I’m updating some of the other pages of this blog, but since not everyone makes it into these sections, I thought I would publish this information also on the front page. If you’re an old time reader or don’t care about this kind of thing, then just enjoy the photograph of roses in my neighborhood and then move along.

Answers to Frequently, Sporadically, and Rarely Asked Questions
History
Real Hartford began in March 2007 as a “Town Blog” hosted by CT Local Politics. In July 2009 it moved to its current address. During the life of this blog, I have lived in the South Green, West End, and Frog Hollow neighborhoods. I recently purchased a home in Frog Hollow; so far, I love the home and the neighborhood. I enjoy being in a vibrant and diverse community, and only blocks from “New England’s Hispanic Main Street‘” (a designation that makes me both smile and roll my eyes).

This blog was born all slimy, kicking and screaming out of my discontent with how my home was being portrayed by the mainstream media and by some vocal, ill-mannered people in surrounding towns. It has been nurtured by those in the community who also understand that stereotypes are for the intellectually lazy.
Blog Content and How to Contact Author

To inform about upcoming actions and events in Hartford CT, send press releases to me by email; please give at least several days of notice before an event, as there are not legions of reporters here, just me. When my schedule allows, I go to events that seem to have the intention of improving life in Hartford, continue to add vibrancy to the city’s cultures, or have a socio-political aim. Unlike the television news or newspapers, I apply critical thinking. I do not have loyalty to any politician, political party, organization or corporation; additionally, I do not claim to approach any story, event, or issue with an ounce of objectivity, as humans are not objective beings. National events get plenty of coverage on other blogs and in the mainstream media, so limit press releases to local events. I almost exclusively write about Hartford. Generally speaking, I am not going to waste virtual ink on events that I can not afford to attend. An exception will be made occasionally if I believe the cause is a very good one or if something about the event seems particularly awesome to me. I could cite the economic meltdown we’ve been experiencing as my reasoning for this, but it’s not. Hartford has consistently been plagued with high poverty rates, yet it is the capitol of the richest (or second richest, depending on the year) state in the country. So, I have to ask: Is it good for the Hartfordites? Is this event something that either the majority of my neighbors could afford to attend or something that will benefit the community greatly?

I also publish what I think my imagined audience might want to read. The mainstream media already over-reports on certain crimes in the city, while consistently ignoring crimes that occur outside of the city, except for in rare cases.

It is often easier to define by negation. I am not interested in: the Mayor’s current legal woes, most gang/drug-related violence, major music stars, or maintaining the status quo. I am also not interested in making knee-jerk reactionary pleas about every cause, every event, every change that occurs. My professional experience is in composition and rhetoric; if a person makes everything seem urgent, then nothing seems urgent. Think about it.

From research, observations, and conversations, I try to develop as complete of a picture as possible — if not on the blog, at least in my own head as far as background information goes. If an entity declares something to be groundbreaking or pioneering, I tend to respond with hesitation, if at all. Hartford has history, and the sooner new residents, businesses, and corporations realize that, the better. I am very interested in long term vision and accountability.

Contacting Me

Again, the way to contact is via email. I get asked this a lot. The answer, in my head, and sometimes out loud, is a very snarky, “Well, how do you contact WFSB, The Courant, Journal Inquirer, WTNH, etc.?” If we meet in person, I might give you my phone number, but that is not something I need to post on the blog. I’m most reachable by email anyhow.

Random Other Thoughts

Photo and Video Permission

All photos and video, unless indicated otherwise (scroll mouse over picture), are property of Kerri Ana Provost. If you wish to use them, you must contact me for permission before using the photo, whether it is for profit or not.

Social Media

I do not believe that all blogs instantly fall into  the “social media” category. Take a look at a local newspaper’s blogs. Some of them, no names need be given, can not string sentences together and are trying awfully hard to be chirpy and social. Others are the authors’ published equivalents of verbal diarrhea, with a tablespoon of overly insular references. Yuck! But, there are others that could replace 90% of the “traditional newspaper.” They get the inside angle and make fact checking a priority over speed. The difference, I suppose, is that there is no editor tidying up bad writing on these blogs. Just as writing quality and style differs from blog-to-blog, so does purpose. The intention, for some, is to collect lots of comments. For others, it is to publish news, without dealing with the headache of a traditional website template.

Where Can I Buy Food in Hartford?

Like, everywhere. There are actually several posts about this, so explore the archives.

Do I Need a Car to Live in Hartford?

No. You need air, food, water, and sunlight in order to live. Did you fail Biology?

Do You Feel Safe?

Yes. Do you?

How Would You Improve Hartford?

I would prioritize community improvement over business improvement. I would require that 75% of Hartford Public School teachers actually live in Hartford or in a similar diverse setting, so that the student-teacher disconnect could start to disintegrate, and that the high rate of teacher turnover would diminish. A similar requirement would be mandatory for police. The people in power would be held accountable in ways that they have never seen. Also, pedestrians and cyclists would have the right to retaliate as they see fit when drivers — except for emergency vehicles with lights and sirens on — run red lights or do other magnificently stupid and dangerous stunts. Absentee deadbeat landlords would be dealt with appropriately, not rewarded. That’s the abbreviated version; needless to say, there would be many changes.

Why Do You Live in Hartford?

I like it.

I have a choice about where to live.

I believe that it is important to live in the community where one works. It is also awfully convenient to do so because it opens up many more options for transportation.

Besides that, I like living in a place with arts, culture, events, and diverse food options. Many of my friends live here. There’s nothing like going to grab a coffee and spontaneously running into three or four friends.

Well, you get the picture. You can look up this in the archives as well.

How Do I Become a Samurai?

I get a lot of people coming to this blog by searching for an answer to this question. I know nothing about becoming a samurai, ninja, knight, wrestler, or kung fu master. I might be able to get you information about ultimate fighting, though.