Last Wednesday I traveled down to Athens, before heading to Hilton Head early Friday morning. I was able to spend some time with a new friend who I find very interesting. It's always cool when you meet new people and get to know them. It's especially cool when she is a Bulldog.
Thursday, some of my old buddies rolled into Athens. Doug, who lives there, Keith and Jeff all hit the town with me for a few adult beverages. Keith and Jeff were pledge brothers of mine in the Georgia Alpha Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. Doug, also a brother, was my grad school roommate. I've had the pleasure of being around these guys during some pretty amazing moments in their lives: Keith's wedding, Jeff's first child, Doug's graduation. Any time we can spend together is important. It keeps us sane, as well as allows for us to act like asses from time to time. You get us together, and we are the Webster's definition of trouble. Although, I think the city of Athens misses us.
The drive from Athens to Hilton Head was a bit long but not too bad. Seriously, who doesn't enjoy a good road trip from time to time? Once we arrived, we met up with Jonathan (Dubbie, as we call him), another brother. Dubbie is in the midst of studying for the South Carolina BAR, but found some time in his study schedule to meet us. We stayed at a pretty sweet Holiday Inn, which was located on the beach. Very cool place, with a great Tiki Lounge in the back. It was great for a few pre-nightlife drinks.
To make a long story short, the weekend consisted of us hanging out on the beach, watching the many bikinis that waltzed by, hanging out at the pool meeting some cool people and then venturing into the nightlife offered by the quaint town of Hilton Head. I can't tell you how many old stories were rehashed ... everything from embarrassing personal stories, to Al Bundy-ish stories of intramural football games. If you've ever heard a fisherman tell a story about the time he caught a huge fish, and every time you hear the story the fish has gained 15 pounds, well that is pretty much what our stories are like. But they are our stories, and it is just a cool feeling to relive them.
Speaking of stories, it is amazing how many memories hit me when I drive through Athens or Atlanta. Some good, some bad, but like the waves beating down the sand, those memories just flood my mind. As a young man, I grew up a great deal in Athens. I am critical on myself, and I feel like I didn't become a man until I had that first job, but to say I spent my formidable years in Athens would be an understatement. I loved every moment of my time there, and every moment of this trip. I would never trade times like that.
Oh, I did my best to hit on a celebrity while in Hilton Head. So there we are at the Tiki Lounge, prior to an evening on the town, and Dubbie points out that Lea Thompson is in the house. So, being the slightly droopy eyed man I am at the time, I walk over and strike up a conversation. I even tried to buy her a beverage, but she had to return to the set of a new movie she is working on. What a lovely lady though. Very nice, very sweet and she seemed very cool.
Now I'm back to the real world. As I suspected, life was hectic as hell when I returned to the office today. I plan on going home in about 30 minutes and crashing. I'm exhausted, and work didn't give me any naps today. The drive home was so tiring ... and actually scary in Atlanta. I've never driven through such pouring down rain before. Very scary, but i survived. Before I go, two shout outs ... to the 'Dores, for making a hell of a run in the NCAA baseball championships. It was a great season guys. Something to build on. And to my sister, who is a finalist for a graduate assistantship at ECU. She continues to impress us every day. I'm proud of ya kid!