I (Eric) went to a conference today in Crystal River.  It was 5 counties worth of public defenders and office staff.  Basically, every single person was introduced, and a few higher ups got standing ovations. 

I'm sick of standing ovations.  They are dead to me.  From now on out, I'm calling them Standing Obligations.  There's nothing impressive about that.  It's like washing your hands after using the bathroom (hopefully) or stopping at a red light (again, hopefully).  It's somethign you're obliged to do.  Nothing inspires one to stop at a red light, they're obliged to do it. 

So, enough.  No more standing ovations unless you really mean it.  And you should feel free to NOT stand even if everyone else does.

Which brings me to my next point.  The conference was in Crystal River, FL.  That's Citrus County for those keeping score.  Just take Williston Road (SR 121) west into the bustling charming gem that is called Williston.  It's a shithole people.  SHIT HOLE.  Then, hop on US 19, for 20 miles worth of 4 lane divided highway thru nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  No houses, businesses, signs, telephone poles, NOTHING. 

Then, on to Crystal River, home of one of Florida's Nucular Power Plants.  That's right, Nucular.

After the conference, i had 2 hours to kill before heading back, as we were playing a private event in Ocala, so I decided to head west until the road ended.  Crystal River is right on the Gulf, and the conference center was about 10 miles inland.  So West I went.  All of a sudden, the crap scrub vegetation yielded way to a vast sea of sawgrass and the thickest palm tree forest i have ever seen.  I was truly amazing,  I have never seen so many palm trees together.  And there were Nucular cooling towers in the background to boot. 

There was a little beach at the end right on the gulf.  It was pretty nice, despite the local yokel Citrus county residents peppering the sand.  The beach was so serene facing the gulf, but a mere 180 degrees behind us was the ominous nucular power plant.  It was quite surreal.  Also, the air raid siren style warning sirens were pretty trippy.  Especially since they test them on Fridays at noon, right when i was in town.  Hello 1950's, duck and cover, baby.

On a positive note, i did get to drive through 3 (yes, there are at least 3) state forests in the area.  I saw a bald eagle, and he even had a yellow ribbon tied around his leg.  Or maybe it was a 6 pack holster.

Currently listening : The Sophtware Slump By Grandaddy Release date: By 06 June, 2000