Soo, yes. I am on my Very First Business Trip. It’s actually a residency, so for the next 3 weeks I’m in Poughkeepsie, NY (oh joy!) working on this team to improve the stuff my department works on. It’s a nice change of pace from my normal job in that I get to see and talk to other people a lot more often. In RTP sometimes you wonder if there are actually people there or what. Silly cubicles.
Probably the best part is the fact that I have a 2004 Ford Mustang to cruise around Poughkeepsie in. A definite upgrade from Greenlee. Some noted features: auto windows, v6, CD changer, security system, smooth accelleration, the keyless entry actually works right….(It doesn’t take much to impress me). This is likely a big mistake by Hertz that I’m in the process of figuring out. I’ll no doubt be driving a dorky Ford Focus or something in the near future. *Sigh*
Everything in Poughkeepsie is on Route 9. This makes navigating around very easy. I didn’t have to spend any time to figure out how to get to the mall, any grocery stores, etc. Raleigh and Cary seem to have these tangles of circular roads that make things more difficult. Pok keeps it all simple, yo.
So. Can I please extend more hatred of Walmart? So, where I am now, Walmart seemed more convenient than Target which as far as I know is just in the mall. So, I went to Walmart even though I am beginning to hate it. And it wasn’t just a normal Walmart, it was one of those ones where you can get your nails done, and a haircut, and buy groceries, and have a funeral.. etc etc. I choose my 5 items and get in the Express line. 15 minutes later… I actually pay. The best part was that the guy behind me had a canister of iodized salt (?! Shira taught me Iodized salt is CRAP). The total of his bill was 36 cents. And he had to wait 15 minutes to buy the dumb thing. The $3 or whatever you might save by going to Walmart seems to just not be worth this stress and waste of time. Maybe the key is to go at 3am when nobody is there. 
But until I decide to wake up in the middle of the night to shop, I will be a faithful Target customer.
May 30th, 2004 at 11:32 pm
Carrie,
See, I love the Walmart. You can get deals there! However, I must agree with you that food shopping at Harris Teeter is way cooler than Food Lion. The HT atmosphere is much more elegant and the employees are always so cheerful; it’s like a little Disneyland in your local food store. I’d spend some extra dollars each week to have a pleasant shopping experience! Anywho, can’t wait to see you soon!
June 2nd, 2004 at 9:10 am
I also heart Wal-mart with Anne. Target is also a very good store, I heart that too. Target has a better selection methinks but Wal-mart is usually closer to where I am and has good deals. I also got my digital camera there! Yay!
June 3rd, 2004 at 9:53 am
Thank you Allan! Carrie we’ll have to have a day when we buy (or pretend to buy) the same things at Walmart and Target to see how the final price matches up. I put my money on Walmart!!!!
Besides, isn’t William Hung going to be in a Walmart commercial?
June 6th, 2004 at 8:08 pm
I’ve gotta say, Carrie, that I’ve got a love-hate relationship with Walmart. It’s certainly convenient, and it’s the largest company in the nation, but they treat their employees terribly (no health insurance, and few benefits to boot). Furthermore, there are certain areas of the store’s inventory controlled by a thought police. (this is due to the Waltons being very, VERY hardcore conservative) Let’s say you take some explicit photos with an analog camera (remember those??). Walmart will not only reject those particular shots with “inappropriate photo” labels, they will also not give you the negatives.