Atlanta. More specifically, Panera Bread across the street from Emory University. No one but myself, so a very particular one. Work.

Up to now, I’ve despised the ATL and dreaded every visit. But this time down has been nice. I found a really cool area called Little Five Points with some well-stocked record stores, chic, retro clothing and t-shirt boutiques, a hodgepodge of ethnicity, and a wealth of young, funky, artsy-types hanging out on every corner. All that, and Fat Tire is now distributed on the East Coast, but apparently hasn’t made it to an area near me, so I partook of two pints over a delicious BBQ dinner.

Traveling alone is a funny thing. It makes me think that I’d probably have a drinking problem if I was single. I get so lonely when I’m in these cool places by myself, and all I really want is to share these experiences with people I’m close to. However, I’m becoming more and more shy as I age, and it takes more and more alcohol to bring me out of my shell. If I was single, I think I’d be drinking all the time just to get up the nerve to make friends with whom I could share my life. THANK GOD, I’ve got a wonderful wife, beautiful son, great friends, and no drinking problem.

I’m headed back to North Jersey today with increased resolve to enjoy life where ever I am, with whom ever life presents, and for no other reason than the fact that life is so precious. I tend to be a “grass is greener” kind of person, but it seldom is. The second half of that phrase ought to be something like, “The grass is always greener on the other side… except where it’s scorched and dead.” Perhaps if I invest myself in this lawn, for however long I’m meant to tend it, I’ll find that it grows greener and I appreciate it more. But there will always be a brown, scorched patch where Red Oak is meant to be.

It’s much harder to post these days. Maybe it’s the birth of Noah, working full-time, going back to school, being married to a PhD student, running, trying to be a musician, or too much TV. It’s probably that last one.

I’m in ATL tonight, so I’ve got a brief respite from a few of those things listed above. I’m traveling for work. It’s sad to be away from my family, and I know it means that Kat has to do the work of two people, but it does mean that I get to do things like post to my blog, walk around Emory University, and have delicious BBQ at Fox Brothers. Those things are good. Missing my wife and my son is bad.

I don’t know what to say on my blog anymore. Perhaps I should give the blog a theme like restaurant reviews, or parenting advice, or theological musings. The problem with me is: as soon as I decided to box myself in with a theme, I’d want to post about something unrelated to the theme, and then I’d feel bitter about having a theme and decide to stop blogging altogether. What a WIERDO I am!!

Well, this post has not theme. But my purpose was to say “hello” to all my friends who still check out the blog, and that has been accomplished. I hope you’re well!!