live better

i begin my journey kinda backwards, by visiting my hometown before leaving for central america. though i gotta say, there is something nice about being in a place i know so well, and being comforted by family and friends before launching myself into the unknown.every time i come home,-stone mountain, georgia- there are several places i must visit to make my trip complete. things that, while living here, i either deeply cherished or took for granted; things they don't have in los angeles. they are mostly restaurants (which makes it difficult to stay on any kind of healthy eating track i may be on), but there is also the drive around my high school stomping grounds in tucker, georgia. i found out yesterday that they have torn down most of the school and are rebuilding a rather huge structure; i guess there are just more people 'round these parts now.

there is one of the largest wal-marts known to man just down the street from my parents' place. i remember when it was built; it's always a big fucking deal when a new wal-mart opens. it started out as just a regular size wal-mart, but then grew into a monolithic beast that lies in the shadow of the great stone mountain.

i decided to visit wal-mart today, because there are a few things i need still for my trip but also because it is a completely different cultural experience than one can expect in los angeles. 

DISCLAIMER: i do not mean to offend people who do not live in los angeles, or big cities, or everyone who resides in small town southern america. i think there are so many quality, kind and caring human beings that live in my hometown, and i would never be prejudiced or judgmental to people who just want to live a nice life that fits their needs and wants, as long as it is not effecting anyone else in a negative manner. that being said, their are a lot of interesting characters found in a wal-mart, and if they ever want to write a blog about how funny my life is, more power to 'em.

i took the pickup truck down the street. it has been storming on and off (another thing you just do not see in southern california. there is nothing like a real thunder and lightning and pouring down rain STORM.) 

i walked in to find that they were doing a major overhaul and rearranging everything. that's ok, i still found some really great products. 

i also did some serious people watching. i was ecstatic to hear an old man use one of my favorite southern colloquialisms, "if it was a snake it woulda bit me" (used when finding out

 something you were looking for was really close the whole time). there was this other guy whose aim was to have a conversation with every person in the store. i saw him giving gun advice to a teenager in the gun isle, and shoe advice to another guy in the shoe isle. to me he said "you seen my wife? as soon as i turn my back she goes out and shops. cain't turn my back on that woman." aren't we in a store? isn't she supposed to be shopping? my reply, however, was a simple smile.

this wedding cake topper is just sad. it screams: "women! always tryin' to rope you into marryin' them when you knock them up!" 

cinnabon candles, for when you want your home to smell like a food court.

this lady sure seems excited about never having to leave her home. "y'all, don't tell anyone you can walk outside....for free."

guns and knives!

guns! yes, they're BB guns, but it just looks so sinister, all those guns in their packaging, up on a shelf. shivers.

you'll be happy to know that wal-mart sells live bait! see, they even want to take down the mom and pop bait and tackles. damn mega corporation.

"whadda you mean your sister wants to go fishin' with us?"

i am not sure how this product slipped by. bohemian, indeed....

i always show support for the shitty beer i drink by walking all over their logo. 

then the wal-mart turns into a full on grocery store. with the most impressive selection of jerky and preserved meat ever.

and the best part? it's right next to the soy milk.

i am sorry, but saving a few pennies by giving your already hyperactive child overly sugared cereal will not make you "live better".

i just loved these because they look like you could couple them all with big floppy hats and have yourself a ready made southern bridesmaid outfit!

"math is hard!"

i walked out of wal-mart with a grand total of nothing. all i wanted was a rubber door stop, and they didn't have that. perhaps i could have just used a WWF homoerotic action figure?