Open Door Policy

The ITP Estate is good at one thing, keeping warm air inside the house. Unfortunately when it is 75° F inside with no air flowing it can feel a bit stuffy. As I quickly type today’s blog post, while sitting in the dark, I have my one functioning window open (with a box fan sucking air into the house), and two doors wide open. This arrangement doesn’t provide the cross-ventalation necessary for great airflow but I am trying my damnedest to exchange air inside the house for that which is outside.

Don’t Bring Sand To The Beach
Yesterday was not my most productive day, but I did manage to get some things done. Around 11:00am I drove my dirty laundry to my favorite lavanderia and did three loads — including some cycling kits! While the clothes were in the dryer I wandered to Pollo Norteño and ordered my “usual” from the “usual” waitress who never seems to be nice to me; I’ve done nothing, honestly.

I returned home to attempt German homework – fail; attempt job interview preparation – fail; attempt German homework – fail. Around 4:00pm I got tired of sitting around and quickly changed into some “workout” clothes and went out for a ride — on my mountain bike. Ha! Betcha didn’t see that coming!

The plan was to ride over to what I am referring to as “BeltLine 2020”, that stretch of abandoned rail-line that goes south from Glenwood Avenue. After riding the streets around Grant Park to my entrance I quickly discovered one thing, the path that exists today is full of deep sand (which as I type this realize probably resulted from sand lost from the railcars that used those tracks) making it nearly impossible to ride. I really needed a fat-tire bike! I struggled mightily, stopping and walking a few times, before finally making it to Boulevard and abandoning my adventure. I rode my way around the streets until I got to a point of recognition, and then wound my way back to the ITP Estate. Tale of the tape: 41 minutes, 7 miles. Well, at least it was better than nothing, right?

ITP Flickr Pic
In your mind’s eye picture me driving, up I-85 again, this time toward Black Mountain, NC. Oh look, it’s a South Carolina QT selling the same gas that can be purchased in Georgia, only for $0.25/gallon cheaper.

Meet Me Mid-Way
The The Midway Pub can have that as their slogan if they wish. They can run with it, I’m just an idea guy.

Had I food in the house I could have stayed home and watched the Bears v. Packers game on CBS, though I would not have been able to see any of the Cubs v. Dodgers game. Instead I meandered up to The Midway Pub, where more times than not recently I have run into ITP-Reader Betsy. That was the case again last night as she apparently is playing in a bocce ball league.

It was a good thing that I arrived when I did because not only were the two sports events soon to start, and the place crawling with bocce ballers, but the weekly East Atlanta Farmers Market was winding up for the night. (side note: I have yet to make it back to the EAFM in nearly two years; too busy / bad timing I guess). I found a table and proceeded to order a beer.

Later in the evening, around 9:00pm, I finally ordered some food. I suppose that I was in some sort of trance, or not actually that hungry, because I barely noticed that forty minutes had passed and my food had not arrived. The waiter came over and explained the problem, and comped my veggie corn dogs, which were to arrive about ten minutes later. Hooray for having sufficient food-store and getting free stuff!

I didn’t stay out for the entirety of the sporting events, instead returning home and watching the end of the football game. Thankfully for me the proper Chicago teams won and lost — isn’t that right, ITP-Reader Stacy?

Headed To Hippyville
It’s that time again when I make my way up to Black Mountain, NC for LEAF. Let me refresh your memory a bit. Black Mountain is situated about fifteen miles east of Asheville, NC so it should take slow-driving Paulie a little more than four hours to get there today. I am going there for my semi-annual meetup with the Raleigh Royalty at the Lake Eden Arts Festival (aka LEAF).

When you read this I may actually be on the road, well literally the M6 will be on the road and I will sitting inside of it, or I will be in Black Mountain doing my best “No Rain / No Freezing Cold” dances.

There will be a first at this LEAF — the Raleigh Royalty have secured a camper and rented a truck to pull it. For the first time we will have indoor accommodations. Of course it will still get chilly outside, but that’s okay.

Here’s to hoping that we all make this one of the best weekends we’ve ever had. I will write at you again on Monday.

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]