You Can Go Home Again: Huntsville Edition

Unlike my friends who come to Huntsville every year to run the Mountain Mist 50k the last time I drove some of the roads that I drove yesterday was nearly fourteen years ago. At that time I was a twenty-nine year old, had a budding programming career, and now that I think of it — both the internet as well as the industry in which I currently work were barely in their infancy. Yesterday I trusted my memory for getting back to Huntsville, only getting turned around once, and identified the place at which I probably should have died in 1992. If I can pull it off I will have a photo of that point-of-near-death along with that story (I don’t think that I’ve blogged it) in the coming days.

Once my work is done today I am going to investigate what has and hasn’t changed in my old stomping grounds.

Slow Drive, Expensive Gas
In the Great Olden Days (circa 1993) there was a photocopied sheet of paper entitled “Three Hours To Atlanta. The Fastest Route.” which was passed around. It was the route that I took whenever I visited Atlanta, so naturally it was the route that I tried to remember yesterday. (As a side note, I searched for this map on the internet to no avail).

I waited to fill my tank until I got into Alabama because I figured that gas would be cheaper here than in the metropolitan Atlanta area. Whoops, I was very wrong! Gas in these here parts is actually more expensive. I filled my tank last night for $2.89 per gallon for the lowest grade available (87 octane) at the Shell station. I wish I remembered what gas cost when I moved away from Huntsville in 1992.

This Hotel Has No Street Sign, But That’s Okay Because It Has Internets
This hotel has reminded me that I have at least one undone task — update the maps in “Jill The GPS.” The hotel in which I am staying is relatively new and is not in Jill’s database.

I drove up and down the road looking for, but not finding my hotel. If I had the power to do so I’d force all municipalities to make some indication of addresses on street signs, and all buildings along busy roads to have large, easily readable addresses. After two passes I gave up and pulled into a parking lot so that I could call the hotel. The guy who answered the phone told me to look for Hooters because the hotel was located right behind it (I know how to pick classy joints) but never mentioned that they took down their street sign because they are constructing another hotel in the front portion of their property — strange.

It took me some time to find it, but this is one of the nicest instances of this hotel chain in which I’ve stayed. My room has a refrigerator, ample electrical outlets, a large lcd screen tv (which I will probably not turn on), a new bed and bedding, and the internets! I couldn’t be happier.

ITP Flickr Pic
I got in to Huntsville too late to snap any photos so you are stuck seeing my last uploaded shot from Sundays trip to Stone Mountain.

With any luck I’ll have new material tomorrow.

Facebook: America’s Greatest “Hey, I Used To Know You” Tool
Believe it or not I wasn’t much of a drinker when I lived in Huntsville. There were a few places that I frequented, one of which being Ruggby’s bar. I was somewhat surprised to see Ruggby’s still open, so naturally I went inside for a beer. While there I decided to Google my old friend Eric and lo and behold found out that he and his wife and family still live in the area.

Even more surprisingly I found out that Eric has completed multiple Mountain Mist 50k’s and has a Facebook page. So naturally I went onto Facebook last night and shot him a message. I don’t know if we’ll be able to get together and catch up on nearly fourteen years of life, but we’ll see.

No matter what happens I am constantly amazed how well Facebook connects people with their past. Since joining I’ve connected with two guys I knew when I was in high school, the guy who was responsible for helping me get a job in Atlanta, and now Eric. Hell, I could probably find and ex-girlfriend or two if I tried. Naaaaaaah.

Hurry Up And Wait
Last night I received an email from the company from which I ordered the extra memory for the iBook. The email warned me that there has been great demand for the product ordered and there would be a short wait for my order to be filled. Dangen! Since I’ve been using the iBook in its current configuration for over two years there is really no rush, but when I order I like to have the gratification of receiving the product soon. Hell, I even paid an additional $4 for faster delivery…. I wonder if I should argue to get that refunded.

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood – good, although I didn’t get nearly enough stuff done last night
Current Music – listening to the “This Week In Photography” podcast
Website Of The Day – Unless you are one of my long-distance running freak friends when I say “Huntsville” you say “Space Camp“.
Exercise (b)Log – I walked to dinner, but it wasn’t that far
Monthly Foot Mileage – 32 miles
Monthly Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Monthly Marta Rides – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 37 (110) [on hold, I’m hoteling today]
Books To Read To Earn Kindle – 4
Vegetarian Days – 14
Carnivore Days – 7

October Goals
1) Lose no fewer than three pounds
2) Drink nothing but water, coffee, beer, wine
3) Run no fewer than 75 miles
4) Bike no fewer than 125 miles

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]