The alleys in movies look nothing like the alleys that we have around here. In fact, the alleys in Livingston County, what few we have, are hardly ominous.
In movies, alleys are always dark, narrow, and secluded. Around here, though, our alleys are short both in length and the height of the buildings (seeing as how are tallest building is 4 stories, with most being about 3).
Our alleys are also wide, well-lit, and fairly clean. Some of them are kind of charming.
So, as a writer, it does leave me without any real dark alleys for final showdowns or something. Especially since our little towns have this dreadful problem with illuminating a radius eight miles larger than the town itself (more or less) in all directions with the abundance of street lights. Street lights on otherwise empty, dark streets.
Now, I’ll admit that I don’t much see the point of most street lights. Downtown, sure. Though our local towns could turn off half their street lights and still have enough light to illuminated any person who happens to be out. Especially about three in the morning when there are NO shops open and about 1 or 2 cars driving within the entire city limits.
Once outside the city, what do we need lights for? Certainly not pedestrians as there aren’t sidewalks much past the last building in town. My car comes equipped with headlights, and I believe this is standard. So why are there so many street lights here and there throughout Livingston County? They’re blocking my view of the stars! And they screw up my night vision when I pass through the cone of yellow-blue light and back into darkness again.
I’ve got no dark alleys and lights on what should be dark streets. I suppose that’s why I fit in here– I’m as quirky as my county.
