Stroll down Masonic Drive

Mike provides a critical look at pedestrian and public transit infrastructure in Alexandria, Louisiana, through his personal commutes without a car, notably the lack of sidewalks, crosswalks, and clear bus stop information. He highlights the dangers pedestrians face and its disproportionate burden on marginalized communities living in neighborhoods nearby.

Despite these issues, Mike notes a glimmer of hope as the city begins building new sidewalks finally, and advocates for a shift away from car-dependent culture, emphasizing the financial burden of car ownership and the environmental consequences, while lauding the efforts of Alexandria's latest public works priorities.

This is Mike George, coming at you live on assignment in good old Alexandria, Louisiana. I can’t call this "Crimson House Alexandria" anymore because that entity is officially gone. It’s been six months since I left Cleco, and in that time, I’ve raised exactly zero dollars for what I thought was a vital service: housing for people who are "on their ass"—ironically, including myself now.

But honestly? Sometimes I feel like not having a home is a blessing in disguise. I’m a total homebody; if I had a place, I’d spend all day inside smoking weed and playing video games. Instead, I’m out here "free as a bird," and I’ve gotten so much done this Friday.

I just ran into a guy named Robert who walks about 20 miles a day. My phone tells me I’m averaging about 15,000 steps, but out here, you really have to worry about the drivers. If you don’t stay on the curb, those big trucks with the wide mirrors will take you out.

It enrages me when I read the Alexandria Town Talk and see another traffic fatality—usually someone black or homeless—and the articles act like it’s the pedestrian's fault. They don’t consider that there are no crosswalks or infrastructure. It’s absurd to me that in 2022, I’m walking on dirt and grass because there isn’t a sidewalk in sight, even near a hospital, a Target, or a Walmart. They can spend $200 million on an I-49 interchange, but they can't build a crosswalk? That’s not a question of money; it’s a question of values.

I actually went looking for the administrative offices of Atrans (the bus service) today. It was like looking for the Wizard of Oz, only to find there is no "wizard". However, I did have a lovely conversation with a woman named Tina who works there. I’m applying for a Transit Analyst position. I don’t need to do much "analysis" to see how messed up things are—like bus stops that are just a bench with no schedule, no map, and no instructions.

I’m an electrical engineer by trade, but I’m tired of the oil and gas mindset. One of my mentors, Lisa Barton, once told me: "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good". I can be an OCD perfectionist, and I let that frustration turn into hatred sometimes, but I’m trying to move past that.

People think I don't have a car because I'm poor, but I view a car as a "money pit". Between the car payment, insurance, tickets, and towing, it’s the worst investment ever. I’m a stoner, and I find driving very impersonal and stressful; I’m actually a safer driver when I’m stoned than when I’m "delusional" on coffee.

I really admire Greta Thunberg. I wish every time someone filled their gas tank, they heard her voice saying, "Shame on you". My generation owes it to her to leave behind something other than a flaming pile of shit.

Despite its faults, the city of Alexandria is starting to do the right thing—they’re finally building some sidewalks, and for a small town with limited resources, that gives me hope. I can’t afford a plane ticket back to Ohio right now, so y’all are stuck with me for a few more months. As my dad used to say, I’m going to "give 'em hell."

Enjoy your Friday night. Take care of yourselves and take care of somebody else.