I Didn’t Belong There

Bradenton to Oldsmar is usually an hour drive and 52 miles or so. Last night I was grabbing gears and chewing pavement on the way home when in my ever constant quest for fuel efficiency and time savings, I decided to take Rt. 19 North after crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge instead of taking I-275.

Oh boy, that was a mistake! I’m not sure what was going on but there was a police presence everywhere and some of America’s best citizens were on display at every street corner. I took a right onto a side street and then things really got intetesting! At one point, a white sedan stopped sideways across the double yellow line blocking a lane of traffic in both directions and four misguided youths bolted from the car, running right past my vehicle. I noticed the driver’s side of the sedan window was smashed from what appeared to be someone’s skull, judging from the shape of the smashed glass.

Needless to say, I was Eastbound and down at that point, heading God knows where but making great time! With the help of my cell phone navigation system, I took a tour of downtown St. Petersburg, finally ending up on I-175 and eventually I-275. I drove an extra 20 minutes and 7 miles, which doesn’t seem like much but it was white-knuckle all the way.

It was not the ending to the fun weekend I had in mind but you can trust me on this, I will NEVER voluntarily take that route again!

The Clampetts Visit That Swedish Meatball Furniture Store

Just how much furniture can one fit into a 2003 Mustang GT? Well, let me answer that; an entire apartment’s worth, that’s how much!

Those Swedes are geniuses with their modular designs and packaging. Two armchairs, two foot stools, a very large 6′ x 4′ picture mural including frame, queen-sized bed frame with head board and foot board, chair and foot stool cushions, assorted kitchen accessories and the hide from a small Yeti all slid, crammed and otherwise stowed somewhat Tetris-like into my car. Add myself and two passengers all in the front seat and I was glad I didn’t eat too many more of those delicious meatballs!

It was my first trip to that store but I can be pretty much assured it won’t be my last. I may not ever need any furniture from there but I could easily have filled the car will all kinds of accessories and knick-knacks. Maybe if I deck out my kitchen and make it more hospitable for cooking, I can get a cute girl to cook for me.