Soaking up the South

(Editor’s note: I’ve been taking a public affairs course at Fort Meade since mid-March and have been out of the loop, so here’s my stab at regaining some momentum, in reverse chronological order.)

Last weekend our class had Thursday and Friday off, so I took to the skies to visit some old friends (and recent newlyweds), Maria and Kyle, in HOT-lanta. (I only use this term only because it pisses off Atlanta residents, like ‘frisco for SF folks.)

What I didn’t realize was that weeks of pent-up stress would turn into an all-night booze-fest leading up to my 6:30 a.m. flight.

I can’t remember the last time I stayed up all night, but felt surprisingly alert as I shooed 5-6 people out of my room at 4:15 a.m. so I could pack and catch my ride to the airport in the next 15 minutes.

I made it to the departure gate and everything was fine – until it wasn’t.

Somehow I dozed off at the gate -- right in front of the flight attendants, mind you – and woke up just in time to watch my plane slowly backing away from the jet bridge. (I have now lost my ability to make fun of JR for doing the same thing. Damn.)

The flight attendants seemed nonplussed, though one said, “Oh, I saw you sleeping but didn’t think to wake you!” Really?

They put me on another flight and I only missed out on a few hours of ATL fun. The rest of the weekend was much smoother. 

I caught up with Maria & Kyle over beers and breakfast (at separate times, usually) on their porch; we feasted on a vegan smorgasbord around a backyard campfire, and I definitely got my southern barbecue fill.

On Saturday, we strolled through an Inman Park street fair and soaked up the 80-degree weather.

The day before, Kyle was interviewed for a documentary on his artwork for about 3 hours. (Check out some of his art here.)

Maria and I sat back with a few beers enjoying the show and occasionally asking questions of our own.

It was enlightening to hear Kyle talk about his life and reflect on the dialogue he's trying to establish between motorists and the street-style folk art he installs on the roadside. 

For one question about being a full-time artist, he responded off the cuff with " ... it's about taking a crazy obsession and turning into a life." 

I think anyone who loves what they do can identify with that.