Ramble On

Howdy. I don't want to start off too quickly, if only so it will be easy to improve, but I believe I will often find myself making lists of things as I type. Partly this is because once upon a time I wanted to put together a website and use lists of seven to encourage debate/discussion. Now I think it's just because it helps me keep things clear. So, with that in mind....

7 Things I will miss about Roanoke

1) The Grandin Theatre - I love this theatre. I think I have now seen more movies here than anywhere else, and given that this is Roanoke's "art house theatre" they are often provoking, sweeping, and sometimes tedious movies that nonetheless make me think of how to discuss them, cajole others into going with me, and so on. The ambience is perfect. There is one main theatre downstairs with eye-catching classic (or old-timey, if you prefer) construction. There is a tiny (30-40 seat) room that I have not really been inside of in years, though I will remember the time several of us went there in college and took up about 1/5 of the place, even though we drove down there in one car. My most frequent viewing location, though, is upstairs. There are two smaller rooms with slightly skewed split-level seating. You can almost always find me in the bottom row of the top level with my feet propped up on the rail and a bag of Grandin popcorn (which is simply the best around) in my hand, watching the trailers intently in order to find the next thing to see there. I am also damned aggravated that the place has had almost nothing I wanted to see and then the VERY weekend after I move, it starts a run where Frost/Nixon, The Wrestler, and Slumdog Millionaire (all of which I want to see) are coming to the theatre. Not that I think that they planned it just to piss me off, but..... *sigh*

2) Mill Mountain Zoo - I have had memberships off and on during the years, and I will have to make an effort to get up there in the next few days. I miss the prairie dog farm a lot (I actually wanted to look into getting a prairie dog for a pet a few years ago. I currently appease the contained good-sized rodent fix thanks to my rabbit, Trixie). When I go these days, I love to stop and pet the zebu, who does I believe appreciate my attentions. I go take a look at Nina, the cougar, and look at the scratch marks on the trees the zoo has thoughtfully wrapped with metal to keep the dear from getting out and indulging her predatory instincts. I like seeing if the red wolves are making themselves available on a given day, after years of a spot out of sight but never out of mind. I am so taken with the Wah (the red panda for you laymen and laywomen... hey, I like to laywo, oh never mind that now) that I will succumb to youtube videos and the like to get my fix once I leave town. Oy....

3) Martin's Bar and Grill - Good location downtown, but not in the center of the place. The food, though recently adjusting itself away from reasonable prices, is pretty good if unspectacular. It's their taste and programming that makes it my spot. It's as close to a regular hangout as I have. From the poker games run by Star City Poker on Wednesday nights, to the great live music, to the awesome bartender (plug for Didi), to the karaoke, it ensures that if I'm feeling mildly sociable and want to go to a place where most people know my name, I have one. Had one. *shakes head* anyway....

4) B & D Comics - I have spent the last several years living within 5 minutes of this store, from all different sides. Got into "graphic novels" (the adult way to say comic books, FYI) about the time I turned 30, and since then have developed the fondness for Transmetropolitan, Hellblazer/Constantine, Preacher, Lucifer, and Sin City. I argue that Vertigo just does a good job of catering to my needs, but I have also been told that it's because I have a clear preference for "assholes on the side of right". Spider Jerusalem, check to the side of infinity. John Constantine, mostly clear check. Jesse Custer, double check with cheese. Lucifer, dunno because I haven't finished yet, but signs point to solid check. Marv and Dwight, hell yes check. Okay, there may be something to this. I get good ideas there for future reading (thank you, Terri). Love the log building there by the bridge.

5) Annie Moore's - Okay, so it's Applebee's with an Irish theme. Food's good (potato cakes are awesome, shepherd's pie is awesome, and try the bangers and more as well), drinks are good (an Irish theme, of COURSE the drinks are good), they play good live music, and ambience is fantastic. Did I mention how cool it is that they are non-smoking?

6) Plan 9 - I think this would be a good bit higher if not for the fact that this is a chain with a monster store in Richmond, but nevertheless I can tell you how excited I was when they came to town over at Towers, and then that they moved into the Grandin area (within spitting distance of the theatre residing at the top spot). Good selection, have not overinundated themselves with crappy used music (though it will eventually happen, because that's what used stores eventually due), they sell vinyl and display music magazine prominently (they are to blame/credit for my subscription to Paste), and I like talking to the staff (Jamie and Aaron, this one's for you) to try and expand my musical knowledge and selection.

7) location to places north, west, and south - Okay, this is a copout, but the fact is that once I move, I will also lose easy (or at least easier) access to Lexington, Blacksburg, and Smith Mountain Lake (all within an hour), Greensboro and Winston Salem (2 hours and change), Charlotte (3 hours) and Asheville (4 hours). Haven't travelled as much to these places as I once did for reasons various and sundry, but it will be a shame to not be able to get to them nearly as easily, with the possible exception of Lexington which now lies on I-81 between Point A and Point B.

Okay, so this was the tryout. Now to see how it looks and how maudlin I sound. *chuckle*