Well, my friend M and I who roomed with this delightful creature had just returned from our missions in New York City. This left us with highly sensitive bull crap meters and a toughness honed by 18 months of walking at night through dangerous neighborhoods handing out our phone numbers to random strangers.
I have to say that although I'm sure I was in danger from time to time during my 18 months in Queens and Brooklyn, I was never scared or nervous. I was on the Lord's errand and was where I was supposed to be.
One night after sharing our favorite "I could have been killed this one time...." stories (a favorite pastime of returned missionaries in general and New York South missionaries in particular), Stinky piped up with "Yeah, but you didn't serve in Kansas City. Kansas City is REALLY dangerous." We scoffed and laughed at her. I mean we had served in NEW YORK CITY! A city KNOWN for danger and crime.
Thereafter the phrase, "Yeah, but I've been to Kansas City!" became synonymous with bull crap.
Why do I bring this up today?
For the past two years, the people at Walletpop.com have compiled the 25 worst neighborhoods in the United States. Not too surprisingly Las Vegas made the list. Not once. Not twice. But count 'em THREE TIMES.
Let me make it even clearer. Those three neighborhoods are in the top EIGHT most dangerous.
Why do I bring this up? Not to scare my mother (who refused to allow me to student teach in inner city Washington D.C. even though I'd served my mission in New York City), although she might think otherwise. Nope.
I'm sharing this info to let you know that my school is located right smack dab in the middle of the third most dangerous neighborhood in the United States:
yep. That one.
To sum up, we ship the best and the brightest students from all over Las Vegas to a neighborhood wherein you have a 1 in 7 chance of being a victim of crime.
Here's the thing. Like my time as a young missionary in New York City, I have never felt nervous or worried or even hesitant about my safety at my school. I suppose being where you're supposed to be and doing what you're supposed to do makes all of the difference.
Also, I mention this list because for all of these years I felt so big and bad and brave for working Bed Stuy and South Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Turns out they didn't even make the list. What a let down.
Kansas City did. It's number 23. I guess Stinky had a point.
But I'VE been to Las Vegas 89106!
5 comments:
I never doubted your NYC bad a$$ery. Not even for a second.
However, after spending some time in Kansas City myself,I can totally understand how people would resort to living a life of crime. Once you've been there, you'll understand....Stinky may have been onto something ;)
I am a little shocked, and maybe disappointed, that not a single California city made the list. There goes all of my street cred.
Stinky Lori! Stinky Lori! I have never again encountered man or woman with so much stink. Ugh.
I remember that moment so clearly. We were all like "What are you smoking??" That could also account for some of the stench.
Also, keep in mind that this was said in 1997ish. Prior to the heyday of Giuliani, so if you account for NY crime deflation over the years, I still think that you would win that discussion.
Remember that time we actually were in Kansas City? It was a little sketchy, but nothing I brag about too much.
I wanted to comment a couple of days ago but my batteries were dead in my keyboard and I was too lazy to go change them. meh... my mouse worked.... I was getting around my favorite blogs.
I've never heard this story. You had me laughing from "stinky nearly died from the flu when she was 12". You had me laugh/crying at "walking at night...handing our phnoe number out to random strangers"
but I sobered up real quick when I found out where you work. Freaky stuff maury. Now I'm going to have to worry about you all day long!
Ha! While I was reading the first paragraph I knew exactly WHO you were talking about ;) Yes, she was a bit stinky and had a few irritating habits, especially for C to deal with. My favorite was her trying to get you, C, and me to call the people who had 'checked out' movies from her collection because she wanted them back. LOL!! Oh, and watching soap operas while reading Harlequin romance novels during commercials (the ultimate multi-tasking). I wonder where she ended up?
I might have to agree with Mycket. Maybe Guiliani turned it around. Or, maybe the pollsters were too scared to get lost in Flatbush!
Congratulations, you have now officially TOPPED Stinky!
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