Plaza Lighting

We just barely made it in time for David Cook to apply every ounce of talent he had and a little more to flipping a light switch.


Plaza Lighting Ceremony from Chixulub on Vimeo.



We went up to the roof of a parking garage to get a better look at the madness.

One thing that pissed me off, as ever, is the parking situation. I understand it's the plaza, and that means parking is going to suck no matter what. But my first guess at a place to park was the parking garage by the Plaza branch of the library. But they were turning away people who didn't have an invitation to some private party at the library.



Wait up, here. You mean a taxpayer supported, public building with a garage also paid for by the public can be shut down for private use on an evening when the public turns out in force for a public event that's very much part of the city's identity?



Then, there's MRI, Midwest Research Institute or something. And not one parking spot in their lot was used except for the one their security guard drove. They had the parking lot coned off to prevent any plaza lighting attendees from using it. When we were coming back out, the cones and the guard were gone. The danger was over, us maniacs who brave weather and traffic for a 79-year old institution of Kansas City life were no longer likely to drip oil stains on their precious, vacant parking stalls. Assholes.



We finally parked in UMKC's garage and walked in. Em was worried because the sign said it was student parking only, Monday through Friday. But it's Thanksgiving, it's not like there are classes. Luckily logic prevailed and we didn't come back to find our car towed.



But we had a blast. The weather was great, if not quite as great as two years ago.