Dirty South

In between Summer Session 2 and Fall Quarter I decided to take a little jaunt back to my previous home. According to California and the University I attend, my home is California, but there is certainly a bond with a location where I spent 16 years. I didn't only live here, I grew up here. Okay, okay, I spent my youth in New York, but as we all know you do most of your true growing up in your 20s. And I did that here, in Atlanta.

I am very lucky to receive a great welcome and I am able to stay at Suehyla's while she's in Alaska. I am taking care of her two feline babies and have access to her car. Atlanta is just an automotive city that I would not be able to get around as efficiently without one. I did take her car to my old self car wash and it was gratifying to really vacuum that sucker out. I also missed the cheaper gas prices since today they jumped to $4.00 a gallon.

I do have to say it's very weird being back here. As I told Angela last night and Jen Denning this morning, I feel as if it's August 2, 2007. The day after I left to move to Davis. There is just a familiarity here, as if I never left. In the year since I moved away, there is tons more housing on DeKalb Ave. and a few restaurants that changed. The weather is hot and sticky, and my hair has gone from nice bounce to plain frizzy.

I arrived yesterday afternoon and took MARTA to the Decatur Station. Angela picked me up and drove me to Suehyla's house. I took a quick nap and met Stacey Bode in Little 5 Points for my photo session. I am looking at getting a website together as I begin the pimping process for work. Stacey and I had a swell time and I cannot wait to share the images. We took the photos around 7 Stages with was a little surreal. Since it's Synchronicity's home I felt comfortable, but when the staff started to arrive for opening night festivities it was a little awkward. We were done around 8PM - just as the show was starting - and since I borrowed a basket for my clothes and shoes I had to return it before heading to dinner. So, in the lobby I saw Daniel May, Kristi Casey and Mimi Epstein. Kathy Janich was there and is also on staff now.

Since I didn't eat since breakfast, I called Angela and Chris and I drove to them and we walked to Six Feet Under. Fried Calamari at the bar and then a Steamer Plate and beers at the table. We were too full for Oyster Shooters or Cheesecake at Carroll Street.

Today I met Jennifer & Lachlan for a little yoga, Apres Diem and the Botanical Gardens. It was good to hang with them and catch up a bit. Afterwards I met Michele, Matthew and Zoe at Agnes & Muriel's. I was not hungry but got a little sweet tea and gazpacho. Three forks did come with the chocolate cream pie that Matthew ordered for dessert. And thankfully I had room this time.