'Merica

The summer must be coming on because I've been finding myself away from home, let alone a computer, more and more lately.

Just got home from two days in Wooster, Ohio, where I learned how to take topographic data using a laser and surveying rod. I also learned that Rural America seems to be pretty estranged from Pop-Culture America. I think Pop Culture turned away from Rural America long ago, and in turn, Rural America has little to no interest in its Urban/Suburban counterparts. It's a damn shame because we all have a lot to learn from each other.

What else?

Oh yeah, driving along Interstate 71, I decided some things about fast food. I passed an exit that was infected with Applebee's, McD's, Arby's, and Wendy's, to name a few. I find myself eating at any one of these more frequently than I care to admit. The shame, I've decided, is that while it seems like at each exit on any national highway we have choices, we don't. The same pattern is seen all over. What's more, there is hardly any local flavor. It's the same from coast to coast. What this offers is speed and efficiency--which is great, if you want to consider yourself a heartless machine. I don't. I want to experience America as I'm driving around it. Okay, so I don't get out of Ohio much. I would like to experience what Ohio has to offer (which arguably includes Wendy's and Bob Evans). And maybe this sentiment would be an economic one also. I would say the same about material consumables, clothes, crafts, etc. Not stuff you'd find at Walmart, but at a small shop with local things.

Ok, gonna go hang with the fam. Peace, D