Miz-who?

I have now officially had enough of the Misery Tigers. Where should I begin?

First of all, the Tigers celebrated Saturday's victory over Kansas in a similar fashion to how most teams celebrate winning a national championship. Sure, they beat an undefeated team in a rivalry game for a championship, but that's only half the story.

The undefeated Jayhawk team didn't play anyone worth mentioning all season and are much more well-known for their basketball team, not football. (Of course, the same could have been said about MU...when they had a decent basketball program.) Was it really that impressive to beat the Kansas Jayhawks? Maybe on the hardwood, but not on the gridiron.

The rivalry itself is a problem. The Border War, as it is more commonly known, began when vigilantes from Misery wreaked havoc throughout Kansas. For what reason? Surely these patriots only had the best of intentions and were most likely upholding the very principles for which our great nation was founded: slavery. Yes. That's right. Misery's part in the Border War was as pro-slavery agressors. Now that's a proud heritage.

Besides the many holes in the opponent and rivalry, Misery's win wasn't even that significant. They didn't win the national championship, a chance at the national championship, or even the Big 12. The only thing that the Tigers won on Saturday was the Big 12 North, or the South's little brother. Someone needed to let the Tigers know that they have a little team called Oklahoma to play this coming Saturday. Go Sooners! (More on that later.)

These are not the only problems I have with Mizzou's football success. There was a sign at Saturday's game theat read "Kansas Football: a tradition since September". That same sign could apply to Misery. After this week, the Tigers will have spent two weeks at #1...all time. Compare this to...oh, I don't know...let's say Ohio State. The Buckeyes spent more weeks than that just this season and spent all of last season at #1. Heck, they've won national championships seven times. Mizzou is this year's Rutgers, Boise State, or _______________ (insert flash-in-the-pan team here).

This success will be short-lived, though. The coverboy for the current Sports Illustrated is none other than Misery quarterback, Chase Daniel. While to naive Mizzou fans this might seem like a great thing, those of us more familiar with sporting lore understand that this is a bad omen. There is a little thing called the Sports Illustrated jinx. The jinx basically means that once an athlete or a team is featured on the SI cover, something bad happens like a loss or career-ending injury. Good luck with that one, Chase.

The biggest reason I'm over Mizzou-mania is that the Tigers are the lone barrier between Ohio State and a return trip to the national championship game. If the Oklahoma Sooners win Saturday in the Big 12 championship (which they're favored to do), then The Ohio State University Buckeyes will get their shot at redemption despite the team being one year away from true national championship contention. So, this weekend I'm an OU fan. Go Sooners!

Coffee and Dreams for the District

The "District", the partially nameless moniker arbitrarily given to COMO's downtown area, is constantly witnessing changes in storefronts and eateries - for better and worse. It often occurs to me that this part of COMO is both the reason this place is livable and the source of much of my misery. This contradictory feeling is mainly due the potential of the downtown that never feels fulfilled.

I know that it's already been reviewed by "real" journalists, but I have to express my pleasure in discovering the District's newest coffee shop, Kaldi's. From what I've heard, Kaldi's is based out of St. Louis and actually supplies much of the coffee for some Columbia coffee joints. So, it's not completely new to Misery, but it is a welcome new member of the District.

Kaldi's took over the nice corner space on 9th and Cherry, once occupied by one of those crappy noodle chains. I have to say that the space is way more appropriate for a coffee shop than it was for soup and noodles. The interior is sleek, trademarked with Kaldi's logo, and provides a variety of seating.

The coffee has been fine. Actually, I've liked most of the coffee in COMO. None of it is spectacular, but it's all well-roasted and brewed. The latte' at Kaldi's is a little heavy on the milkiness and light on the coffee taste. The coffee doesn't stick out which is fine - it's neither spectacular nor bitter.

What I like is that Kaldi's provides another coffee space that isn't hippie-dippy (Lakota), hipster-Christian (Artisan), or loaded with local yokels (Coffee Zone). It's an alternative that diversifies the coffee scene in downtown COMO without being Starbuck's.

The menu is varied and interesting, similar to Artisan. R and I enjoyed our savory crepes (salmon in one, turkey sausage and bacon in the other). The crepes were interesting, but a little on the Misery-bland side.

Over breakfast, we got to talking about the changes that are happening in the district.

First of all, there is an actual tapas restaurant. We're not talking about a place that serves Horsd'œuvres on little plates. No. We're talking about real Spanish-influenced tapas. Throw in some Rioja and I might forget I'm in Misery.

Secondly, there is word that Cucina Sorella and/or Trattoria Strada Nova will be returning upon the arrival of its founder. This would be a welcome return of one of COMO's best breakfast spots. Without Cucina, the quality of breakfast in this town dropped dramatically.

Third, it appears that the Ragtag/Uprise move to Hitt Street is making serious progress. I, for one, will be eager to attend films at the Ragtag knowing that there will be two to choose from. Rumor has it that one theater will have seats similar to the thrift store throw-aways like the current location and the other will have more traditional theater seating. Whichever is fine with me. I'm just exited to have choices of indie films in this town.

As far as the dreams I have for the District, I wish some stores would fill the empty space. I'd even be fine with some chain stores like Urban Outfitters or Banana Republic. These kinds of stores would be better than no stores and might bring additional traffic downtown to help support the existing businesses. Also, the rumor of Trader Joe's coming to COMO has to come to fruition. A downtown location would be ideal and this town could easily support the discount natural/organic/international food store.

Then, there are the businesses in COMO that should be downtown and not in a strip mall. JinaYoo's Asian Bistro has been the happiest addition to COMO's dismal dining scene in the last three years and should be downtown. Speaking of great Asian food, why hasn't Osaka made the move to the District? Besides the sheer entertainment of the hibachi, their sushi is far superior to Sake, downtown's current sushi joint.

These improvements and the return of hotels to downtown might even be enough to give the District a real name. (The Doc[umentary] District? The Mizzou District? The District of Columbia?) The hotels could be a big piece. There is talk of the Tiger returning to its golden era as a grand hotel. Then there's the project by the university to create a downtown hotel that can host conferences. (However, can this really happen when the university is in such dire economic straights?) Hotels would provide the District with the population and life it needs to be a viable downtown.

I'm coming to terms with the possibility that I may be here for quite awhile, so I want the place to improve as much as possible. A lot of that improvement can happen downtown to make this an exciting place to live. It could give me a reason to forget that we're two-hours from any major city with real restaurants and entertainment.

In the meantime, I'll attend the Modest Mouse show on Thursday (after a burger at Booche's), catch a flick at the Ragtag, and stay at home Saturday to watch The Game (OSU/Michigan-for all of you who aren't familiar with college football). That should do for now.

Mediocrity Rules...Man

I've had a lot on my mind lately, and it's only just become coherent enough in my mind to express on this blog. However, I suspect that it's not going to come out too coherent, but I'll let you all judge for yourselves. (Already incoherent, huh?)

In two other blogs to which I contribute, I've explored this idea of mediocrity in its various forms. In one blog, I attempted to interpret the lyrics to a Pavement song, "Starlings in the Slipstream". The song expresses this idea of existing pressure-free in a metaphorical slipstream. The other was a post for MMEET Scholars in which we explore some writing about how we have failed boys by allowing them to be...well...boys. (I believe that MMEET stands for Mizzou Men for Excellence in Elementary Teaching...or something like that.) Either way, this idea of mediocrity permeating through various aspects of "society" has always struck a chord with me.

My point is that mediocrity often manifests in the forms of an existence free of any burdens and
the acceptance of antiquated social constructions as fact or rules by which to live. Rich, white men exist in that slipstream without any real acknowledgment as to how they got there or that the efforts of the disenfranchised helped them achieve their privilege. The social constructions created by those in power helped them get there as well as assisted in maintaining their position.

Have I lost you, yet?

This all came together for me when I was singing to myself the Le Tigre song "Mediocrity Rules". Normally, I sing the chorus with a comma: Mediocrity rules, man! But I soon realized that maybe what Kathleen Hannah is preaching that mediocrity rules man. As long as mediocrity is the standard by which we live, we'll accept anything.

Take the "administration" for example. We have a C-average student who had a nasty coke habit and an inability to verbally express an intelligent thought as our nation's president...twice*! Then, they further prove their incompetence by blindly leading us into an un-winnable war and totally mismanaging the effort along the way. Yes, according to national polls, the majority of the country is not happy with our "situation", but there are still people willing to give it some time to straighten out. Additionally, it looks like Bush's successor is only going to be moderately better.

When are people going to grow tired of the mediocrity? When will we rise up? Probably not tonight, but it will have to happen someday. I guess it starts when we question our privilege or the social constructs that promote those hierarchies.

Until that day, mediocrity rules man.

*I still contend that Bush didn't win either election, but that's old news.

NPR=Depressing

Has anyone out there listened to NPR lately? It's been freakin' depressing. Oil prices are on the rise. The housing market is in the tank. The government is watching (or listening) our every move while they accomplish nothing that will actually help us in any way. They're playing that sad piano tune on Marketplace. It goes on and on from there and it's like this every morning.

What I could do is stop listening to NPR or end our subscription to the New York Times. All news is bad news lately and that gets tiresome. I'm not saying that I want the crap Today or Good Morning America is shoveling but geesh.

Can't we have one day of good news? Scientists discover the cure for AIDS and cancer. The five richest men in the world decide to provide clean water systems for all of Africa. A team from Cleveland wins a championship. Something.

The worst part about all this bad news is that people (Americans, I'm looking your way) seem to be oblivious to what's falling apart all around them. The rich keep getting richer while the poor get nothing. SUV's continue to roll off the dealership lots. (Didn't you see Al Gore's PowerPoint presentation?) Americans run up crazy amounts of debt despite the ever-shrinking dollar and the fact that we are in a war. Maybe it's just Misery-ians, but hardly anyone is paying attention.

I know, I know. All this doomsday and Misery stuff gets old, but you have to admit that this is not exactly the greatest time period in the history of the world. NPR is depressing. I can't help that.

Not to worry. It's Tuesday, and that means some new music will come out. It's getting closer and closer to November when I'll get to see The Thermals and Modest Mouse within a week of each other. I'll see that new Wes Anderson movie and feel OK. I, like most people, will find something to divert my attention from the negative.

Of course, we're all too good at finding these diversions. Some of us throw ourselves into our work. Others buy stuff. While others (this is me) turn to entertainment to help them forget there is a real world out there rife with problems. We all have some form of escape.

Do these problems hang around because we don't deal with them? Is there even anything we can do about the crummy economy, poverty, etc.? Or are we just trying to wait them out? You know, this too shall pass. I don't know. Whatever it is, I'll probably blog about until something else comes along. For now, I've got 54 minutes of NPR left this morning before they play some lame-ass classical music. Or, in other words: Back to Misery.

The Status MO

A common theme around my various social cirlces has to do with the status quo, or the fact that Misery-ians live by the status quo, or status MO as I like to call it. Everything's ok the way it is. Nothing should change. This is as good as it will get. What's there to complain about?

Natives of COMO often ask why I'm so miserable here or what's so bad about this place. They point out that it's a good place to raise children. The university offers so much to the community. We get some good shows. Blah blah blah blah blah...

The town is not that bad, but it's not that good either. It's blah. It's absolutely unremarkable, but that's ok with everybody.

Now, I know that it's not just Misery. Misery, by virtue of being located smack-dab in the middle of this country, is simply an ideal example of America's movement toward mediocrity. This entire place is obsessed with making everyone homogeneous and boring. I also know that I've harped on this before, but I feel it needs to be repeated.

This place is not so bad, and it's not so good either. Misery is blah. It's so blah that I don't really want to blog about it anymore.