Suburban War

g-d, isn't this building just so f'ugly?

Now imagine seeing it through the eyes of a five year old.

At the time, it was the greatest complex I had ever seen.

Keep in mind, I was only five, and it was probably the first building I had seen that was over three stories tall. A high rise in the middle of the 'burbs. It drew the eye of a kid. It seemed a much cooler place to live than a two-story, four bedroomed Ryan colonial.

Correction: a Ryan colonial rental.

For the last six months of kindergarten my parents rented this house while the one they were building (and still live in) was being completed. Oddly enough, the rental was pretty fucking close to what they ended up building. Keep in mind, it was a Ryan home so I'm not sure there was a lot of variation.

But every time we drove past it - which was almost daily - I'd sit in the backseat of the station wagon and stare. Oh, what a grand structure, I used to think.

It is really not. It probably never was, but what does a five year old know (except everything!!!!)? You have to figure at minimum, it's 42 years old and looks like it has never ever ever been updated. But it was a good indication on where we were and that we'd soon be home. It still is. I see it on every flight in and out of the Cleveland airport.

Yeah, I guess I'm reminiscing a bit...and for no good reason. Denton and I were over on "that" side of town a week or so ago. We attempted to drive past the old house, but I already knew it wasn't there. Years ago, it, and the entire street was eliminated for I-480. Just like we were temporary to that house, it was temporary for the world.

Yet the ugly ugly ugly apartment building stands tall - and remains. Much like my memories.



Song by: the Arcade Fire