Welcome to the Neighborhood, Sweet Lady Blacktop!

It's finally happening. After more than two weeks of wandering through unpaved streets, I now have Sweet Lady Blacktop under my feet. Free at last! Of course, they did start laying it down at about 11:00 last night and continued on till 3:00. And yes, they were very loud. And no, they didn't finish the job, so that means they'll be at it again tonight. Here's what my stretch of 2nd Ave. looks like right now:

One lane of lovin', two lanes of hatred.

Soon, though, all lanes will be done. Those fortunate souls from Denny to Vine Street are rejoicing now. Their street is finished. Observe:

On the other hand, their sidewalks are in pretty rough shape. Still, it's nice to know that your city cares about you enough to pave your entire street. In other countries, they don't do that. Believe me, I've seen it.

Anyway, now there's a light at the end of the tunnel - and no, it's not an oncoming train. It's a slow-moving, not-altogether-quiet paving machine.