J-town, or taking a walk on the urban side

So, I'm living in Jackson presently and posting via "borrowed" internet. My apartment is here;


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The neighborhood's pretty cool. Our local grocery store customers say a lot, yuppies, aging hipsters, and the original locals. Unfortunately, the cashiers are slower than Christmas, and I always seem to pick the slowest line. But that's life.

Which is quite convenient, since I work here (approximately 15 minutes door to office door);


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Work's fun, we're doing interesting things for interesting people. I'm never quite sure what's going to land on my desk, but so far I've written quite a few memos, one answer to a complaint, and I'm working on a complaint.

I've run across some funny cases in the course of my research. My favorite has to be a corporate opportunity usurpation case involving a business to make flameproof carpet pads. The name of the business; Fyr Pruf. Just say it allowed, it was the 70s, it worked for them. Or rather, it didn't, but that was because the corporate officers stripped the assets and started a competitor.

Going running in Jackson is nice, better than Oxford even. Not better for me, but I like it more. I really started running outside when I lived in Petersburg, so I have a special place in my heart for a face full of diesel smoke while out for a run. Oxford's too treefilled and prone to ruralness. Plus, it's hilly.

Which leads me to Farrish Street. It's about 3 blocks from our building, and it looks like a war was fought there. Which, I suppose, one was. If you think about it. But it's been cleaned up, mostly, and a few buildings have been torn down. Check out Peaches if you're ever in Jackson. When you roll into a soul food joint, and there's a woman at the counter with a Foxxie Brown afro, you're in the right place. But I'm getting away from my point. I went running down that direction one day last week, early, around 6:15. There was a group of Jacksonians out playing dice. On the sidewalk, sun barely up. That's dedication.

Anyway, I'll bring this general life ramble to a close. Job I enjoy, housing that's convenient to work, picked up a new suit this evening, and I just found what I assume will be a cheap driving range about 10 minutes away. Other than the power company being of the mistaken impression I'm going to pay them a $200 deposit, things are going quite well.

Which is more than I can say for Russia or France in our Diplomacy game.