Dispatch from Carthage #3: Getting my kicks on...something something?

Well, I have been here in Carthage for just over a week now, and I am still not at work. The good news is that I did have an interview at the office where Nicole works, and I will be doing some temporary work there tomorrow and Thursday. It's not much career-wise, but it gets my foot in the door, and a few coins jingling in my pocket.

In my season of unemploy, I have been Nicole's taxi limousine service to and from work (plus lunch breaks) every day, and I am really loving that. I enjoy the job of driving my fianceé anywhere she needs or wants to go, because I know that once we're both working, the opportunities could be fewer - especially if I happen to get work somewhere else. I do savor all the time that I get to spend with her, because she's my lady, and I love her.

This also means that I get the car all day long, which is not only fun (I love exploring) but practical as well, because every time I drive somewhere, I get my bearings around town a little bit more. In Portland, especially the east side, I've always been able to get my internal compass bearings, but here in Carthage, even though it's a grid, it's been surprisingly difficult at first, especially at night.

Anyway, one of the main roads Nicole and I drive to and from work is Old 66 Boulevard. I'll give you three guesses why it's called that, and the first two don't count. That's right, it used to be part of Route 66 at one point. (Not in the entire life of the Route, as it underwent countless realignments over the years.) Not even a mile away from our home is the famous 66 Drive-In, one of the dwindling number of drive-ins in America. They are closed for the season, but when I was visiting in July and August, they were in full swing, playing Pirates of the Caribbean and Cars. I had hoped that we could have seen a movie there this year, but there just wasn't time. Fortunately, they open again in April, so it would be cool to be first in line.

Last night, I finally remembered to have the camera with me as we drove along Old 66 Road to head for Joplin. And again this morning, as the low, sweet morning sun shone upon the beautiful sign and the back of the screen....