Basher: So unless we intend to do this job in Reno, we’re in barney.
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Basher: Barney Rubble.
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Basher: Trouble!

I just realized something the other day that let me know the world I used to live in is over. So I hit the Starbucks downtown (1. because they’re always cool and I’ve never had an incident at that one 2. so I can flirt with the Italian bird) on my way home and for some reason I just looked around and really realized where I was. The Starbucks that I frequent actually used to be a Sunny’s Surplus and I used to love that spot. All the goods for cheap (until fatigues came in style). I have no idea how much money I have dropped there…hell even how much my moms spent on the both of us there…that’s how far back it went. Then I started to look around. Diagonally across is Bedrock this new spot with pool tables and games, a Jukebox (that does have Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth on it) and a cute sista tending bar. It’s a mid-scale place. You don’t need a jacket but, long white tees won’t get in. The drinks aren’t mega-pricey but, they aren’t Cheers prices either. That place used to be the Vault. One of those clubs that featured various genre of performer, wasn’t always open, but was a good place to see a show. I remember my man Trey Born Star got kicked out cause he was underage and they caught him with a beer. We told him to wait in the car til the show was over. The place is cool now but, it’s more of a place to take a business partner than your ace. Then we get to the most glaring of all the transactions. The France-Merrick. In a place where James Brown (R.I.P.) used to play they now show Chicago and Twelve Angry Men. People come out in all their finery to display themselves and see the shows. The crazy part of all my reminiscing is that, these two blocks (as I remember them) were the best place to get your ass kicked, robbed, buy weed or do something illegal. Crazy Johns and the parking lot next to it was a place that most people I know have been to at some time in their life. All of these people have a story about something happening there as well. Lexington Terrace, The East Side Boys (no Lil Jon) and people from various hoods passed through there. People from various hoods got hurt there as well. Weed was smoked, stolen cars shown off and you better be good at Street Fighter II. Now if I stand too long I pull out my phone or something so none of the Downtown Baltimore people will think I’m a threat to the punters (sorry, I watched Snatch the other night). To think, in my wonder years none of the folks who brazenly stroll this area would have really wanted to drive through. That was then, this is now. Now their are 5 seperate places within a few square blocks of there where you can rent a nice (expensive) loft. I was joking the other day that it was turning into Up Top (N.Y.) just without rent control. The young bucks don’t know. The elders may be a little glad, people my age…well I don’t know what to think anyway. I’m sure my kids will have a Crazy Johns of their own…but knowing what mine has become is a little hard to deal with. Especially since The Hippodrome used to have the greatest Black Performers back in the day. Now…they haven’t had one show that I want to go see. As a matter of fact around Christmas Nick Lachey was there. I didn’t think he really went anywhere and if that’s what they consider quality entertainment, I’d rather go to the arena and see a Monster Truck show. As nice as it all looks they’re doing a Lupe Fiasco on what I know…Kick - Push.