Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

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Andrew_F
Rice Park
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby Andrew_F » May 20th, 2014, 11:46 pm

How have I missed this thread?

I'm sure I'll think of more later, but here's a few:

Glaring at motorists who block sidewalks waiting to exit curb cuts is part of my daily routine as a pedestrian. As a motorist I am guilty of this crime fairly often.

Oftentimes the personable nature and lack of anonymity as a customer at locally owned businesses makes me uncomfortable and drives me to Amazon, Target, and Home Depot.

I'll forever feel a lesser person for the "Edina" on my birth certificate (never lived in a suburb, was just born at Fairview Southdale), and I'll be forever jealous of my sisters (born at Abbott).

I strongly desire to own a single family home someday.

Edit: thought of a few more:

I too classify myself as a selfish skyway-lover.

I went to high school in a suburb.

My geographic knowledge of Saint Paul is abysmal. I know my way around the city better below ground than I do above ground.

I have absolutely convinced friends to give me a ride less than two miles (on multiple occasions).

MplsSteve
Nicollet Mall
Posts: 146
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby MplsSteve » May 22nd, 2014, 8:50 am

I've thrown away a few empty peanut butter jars rather than wash out and recycle - although I always feel extremely guilty about it.

Reading this thread has actually made me like some of you people a little more.

phop
Landmark Center
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Joined: May 28th, 2013, 8:58 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby phop » May 22nd, 2014, 9:28 am

As a pedestrian, I prefer porkchop islands + the inevitable free rights at large intersections.

Silophant
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby Silophant » May 22nd, 2014, 9:39 am

I think The Marshall looks just fine. It's not great architecture, and the site should have been used for several separate projects instead of a superblock, but it's not vomit-inducingly ugly like everyone in the thread is saying, IMO(o).
Joey Senkyr
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at40man
Rice Park
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Location: Maplewood

Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby at40man » May 22nd, 2014, 10:01 am

A few of my confessions... and excuses.... :oops:
  • I like St Paul way more than Minneapolis.
  • I live in neither St Paul nor Minneapolis (N. St Paul is closer to work, affordable, walkable, historic, and charming).
  • I drive 5 miles to work instead of biking (in my defense, there isn't a safe way to get there on my bike without going hella out of the way and crossing through a dozen busy intersections).
  • Speaking of driving, I love my AWD Acura TL. (But if the old Hazel Park-Mahtomedi streetcar line still ran behind my house, the car would be in the garage most of the time)

go4guy
Foshay Tower
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby go4guy » May 22nd, 2014, 12:02 pm

I am a huge fan of public transportation, but rarely use it and am excited to turn in my Jeep Grand Cherokee for a new Dodge Ram. (Hey, slightly better gas mileage!!)

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Nick
Capella Tower
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Joined: May 30th, 2012, 9:33 pm
Location: Downtown, Minneapolis

Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby Nick » May 25th, 2014, 11:46 am

When traveling, I usually like to say I'm from Minnesota, rather than Minneapolis, because Minnesota makes me feel outdoorsy and people don't know where Minneapolis is.
Nick Magrino
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mamundsen
Wells Fargo Center
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Joined: November 15th, 2012, 10:01 am

Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby mamundsen » May 26th, 2014, 3:45 pm

When traveling, I usually like to say I'm from Minnesota, rather than Minneapolis, because Minnesota makes me feel outdoorsy and people don't know where Minneapolis is.
Haha. Funny I say I am from Minneapolis, when I really live in St Paul.

grant1simons2
IDS Center
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby grant1simons2 » June 1st, 2014, 9:13 pm

I feel stupid about 80% of the time on here because I don't have as much experience since I'm young enough to be one of your kids

IllogicalJake
Target Field
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Joined: January 30th, 2014, 9:03 am

Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby IllogicalJake » June 2nd, 2014, 7:46 am

I feel stupid about 80% of the time on here because I don't have as much experience since I'm young enough to be one of your kids
Don't worry about feeling stupid - we've all been there. I got started focusing on these things when I was younger (only 24 now,) and it's great to see more doing so. And really, don't be afraid to ask questions if you do find yourself feeling stupid. :D
i talk too much. web dev, downtown. admin @ tower.ly

hoffm83n
Metrodome
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby hoffm83n » June 2nd, 2014, 8:58 am

I have a sociology/political science degree and would eventually like to go to grad school for urban design. What are some essential readings I should look for? I've picked up Jane Jacobs, walkable city and high cost of free parking so far.

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mplsjaromir
Wells Fargo Center
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby mplsjaromir » June 2nd, 2014, 9:06 am


Anondson
IDS Center
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby Anondson » June 2nd, 2014, 9:17 am

Traffic: by Tom Vanderbilt

I read it when it first came out. It changed my thinking about roads.

PhilmerPhil
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby PhilmerPhil » June 30th, 2014, 1:26 pm

I feel guilty every time I drive over those pneumatic tubes that count vehicles. I hate that I am contributing to the traffic engineers' justifications for status quo transportation decisions.

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Nick
Capella Tower
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby Nick » September 4th, 2014, 3:59 pm

Today, I was ~30 minutes late to the Metropolitan Council Transportation Policy workshop at the downtown library. Because I was...updating my driver's license information at the Government Center. I also prioritized cars over transit.
Nick Magrino
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blobs
Nicollet Mall
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Joined: November 26th, 2012, 2:22 pm

Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby blobs » September 4th, 2014, 4:44 pm

Reading this thread has actually made me like some of you people a little more.
:lol:

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Realstreets
Nicollet Mall
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Joined: April 19th, 2013, 10:50 am

Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby Realstreets » September 5th, 2014, 9:10 am

I feel guilty every time I drive over those pneumatic tubes that count vehicles. I hate that I am contributing to the traffic engineers' justifications for status quo transportation decisions.
Ha! Me too.

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Realstreets
Nicollet Mall
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Joined: April 19th, 2013, 10:50 am

Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby Realstreets » September 5th, 2014, 9:12 am

I have a sociology/political science degree and would eventually like to go to grad school for urban design. What are some essential readings I should look for? I've picked up Jane Jacobs, walkable city and high cost of free parking so far.

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After you read JJ, definitely read this http://places.designobserver.com/featur ... ing/25188/ Hmm, maybe I'm a self-loathing planner?

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FISHMANPET
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby FISHMANPET » October 8th, 2014, 8:08 am

Last night I drove by myself to Dinkytown, parked on the street for only a quarter, and got food to go from a chain restaurant.

Gman12
Nicollet Mall
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

Postby Gman12 » October 8th, 2014, 12:43 pm

Last night I drove by myself to Dinkytown, parked on the street for only a quarter, and got food to go from a chain restaurant.
Was it 5 Guys? I was ravenous and did the same thing a couple weeks ago instead of biking.


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