I am currently in Detroit for work. I’m sad. I’m lonely. I don’t understand the road system. There are lots of rude people. Why can’t I just be back in Tennessee?
It took me 9 long hours to drive here, but I came through torrents of rain in Kentucky and Ohio. It should have only taken 8 1/2 hours.
I miss Brico. There’s something very uncomfortable about the fact that he’s now so far away. It sounds silly, I’m sure. We see each other on weekends, and not every weekend at that, but I feel secure in knowing that he lives only 4 hours away. And now, according to MapQuest, he’s 11 hours away! I spoke to him on the phone a while ago. He has been very sick for a couple of days, and today he can only speak in a strained whisper. What a way to spend your birthday! Hopefully he will be well soon.
I made it from Knoxville to the hotel here in Detroit without any problems. As hard as it is to believe, I didn’t get lost at all - UNTIL I decided to venture out for food. Big mistake! The road system is so confusing here. I needed to turn around, but there was no place to do so. There are medians separating nearly every major roadway. I kept driving and driving, trying to find a place to turn around! Well, this meant trouble. I got further and further away from the hotel, and when I did finally get turned around, I managed to get on a different highway. Oh Lord, just take me back to Tennessee!
I called my coworker Bridget for help. I managed to find a familiar road and mentioned it to her. She asked which direction I was headed. “I have no idea,” I replied. She said, “Are you going East? You should be going East.” Once again I replied, “I have no idea!” She then asked what my car said. What? “Doesn’t your car show which direction you are heading?”
Suddenly a light bulb went off in my head. Oh! That’s what that direction showing on the display panel is for! I had noticed it earlier. Sometimes it showed E. Sometimes it showed SE. But I had no clue that it was telling me which direction I was driving! I had seen the direction there before, but it was right beside the temperature. When it displayed “SE 48″, I thought it meant a temperature of 48 degrees with winds blowing from the SouthEast! I was wondering just how that system could be so advanced! The only thing missing was the Doppler radar screen!
I can’t believe I just blogged that story. I’m embarrassed that I can be so clueless at times, but hey - I guess it’s nice when you can laugh at yourself!
And speaking of laughing, it’s something that I really need to do. I don’t know what has gotten into me over the last few days. I’m a very positive, upbeat person, and though I cry a LOT, it’s almost always during sad movies! I do a great job of taking care of myself, and I rarely feel sad or depressed. But when Brico called earlier, I broke down and cried - a lot! For some odd reason, I was overly emotional about getting lost, and about being away from home. I haven’t cried so hard in ages! And I just don’t understand it. I’ve gotten upset many times about being lost, but never so upset that I was drowning in tears! Any explanations from the psych majors?
I have to go to a legal seminar in Ypsilanti in the morning. According to MapQuest, it’s half an hour away from my hotel. That means that I’d better leave at least an hour in advance. I’m dreading it already.
On an interesting note, I was talking to a guy at the front desk when I checked in. He used to live in Tennessee! He ran a restaurant in Pigeon Forge, only 45 minutes or so from where I live. Small world, eh? He told me that he loves Tennessee, and he’d love to go back there. I hear that a lot! I told the guy about how much I hate the roads here, and he gave me a Detroit map, so hopefully that will help. He even marked the location of the hotel and pointed out some important roads. He also said that I could call him if I get lost, and he would be happy to help me. At least there are a few nice people up here! 
Then again, this guy is from Tennessee. Just sayin’!
I should be back to Knoxville on Thursday night. Thank heavens!
November 1st, 2006 at 1:27 am
Wow! Poor baby (and I sincerely mean that) I am so sorry you’re having a bad time there. Just hang in there and you’ll be fine. Hoping for the best for you this week. **MUWAH** and a big (((Tish))) (Don’t worry Brico, we’re soulmates!) LOL
TG
November 1st, 2006 at 1:35 am
Oh that must be tough sweetie. I’d be crying too.
I would also have thought the winds were blowing from the south east. I think it’s a girl thing. We are smart in most ways though so don’t let it get you down.
November 1st, 2006 at 2:49 am
I seem to remember a time when you got lost–IN TENNESSEE! Call me if you need me!
November 1st, 2006 at 9:04 am
lol at Os! i recall that too. yould never find me getting lost on the way to a hooters!
wow, i dont sound sick at all when i type in comments!
you seemed to leave out this whole little ‘getting lost’ bit when we talked on the phone last night. why is that?hope youre feeling better today.
November 1st, 2006 at 1:17 pm
tishy? is it time to get out the pee stick?
you’ll be fine. i had the same weird feeling after oli left. he first went to colorado for a week, and i was ok with him being gone even though he was across the country and i knew i wouldn’t be seeing him for so long. but when he flew out of the country, i REALLY missed him. it’s weird, but understandable.
you’ll be back soon. i’d have cried, too, especially if i was hungry. then again, we know the results of my pee stick test…
November 1st, 2006 at 4:42 pm
you shut the hell up sissy! ill hunt you down!!! shut it! just cause you cant keep your ovaries unfertalized doesnt mean that others have to follow your path. geeze!
November 1st, 2006 at 6:56 pm
Tommy ~ Awww, you rock! Thank you so much. And yes, we’re definitely soulmates, so all is cool.
Thanks for the kind words. You’re the best! Mwah!
Binsk ~ Thanks for the kind words.
It’s nice to know that I’m not alone!
Osbasso ~ Unfortunately, I remember that too. I was hoping you would have forgotten by now. hehehe. And just for the record, you’re the best navigator I’ve ever found! Better than any map! Of course, if I could read a map, maybe I’d think differently.
Thanks for all the help!
Brico ~ Damnit. You remember me getting lost too? That incident is apparently going to haunt me forever! It’s like a nasty little dark cloud that follows me around everywhere! And did you say Hooters? I love going to Hooters. It rocks. Let’s go sometime! As for the phone conversation last night, sorry about that, but thank you for being there. I love you.
Aunt Bea ~ Do you have an extra pee stick laying around?
So sorry about Oli. I can’t imagine being away from the person you love for such a long time. Thank goodness you’ll be seeing him very soon! Thank you for all the kind words. You are great.
Brico ~ Shut yer piehole.
November 1st, 2006 at 9:18 pm
Be safe girl!
November 1st, 2006 at 9:29 pm
Rachel ~ Thanks so much! Wouldn’t it be cool if you lived in Detroit?! Well, it would be cool while I was here, because we could hang out! hehe. Have a great night!
November 2nd, 2006 at 11:07 pm
That sounds like when I was driving around in Chicago. One of the few places I have actually gotten lost. And San Francisco.
November 16th, 2006 at 4:18 pm
Hello!
I am a Detroiter, and I completely agree with everything you reported as finding here.
It helps so much if you have someone to meet up with and show you around the town. Where to go, where NOT to go, etc.
Some places are great, and worth seeing, but the people are not the most friendly in general city circumstances.
Should you ever come back, get in touch with me. Even if you don’t want to meet up with a fellow blogger, I can give you a bit of direction to help you out.
Ciao
Espresso Bean