Where Something Used to Be

[livingdeb]

I guess I've lived here a while.

Lately I keep finding myself describing locations as where something used to be instead of as where streets intersect. "Look! It's a store with furniture and appliances." "Where?" "Where the Albertson's used to be."

"Where'd they move the Half-Price again? Oh, right, it's where the Randall's used to be."

"What's the name of that Indian restaurant near where the Mongolian Barbecue used to be? Did we like that?" (It's a place we tried after our plan to go to Mongolian Barbecue failed.)

"Have you ever tried that sushi place where that Bevo's grill place used to be?"

One of the steps to get to my place could be "turn when you get to the old Taco Bell." I never even saw the building when it was a Taco Bell, but painting a Taco Bell yellow doesn't disguise the fact that it used to be a Taco Bell.

Comments

[pamwheatfree.livejournal.com]

This method of directions is really hard on new comers. Except of course for the Taco Bell. The really old ones had a mission shaped facade. I can still remember the one in San Marcos and some in Houston. I don't think they build them that shape any more. It's a shame because buildings should have character even if they are small.

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

I would never use instructions like that for newcomers. No, I say things like "Go north on MoPac to 183 and turn left (which is magically also north). MoPac is spelled L-O-O-P 1."

[(Anonymous)]

Hell, I can't remember where things are NOW.

sally

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

Me either, which is why I have to ask. Partly because they keep moving around.

You can't get there from here

[fraeuleinchen.livejournal.com]

I think this method of giving directions might be one of the hallmarks of 'small-town America,' meaning that denizens of STA tend not to move out of their places of origin. In any case, I catch your drift! And Austin's not that big of a city, for a city...

Speaking of which, I recently learned that Reno, Nevada is known as the "The Biggest Little City in the World." Weird.

Re: You can't get there from here

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

My favorite useless direction I heard (not in real life) was to turn where Farmer Brown's barn was before it burned down.