Today was one of those days that make me so happy to live in Detroit…

First, MGal and I went on yet another photo safari, starting with a trip to the Heidelberg Project ^[1]. Now, seriously — if you haven’t been there, you don’t know what you’re missing. After the shock of what I saw wore off, my first reaction was embarrassment that I hadn’t been there yet. The place is amazing.

We were able to speak to Tyree Guyton ^[2], the artist behind the project, for about 10 minutes. Clearly, the man is a genius. You could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice — his talent and passions were at a peak. After some great conversation with one of the Project’s Board Directors, Terrence, we ended up doing an interview with Toledo’s Channel 11 News ^[3], who were there doing a story. Cool stuff.

(Extra points for anyone in the viewing area to record Tuesday morning’s news, when it’s supposed to air…)

We headed from there to Belle Isle to get some various shots, and ended up shooting Scott Fountain ^[4], the skyline, and the Detroit Boat Club ^[5].

After that, it was off to a gallery opening for a friend and great photographer, C.H. Carroll. His work, featuring scenes from Detroit and its raw beauty, is on display currently at House on Main, 803 N. Main, Royal Oak.

Then, it was off to dinner with the wife (and MGal!) at Oslo ^[6], a very swank, modern Sushi restaurant just down the street from home. Yum!

Afterwards, it was dessert at Ben & Jerry’s (Oatmeal Cookie Crunch — are you kidding me?) in the new Compuware Building, followed by a walk across the street to Campus Martius Park ^[7] where West Side Story was playing on the big screen. Several hundred people were just chillin’ in the park, soaking it up in the perfect weather.

On the walk home, we saw several friends walking downtown for the evening.

It’s good – really good – to live in the D. All the things I just described – ALL OF THEM – were non-existent when we moved downtown 5 years ago next month. This is how far we’ve come locally.

The city is not fixed; it remains as ill as can be imagined, sick under its own weight of corruption and racism. But, on occasion, its progress should be appreciated and celebrated.

Especially on a personal level.