Aud thought: Small towns
I've seen three of Oklahoma's state borders in the past week. I actually love the road time. However, the destinations... I've lived in the city just long enough that I can now truly appreciate how backwards small town living can seem.
For the last few days I've been in a very small town in southeast Oklahoma. The first good sign that you're in the middle of nowhere comes when you're cruising down the highway going 30 behind a cattle trailer and you pass a street sign announcing "Business District" and pointing down a dirt road.
Business District. What kind of business are we talking here? Fishin'? Cow tippin'? Muddin'? Please tell me my bank isn't down there, my accord isn't exactly a four-wheel drive.
Oh and the trains. There are no trains going through Tulsa, of this I'm quite certain. I easily spent an hour waiting for trains during the last two days. This isn't really so much of an issue to me, I completely understand that the railroad is still a very valuable industry. However, what I DON'T get is why both city stoplights can't work while the railway crossing signs are flashing. Does massive chaos and confusion break out with the additional red lights? I foresee a hazard here... and I don't mean rioting.
The other very interesting thing about these particular trains is the fact that they are rather lengthy, pull into town during rush hour, completely block the only main thoroughway and stop. Ahhh.. but that's not the worst. We remain stopped for about 10 minutes. Then we put the thing in reverse and begin creeping backward. Backward we go for a few minutes, then STOP! Now we go forward. Forward... forward... STOP! Backward... backward... STOP! I struggle to see the point here. Are we carrying something perishable that must be shaken before opened? The thought crossed my mind that maybe they had struck some poor innocent animal and were trying to finish the job rather than have the poor thing suffer.
What? You have a better idea?
But I love the people. You really couldn't ask for better people and this particular bank is probably my favorite. They're so friendly and helpful!! Anything I request is on my desk in a matter of minutes. They know all about me, where I'm from, what I've been up to... it's rare to find anybody that facilitating to an audtitor. The hard part comes when I leave the bank for lunch.
The thing I really can relate to about a small town is the "everybody knows everybody" phenomenon. There really is nothing like it. Usually I'm part of the "everybody" and not the outsider but those days are long gone. Yesterday I'm hanging out in my car eating Sonic (I'll not even go into the gourmet food selection). I'm in my typical audit attire with my laptop in my lap kicked back catching up on some emails. Two men pull up next to me and I can't help but notice that they're noticing me. The gentleman in the passenger seat leans out his window, gets my attention and asks "So are you in town for a funeral?" I could have choked and very nearly did. I found that absolutely hilarious!! Not only did they know I wasn't a regular, but they pulled together the assumption based on my appearance that I must be in town for a funeral.
Today's lunchtime incident was a little more subtle. I found myself the topic of conversation in a local fast food restaurant when one gentleman standing behind me whispers to his friend "Have you seen her before?" Friend answers "No, I dont' think so. Wait! Didn't she used to work in the western store on main?" I choked again. At least he didn't say the funeral home.
My conclusion? Maybe I've just been gone too long...
I need you more than words can say
They never turn out right
but here it goes anyway...
Every day I miss your touch
never thought it would mean so much
All the words I could've said got me reeling
torn to shreds
Every road I go is nowhere
but I know you're out there somewhere
These voices in my head got me feeling
torn to shreds