Overheard Conversation

I have to over-use the local coffeeshop for internet access while I wait for the planets of Comcast and PODS to align, and while doing so I overheard the following exchange:

Well-Dressed Lady: "By the way, I have some part-time work if you know anyone who needs it."

Shaggy Barista: "I'll keep my ears open.  What kind of work is it?"

WDL: "Mostly floors, starts at $7/hr."

SB: "Actually, you know, a friend of mine is looking for something, I'll let her know."

WDL: "Is she white?"

SB: "Yeah, she is."

WDL: "Ok, good."

Yep, I live in the South.

Again?

Another reminder to keep scrolling 'cause I added several posts.

Also, there had better be more than 2 people reading this blog, so I expect more responses to the Title Identification challenge.  You'll have to go to page 2 for it since the Trip by Numbers series was so long. 

Trip by Numbers: Shooting

Total Exposures:
2169

Err99's:
2

Metering Freakouts:
1. Camera suddenly decides that proper exposure for subject is actually 4 stops under. Riiiight.

Shots Sucked into a Black Hole:
2. Camera fired but images not written to the memory card. Weird. Never had this happen before.

Failure to Fire Events:
5. Camera metered and focused but shutter fails to fire from both body and grip until power is cycled.

Cursing at the Camera Incidents:
12! Includes Err99s, meter freakouts, and Failures to Fire.

Injuries Incurred to Get the Shot:
Two minor falls sustaining minor bruising and abrasions.

Trip by Numbers: Lodging

Most Expensive Night:
Lakeland, TN (just East of Memphis). Taxes on the room came to over 20% of the room cost.

Least Expensive Night:
Last night at Death Valley. My "ticket" proving I paid for camping went AWOL on my first day so the host gave me a pass and told me to stay as long as I like. I stayed 1 day longer than planned.

Nicest Lodging:
Shamrock, TX.

Worst Town to Stay In:
Shamrock, TX. Most buildings looked abandoned, there were only two choices for dinner, and continental breakfast included Biscuits and Gravy.

Coldest Night:
First night in Death Valley. Recorded low at Stovepipe was 21 Degrees. After that it kept getting warmer every night. I kept trying unsuccessfully to refreeze some of my perishables.

Warmest Night:
Memphis. The last few days were unseasonably warm at the same time my California readers were getting rained on like Noah.

Bedbug Infestations:
Zero, Flo makes me check every time.

Slept Better Inside or Outside:
Outside. After sleeping outside for 5 nights, I have still not been able to re-adjust to sleeping indoors. Consequently I am exhausted.

Trip by Number: Dining

Best Meal:
Jerry's Diner in Holbrook, AZ.
Huge Shake, decent burger. They got the burger closest to rare I've had in a long time. It was supposed to have swiss cheese but they only had American Cheese. The green chili was a nice addition.

Worst Meal:
Shamrock, TX. A choice between McDonalds and Dairy Queen. I picked DQ.

Ounces of Mountain Dew Consumed:
Zero!

Ounces of Caffeinated Drinks Consumed:
Zero!

Ounces of Candy Consumed:
Zero!

Worst Food:
Snickers Energy/Protein Bar. Like Cardboard it tastes!

Most Frequent Camp Meal:
Cheeseburger at 4.

Least Successful Food Item:
Campfire Baked Potato. Burned 'em every time.

Trip by Numbers: The Road

Total Roadkill Seen:
4, none identifiable.

State with the Least Law:
Texas.

State with the Most Law:
Arizona.

Number of Tickets:
0

Number of Near Accidents:
Only 1, a Semi changed lanes right at me. Floor it and drive on the shoulder. Thanks.

Number of States:
8 (includes California)

Most States in 1 Day:

4: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas (pronounced ARE-can-zus), Tennessee.

Number of States I've never been to:
None unfortunately.

State Where it Finally Felt Like the South:
Tennessee. The divided highway cut through rocky cliffs topped with bare trees. A good portion of the 24 and 75 look like this, so when I hit it on the 40, I finally realized I was there.

Giant Crosses Passed:
Just the one in Texas. I didn't stop 'cause it was getting late and the sign said it was a spiritual experience I would never forget. No thanks.

Burned out Cars Passed:
One that had clearly seen the end of it's life on Route 66 rather than I-40.

Cattle Lots Passed:
Only 1.

"Authentic" "Indian" Souvenir Stands Passed:
Too Many to Count

Most played Music:
Rilo Kiley, Under the Blacklight.
A subtle and sublime album. Highly recommended.

Trip by Numbers: Miles

Total Gallons of Gas:
123.62

Total Miles Driven:
2970

Average MPG:
24.02

Most Efficient Leg:
New Mexico to Texas
The Subie's best recorded, 31 MPG!

Least Efficient Leg:
Second half of Local Driving in DV
Driving around the park netted only 20 MPG.

Largest Attraction:
Death Valley at 5,219 square miles!

Trip by Numbers: Gas

Most Expensive Gas Purchased:
Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley at $3.720
Can you believe that?  No 9/10's of a cent!  Just 3.72.

Most Expensive Gas Sighted:
Panamint Springs, Death Valley at $4.499

Least Expensive Gas Purchased or Sighted:
Moriarty, NM at $2.879

Average Cost Per Gallon:
$3.113

Reserve Gas Carried:
1 Gallon

Reserve Gas Used:
None, but it was very close in Death Valley.

Windiest Gas Stop:
Brinkley, AR.
I was knocked into the car.

It won't work. I have an exceptionally large mind.

I've posted 21 entries so far where the titles are references, and I thought it might be fun to try and get you all to guess what they are.  I have listed all the relevant titles.  In the comments, list what you think the title is a reference to.

No fair putting Star Wars for each.  If you think a title is a SW reference, I need the specific movie or context (speaker and subject).  No googling.

Here you go from newest to oldest:

It won't work. I have an exceptionally large mind.
We've got to give him more time...
Hoover Dam is big.
Where my nose ends and space begins.
There's something very weak coming through...
Fire. F-F-F-Fire.
Be just like Mosaic Canyon back home.
I'll return. I promise.
Only an old ghost town..
Play back the entire message!
I don't see you crying, robot!
You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
Where's not going to get another chance at this...
What makes you think there will be settlements over there?
If there's a bright center to the universe...
There's not much to see...
A Day Late and Many Dollars Shorter...
Hear me baby, hold together.
Life is like a box of...
Tick Tock
I have a baaad feeling about this...

We're in for some Chop.

This is End Game

Since leaving the Valley of Fire, I have been on the road through to Tennessee.  I have been timing this last leg of my trip to arrive Monday since I wouldn't be able to get the keys to the house on Sunday.

The last few days I have been driving until it is about dark, and finding a place to stay, each day making it further than I planned.  Which is why I am spending the night in Memphis, TN.  I was in four states today (Texas, drove through Oklahoma and Arkansas, landing in Tennessee).

In honor of making it to the Volunteer State, I have shaved the goatee.  Tomorrow, Nashville, hopefully the House, and soon, a haircut.