HONK IF YOU LOVE INFLATABLE HIPPOS AND HATE AUTOCRATS

 

St. Louis’ No Kings protest spilled out of Kiener Plaza to the edge of Market Street, downtown’s main east-west thoroughfare. Lots of passing motorists honked their approval, even a city fire truck.                 

THE LONG VIEW

I took this while standing near the southwest corner of the new soccer stadium, looking east on Market Street, one of the main thoroughfares downtown. The landscaping and bits of architecture are interesting. The red roof structure in the center is Union Station, now a swanky hotel. To the right is the old train shed that today covers a variety of restaurants and entertainment. The tall building in the center with a dome is the home of the local and regional federal courts. Then, moving left, some office buildings, the Arch and a state courts building.  

The area will be packed tonight for the opening game of St. Louis City Soccer Club. Hard to believe, but I read that the team received 60,000 deposits on season tickets for a stadium that holds 22,500.          

BLUE PERIOD

I didn't see anything about it in the national news but there was a meme going around yesterday of lighting up things in blue in honor of health care providers. Downtown had new street lights installed recently. The stems can be lit in any variety of colors and patterns so they were with the program. The Arch was not. 

It was very quiet downtown. As you can see, my tripod and I were in the middle of a traffic lane. A bit more of this to come.       

Market Street, Rain, Red Over Green

One of those through-your-wet-windshield shots. I've got some more AYPO pix I could post but that may be getting old.  Unlike much of the northern hemisphere, it's been cool and wet here for a few days, very unusual for this time of year. It won't last, though.

Looking forward to getting some fresh material. I've been pretty slowed down by some significant low back arthritis. Got a steroid shot a few days ago and what a change. Looking forward to Kansas City and deep Kansas this weekend. 

The Lonliest Guys in Town

There aren't a lot of Republicans in the City of St. Louis proper. I think every single elective office is held by a Democrat. On the other hand, they have lots of colleagues in the suburbs and surrounding rural areas. The state government is very far right wing. (Well, if it's any consolation, neighbouring Kansas is worse.) Now, it is a completely personal opinion but I think that this group, in its current form, is allied with the forces of darkness. Haven't they read Matthew 19:24 or 19:21? The party of Abrahan Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower wasn't like what exists today.  

Afternoon update: I just came across this. You can see what you think if you have the time. Some of you will agree and some will think I/we are idiots.    

Espionage

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Me and the guy from the Post-Dispatch weren't the only ones taking pictures at Occupy St. Louis' march to the Bank of America building. Downtown's office buildings are full of lawyers, bankers and what not. This one got some phone cam shots of the marchers for, I don't know, maybe his scrap book. Now I look something like this when I play my professional role, albeit with less hair, a cheaper suit and scuffed shoes. My knees couldn't possibly do a squat like that. I have to kneel for low angle shots.

But now that I think of it, I was once the object of such observation years ago. I was much younger, thinner and more hirsute, sauntering down Olive Street to some evening engagement. As was the legal fashion of the day, I was wearing a three piece navy pin stripe suit and carrying an attache case. An older African-American man who seemed down on his luck came from the opposite direction, ran his eyes over me and muttered, "Man, you sure enough is a white boy," as we passed.

What goes around comes around. Don't pre-judge guys in suits.

LATE UPDATE: The St. Louis Cardinals win the National League championship, defeating Milwaukee 12 - 6! Utterly improbable. The World Series begins in St. Louis Wednesday night. Your lens in The Lou expects to be there.

From Wall Street to Market Street

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Gordon Gecko would like this inflated device. A local bank had it at a community event downtown on Market Street, drawing attention to their booth. There's an obvious metaphor here for current financial news. It was big, alluring, full of fake money. If someone stuck a little pin into it as they passed by it would collapse. Gecko said, "Greed is good." Well, perhaps there is a limit.

WHAT'S ON FOR WEEKEND PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE LOU: two good things. On Saturday we have the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, which is quite a spectacle. I had a well-received post about it a year ago. On Sunday afternoon, the Cardinals baseball team has an open house at Busch Stadium for season ticket holders. We'll get to visit the dugouts and clubhouses, and maybe wander around on the field. Camera in hand, of course.

TOMORROW: it's panoramic.