by the skin of our teeth

brett and i do not live on one of the five streets that make up the ghettos of grand rapids. but we do live in the heart of the city very near to some of those streets. in the last few days or so there have been five shootings within blocks of my home. that's not to mention the sixteen other southeast side shootings that have occurred since January. some area pastors have had the idea to start walking the streets more, getting to know the neighbors. residents are pleading for police to have a greater presence in the area, young, black, male residents. i hope the police listen to them. i'm not afraid of being shot. and i'm not afraid to continue to jog, bike, and walk through the streets of my neighborhood. in fact, perhaps i will join those pastors and do these things more so that i can be a positive presence too. i care about those streets.

in other news...brett and i went backpacking in Ludington last weekend. apparently, officials caught an alligator in the area. we will continue living by the skin of our teeth. -SN

*for the record, i do not have skin on my teeth.