(cont.)

To get back to what I was talking about -- and to try to get to some sort of point -- it's just interesting seeing a lot of these changes in my hometown, particularly since I've given some thought to returning.

A lot of folks will lament that my hometown is losing its small-town charm with all these big-box stores and chains moving in, but I also see that having the stores around can make life in a relatively rural area much more convenient. But it is impressive how quickly this has all occurred. Heck, we didn't even get Taco Bell until 1994 or so.

I'm just hoping the next step isn't someone buying up the old warehouses and factories in town and turning them into lofts that go for $300/sq.ft.

And, man, this is much too serious and not at all in keeping with the tone of every other post here, so I'm going to stop now.