I find that on my two blogs (design and food) that the people who make malicious and nasty comments only do so anonymously. I am opening myself up with my opinions, and doing so in my own name. I would expect the same courtesy from people who are commenting, both positively and negatively.

I am often shocked at the vitriol in some comments. It literally leaves me reeling!

What bar is that in the picture?

I was hoping someone would guess, but maybe it's too obscure. It's Friend's. EL

I don't know about you, but I never had problems finding limited but free parking on Eastern Ave or Fleet Street, or anything above those streets on Broadway.

Though I don't live in the city, I'm surprised that the rage is not effective enough against all those ugly high rise parking garages, given the rate that they're getting built especially around downtown.

I think it's parking karma that determines if you get a space.

I'm right with you on this one. I happen to be the greatest parallel parker in the universe, so (challenge alert) I can get into spaces the rest of you probably wouldn't dare to attempt, but I have bad parking karma. EL

Don't often eat in the city - Reason number 1 - the lack of parking! Additionally, I live in a townhouse community with too little parking and strangers messing up our "understood" parking arrangement are not looked upon kindly! There's nothing to do but move...if you can sell your house...if you can afford a new one...if you...well you get the drift..

My husband has better parking karma than I do, as a rule, and he is more courageous about squeezing into a spot with traffic bearing down on him. Me, I'd happily settle for a half-decent parking spot at the Towson Trader Joe's!

Is it Birches in Canton?

Andy -- EL already disclosed the place in italics at the 12:52 PM entry (it's Friends at Fells Point).

This topic prompts me to post about my own neighborhood- the part of Cold Spring Lane known as the Dopkin Empire with Alonso's, Miss Shirley, Loco Hombre, and Sgetti Eddie's. I suppose I should be happy that Eddie is making money hand over fist and inhabiting previously vacant commercial space in the area, but frankly, we are overrun with cars and zooming traffic. It is very unpleasant to walk my dog and the constant horn honking for impatient drivers waiting for those who parallel parking challenged is unbearable. As much as I like my neighborhood and its conveniences, I wish these people would GO AWAY! I'm glad Eddie hires and army of people to clean up after them, I can only imagine the garbage that would pile up. If you do come to my 'hood, please don't attempt to cross on foot against oncoming traffic, it's a dangerous through-way! They do not stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, regardless of traffic signal.

Oh, Ms. EL... I will challenge you to a parallel parking duel any time, any place. I've worked in Mt. Vernon, lived in Locust Point and even impressed the locals with my parallel parking skills in Cardiff. I can park with 6" on either end... and I drive a Volvo wagon (even in Wales!).

Elizabeth said I happen to be the greatest parallel parker in the universe

No, my next door neighbor is the greatest parallel parker in the universe. I thought that I was until I saw her at work.

Sometimes, though, when I come home late in the evening from a rehearsal, the Force will be with me and I'll manage to park in space so small that when I look at it after I'm parked I can't understand how I actually did it (3 to 4 inch margins at front and back). These kind of parking jobs can only be done when one is in a kind of Zen state where you're not thinking too consciously about what you're doing. If you stop to think, you don't have a chance.

I think most folks in my neighbourhood would be thrilled if folks outside thought anything at all of us.

As for parking, take the bus. Or walk. Cars and cities don't mix.

Cars and cities don't mix.

While I agree with that in theory, Baltimore has lousy public transportation. I'm reminded of that whenever I visit DC or New York (I just came back from three days in New York).

First its the Piano one and now Mr. VoR is going to rehearsals. Another artiste in the sandbox. If you might, care to share the purpose of the rehersals? Thank you in advance for what ever your decision.

Hey Big Ace, what bar is the photo of?

hee hee.

Seriously though, you should have given us a chance to guess. I recognized it. That's one of my favorite places to drink in Fells Point.

To Robert the Single (and Curious) One:

I'm merely a musician, which isn't quite as low a life form as a theater person. Or wait, maybe I have that backwards...

My public gig is with the Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra. The other band I'm in plays private parties, and practically no one I know has ever heard us play.

I am the worst parallel parker in the world. Frequently even if there are three open spaces in a row I still end up two feet off the curb. This makes my trips to the Wine Source a real adventure. For this reason I love parking garages and will gladly pay whatever they charge.

Personally, I'm tired of Timonium being characterized as a relatively safe, upper middle class suburb with plenty of places to park. And, FYI, we are good enough for one, maybe two, Starbucks.

EL....I beg to differ. I can park a Cadillac in a space fit for a Mini. Of course the cars won't look the same when I'm finished. But seriously folks, sometimes whether or not we dine in Fells Point depends on whether or not we can park. This city is extremely auto-dependant. That also applies to Hampden, Federal Hill, etc....

Yes, but Federal Hill and Fells both have garages. Place like Hampden, Greektown, and Butcher's Hill require some level of parking skills.

Growing up in Bel Air, the only time I would parallel park was when I was taking the driving test. But when I met my wife, who was living in Mount Vernon at the time, I had to learn how to park on the street. I also had to learn to move my car before 7 am.

There's an interesting take on Fells Point vs. Federal Hill in the Baltimore Guide, a free distribution paper in East and South Baltimore. The link is too long for me to copy here, but its the soboblog at www.baltimoreguide.com.

There's an interesting take on Fells Point vs. Federal Hill in the Baltimore Guide, a free distribution paper in East and South Baltimore. The link is too long for me to copy here, but its the soboblog at www.baltimoreguide.com.

That blog is here, but I'm confused as to whether you're referring to a specific entry in it or not. If so, how about a clue to find it?

Here's da link.

And kudos to da Guide for pulling itself together and creating a decent looking web site. Just a few years ago it had none. Bravo.

So, Hal, you are not only the Voice of Reason, but also a member of the BMO. You could have a whole string of initials after your name! Are you in the photo?

Dahlink said:

also a member of the BMO. ... Are you in the photo?

I'm not saying, 'cause if I am in the photo, it's not a very flattering picture. :-)

All in favour of designating VoR as the blond on the far left in the gold/silver full length number? ; )

the blond on the far left in the gold/silver full length number

Ha! Good one, Robert!

Someone with good detective skills could narrow it down to two choices.

Okay, I guess my detective skills aren't up to par. Could we have a clue? (Have you already told us what instrument you play?)

Okay, so you're taller.

Dahlink: click on the member link top, right. Then go back to the picture. I'm guessing people are listed, by section, left to right.

He doesn't need to tell us what instrument he plays. There's a list of instuments with the names of who plays each under About the Orchestra, and then Members.

Mandobass--it just doesn't get more manly than that.

Wait - have I been insulted? "First it's the Piano one"? "I'm merely a musician, which isn't quite as low a life form as a theater person. Or wait, maybe I have that backwards..."?

My guess is that Hal VoR is second from right in the back row with his Mandobass.

To clear up any confusion, I don't only do theatre. I am also (but not merely) a musician and work as Artistic Director of the New Wave Singers of Baltimore (www.newwavesingers.org). I feel like EL because I still remain anonymous thanks to the pic of the chorus. All you really see is bald spot - LOL.

P-Rob: I thought you only did theater? But you also do theatre? Oh my, what a fancy lad.

Piano Rob, is your group related to the New Main Street Singers? I feel a mighty wind blowin'!

Piano Rob, I was just teasing you (mostly) about theater people. I will say, though, that as recently as December (at the Night of 100 Elvises) I've had to load in through the kitchen. :-)

Oh, your guess was pretty close.

Hal - Trust me, after ## years of theatre work, I am used to the teasing, if only because actors (which I am not) can be such a quirky bunch.

OMG - It's an idiosyncrasy of mine regarding the use of "theatre" and "theater." I use the former when talking about live stage productions and venues; the latter is for auditoriums that show movies. However, I once drew up a proposal that would develop a new performing troupe that, along with a building of the same name, would be called Theater Theatre.

This isn't the ideal forum, but if this doesn't come under Neighborhood Rage, I'm not sure what does.

I just want to raise awareness for the fact that Zach Sowers, victim of last year's brutal assault near Patterson Park, passed away last night. Perhaps we can give a moment to his family and friends and wish them peace in this tragic time.

http://www.zachsowers.com

Requiescat in pace. Amen