Whose fault is it?

Because

If you read this column and don’t like it, which one of us is at fault: Me or You?

It could be me, since I came up with the idea, committed my thoughts to written form and then helped put this magazine in front of you.

But it could be you, because you decided to invest your time reading it — I didn’t force it upon you.

Or maybe the fault lies with the editor here at the Advocate who read the column after I turned it in; she must have thought it was OK, because if it wasn’t, she would have prevented it from being published. That way you wouldn’t have had to waste your time reading it.

I received my degree in journalism from Northwestern University; maybe it’s the fault of someone at the school. I took out a student loan to take the writing classes, but if I didn’t learn enough, it’s probably the professors’ fault rather than mine, because I worked pretty hard when I was there. If the professors weren’t good teachers, how could I be expected to learn?

Of course, taking out that loan put a lot of pressure on me; it was hard to concentrate sometimes. Maybe the government and politicians should have made it easier to afford college; it’s not my fault I didn’t have a lot of money.

Speaking of money, my mom and dad could have something to do with this problem, too. When I was growing up, they didn’t encourage me to become a journalist, probably because they didn’t know anyone who made a living writing.

And since they didn’t enthusiastically encourage me to follow my dream, my feelings were hurt, and that put a damper on my motivation to work hard to be a writer, and if I’m not motivated to do something, it’s hard to do it right.

I mean, I don’t see too many people taking responsibility for their actions anywhere — corporate, government or private individuals. All I see in the media is fingerpointing and shoulder-shrugging and excuse-making, and if everyone else can do things that way, I should be able to do the same thing, too.

But you’re diverting my attention here. Let’s reconsider your involvement again: I worked hard on this column, and although I admit this is a departure from what I usually write, shouldn’t I be allowed to try something new from time to time? And shouldn’t you encourage me to do that by giving me positive feedback, even if you don’t really like what I’ve done?

All i see in the media is finger-pointing and shoulder-shrugging and excuse-making, and if everyone else can do things that way, i should be able to do the same thing, too.

So if it’s not my fault that you don’t like this column, whose responsibility is it to make it better next month?

It could be mine, since I’m the writer, and it’s my job to come up with ideas, but it could be your responsibility to give me another chance even if this column wasn’t what you thought it would be.

Look, all of this has to be someone else’s fault or responsibility, so maybe you should take a good look in the mirror because I can tell you right now, after talking my way through this, I really don’t think any of this is my fault, or my responsibility, and I resent the fact that you’re blaming me

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The future Arboretum Village

That’s what Lincoln Property Co. plans to call its redevelopment of the building on Gaston that houses the YMCA and the Far West nightclub. The real estate company is buying this building along with other properties around the GastonGarland-East Grand intersection. Advocate editor Rachel Stone reported on this announcement and more of Lincoln’s plans at lakewood.advocatemag.com.

June 20

It seems Lincoln Property Co. is in a hurry to redevelop the White Rock YMCA building. The Y today announced plans to move temporarily across Gaston to Lakeview Centre, the two-story retail center where Subway is a ground-floor tenant. The move is expected to take place between mid-October and mid-November.

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“There has been strong interest from potential tenants for this space which will afford an opportunity to accelerate the development timeline for the entire corner,” YMCA executive director Derek Smith writes in a letter to members.

The YMCA plans to take the top floor of Lakeview Centre until its new facility is completed on the site of the former Trinity Lutheran Church on Gaston at Loving. That project is still in the planning stages but is expected to be open as early as summer 2014.

July 3 facebook.com/lakewoodadvocate readers liked our status update:

Just drove by the Trinity Lutheran site and spotted John Whiteside posting “sold” on the former “for sale” sign. It’s official: The Y is moving to 7112 Gaston.

July 11

“We’re kind of long on Lakewood.” —Lincoln