The Big Catch-up

 So it's been awhile.

The last three days have been busy.  I said there would be a picture update, so this is that, with some verbage thrown in there for good measure.  These last few days have been packed; the next few will have a lot more writing from me.  Probably multiple posts a day if I had to guess.

Thursday started off with that dirty windshield finally getting cleaned.  That's Astrid there.

LSU has a beautiful campus (from what I saw).

Coming into Dallas.

Downton in Denton, TX

This is where my story begins.  Saturday morning I woke up bright and early, forced myself to go back to sleep, and ended up rising around 10:30.  At which point, I hopped in the car, and tried to figure out where to go.

A buddy had suggested Fort Worth, so that is where I went.  I paid $10 to park in a nearly empty lot and walked past Billy Bob's Texas ("The World's Largest Honky Tonk") to the stockyards.

The speedway I passed on my way to Fort Worth

It took me about twenty minute to figure out that I was dressed weirdly for the scene.  You see, there were the Texas cowgirls, who wore bootleg jeans over boots, and tight-waisted, flared-sleeve shirts tucked in; the wannabe cowgirls, who wore skinny jeans, boots, and something plaid and skimpy up top; and the average tourists, who were in vans and t-shirts.

And then there was me.  And being from the great state of North Cackalacky, the illustrious Land of the Pines, instead of looking like a Western cowgirl, I looked like a lost Appalachian hog farmer.

My leather shoes didn't cover my ankles (both out of place and scandalous).  My jeans were rolled.  Worst of all, my oversized flannel shirt was not tucked into my merely hip-level blue jeans.  And I didn't have a fancy belt.

In Texas, they pay generously for the privilege of having their pants stay up.

Despite being a lump of coal amid sparkling diamonds, I enjoyed my time there, leaving only to go to a work meeting, after which I came back for the 8 o'clock rodeo.

Now the last time I went to the rodeo I was probably seven, and at the time I hated crowds and the noise of crowds, but liked violence.  

It's been twelve years, and nothing has changed.

That being said, I actually really enjoyed it.  The sports in front of me made up for the people around me.  Also, it was Texas, so I really didn't feel unsafe.  I didn't even bring my taser with me, even though I had to walk a quarter mile in the dark by myself past "The World's Largest Honky Tonk."  I never felt like I was in danger, either in the stadium where the rodeo was, or on the walk. 

On the way back, I stopped at Buc-cees.

Brought to you from the bathroom of Buc-cees

Almost would have been worth it.

Then Sunday came around.  I went to church, and then to my buddy's host home family's house, where I carried some boxes, quietly lamented the fact that I hadn't brought my deodorant, and fellowshipped with some very nice believers.

And a cat.

El gato de la noche,
El gato gris.
El gato de la noche,
El gato makes me sneeze.

Look how cute she is.

I left very late, and went to sleep fast, because I knew what today would be like.

Today, I woke up at 7:30, left at 8, and proceeded to drive for eleven hours.  I went through Arkansas.

Now if some high-ranking official from Arkansas happens to be reading this, I have some feedback.  You could show me a picture from any point of my drive through your state right now, and I would not be able to tell you where it was taken.  You should maybe work on that.  (I'm just kidding, Arkansas, I'm sure you have a lot of great areas that I just didn't see.  It's best not to judge something too quickly, even if you've been the whole way across.  That doesn't mean you actually know it.)

But that's okay, because eventually, I got here:

Looking at Memphis from Arkansas.

One of the Great Pyramids.  I hear that Davy Crockett is buried under there with a collection of stuffed bears.

It actually gave me a little chill when I finally hit Nashville, Johnny Cash blaring out my open window, and saw a picture of the Man in Black himself on the billboard for his museum.  I'm in the town of legends right now.

Tomorrow, I only have to go to Knoxville, which is about two hours from here, so expect more posts.  And look forward to Wednesday, if my plans go through there will be a lot of content, and it will look different.

Among other news, the Dodgers are going to the World Series.  Let's give them a big hand!  Go Dodgers!

I'm telling you, if they don't finally win...I'll be sad and frustrated, but ultimately I'll get over it and keep rooting for them.

But durn if it won't sting.