All Along The Watchtower...
Now, while this is a fantastic Jimi Hendrix song from the Vietnam war era, today's post is not about Jimi, (or even the Jehovah's Witness's publication).
But if you want...feel free to sing or hum along.
The concept of the watchtower was simple:
1- Construct something taller than anything else in the immediate area.
2- Man the structure...and watch.
That would give those on the ground the ability to see (in some cases) MILES away from their position, allowing them time to defend, or to plan an attack. It would allow the opportunity to VIEW enemy movements.
Here's the *411* from WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchtower
The concept of the watchtower is STILL used today, especially by the USFS (Forestry Service), and in every single prison that's been built.
The towers are meant to allow "eyes on" whatever needs watching, be it a forest, or a courtyard full of felons.
In the Lord of the Rings trilogy, watchtowers were strategically placed along mountains throughout the land, alongside huge piles of firewood, and when lit, these piles would become a "signal" to the NEXT watchtower in the realm, alerting everyone to impending danger and thereby issuing a call to arms. Pretty neat idea, huh?
Now, when it comes to ME, and an area like MINE (or anyone else unfortunate enough to have a neighborhood change AROUND them), I consider my house a watchtower of sorts.
It's a corner property, with an excellent view in four directions, up and down the two streets that intersect at our "ten o'clock" (when looking out our front door, that is).
And the house sits upon a slight rise in the terrain, which, although NOT quite "acropolyptic" in nature, allows for that better view.
Believe me, manning this "watchtower" is one of those jobs that becomes a real two-edged sword.
You both love it AND hate it.
When you see something that needs attention, either by yourself OR the police, it's nice to know that your field-of-vision is rarely obstructed.
On the flip side, you detest having to get up from a book, or a TV show, or even a nap to see what all that damn racket is about.
Yes indeed...welcome to the ghettohood.
However, you always have to realize that, just as in days past, a watchtower NEEDS to be staffed, and with those who have a keen eye.
To have such a structure at your disposal, and not utilize it, would spell defeat and ruin for whatever force decided to build it in the first damn place, right? Not to mention, it would be a huge prize for a conquering army to possess.
That's where I find myself these days...every day.
I man the watchtower. I see what goes on, and I report what needs reporting.
Whatever happens after that is on the shoulders on whatever agency responds.
Now (as usual), I said all THAT...to say THIS:
Yesterday, we had about 5 kids playing basketball IN THE STREET, with one of those mobile, curbside hoops. The deputy chief told me a few years back that these devices were NOT allowed ON the street, and that they should be moved to a driveway OR back yard.
Fine...sounds like a plan...I got it.
So, I call the FWPD and advise them of the situation (this was during the rush hour), as people have a tendency to speed up AND down our street (to which I have belabored this point for YEARS to the FWPD command, who would stand to make some easy $$$ for moving violations).
Well, within ten minutes, a FWPD car rolls up, speaks to the kids for about a minute, then pulls away.
And guess what?
That's right...the kids went RIGHT BACK PLAYING, like nothing ever happened. So much for "respect of the law", hmm?
I dashed an email to the deputy chief, advising HER of the situation, and that I found it odd that the officer did not orbit the block to see if, in fact the kids stopped playing in the damn street. THAT would have been good policing. I probably will not hear back on this (becoming typical).
I suppose it's going to take a "near miss" or a serious injury to get the point across about playing IN the street (when there's a perfectly good playground within several blocks). I mean who wants to shovel up what's left of some young boy after he's been hit and dragged a block because he should NOT have been in the street when that drunk-ass speeder blew up the block?
But that's the way things work these days.
((Editor's note - Got a call from the D/C around 1045 hrs., and she assured me the sector officers will be holding people IN compliance with the city ordinance that prohibits these hoops from being curbside - YAY for safety and score ONE for the GOOD guys.))
So here we are, the day after, rain coming down, and I'm hearing (on the radio) the police tackle their next fun day of abusive citizens, newly-discovered firearms, transports to the county jail, and the usual plethora of traffic clusterf$cks.
Just another day in the ghettohood...
But there is a perverted "sort" of good news.
The rain has provided us with a marvelous "water-feature" in front of our garage, courtesy of the recently clogged GUTTER.
A nice waterfall (this is not our house, but I used this picture as an example of what we have going for us), splashing upon our gravel driveway, giving the sound of some vernal oasis, far from the madding crowd is visible.
Okay, so it ain't VICTORIA FALLS in Africa, nor NIAGRA FALLS in Canada...just in case you were wondering if we started having tourists line up with their Nikons...!.
First, you have to understand, we spent more than a few bucks a while back to get some GUTTER GUARDS to prevent just such a thing from happening.
But, apparently, the guards fell asleep, or have deserted the kingdom, because the gutter is clogged...once again.
And this means, I will have to wait until the rain abates, grab the ladder, climb up and clean them out...BY HAND.
Yessir, nothing says "fun" like getting one's hands covered up to the elbow in "gutter-schmutz"...LOL.
But that's all a part of manning a "watchtower", I guess.
No one ever said it was glorious work, did they?
But someone still has to do it, because if no one does, the "kingdom" eventually falls.
And by Odin's beard...we can never let that happen...can we?
Many are the messages contained within such a statement.
And much can be learned by spending a little time in whatever watchtower YOU happen to find yourself.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.