presszzz1
presszzz1
| Forum role | Member since | Last activity | Topics created | Replies created |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Sep 27, 2018 (7 years) |
- | 1 | 0 |
- Forum role
- Member
- Member since
Sep 27, 2018 (7 years)
- Last activity
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Bio
Writer, Life Coach, and Transportation Operator, I Karen Pettiford wear these hats among others I've worn as a Substance Abuse Therapist, Social Services Coordinator, Substitute Teacher, as well as a Corrections Officer. The need to lend my services to people while helping them and making them smile is the drive behind every hat I wear. I've enjoyed each and every facet of my undertakings as a public servant but my passion has always run deep for the art of writing as well as driving. When driving out on the road I feel as though I am one with the road, an extension of the road itself as if I am running and gliding on the roads with my feet. Driving to me is therapy, and a form of a stress reliever, or when I just want to feel relaxed and fancy-free!
Born and raised in Detroit Michigan I have seen firsthand the rise and fall of Metro Detroit and its surrounding areas, and most currently, the "comeback" of Detroit, aka the "Motor City", or the "D". As a young child through my teenaged years and adulthood I've enjoyed the spectacular shops and restaurants that flourished and lined the streets of downtown Detroit. Stores like Winkelman's, Franklin Simon's, Lane Bryant, Crowley's, Hughes and Hatches, just to name a few. And oh my oh my, lets not forget the one and only J.L. Hudson's. J.L. Hudson and company which was the heartbeat of downtown. SLOWLY AND AGONIZINLY I witnessed the demise of downtown Detroit as it became a ghost town void of all the vibrant shops and stores that once showcased so gallantly along the streets, until the final blow; the demolition of the grand and royal J.L. Hudson's building. The gallant building's structure and architecture was comprised of 2.2 million square feet, where in addition to being the second largest department store in the world , next to Macy's in New York, by only one or two departments, and the tallest in the world, it housed several restaurants on the thirteenth floor, a massive barber shop , and an auditorium. The massive store boasted 76 elevators, 48 escalators, 705 fitting rooms, and a women's restroom with 85 stalls. The architect on the exterior of the building was nothing less than spectacular with its 400 foot tower rising above its structure. It was a sad day on October 24,1988 as I witnessed the demolition among 20,000 other spectators as our beloved J.L. Hudson as we once knew was imploded and destroyed. As a child there was no single outing so special and dear as a trip to visit the magic of Christmas on the 12th. floor of Hudson's, shopping in the children's famous "Toytown", then finally meeting the "real" Santa! The fascinating array of colors on the giant Christmas trees, that seemingly appeared to stretch upwards towards the skies with shimmering lights of silver, gold, blue, red, and white, and others that caught your eyes as soon as you stepped off the elevators and guided you towards the endless displays of Santa's reindeers, angels, and so forth dancing before your eyes. Oh it was magically breathtaking and oh so delightful. Oh how grown up we felt to be able to go into the children's store which was tailored exclusively for us and shop where no adults were allowed to enter, as they had to wait for us to exit on the other side of the store as we selected our gifts that we purchased.
The ending of the J.L. Hudson's shopping extravaganza helped to start the final days of downtown Detroit becoming a ghost town.
As I drive through the streets of Detroit, as a former Uber driver, and presently as a Lyft driver while witnessing the comeback of the downtown, midtown, and corktown areas and my customers ask me what do I think about the vibrancy of Detroit and how its changed since they were here 10 or 20 years ago, I have to say I love the change, however I remember it when it was just as vibrant as it is now, but I would like to see the outer neighborhoods of Detroit become vibrant and flourishing as well.
As a Lyft driver I've had the opportunity to connect with people from everywhere; from , India, China, Africa, England, Italy, France, Canada and all parts of the United states. I've transported business executives, film makers for B.E.T., Directors, Anchormen, professional basketball and football players, and professional fighters. What I'd like to do is share some of these experiences, stories, knowledge I've learned, networking skills, etc. with you and allow you to take a mental ride with me 'in the day and a life of a Lyft driver,' but most importantly I'd love to hear your experiences, stories, joys, woes, etc. 'in the day and the life of a Lyft rider'.
SO LETS BUCKLE UP, GET IN GEAR, and TAKE A RIDE TOGETHER!!
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