The first week of January, I had an interview in the heart of Atlanta at an agriculture company. I took a half day at my current job and headed out around 1:30 for my 3:30 appointment. About 40 minutes into the drive, my tires started making a thumping noise. I pulled over and noticed the air was low so I drove to the next gas station about 5 minutes away. As I walked to the store to get change for the tire pump, a guy leaned out of his car and shouted “hey there sexy momma.” Seriously…tell me something I don’t know.
Anyway, I pumped up my tires, filled up the car with gas, and got back onto the road, er, parking lot. I don’t know who makes the decisions about road construction but they have yet to consult me because I would let them know it is NOT a good choice to merge three lanes into one just a mile before the onramp – which by the way, pours onto the freeway in the left – or fast – lane. I did all I could do: sat in my car with my wipers and defroster on high. (I neglected to mention this trip was taken while Atlanta was under a tornado watch).
I finally was able to merge onto the freeway and get to my interview. Even leaving with an extra half hour, I got there 5 minutes late. I removed my rain jacket, shook hands, sat down and was caught off guard by the first comment:
“I see you have a degree in Science from the Y.”
…No, I have a bachelor of science in Recreation Management.
“Oh. Okaaaaay. Well, that’s alright, that’s alright.”
The interview, not one of my better ones, finally finished and I left. I wanted to quickly stop in at Ikea before attending to other errands and then meet a friend for dinner. My plans did not go as I anticipated but, always looking for a learning opportunity, this is what I gleaned from my day in Atlanta.
- Ikea is huge!
- You can find a parking spot, walk a mile to get to Ikea, walk a mile to the one item you need, walk the mile back to the checkout, wait in line for the two clerks to ring everyone up, walk a mile back to your car FASTER than you can drive 20 miles on the freeway.
- In the planning meeting, city officials must have run out of names because every street is called Peachtree-something.
- Atlanta has tornadoes?!
- The toll on GA 400 is $ .50.
- Downtown Atlanta is not set up like downtown Salt Lake City.
- Spaghetti junction really is like pasta. Although it looks smooth, there are always sticky spots.
After dinner, I started thinking about all the events of the day and laughed when I remembered the whistler at the gas station. One thing was clear: as for the job, I don’t know if I got it, but I do know that I still got it!
5 comments:
Oh, the sweet memories of Georgia. I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. What I also HATED about Atlanta, was that the streets change names about every mile. Drove me nuts....
Atlanta sounds weird. You should move back to Provo.
I'll hire you to be my intern. The pay isn't great but it sure would be fun!
Amen to that! Utah needs you. We need you.
I agree that downtown Atlanta is insufferably annoying with all the Peachtrees. Jeff Foxworthy even did a routine on it. And the way I-75 and I-85 merge and then part again in Atlanta is so poorly planned. It was where I had my most frustrating experience as a driver...ever. (As for what the driver said, not only do you have it, I think you actually flaunt it.)
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