Industrial Birmingham.
I spent some time cruising the industrial parts of Birmingham, Alabama today. This is an industrial city. I have not looked up any statistics, but, eyeballing things on the street level, the main industries are manufacturing, logistics, finance, and higher education—not necessarily in that order.
It has been a long time since I have been to a city where things beyond good memories actually get made. It has been almost a year since I have been farther outside New Orleans than Desi Vega’s. The real world is tangible the way New Orleans is ineffable.
I was talking to Jake and Mister. Jake said, “The only thing to do in Birmingham is to get a good-paying job, get married, buy a house, and raise a family.”
I noted that there are worse fates.
“Everyone I went to high school with, they all got married and got good jobs and have kids. Not me. I play video games and have no responsibilities.” Jake is a minor manager.
Mr. King: “So is where you are in life better or worse, do you think?”
Both Jake and Mister said at the same time, “Hell, yeah, it’s better!”
If children are the future, Birmingham is the future. The future is impossible to predict.
Now, I will tell you about dinner.