Revisiting Friends in St. Petersburg

Since I've been back in St. Petersburg, Florida, I've had the chance to get back in touch with a few close friends - and that's really good stuff. Everyone seems to be doing well - even better - than before I left 4 years ago. I think I am as well.

Joe has turned into a geek, and is now someone that I can geek out with. He's almost done with another degree - and it's great to see how he's grown professionally. Sometimes when you come back to a place and visit an old friend, it's easy to be disappointed by the fact that they haven't grown at least as fast as you. With Joe, I think he may have grown faster than I. Tip of the hat to Joe, who is now gainfully employed doing what he loves - Sys Admin and Web stuff.

The old MuppetLab gang is still around, though in a slightly different way. Dinner with them on Thursday. Tip of the hat to DrH and RW - the men with the firefighting feet in the old Muppetlab.

The Dude and I had dinner last night at the Columbian restaraunt on the St. Petersburg Pier. Aside from the fact that our calamari was replaced with espresso (you had to be there), Fred amazed me with the stuff he's done since I left - and what he will be doing. I wish I could have been in the Turbo Beetle for the discussion with the police officer - and one of these days I hope to make a road trip with The Dude. I was sorry his wife and son couldn't make it - but I'll be in town a bit, and I'll make it my business to track them down.

Everyone has grown. That's really cool... I guess I've been fortunate with the friends I have here in St. Petersburg, Florida. I expect that they'll be able to visit me when I complete my move.