outskirts: life and times in charlottesville

Just a few days from Xmas and Dreaming of a White Christmas can be heard blaring from speakers on the downtown mall. The only problem is that it was in the mid 70′s. It is supposed to get down to the fifties tomorrow, so I figured I’d go out running on this last “nice” day.

The heat almost did me in. I basically felt like dropping dead halfway through the run. Of course I wasn’t running home…I was running to the gym to play an hour of racquetball after the run.

Between heat stroke and a small blue ball bouncing all around I’m pretty much a goner for the evening. I’m dreaming of a Xmas below 75 degrees…

The local Wal-mart (I think every city has one…right?) seemed to have a bit of a haz-mat incident this weekend. The quote from the senior fire fighter was hilarious. “We just spray them with a lot of water to kind of remove any contamination from the outside.”

Anyone need a shower? Just stop by Wal-mart.

Every single year I’ve been here in VA the Fins have continued to plummet to the depths of the NFL. Watching them play each week has become a bit of a narcissistic event similar to pulling my own teeth.

I have a feeling that if I’m here next year the Fins will get on a plane for an away game. The plane will crash. The players will be stranded on an island where polar bears will slowly hunt everyone down. Eventually the only person left would be the field goal kicker. If he can make one kick he would be rescued, but alas, he would shank the kick and the Fins would lose every game for the remainder of the season.

Not a pretty thought.

Latest scoop from Tipster D indicates that the owner of JavaJ wanted to open on Monday but a lot of things still need to get finished, such as plumbing. Latest estimate is the week after X-mas.

Also, if you stop by Kiki’s by 2pm you can get a free sample of juice/smoothy from the guy we call “Mr. City Centro.” Run…you only have an hour.

I wonder what got spilled on the road this morning. The article a semi-trucked leaked liquid on to the road, and sand was used to cover it. I wonder how well sand covers certain fluids.

Last night on the Daily Show Jon Stewart did a segment showing what has happened to some of the politicians that didn’t make it back in to office. The favorite of C-Ville made it in to the lineup. In the clip that was shown Allen said, “let’s give a welcome to macaca here.” The overlay text (showing what the politician is now up to) said:

Sen. George Allen (R) – VA
Married a macacan
Divorced by a macacan
Currently dating a Jew

Very funny! I smell bagels.

The Fins in a relatively meaningless game pounded on the Pats. Mathematically they are still alive…but in reality there is no chance of making the playoffs. In any event, it was enjoyable to watch.

Saban has never coached a team with a losing record, and I’m sure he would like to get at least 2 more wins this season. Two out of three are on the road so it will be a challenge.

Latest rumor from Tipster D is that Java Java on the downtown mall is hoping to open by the end of this week. Other sources say that you may be able to buy some fresh squeezed smoothies in Kiki’s at lunchtime by the end of this week. Two new additions to the mall in one week? I’ll believe it when I see it.

Construction continues on The Nook. Would you like mayonnaise on your bread and butter? Salad Creations has also shown a plethora of activity inside. Will it really be opening soon? Back in June I snapped this shot of their window. Seems as if soon is defined as less than one year here in C-Ville (that may be stretching it a bit…Bodo’s defined it as a decade).

One more rumor rolled in from Tipster J related to the construction on a very small building in downtown Belmont. Sources say that this will be a BBQ restaurant of some sort. I’m sure that will do well here in the south. Of course, many people don’t think they really know what BBQ is around here in “the south shall rise again” Virginia. Would you like some mayo on your barbecued pigeon wings?

Figuring that an hour of racquetball wasn’t quite enough for the day, I headed out an ran a local 5k trail run. I finished 12th overall, 2nd in my age group. I’d never done a trail run before. It was rather slick in a few places (probably due to the blizzard the other day). I’m now very sore and tired. The sore part is mostly due to a little collision in racquetball in the middle of my back. Ouch. I wonder how I’ll feel tomorrow.

Now time to curl up on the couch for a pirate-like evening with a movie. I’ve gotten so old…

Tipster C owes me a dime.

Tomorrow…freaky friday food nuggets…what will be opening, when will it open…lots of tidbits.