Sunday, February 24, 2008

Commentary: Blog Life Meets Real Life

This post is off topic and without relevance to my stated purpose. I needed a diversion. Enjoy.

My worlds collided last week. A business trip took me to Gainesville, Florida, home to Mellifera of the MFE blog. After finishing the business portion of my trip, I had some extra time and took the opportunity to meet in-person with Mellifera. This was the first time I had ever met in-person with a previously virtual-only acquaintance. The outcome? It was great. Mellifera and Mellifera’s spouse are delightful. They are great company and wonderful tour guides. They showed me the pinnacle of modern American culture, a strip mall with a Wal-Mart and a Target. It was almost unbelievable. Thanks Mellifera.

Apparently, Gainesville is a magnet for Green Mormon Bloggers.

6 comments:

green mormon architect said...

Sweet - that's awesome - wish I could have been there. I'm trying to think of the strip mall you're referring to. Is it the one on Archer Road? I think there was a Wal-mart there, but I can't recall for sure. Did you guys make it to the Bat house by Lake Alice? That was always one of my favorite places on campus.

mhcs said...

It was totally Butler Plaza. When we first moved in, we headed into there in search of the Albertson's and kept going through parking lot upon parking lot and thinking "What? There's more!? And why haven't we found the Albertson's yet?"

Sorry, bro... we woulda gone by the bat house but it was already dark. It's pretty amazing- there's a big fat swampy lake right next to it, but mysteriously enough, not a bug in sight....

So GMA, I hear you're a Gator as well?

green mormon architect said...

Yep - I was holed up in the architecture building for four long years. Good memories, but I wouldn't want to do it again. We really liked Gainesville - the 1st ward was one of our favorite wards.

claire said...

That is one of the more amazing lengths of strip mall I've ever seen.

Cool to see some G'villians. I grew up there but only get back once or twice a year.

mhcs said...

GMA- can I ask how long ago you were there? We were in 1st ward for a few months and are due to go back when we get into student housing- wondering if any of the people you knew are still there.

It's funny about the strip mall, 'cause they're supposed to be good for cars and bad for pedestrians, right? But we live right next to that lovely slab of asphalt and can walk or bike right in for shopping, and it's much less frustrating to do it on foot than battle the awesome force that is Gainesville traffic.

green mormon architect said...

I graduated in 04 - lived in Tanglewood (off 13th I think) for several years of that. Send me your email address when you get a chance - we probably know some people in common. I don't want to post a bunch of people's names online...my address is greenmormonarchitect at gmail dot com.