I remember watching that mural as it was created. Perhaps the fact that I watched it’s creation is why I’m so attached to it. Or maybe it’s just because it’s an amazing splash of color in an otherwise boring and bland block of buildings that makes up the downtown area.

I think Memphis is ugly. It is. It’s an ugly city.

There are some bright spots in the city. Certain arts districts and parks that are bright and fun. But the majority of Memphis is ugly and feels rundown – a sea of gray and brown. It’s an overwhelmingly bland neutral palette that can bring down even the happiest of people.

When I think about Memphis I think of a charming city with great music and delicious food. Sure it’s got it’s problems, but overall it’s a pretty great place. However, what I know about the city and what I often see are two different things. I wish the exterior matched the true heart of the city.

Something that will never happen but I wish it would every time I walk past another boring building – some of the buildings downtown should paint themselves various bright shades. The city itself could become an art project (and a tourist destination) in one swift move. Since that won’t be happening we could at the very least keep supporting Urban Art so more large scale art projects will be created downtown and elsewhere in the city. It’s so exciting to see new projects happening all the time. I’m super excited about all the I love Memphis murals that will be done this summer.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if Memphis was known as an arts city? If people came to the city to explore the numerous and spectacular art projects all across the city? Wouldn’t it be awesome is Memphis was beautiful on the outside too? Is art alive in Memphis?

I might not live in Memphis forever (yeah, I won’t) but I want good things for this city. There is something about it that grew on me over the years and made me fall in love with it – good and bad. I wish I had a magic wand to wave away all the bad and accentuate all the good…. and more importantly to make the city a prettier place full of color and wonder. Memphis deserves that.

If you haven’t checked out Urban Art Commission’s new website you definitely should do that. I was checking it out today at work (because Rocket Fuel built it!) and that’ part of what inspired this post. They are doing some really great things with art in the city.

Congrats Memphis, you are the Third Most Miserable City in America!

Yes, congratulations are in order.  Last year we were second.  So we are moving in the right direction! Or someone is getting worse?  Either way… go Memphis!

I wonder, who actually pays attention to these rankings?  I mean, Miami and Chicago are cities on the list and I find both of those cities to be awesome places.  And I think Memphis is pretty nifty too.  Is it miserable?  Are any of the cities on the list “miserable”?  Only if you want them to be.

You can live in the most beautiful place in the world and be miserable.  You can live in a “miserable” place and be happy.  Much, if not all of this, is up to you.

Personally, I’m choosing to be happy wherever I am. Or at least try.  Isn’t that more fun than being miserable?

I Love Memphis. This blog is written by Kerry, previously from the CA and The Memphis Blog. She LOVES Memphis and wants to share with everyone else why she loves the city so much. From her funny scavenger hunts to her photo album of people who love Memphis too, this is one of the things right with Memphis.

Something Good In Memphis. Speaking of things good in Memphis, did you know there is a whole website dedicated to those things? There is and it is awesome. Through this MIFA sponsored project you can learn about the people and events and places in Memphis that make the city a great place to live.  You can even nominate someone who you think is something good in Memphis.

Smart City Memphis. The blog from Smart City Consulting exists to show how Memphis can change through fresh approaches and new ideas.  This blog looks at the bright future Memphis can have once citizens start thinking about the city in a new way.

Gates Of Memphis. Gates of Memphis is a blog started by a Memphis resident interested in architecture and the city.  The blog is devoted to the preservation and creation of an architectural presence in Memphis.

Memphis Connect. Developed by The Leadership Academy, Memphis Connect is an online space where all Memphians can discuss the various elements that inspire them to make Memphis their home. This blog contains hundreds of posts about the best places and events in Memphis, and shows off why some people love Memphis as much as they do.

Photography by Amie Vanderford. This blog is a little bit different from the others, but still very positive about the city.  Amie’s currently working on a 365 (or 360) Memphians project, creating portraits of awesome citizens of Memphis.

Those are just a few of the websites out there working to show off the positive in Memphis.  There are and should be even more because Memphis is and can be a great city.

13 Things In Memphis I’m Thankful For

My family. Scattered around Memphis and Millington, they are the real reason why I love the city.  They are the ones who keep me coming back and the ones who created the great memories of the city with me.

Food. Do I even need to go into specifics here?  I’m so thankful for the delicious food that exists in Memphis, from the fried chicken to the BBQ to everything in between.

Memphis Redbirds. I love baseball, I love Autozone Stadium, and I love the Memphis Redbirds.

Amie V’s photography. There is no one who better captures the beauty of Memphis, both the landscape and the people.  Her 365 photo series featuring Memphis citizens keeps me interested as she creates beautiful portraits of Memphians.

MIFA’s Something Good In Memphis.  I’m thankful for the this website and it’s mission to highlight all the good things going on in Memphis, because there are a lot of them.

Urban Art Commission.  I watched the giant mural next to Redbirds Stadium go up from start to finish.  It inspired me and made me love Memphis even more for the dedication to make more artistic and beautiful spaces.  I’m thankful that the Urban Art Commission exists and is making Memphis a more beautiful place.

Memphis Tigers Basketball. Go Tigers Go!  I’m thankful for the team that continues to thrive and bring the community together.

Diversity. There is nothing like living in a place where everyone is the same *cough* Vermont *cough* to make you appreciate the awesome melting pot that is Memphis, a unique city, full of different and amazing people.

Kerry and her love for Memphis. There are a lot of cool people in the city who are working to make everyone realize how awesome it is.  Kerry is one of those people doing a a great job showing people reasons why it is easy to love Memphis.

Fogelman YMCA. I am thankful for my former employer and an all around great organization, helping Memphians get healthy, teaching downtown elementary school children water safety, and making Memphis a healthier, fitter place. Plus, I love the building!

The Memphis Zoo. Zoos are fun, and the Memphis Zoo is a great one.  I’m thankful that they exist and are always trying create amazing community events and family friendly experiences like ZooBoo and ZooLights.  Plus, I love Tuesday afternoons, when any resident can get in free, because what’s the point if not everyone can enjoy it?

Music. Another thing I didn’t appreciate until I left – the fact that any given night in Memphis I can go here live music somewhere.  There are so many talented bands, clubs, recording studios, bars and live music venues that it was something I took for granted as something that should always be available, when really it is a gift of a great city.

Coming home. After three months of living in the  Northeast, I’m excited to be coming home to Memphis next week even if it is only for a short time. I’m thankful for the feeling that Memphis is home, and that when I’m away I can proudly tell people about my city.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I’m big on goal setting these days, so I’m going to write out some goals I would like to accomplish.

In the next 13 days I want to…

Hit 500 subcribers on my healthy living blog. I’m 10 away.  So, if you feel like going over there and subscribing (by rss or e-mail) that would be cool!  I know a weight loss blog isn’t everyone’s thing.  Not everyone cares to read about things related to weight loss and fitness, but if you do, thanks.

Finish uploading videos for Green Mountain at Fox Run’s youtube page. This is part of the work I’ve been doing up here in Vermont.  I’m pretty happy with what I’ve managed to do, considering I have basically zero video experience.  It has bee a nice learning experience that will be over in 13 days.  (Hurray!)  If you would like to check out what I’ve been doing, go watch the first video of an intro to beginner’s kickboxing.

Figure out my living arrangements in Memphis. I keep putting this off because frankly I don’t want to find a place to live.   But it needs to happen because I am coming back in just 13 days.  Maybe if I just keep repeating the time frame to myself it will sink in so I finally decide to make things happen.  Anyone want to house me?  Please?

(I’m not even going to mention that fact that I need to find some sort of temporary work while I’m home.  It’s almost too much to worry about since I’ll only be there about a month before I set off to travel to New Zealand.)

Besides a bit of shopping, packing, and giving away cards and presents to the people I grew close to here, those are the main things I need to take care of or want to do in the next 13 days.  I also want to have some fun, because I’m loving Vermont and the people here.  And there is a birthday to celebrate.  Hurray!

I’m extremely lucky to be living in Vermont and experiencing something new. I’ve met people from all over the world while I have been here and I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the Northeast a bit, something I wasn’t even expecting. So this experience has been more than worth it. It’s been amazing. But I still miss the South, as strange as that is for me to say.

It all started when someone was explaining the “secret ingredient” to good macaroni and cheese, a tip they had learned from a Southerner. Everyone was flabbergasted to learn that Velveeta makes the best macaroni and cheese… something I simply did not even think about – that is just how you make good mac and cheese. That simple moment made me miss the secrets, the food, the slower speed, the comfort of life in Tennessee. I may never live in the South again, for all I know, but I do love it.

So I’ve been daydreaming of the past lately. Reliving memories of good food and good times. Missing mac ‘n cheese and Southern accents.

I follow @memphisnews because it is the best feed of Memphis news stories plus Kerry has built a community around it. I also follow other Memphis media and those that work in and around it: @theogeo, @webraw, @scribblescrawl, @wendi_c_thomas, @NewsCam, @valonfox, @RichardRansom3, @kontjianthony, @JamalMajor, @richardalley, @MemphisFlyer, @Mediaverse

For great thoughts on local Memphis topics I follow @jensized, @memphisjed, @GatesofMemphis (and everyone else on this list.)

I follow @greggwitt because he likes to bike and has a lot of good insight about the happenings in Memphis. Other bicycling folks in Memphis: @jonesdavide, @ismh, @memgreenline, @cliff_heegel, @ibikememphis

I follow @kookycanuck because Kooky Canuck makes delicious food, know hows to use social media for his business, and he let me order lunch through Twitter. Other social media types in Memphis who I follow: @LunaWeb, @lalunablanca, @blakepalmer, @bethgsanders, @thespacebase, @onehalfamazing, @mtaylor, @m_barger, @cbahm, @joespake (plus he can sell you a house).

For business and entrepreneurial thoughts and information I follow @ECMathews who is a leader helping Memphians launch startups. Also good for business insights: @brettgb, @mardiaz

I follow @thechrishaley because he draws great comics. More creative people in Memphis: @amiev (photo), @cpritchett (painting), @regalnites (photo), @MyBrewTube (movies), @jtimberlake (music)

I follow @gorocketfuel and the team there because they are an awesome company making badass websites in Memphis. The RocketFuel team: @LMReeves, @reubenb, @loribrunson, @caitlin, @rsbrown

The PR and Marketing people in Memphis I follow: @jameshutto, @SMSmidsouth, @LoriTurner, @Patrick_PR, @lokion, @VIDAPR, @reddeluxe, @HowellMarketing

I follow some Memphis people just for laughs: @sloganeerist, @fancycwabs, @bdix, @knots

These people I follow because they are awesome Memphians who have helped me, answered my questions, or made me smile: @dpritchett, @loudersoft, @rakuette, @skippytpe, @kjester, @paulandash, @moodyboy, @ruebenrock, @zacattac, @cechastain, @directorjones, @elisper, @mdinstuhl

I follow @mikejarrell because he likes Memphis tweetups. Other people I’ve met thanks to Twitter, #saucersunday and various tweetups: @Jabrown85, @Jabrown84, @calebt, @themortalcoil, @scout, @Potato_Chip, @bgswanson, @heatherleanne, @lemonslush, @Aranhia, @SWB, @team140, @suzanneschmidle, @susankmealer, @toddw

And of course I follow the people I know in real life @COYIS, @glamrokz, @BenJBailey, @StephanieMarieS, @LaurenWarberg, @Heather_Alysse, @bkblanket

(This list is not complete and it is always growing and changing. Feel free to recommend people I should follow in the Memphis area. I’m @marythompson on Twitter.)

My camera and I did a little wandering during my work break today and we ended up in the boxing room on the 3rd floor of the Downtown YMCA. It is one of my favorite rooms in the YMCA but not because I ever use it. I’ve actually only been in there a few times and never was it to workout. I just enjoy the rough feel of it, how it doesn’t have heat or air conditioning yet people still come to use it.  I love the idea that it is forgotten in the Y while everything else gets polished and updated. Like many other places in Memphis it is seemingly left behind as everything around it progresses.