Living in the hood. 

My God!  Whatever possessed me to think that living in the ghetto would be a good idea?  I've lived there for just over two years now.  So far, I have had my car stereo stolen and I've had to replace both side windows and the windshield in my truck.  What did I learn?  Never leave valuables in your vehicle, and if you lock your doors, they'll only smash your windows to get in.  I've had stuff stolen from the back of the truck and I've also had my car rifled through.

One day Leah and I went outside and found that someone had stolen both of her swings off of her swing set.  I've had both screen doors vandalized, my screen on my kitchen window removed and broken, and a basement window smashed in an attempted break in.

I've had people beg me for money.  Come to my door, start a conversation through the screen and ask to be let in.  Then look at me funny when I said no.  Ask me for rides.  I've had people try to pick me up on the street as I walk from my car to my yard.  I've even had to chase a guy out of my yard once.  He was all drugged up and was apparantly looking for his car.  I've watched johns pick up hookers at the Fas Gas on the corner.  I've had the police at my house three times so far.  The building across the street from me burned down because of drunk people living there.  A guy died just outside of it on the ground in front.  There is a halfway house on my corner.  I have my basement windows double barred.

An old lady was murdered in my house before I moved into it.  It remains unsolved.  My fence was burned down, also before I moved in.  The charred posts are still there.  I've watched a little baby, barely able to walk, chase a kitty down the entire block, into the street and then into a neighbours yard without a parent around anywhere.  I hear people outside partying and fighting at all hours of the night and have called the police on more than one occasion.  Once we saw a guy lying in the street with another guy standing over him.  We found out that a car hit him and didn't stop.  I've had people stand in front of my car, refusing to let me pass, for no reason at all.

And to top it off, you must always wear shoes outside at all times  in case of disgarded needles and glass.  Just after Christmas, I was taking out the trash and found the handle of a large kitchen knife, covered with brown stuff, sticking out of the snowbank in front of my back gate.  I called the police and they took it away.

I don't know what I've been thinking.  Only three more years left until the house is mine, and then I can sell it and move to Sutherland.  (GLEE).