alright. i'm going to brag on jackson just a bit here. however, i must preface that statement and be honest just for a sec though, as this may come to surprise most of you: initially, i hated jackson. maybe it was because i was spending most of my days (and nights) in the architecture school downtown and didn't have enough time to enjoy my surroundings or maybe it was just because i moved here initially with a pessimistic approach. i dunno. i do suspect most people can agree with the later. i am here to tell you that, i have a new outlook on the city and for those of you who now disagree with me, maybe this blog post will help you think "outside the box" for once about a topic that sits exceptionally close to home.
i would like to assume that most people who hate on jackson don't get out much. or, for that matter, just don't care to try and appreciate or enjoy the city. i may not have any fancy statistics that prove anything about how great jackson is. all i know is merely based off opinion. and the handful of people i do know who enjoy the city actually have been productive in obtaining their opinions. those are the people more should aspire to be like. even if you don't live in jackson.. have you done your part in giving the city you live in a chance? my guess is that you will not be disappointed if you try, at the least.
why do i enjoy jackson? glad you asked. i felt prompted to write about the city, as i was enjoying my dinner at keifers on the patio last night with my man. a gorgeous spring evening. a good beer on tap. greek food. good conversation. need i say more? as i looked around, it dawned on me that, though tables were slowly starting to fill, even then, at seven o'clock in the evening, i was disappointed at the small turnout of people desiring to make the most of a gorgeous night.
within the last several months i've traveled to cities with great restaurants: little rock, ar. columbus, oh, and several others, that just cant come to mind. when on the topic of great food in these cities, its inevitable the conversation always circles back to bragging on jackson's food selection. we have great choices. one in particular: julep. and for those penny pinchers, aside from its fantastic fried chicken, awarded a 'favorite' in USA TODAY, they have fantastic deals. for you early eaters, go to julep anytime for dinner before six and buy one entre and get another totally free. yes. i said it. FREE.
i joke around with a friend, who lives in flowood (a suburb of jackson), about how "the other side of the river" (meaning the pearl) is practically a foreign country to her. and for most, who live outside the city limits, this statement most likely applies. this is me talking to those people: have you ever been to Fondren After 5? the 'artsy' district in jackson opens up its quaint shops, coffee stops, and art galleries to the public after 5. its the perfect way to enjoy Fondren. you can eat at a handful of local diners to complete the Fondren experience. let me say it again, in your attempts at being social and/or adventurous, i don't think you could be disappointed. oh, and what are the odds: Fondren After 5 is actually this coming Thursday. i hope to see you there.
so, if you're like me, and enjoy your city, props to you. if you don't, there's probably an unexcusable reason for it... and i'll go ahead and say what you're probably already thinking: 'everyone is entitled to his own opinion.' i'm fine with that. just give me reason to comply with your pessimism.
caption: aerial view of downtown jackson
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