Boy it's been a while since I wrote. Well, I've been on the cruise. I will leave the details out. If you see me, ask me and I will tell you. It was fun. It was also too short. But, if the trip was any longer, I'm not sure I would have made it back.
Anyway, I start this week as I usually do. Get up. Have my breakfast, walk the dog, grab a cup of coffee from Coffee Underground, and roll into the office.
A brief sidebar: We have a new office now. 14 Manly Street. We've hired a new development director and we ran out of space at our old, incredibly cool office. So, we've had to move. We are now on the first floor of an incredible house in the Pettigru district.
Wierd thing. This is the house that my father and step-mother lived in right after they were married. My bedroom is directly above my office. Funny how things work out, eh?
Back to it. So, in the midst of being "in transition" I realized (again) what a great place it is we live in. We were without internet for a while, so I had to spend many hours, sometimes days in our local coffee shops, parks, etc. so I could get some work done. Place like Falls Park, Coffee Underground, Port City Java, even the occasional trips to the conglomerate, Starbucks. (Sorry for those that oppose their takeover of the local coffee shop.)
Anyway, everywhere I went I was greeted with friendly faces and good dispositions. I encounter this often, but I never notice it before. I was stressed, due to my having no office to call home. I was living out of my computer backpack and slowly losing what little sanity I had. But, I was always calmed by the people around me. Many times, I would get into conversations with them. Talking about whatever was going on. Weather (drought), football, work, Vision 2025, etc. Always pleasant. Always enjoyable.
It's not that I am amazed by this. I am just pleased by it. In my daily task of trying to analyze Greenville, I can get lost in the minutia of what is missing or lacking in Greenville. We all have a desire to fix things. To make them better. But, instead we tend to ignore the beautiful, bright spots of our culture or community.
We have, in Greenville, many bright spots. Many of those, we take for granted. I know I do. So, my challenge to you is to take a moment, the next time you are out and about, and see if you agree. Talk to people. Listen to people. Enjoy the people. Many folks say the best thing about Greenville is that we are "family friendly." I am sure that is true, but what I love best is that we are just, plain friendly.
So, if you see me at Coffee Underground (which you will, I'm sure) stop by and say hello and pull up a chair. I love to chat. About anything. And, if I'm not there, I'm sure someone will certainly take my place.
Well, now we (finally) have place to enjoy all of these memories and treasures. This past weekend, after many, many years of fundraising, The Upcountry History Museum opened on Heritage Green in downtown Greenville. Thousands (literally) of people poured through the doors from Friday through Sunday, excited about the chance to see the Upstate's history come to life. And, I'm sure they were not disappointed. 
around the Upstate. In a few short months this site has grown to include articles, interviews, new band updates and a truly detailed calendar ranging from christian rock to hip hop. 
drive is one not to be missed. We are a bit early for the changing of the leaves, but the cool afternoon breeze blowing through the mountain greenery is about as relaxing as you can get. Drive up to Saluda or head on up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Get away for an afternoon and take some time to appreciate the area we live in. 
