Business as Usual

I get ideas for things to write about all the time. I'll see or hear something and think, "man...that's interesting...I should talk about that." That's usually as far as I get with it. I might sit down later in the day/night, if I have time, and try but the moment is gone and I usually can't really remember what I wanted to say.

I may have mentioned it before, or if you really know me you'll already know, but I don't like change. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" are words I live by. I'm also very risk-averse and usually don't step out on that ledge to aim for something grander if whatever I've got now is good with me. Maybe I'm blinded by myself and end up settling for something I think is good but is really just "fine." Maybe there's something that's really "good" or even "great" available and I just need to take a moment and check. Where is this stream of consciousness blog post going?

I originally intended to talk about businesses opening, closing, and changing. I've been working back downtown* now for about a week and a half and I've noticed that things have changed in the past almost three years since I worked down here. I guess the most notable changes I've seen, other than the "Welcome to Downtown Augusta" signs on Broad Street, involve stores or restaurants that aren't what or where I remembered them to be. Who knew the Metro Spirit moved its offices to the corner of Broad and 7th Streets, just across from the Chronicle? Not me. The cute little pet grooming place on the corner by the 5th Street bridge...gone. (OK, that one isn't a big deal, but I always noticed it.)

The main restaurants downtown is known for (i.e. Pizza Joint, Nacho Mama's, Mellow Mushroom, etc.) are still here but Malley's closed its doors. I had been looking forward to walking the block and a half for a morning bagel again. The Monterrey's in North Augusta moved from its first location (originally a Pizza Inn back in the 80s!) to a much larger building across the street (originally a Quincy's back in the 80s!). That's a good move; the other place was getting pretty dumpy and parking was usually bad.

Before Monday night, Cinco de Mayo, I hadn't driven down Washington Road beyond the Steinmart shopping center area since New Years Eve, I think. In four months they totally rebuilt the Kroger there and threw in a Wallgreen's drug store on the opposite corner for me for good measure. How does that happen without me knowing? It doesn't really bother me...but it kind of does.

Is it better to know something is going on or to be surprised by it later on? Would you rather know what's happening or be left with just your over-active imagination to dream up what you think might be happening?

The world doesn't stop moving if we stop paying attention. Things happen when you're not looking. Or, at least, you notice them more when you're not looking and then look again. Gradual change isn't noticed as much and doesn't have near the impact of drastic, dramatic change.

In the same sense that someone has to hit rock-bottom before they "see the light" and make a much-needed change: Does it take the total loss of something/someone to make you truly appreciate it/them? You know, the old "didn't realize what you had until you lost it" deal? Of course, you may finally drop something and realize you're better off. You didn't need that as much as you thought. Of course, I'm always afraid of the opposite happening: dropping it and then it's, "oh, crap...I need it more than ever," but by then it's too late and there's no hope for getting back.

"Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone...They paved paradise and put up a parking lot"
-Big Yellow Taxi - Counting Crows

"A change would do you good..."
-A Change - Sheryl Crow

This random blog is brought to you by Taco Bell, which I had for lunch. Think outside the bun.

*I'm sorry if you're out of the loop and didn't know I got another real job and am back downtown. Let me know if you want to talk about it more.