Lost in Memphis

Despite being sick and wheezy, I went to Memphis today. Why? A haircut. No way I was going to miss my hair appointment.

Yes, I drive all the way to Memphis to get my hair cut. I went to a woman in town for several years but dropped her after one too many cuts I didn't like. I figured I go to Memphis once a month or so anyway, so why not throw "haircut" into the mix of others things I do up there (mainly shopping and eating).

I woke up this morning thinking that maybe I shouldn't drive. After being awake for thirty minutes I was a bit wobbly. I asked around, but everyone was busy. I set out on my own. I normally take the "back way"--maybe it would be better to call it the local way, but it was raining and I don't like the back roads in the rain. So, I took the interstate and gave myself some extra time since I knew the way I would end up taking would longer and out of the way.

Well, I got lost. Maybe "lost" is a bit strong, but I turned too soon and ended up too far east so I had to double back. I ended up taking Mendelson since I knew it crossed Poplar. What I didn't know is that it changed names (to Mt. Moriah) and then became Mendelson again at Poplar.

See, I have no sense of direction, so being somewhere I didn't know without a map and no visual landmarks will put me almost near panic. So, I pulled off Mt. Moriah, got out my fancy-pants internet phone and found out I was only about three blocks from where I needed to be. Thank god. I can't tell you how proud of myself I was. I had found my way around Memphis, by myself, based only on my own memory and sketchy sense of direction.

Moral of the story: Sometimes you need to trust your instincts. I knew the direction I needed to go, but when I wasn't seeing anything that looked familiar, I began to doubt myself. And thank god for technology. What the hell would I do without it?

Did I survive? Yes, but I am paying for it now. I'm wiped out and even more wheezy than normal.

And my haircut? Awesome as usual.