Comments on: I Never Wanted to Love Dallas

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:11:12 +0000

A friend turned me on to this post — and it’s really great. I went through a very similar process with my city (Phoenix). So many people (locally and externally — and myself included) say horrible things about this place. Growing up here, I wanted out — and I made it out a lot — but I always ended up back here. My attitude changed with a simple decision, too:-) I was sitting at a cafe with an English friend of mine complaining about how this city didn’t do much to please us, when nearly at the same time we realized that we were waiting to be entertained — passively. We decided to engage the city more fully by starting a magazine. We would trek out into the city and uncover any and all of the quiet beauty of the city that isn’t asking for attention, but rather is silently attention-worthy. We now have many like-minded people working on the magazine and have a pretty good following.

Through this shift in attitude and through the necessity of culling content for the magazine, the city unfolded before us: the old history and myths, the independent businesses, the awesome local music, the individual stories of folks and more. I feel lucky to have made this shift in perspective because I know now that I can make nearly any place I live, the place I want to be at the moment. I know not to wait for a place to entertain me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. If your’re interested, our magazine is called hoozdo.

By: Lee Gibson

Lee Gibson — Sun, 31 May 2009 21:28:56 +0000

I know what you mean. I grew up here, hated it, and couldn’t wait to leave, which I did for several years. Circumstances later brought me back, kicking and screaming and still hating it. But the city has changed, mostly for the better, over the years, and so have I (also for the better, I hope), and now I can’t don’t see myself anywhere else (except annually for a few weeks in August).

By: Sophie, Inzaburbs

Sophie, Inzaburbs — Sun, 31 May 2009 14:54:52 +0000

I love the positivity of this post. I just discovered your blog, and was intrigued by the spending hiatus idea. I had a forced mini hiatus of my own last year, and the best thing for me was seeing the change in my children - after a while they stopped asking to buy things and instead started asking to do things.

It looks like Dallas has a lot to offer. We discovered things we didn’t know existed in our town too.

By: John Vega

John Vega — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:57:54 +0000

That is is awesome, and when & if I move back. You will have to share all your wonderful finds! Until then, I am finding my way in Seattle..tough,I know. No hotbed of big hair, (as quoted by no other that, the over user of hair spray as a styling tool, herself) conspicuous consumption and, well…malls. YEAH! You and your family was one of those finds that made Dallas home! Thanks for sharing

By: Melissa H

Melissa H — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:02:29 +0000

Thanks for sharing! Makes me want to move back! College and marriage took me away from my Dallas childhood to none other than “loamy and green and misty” Seattle! I love it here, but thanks for the reminder of all that made that childhood great!

By: Kathleen Mahoney

Kathleen Mahoney — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:44:24 +0000

Yes. Dallas has - very - hidden treasures and they are sweet indeed to those who know them! Glad to know that others feel the same way.

By: L-Streets

L-Streets — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:53:21 +0000

My wife and I felt the exact same way!!! Only replace North Carolina with growing up closer to Fort Worth where it seems like everybody is a lot more laid back, and replace Austin with College Station, where good ol’ fashion hospitality and sense of belonging fall hand-in-hand. We have learned that to truly appreciate Dallas you have to peel the layers of the onion back a little bit. I will take my small 1950’s home North of White Rock any day over the square footage you could purchase to the North. Thank you for your insights into what Dallas has to offer.