Thanks, everyone, yes, Earl, I do visit my gang at the HiEx and even plan on it next week. Jeff, Darius, Travis, and Tundra (her name is actually LaTandra) are my local posse, I could never forget them! We'll probably get Chinese for old times' sake.

Yes, Sal, rain, rain and more rain. It literally never stopped raining here for 2.5 days, it was a very steady, heavy downpour the entire time. Closer to the coast they are having a ton of problems, not so much over here.

Dej, I'm in greater RDU but have aims on getting west and staying. Ideally, Morganton is my goal but I may have to settle in somewhere nearby.

I've trekked the four cardinal points now and find the north and the east to be my favorites. They're a bit more civilized and a lot more current in terms of accessibility and options. It's pretty strange to be +/- 30 minutes from all the basic standards. I have not found much local comfort in Millie's African and French Art lawn store (WHUH?) or Elizabeth's alleged Italian restaurant (where the menu and atmosphere beg the question, "what were you thinking?").

Todays adventure involves distant points east, uncharted waters (that's kind of a pun given the weather lately) to test-drive a recliner and the procurement of produce, namely apples.

Try to quell the excitement, folks, it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.