Updating My Knoxville Software

Was back in K-town for the better part of a week for the New Year. Names I haven't used in years spark neurons and new paths are forged in my cortex, connecting dusty faces and phrases. Had my breakfast at Vic-n-Bills. Same afternoon-shift guy behind the counter. I got to see the Christmas-light trees on the buildings. Got to see all my old people and play records for 'em. And a bunch of Yankees, too. Had a session with Fluid Engineers. Omar finally moved out of his folks house and has his studio set up in the tiniest efficiency on Central. Kicked the hacky sack with Steve. His sister Molly dates Omar now. Laurel dates Mesko. Janice finally got rid of Dennis, ("That man followed me around for 2 years!") and she's gonna close down her store, Legacy, which is too damn bad; but it was always too hip for Knoxville, so go figure. My sign is still painted on her glass, though. My first piece as WISE is still running in Fourth and Gill, in all its busted, disproportionate, faded glory. Gay St. is torn-the-fuck-up north of Jackson, and likely will remain so for a while. After all, the tax base there has little clout demanding any expedience. Kept staring at that yellow Torino parked in front of the Sterchi Lofts like I expected Matt Hall to walk up to it at any moment. Had dinner at Tomato Head and for the first time 1) I wasn't on a name basis with 3/4 of the staff, and 2) it was full to capacity with families with small children. Smiled to myself when I saw Kepner's name on the menu. Because of him and Denny, I saw the Slackers give one of the best performances ever just behind where I sat. Last time I ate there it was early evening, September eleventh, 2001, just drifting through the day. Saw an ice rink in Market Square, and they moved the stage about 35 yards north for some reason. Fort Sanders is steadily disappearing. I knew that already, though. How much longer until my entire Knoxville has disappeared?