OTP (outside the perimeter) trip report - low content

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. -- So as a city dweller who lives inside Atlanta's core neighborhoods, I ventured OTP, or outside the Interstate 285 perimeter, today to get a new car stereo.

Really no big deal. A more lived-in section of town outside the city. Lots of closed down businesses, including a Chevrolet dealership. Aren't those things typically money-making mints?

Anyway, they told me it would take about 45 minutes for my car stereo to be installed, so I decided to take a walk. I had intended to hole up in a fast food restaurant nearby and play poker but just wasn't able to.

Like any sprawling area, no sidewalks. But a well-worn dirt path alongside the busy road. First thing I saw was this scraggly-hair blonde walking toward me. She had a full on shiner below her left eye. I just walked past.

Next up, the strip mall where the fast food restaurant was. One of those malls anchored with a cineplex. But one that's no longer functioning. I walked into the Dollar Maniac, which seemed to specialize on little cheap figurines. A small shelf of Valentine's Day treats. There also was an automatic nose clipper, but that one was more than a dollar, $1.89.

The next store was a Chinese restaurant that specialized in "New York Style" food. I've never seen so many different variations of deep-fried chicken wings. At my count, there were 12 variations, from buffalo wings, to BBQ wings, to sesame chicken wings. You look at that selection and wonder about the country's obesity epidemic.

The nearby grocery store was stocked full of these Thanksgiving-style cured hams. The frozen food section had all kinds of biscuits you could buy. I wandered through the Valentine's Day candy section, but was a little confused when it seamlessly blended with the dog treat/food aisle.

I bought a few things -- grapes, bread, some cheese and was completely retarded at the self-check out aisle. I felt badly and apologized profusely to the grocery store lady who helped me, but everyone was in the same boat.

I trudged back to the radio shop where I'm waiting for my stereo. I've been hesitant to put any money into my 15-year-old car, but it's still running well and a working stereo is one of those things that helps with those 6-hour drives to Tunica.

I'm not saying this is one of those story of the Buddha life-changing experiences. But it's plus-EV to get out of your comfort zone once in a while.