Death to Wall Street: Coffee at Eighth and Roast

Eighth and Roast, a coffee shop on 8th Street in Nashville, TN that roasts and grinds its own beans, was teeming with hipsters complaining about their music careers when I walked in Thursday morning.  I had honestly never seen so many people wearing flannel shirts in one place.  Most seats were full but I managed one at the end of a long table, eavesdropped, and sipped my latte.  It was worth venturing twenty minutes from home for, but I wished it tasted a tiny bit creamier.

Outside, a man on a bicycle pulled up to the door.  He was old and looked a bit homeless, but as I watched him longer, I realized he was probably just wearing older clothes and riding his bike by choice.  After ordering he came around to a seat next to me, one of the only empty ones.

Brentwood, Bakeries, and Bizzare Mistakes

Tired of eating oatmeal for breakfast, I went out looking for a bakery this morning. After the snow had me cooped up since Thursday night, I wanted to get out and see the town of Brentwood, south of Nashville.

Brentwood is nestled in little Tennessee foothills. Beautiful new subdivisions are mixed in with older family homes with acreage. Wooden fences stood along the roads and the grass is still green, green green against the quickly melting snow. An old brick shopping center looked promising so I pulled in and sure enough, I saw Christy’s Bakery. Jackpot!

South of Nashville

This morning I woke up very slowly. Freezing rain rattled on the tree outside my window, making me feel warm and cozy and lucky to be under my pile of blankets. When I slipped out from under the covers and padded to the window, I saw the lamp post outside piled with ice.  Nashville, Tennessee is coated with freezing rain this morning, but in my little home, I have hot coffee, fresh oranges, and podcasts.  It’s a happy morning in a new city.

Yep, it’s a brand-new adventure south of Nashville, Tennessee!  I arrived here Monday and have spent the last two days working very hard learning what I need to know to start work today.  This apartment community (for fun, I normally refer to my property as my “castle”) was built in the sixties but has been taken care of adorably well.  In the office, my desk is out in the exact middle of the room under a big wrought-iron chandelier so I feel quite responsible for everything here.

This suburb reminds me of Kennesaw in Atlanta with its convenience (everything you need within five minutes’ drive), easygoing Tennessee folks, and barely rolling landscape.  I grew up in east Tennessee, and even though this city is four hours west and pancake-flat in comparison, the people from here seem sturdy and down-to-earth in the same way.  It’s not easy to start conversations at first; they regard you with a little bit of reserve, looking solemn.

Nashville itself is an amazing city – so much to see and do!  Even in the winter cold, I’m incredibly excited to be here!  Once the ice goes away… I can’t wait to get started exploring in earnest.

~ The Dauntless Princess ~

 

 

The George Bush Presidential Library

I left Aggieland yesterday morning, passing through Houston and Dallas before finally touching down at home in Atlanta. This assignment passed in a blur! Being sick with the flu for the past week has made me a grouchy old bear, but I’m still sorry to leave. There was so much more to see and explore in College Station and the surrounding cities. And I worked with so many wonderful, colorful, fun people here! I’m leaving richer by many new friends.

Before I left, though, I wanted to see the George Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M. I’d seen signs for it constantly but never had a chance to peek inside.