Updates from LaLa Land

Special things have happened in the past few days. First, Katy's job search has moved forward in some ways. Small steps, but steps nonetheless! Second, Ben ALmost has a job offer!

But more importantly, we've had some really special treats, like Ben accompanying me to visit the Burundians. That was lots and lots of fun, and involved crazy dancing and playing.
Below, Ben takes a turn:
Another very special treat included a brother named Adam. He was in town for a torture conference (but hey, aren't all conferences torture?!) and gave us his Saturday, and we ran with it.

We headed out of town early enough after a wonderful previous night checking out Decatur's latest spot called the Grange (followed by a lovely dinner at the ever popular Brick Store Pub) and a mandatory seasonal viewing of Love Actually. We had a pleasant enough start at home--we ate up our just made home made granola and sipped on delicious shade grown organic fair trade coffee--and started driving.

I won't include all the stories of the crazy things that happened to us (watching gas prices increase on the drive and prices at the same place change!) but I will tell you about the man who picked a fight with Ben. There was some confusion in the gas station (gas pumps were already pumped out in some cases) and this big red truck did a weird driving job and pulled up in front of us. To my total confusion, the guy started screaming at Ben. Ben, gentleman that he is, rolled down his window and asked the guy politely what was going on. The man proceeded to jump out of his pickup truck (leaving his scared daughter behind) and come over towards us, menacingly, and threatening us and calling us bad names. He also told us to "learn to drive and go back to Atlanta" with some other expletives and degrading things. I pointed out this was class warfare, and a real example of the rural/urban divide. But other than my sociological studying, I thought for a second we were going to get shot or at least stabbed, as I apparently failed to realize we were in the car and could have driven away, or at least into his truck.

Well that aside, we had one of the most scenic hikes I've done in a while up there in Nojah (aka Northern Georgia, get it, NOGA? did I make that up?) with spectacular views on a 7.3 mile loop at Black Rock State Park. A delicious gourmet lunch ensued at a beautiful overlook. The rhodedendrum was beautiful and overwhelming. At the overlook: It wasn't dark, but the forest doesn't get great light... it sure was muggy.

Adam then left, which sucked.
We miss you, Adam! Come back anytime.