N’Jeri Eaton

Twitters From the Road

// May 10th, 2009 // No Comments » // Travel Blog

The great road trip starts today! Follow along with my progress @ www.njerieaton.com.8:59 AM Mar 20th from TwitterBerry

I’m anxious about the trip but I’m excited to be leaving Oakland. I love the town but it will be nice to change it up for a bit.10:04 AM Mar 20th from TwitterBerry

Just saw the Zepplin landing at Oakland airport. It is indeed a gentle giant1:24 PM Mar 20th from TwitterBerry

Running 2 hours late but I’m finally on my way!3:10 PM Mar 20th from TwitterBerry

Just arrived in LA, apparently during the last five minutes of the Battlestar Gallatica series finale. Ugh!10:13 PM Mar 20th from TwitterBerry

Maryn is seriously contemplating joining me on the road trip12:27 AM Mar 21st from TwitterBerry

After a slight delay (Maryn backed out), I’m on my way to phoenix9:16 AM Mar 21st from TwitterBerry

Drivng through the desert. Obvious fact: it is hot12:03 PM Mar 21st from TwitterBerry

Just got into phoenix3:18 PM Mar 21st from TwitterBerry

Passed my first Waffle House in AZ. It’s getting me pumped to eat some real southern food4:34 PM Mar 21st from TwitterBerry

Just heard about 4 cops getting shot in Oakland. Glad I chose this week to leave. Hopefully things will be calmer when I get back4:39 PM Mar 21st from TwitterBerry

Staying the night in Gallup, NM in dingy motell9:57 PM Mar 21st from TwitterBerry

My room has a king size bed! Suddenly this hotel just got a little nicer10:13 PM Mar 21st from TwitterBerry

Wish I had more time to explore NM11:24 AM Mar 22nd from TwitterBerry

Made a special stop for a snickers blizzard at DQ. Aww yeah!12:28 PM Mar 22nd from TwitterBerry

I’m officially obsessed with the radio classics channel on sirius. It makes driving long hours worth it3:02 PM Mar 22nd from TwitterBerry

I’m now in Amarillo, TX. Luckily, I’ve watched 3 seasons of Friday Night Lights so I feel like I’ve already done research3:56 PM Mar 22nd from TwitterBerry

I feel like a trucker, like Large Marge5:08 PM Mar 22nd from TwitterBerry

Just got pulled over in OK. Didn’t shoot any cops. Actually had a nice conversation with him7:40 PM Mar 22nd from TwitterBerry

Almost didn’t want to leave the Stevens’ home in Edmond, OK. It felt like home8:29 AM Mar 23rd from TwitterBerry

Got some free BBQ at the J mini mart in OK City! Damn good ribs!10:42 AM Mar 23rd from TwitterBerry

For the first time ever, I’m finally able to drive with my knees. Look out world! No, seriously, look out11:01 AM Mar 23rd from TwitterBerry

GPS unit led me astray. Didn’t get to Fayettville. : (5:31 PM Mar 23rd from TwitterBerry

Breakfast time at Waffle House!7:52 AM Mar 24th from TwitterBerry

My grits aren’t white, they’re yellow from swimming in butter. Ugh! I may have a heart attack on the road8:10 AM Mar 24th from TwitterBerry

My car a coverd in a fine coat of pollen. My eyes are getting watery and itchy just looking at it8:56 AM Mar 24th from TwitterBerry

Black people in Little Rock are obsessed with my hair. I think their only other exposure to locks is Lil Wayne10:17 AM Mar 24th from TwitterBerry

CNN ia using word clouds on air. Wolf Blitzer doesn’t really get it! Ha!3:48 PM Mar 24th from TwitterBerry

Apparently, there’s a large population of Indians in Clinton, MS. What’s up, my brown people!7:55 PM Mar 24th from TwitterBerry

All the Starbucks here have drive thru windows. But the doesn’t mean that service is any faster7:57 AM Mar 25th from TwitterBerry

An anchor on CNN just claimed that the network started the twittering trend11:57 AM Mar 25th from TwitterBerry

Vote for Kenny Stokes for Jackson city council!12:04 PM Mar 25th from TwitterBerry

There’s a town in MS that has a KFC with an all you can eat buffet12:20 PM Mar 25th from TwitterBerry

Listened to the Fresh Air interview with Idris Elba. I can listen to him talk all day1:39 PM Mar 25th from TwitterBerry

Just passed a Mickey D’s with free WiFi in Alabama2:27 PM Mar 25th from TwitterBerry

Just arrived in Selma, AL. Aunt Nita: “Oh, N’Jeri! Looks like you put on some weight!” gotta love your family4:10 PM Mar 25th from TwitterBerry

Had a brief panic attack this morning when I thought the camera was stolen.8:07 AM Mar 26th from TwitterBerry

Does anyone want to pick me up from SFO on Monday?10:20 AM Mar 26th from TwitterBerry

Just abut to pull into the ATL2:42 PM Mar 26th from TwitterBerry

Apparently, I narrowly missed a tornado in MS. I’ve had 4 days of rain. Brought rain gear for the equipment but not for myself.3:56 PM Mar 26th from TwitterBerry

Taking a break from the project to hang out with Abby in the ATL11:19 AM Mar 27th from TwitterBerry

Just saw “The Extremists” at the 7 Stages theater. Funny and thought provoking by now my brain is tired5:26 PM Mar 27th from TwitterBerry

Hmm, maybe I should intern in Atlanta this summer. I really like it here7:26 PM Mar 27th from TwitterBerry

ahh! Stuck in traffic backup because of a marathon7:56 AM Mar 29th from TwitterBerry

At the Birmingham airport, heading back to Oakland. Ending my trip with a cold but its been fun3:36 AM Mar 30th from TwitterBerry

Back in the bay. Boo!2:35 PM Mar 30th from TwitterBerry

Jackson, Mississippi aka “The Buttermilk Bottom”

// March 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Travel Blog

I’m not a nice person.  I thought I was nice but I’ve come to realize that I was completely wrong.  City Councilman Kenny Stokes is an example of pure generosity.  

I pulled up to Mr. Stokes house, asked him for an interview and he spent the rest of the afternoon shuttling me around his city.  As he drove me around in his instantly recognizable white van, he honked his horn at familiar faces that passed by.  The people would look up and a smile would spread across their faces.  While on our tour of the MLK Street, Mr. Stokes had to stop at the grocery store.  Once in the store, he stopped to talk to every customer.  Some he knew by name, others only by face.  But each person was given the same amount of attention and respect.  Spending the afternoon with Mr. Stokes made me realize that I rarely engage strangers in conversation.  I’m probably missing out on countless rewarding conversations.  Starting today, I’m going to live the Kenny Stokes way.  

During our drive, Mr. Stokes said something remarkable, “People are always saying ‘Why do Martin Luther King Streets have to be in poor, black neighborhoods?’  I say, what’s wrong with that?”  Mr. Stokes believes that Dr. King would want a street named after him to be in poor neighborhoods because “he gave up his life fighting for the garbage man.”  Any street named after MLK should be a point of pride, whether it has flourishing businesses or boarded up houses.

My Motel Gripe

// March 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // Travel Blog

I have stayed in three motels so far on my trip: the Ramada, America’s Best Value Inn and EconoLodge.  What do these three motels have in common?  The beds don’t have fitted sheets, revealing the stained mattress underneath.  This morning, I awoke to find black stains all over my mattress.  What could it be?  I should have brought along a black light to see what else I’ve been sleeping on.  Pictures are forthcoming.

Little Rock rocked my socks

// March 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // Travel Blog

After driving across the country at a breakneck speed, I decided to slow down in Little Rock. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Every person I met in Little Rock was incredibly generous and had amazing stories to tell. When I was through interviewing one person, they were quick to introduce me to someone else.

I hit the jackpot at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Heritage and Enrichment Center. Mrs. Jessie Garret is the assistant director of the center. Even though she had already gone home for the day, she came back to the center just to talk to me.

Unfortunately, I also found Arkansas the easiest state to get lost in. There was a 30-minute period where I repeatedly exited and entered the same stretch of highway. My confusing google map directions were led me to a 2 hour detour.

Oklahoma Hospitality

// March 24th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Travel Blog

The nicest people I’ve met on this trip so far have been in Oklahoma.

On Sunday night, I stayed over at Mr. and Mrs. Steven’s house in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Stevens are the parents of my best friend Michelle. I’ve known them for over nine years but I have never met them face-to-face until Sunday. They were incredibly generous and open. I feel like I have a second set of parents in Oklahoma now.

I left their home in the morning and headed over to Oklahoma City. While taking pictures on MLK Boulevard, I met the owner of the J Mini-Mart, which claims to have the best ribs ever. He told me that the pastor of his church was the person who advocated for Eastern Avenue to be changed to MLK Blvd. The city only changed a two mile stretch of the road. After our chat, he hooked me up with a free BBQ lunch. And I have to say, the J Mini-Mart does have the best ribs I’ve ever tasted. How can I ever go back to eating Everrett and Jones?