrific place like Cincinnati. But you don’t have to take my word for it.

***Update – Check this out! It won’t even increase your taxes to complete

the start of a new portfolio

I have added a new feature to my skill set. I shot my first wedding a couple of weeks ago. And not ’shot’ as in pulled a weapon and used projectiles to eradicate people who were dressed to the nines, but rather use of a camera to capture the moment of people sharing in a memorable acts.

I learned a few things that day about event photography:

1. It is stressful.
2. It is rewarding.
3. It requires preparation.
4. It requires patience.
5. It requires quick decisions.
6. It requires knowledge of the craft.

I’m not going to be pursuing this as a full time gig. I enjoyed it; and if asked to shoot another wedding I might possibly accept.

Overall it was a wonderful distraction to the real world of job seeking and fear. Congrats Jason and Emily. I hope your first year of wedded bliss is filled with joy and memories. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your wedding and permitting me to explore the depths of my photographic hobby. Thank you for the grace and permission to risk your day so I might stretch my knowledge into giving us both something to remember.

Who are the people allowing you to explore your talents, gifts, and knowledge while knowing what the risks are to them? What would you explore if you had the grace to implement your hobbies into real world applications?