Ghetto Style

While rolling through an East Dallas neighborhood yesterday, my eyes were drawn to a sky blue, velour, grease-stained recliner that someone had placed in their front yard. It's not that uncommon to spot living room furniture on peoples front yards in my part of the world. In fact, if it weren't for living room furniture, the good people of East Dallas wouldn't have anywhere to sit while enjoying their front yards. But this recliner was different. It actually had a "For Sale" sign taped to it. Certainly this sign would catch the attention of wandering shoppers with a need for a grease-stained overstuffed chair. "Marge, remember that chair I set on fire when I fell asleep while watching Springer with a lit Marlborough in my hand? Well there's its replacement!"

Actually, real estate agents are trying to give East Dallas a new name. They're now referring to it as "The Upper East Side." Karen and my neighbors Rick & Mike have embraced this moniker. I have not. It's pretentious. And kind of stupid. Like somebody's more likely to buy a house here if they think they're going to get a little slice of Manhattan. What they're really going to get is a house with a neighbor who sells living room furniture on his front yard. And I like that. It keeps property taxes low. And that's why I'll never call the place where I live anything other than East Dallas.