Well That Was Interesting. And Somewhat Surreal.

So I decided to play tourist in my own home town last night. Holed up across from the local altar of consumerism Hanes Mall. I have not stepped foot in it for well over a decade but remember shoving quarters in machines at the arcade so many years ago. I chose a Microtel in walking distance from the Outback restaurant and tried it out. What was once an interesting concept and presentation for a chain restaurant has now become a corporate mandated "Meh". I was pretending to like it, they were too. I'll try the old Japanese Steakhouse next time and see if I get the same.

The view from my third floor window with a daybed kept me entertained for the remainder of the evening. Gah. 

Today I drove by many old haunts from back in the day and most are still there yet subtly different. The most disturbing thing was driving by Whitaker Park. RJR at one time had public tours for this manufacturing plant and had these outside of it:

Now, the fountains are drained and no activity is there. 

However today ended on a high note. I visited Mr. and Mrs. Curmudgeon and Mr. Curmudgeon and I visited a local range. He got up close and personal with "Emily" the M1 I built at the CMP.





He said he liked it but would not want to run around with one all day on his back like he did *cough* some years ago.

Food was consumed, stories were told. now I'm back at stately manor. What a great weekend so far! Next time I play tourist I'm going to hang out at either the Embassy Suites downtown so I can play with the hipsters or the Green Valley. I don't know WHO I might play with at the latter =)