Okay, I know, I'm the editor of this rag. You know I love Broad Ripple for too many reasons than would possibly fit in this space. First I thought this is a space for the readers to use, but then I decided I deserve the right to write too.

I love the juxtapositions in and around Broad Ripple Village. I love driving to work and seeing Anne Bond's smiling face (artist and owner of Happy Trails art studio at 64th and Cornell) as she walks to her studio. Just seeing her makes my day. I love being on the way back from a photo shoot and seeing Albert Trevino (owner of Renes' Bakery at Coil and Cornell) riding his bike through the Village. I love being at a lunch meeting with one of my columnists (this time CW Pruitt II) at the News Cafe (the south side of Northside News at 54th and College) and running into Robin from Multi Media and Nora from our own Buzzing Around Town column.

What really forced me to write this column (remember, I am an electrical engineer and NOT a writer. Engineering: easy, writing: hard.) was the evening of December 1. It started out when Elizabeth and I went to Ripple Bagel and Deli for dinner before a marathon night of music at Indy Cd and Vinyl. She orders her regular sandwich and I am wandering around talking to people - not placing my order. The girl behind the counter (that I have never seen before) says "Alan, are you having your regular?" Stunned, I rush over to her to find out, first, how does she know my name, and second, how does she know what I get to eat there? "I've worked here for three years," says Gabriella. "And I am roommates with Lisa and Ashley." (Lisa writes our Beats from a Broad Ripple Rat column and Ashley writes our news stories and is the associate editor). I apologize for not having noticed her in my hundreds of visits to the Deli, but explain that while Amanda was working there, I only noticed her! Now that Amanda has moved on, I see all these other faces that I overlooked. (Oops, I better move on. Sometimes Elizabeth reads the paper.)

Next, I headed over to Indy CD for the instore performances. How great is it that we get fantastic music shows for all ages and FOR FREE right in the Village? There were three bands on the bill that night. Usually one or more of the bands doesn't appeal to me. (Don't take that as anything against the bands - I am 46 and a product of Billy Joel and Led Zeppelin.) Tonight, all three were incredible. First up was The Peggy Sues - a local all-girl band. Big deal? You bet! Two of the girls are friends I met at the Bagel Deli - Lisa and Ashley. They have been feeding me for years and here they are in a cool rock band. And of course, even cooler, they now both are on the Gazette staff. Possible future band name - The Gazette Girls?

Second was Arrah and the Ferns. I had never seen them, but after the first song I was hooked (I bought their CD).

Third was Everthus the Deadbeats. I had never seen them either. I must be the only one because the store was packed with fans. (www.everthusthedeadbeats.com) This set was like seeing The Doors in '68. Amazing stuff! More juxtaposition - two Deadbeat members, Daniel and Lisa (a second Lisa, not the Gazette Lisa), work at the Bagel Deli! I love knowing people at their work and then seeing them in a different place doing something SO cool! That's (one thing) I love about Broad Ripple.