Journal GMontag's Journal: Finally: The JE About Last Weekend in Knoxville 4
Okay all I am still on the tired side from last weekend, combined with irregular sleep all week, so please bear with me.
For starters, the days leading up to my four day weekend were long. I made up my Friday off in advance, because I am cheap.
The primary occasion for my visiting Knoxville was my son's birthday. Also worked in meeting the not-so-left-wing of The Rocky Top Brigade on Friday evening and got to meet TechnoLust, and his roomate, on Saturday (his version).
So, first stop was Barnes & Noble for the books that Son of Montag requested: "Death in the Afternoon" by Hemingway, some O'Rilley C++ book, Robert's Rules of Order, plus some of my selections (1984/Animal Farm/Homage to Catalonia by Orwell).
On the road by 10:00 AM, in the Knoxville rush hour by 5:45 PM, stopped by mom's house to drop off my junk then headed to Charlie Pepper's on Morrell Road to meet The Rocky Top Brigade. Had intended on going to the Knoxville 2600 Meeting, that was started by me and dear son, but I was running on the late side.
Got to meet Say Uncle and Mrs. Uncle (that picture does not do her justice), Mr. Jones, Mr. Lawson and Rich (the ringleader of the gathering). Was so glad that Rich survived all of the whales during his time in the service, so he could start a cool weblog.
Lots of great conversation at the gathering, from my being accused of being Maddox, to how to define oneself on the internet for maximum traffic (apparently I am the only person who does no care about traffic when my stuff is on other people's servers, but I am still pissed about my freaks list being so short), to how to set your feet on fire (please all, coax him into writing that story). Instapundit and his insta-brother came through when were at the bar. He is definately NOTHING like his online persona. Very quiet, reserved, nice (well, he is nice online too). His brother seems cool also.
One topic: A show counter to "Queer Eye". Say Uncle had a good idea, shared by others, make a "Straight Eye for the Gay Guys" show. Somewhere in there I coined the phrase "you need a show on BRAVO".
Long after the meeting a lady friend of mine suggested the name "Real Men for Real People". Something like "stop with the girly noises while we are looking at trucks" . . . "NO NOT 2 Wheel Drive, 4 Wheel Drive!" . . . "This apartment does not have enough black, brown and stainless. NO NOT THE ROLLER! Let's get a spray gun." Stuff like that.
Rich told us about not being able to find the spare tire on a vehicle he once had. It was hidden in plain sight. I gave a few talks about the f-word and Hydrogen Powering a Jeep. Then everybody left and I stayed out too late.
Next day was time to meet TechnoLust. Cool guy, great sense of humour, likes to pick on his DJ roomate, who is also a cool guy.
[downer warning]
Began the day by getting an oil change then swinging by the bank for son's school book money. Stopped by the Home Depot to see if a USAR buddy of mine still worked there, will call him Major Dan. He has been deployed more than anybody I know and is supposed to be just back from something. Found out that his wife, another good friend of mine, died about a year ago from brain cancer. I had heard she was in the hospital before that but we had not been in consistant contact with the way we are both all over the place. Was sort of a shock until I remembered she had been sick for a while.
Some background here, I have known Dan since 1980, we were in ROTC together, had brushes with death in Kansas from a tornado, various driving adventures, etc. When my father died Dan's wife was in the same hospital, same floor different ward, from a car accident. The last ex-girlfriend of mine that they both met, Linda, died from an epeliptic seizure about three years ago.
[/downer warning]
Next stop, cleaning the engine of the Hydrogen Powered Hacker Jeep and finally got it super clean. Got a call from TL sometime in there to finalize plans.
Stopped by The Spot to find out how to contact Dan, but they were not open yet, so went to West Side Tavern and discovered the partner/bartender used to manage restraunts in Pentagon City Mall, home of the DC 2600 meetings.
Got over to The Spot, no luck on contact info on Dan, left a business card with the owner to pass along and sat down to watch the Tennessee game. UT looked like a bunch of amatures. Finally left around 6ish to meet TL.
TL and his roomie arrived something like 7:21 (according to my phone log) and in true geek fashion, called me while we were in the same building (I was in bathroom for a moment).
Instapundit and his brother, who looks like TL's DJ roomie, came through again that night. Introduced them to the guys, etc.
So, the short blonde hottie waitress starts flirting with TL as soon as we sit down. I recall TL mentioning in the past that nutty chicks flock to him and this one was no exception. Going through the Loveline checklist: little girl voice, flirty to the point of drawing trouble, needs to have attention AND termoil. More in his version with some responses from me. Also, the now world-famous lesbian story was told. The questions he mentions in his JE were from Loveline too, after he said that I sounded like Corolla. At least I did not tell his roomate where my watch had been for seven years when his roomie said I looked like the second ugliest man movies! LOL
Ahem . . . BLUNT MY ASS
After TL left I explored the Adam Corolla type questions with the waitress: you gonna go out with TL? He's famous honey.
her: but I have a boyfriend
me: Yea? Does he work around metal?
her: nooooooo he is a snowboard instructor at Ober Gatlinberg
me: ah, he's a stoner huh?
her: giggle giggle giggle giggle yea
Then TL and roomie left so the country DJ could do his airshift.
I called a buddy of mine who I sometimes do some computer work for. He talked me into going to a little tavern and watching football with him and his wife. Had our usual banter, went to another bar and I was finally fading by 2. Was exhausted by staying out so late and finding out about Dan's wife, etc.
Spent most of Sunday sleeping, son came over about 4:00 PM for his birthday pizza, etc. Had a good visit then he headed back to his new apartment on campus. I went back to watching the Titan's game and was asleep long before it was over.
Monday, headed back to Wal Mart for tire rotation and balance. They managed to leave a cap off a wheel but got the screws in. Go figure. Called them from Tom's Brook, VA, where I discovered it. They said to get a new one and have WM up here fix it and reimberse me for the part.
I know that I am forgetting something in there, but I guess this is enough.
So, how was your weekend?
Oh... the suspense! (Score:2)
Re:Oh... the suspense! (Score:2)
More to come, but doubt it will be tonight.
roomie the country DJ (Score:2)
He still complains about that every day... "Man, I wish I could play GOOD music." Then I look at him and say, "Hey, look at the bright side... you get to play NASCAR." At which point he screams and runs from the room.
So you interrogated that poor waitress. No wonder she didn't come by the house... well that and the 45 minute drive.
Oh I donno (Score:1)
Looks enough like Jennifer Aniston for me.