Everywhere in the world there is crime, bad weather, and miscellaneous other trouble. It's all a matter of your perspective.
It takes 6 minutes to report the weather in Chicago and also in San Diego. It's just that there's a lot more ground to cover in Chicago. For example, last week when the snow hit, there was a 3 hour commute time from Chicago to any reasonably located suburb. In San Diego, it was cold for a couple days. High 50s. People panicked. There were space heaters and turtlenecks.
It takes about 12 minutes to report the general news on the local evening segment. In Chicago, most of this is devoted to crime. In 2004, there were 36,786 violent crimes committed in Chicago, so only the most horrific ones can make the news. In San Diego there were 6,774 violent crimes in 2004. Considering Chicago is about twice as big as San Diego, one would conclude that Chicago is a far rougher place even without the media emphasis on the worst of the worst of its crime. Still, San Diegans feel no more secure or crime-free than Chicagoans. In fact, one of my workmates pointed out an area where "there's an element." What could that mean, 2 teens keying cars? Or maybe I misheard and we were near the zoo and he said there's an elephant?
I am writing this down so that I can remember. Perspective is a very important thing. I hope to be able to tell my kids, you're not cold. Siberia's cold. Not all kids get cars when they turn 16, some of them have to live in cars. You may live at the beach, but life isn't a beach. (Though I hope to perhaps impart this knowledge to them in a more uplifting way...)
I meant to post this last week, but in the holiday rush I am late.
