Local favorites run the gamut

This could be the easiest column I’ll ever write.

Eyeballing the line between honest commentary and blunt-force criticism isn’t easy. Sure, you can inhale someone’s thoughts, but judging their intent is another story. While you try to determine what the speaker is thinking, often times you often end up judging yourself, as our biases and opinions tend to invade our perceptions (See Obama, Barack).

So what does all that pseudo-psychology mumbo-jumbo mean for you? It has everything to do with your ability to understand the intent of this column. Usually I’m not one to knee-jerk in response to your feedback, but some folks think yours truly has nothing positive to say about fair Independence or Eastern Jackson County. To each his own, but sometimes the feedback forces a bit of self-evaluation, and that’s a good thing (especially during the summer when column ideas come slower).  

Still, you can’t please everyone all the time, but I can make myself happy by letting you know some of my favorite things about Eastern Jackson County. Here goes something:

• The competing discount pizza buffets near Noland Road and 35th Street in Independence. While I favor one buffet more than the other, I enjoy the prospect of gorging myself on thoroughly average pizza for less than $5. Seriously, I’m considering burning a significant amount of my $4 per gallon petroleum for a fattening lunch of pizza and pasta this week. I need bucket to catch the drool caused by thinking about it.

• The Sermon Center and the sidewalk on Noland Road between 23rd Street and U.S. 24. I dropped a lot of sweat and worries while jogging during the warmer months. It was therapeutic. Also, the staff at the Sermon Center always has a kind smile; they’re good people.

• Interstate 70/Lee’s Summit Road before the gas price spike. As the former beat reporter for Lee’s Summit, Grain Valley and Oak Grove, I spent a lot of time on the highway. Watching the new development and cruising along is relaxing.

• The Mid-Continent Library System. The North Independence branch contributed a lot toward me perfecting my craft. The selection of newspapers and books on-site helped me understand what good writing is and what I need to do to get there.

• Blue Springs in the summer – I didn’t spend a ton of time in the City of Cooperation, but when I was there during the warmer months, I noticed an abundance of stunningly beautiful women. If you’re a woman reading this, the answer is yes, I’m shallow at times. If you’re a guy, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

• Second Baptist Church in Independence. The congregation is some good, God-fearing people. Bible study is wonderful. (Yes, you can be a Christian and openly admire beautiful women.)

So, for the record, I can say plenty of good things about Independence. However, I try to give you thoughts that my lead to discussion instead of cheerleading. Again, you can’t please everybody.