The Adventures of Krystal Kid: The Krystal Kid Meets The Paper Boy

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

The Krystal Kid Meets The Paper Boy

So this afternoon, I took my lunch hour to go meet Ed Grisamore, a columnist for the Macon Telegraph. I was extremely nervous but I had my co-worker Kimber in tow, who had also been drafted to be my photographer. Photo by Kimber

As you can see we met at a non-Krystal restaurant, since there isn't one near where I work. (I'm trying to fix that, I promise!) Ed showed up, pulled up and chair and we talked for probably 30-45 minutes. Of course we talked a majority of the time about me and Krystals. He wanted background details. My parents got a plug (Hi Mom & Dad!) as well as Mercer, where I went to college, and my fraternity Alpha Tau Omega (ATO). Who knows what will make it to print. I was just impressed with the breadth of information he was interested in. I think I was caught off guard because he had an email sent to him by the folks at Wicked-PR (Where you may recall Amanda worked to try and get my TV interviews set up). This email Ed had was an amazing collection of stuff, from my nomination letter, the early days of this blog, phone conversation, and more. I wouldn't be surprised to find they'd called friends and co-workers to dig up some of that stuff. Hopefully Ed will send me the email so I can pass it along. It was good, and quite amusing.
We discussed when I first started eating Krystal. If you've read some of the earliest posts from the blog, where I communicated with Kenny Hammontree from Krystal HQ, you will recall that I don't know exactly when I had my first Krystal but my parents and I have traced it back to whenever the Krystal opened in Conyers, GA. We guessed about 1980 or so. Ed said he'd see what he can find out. You see? He's not just a great columnist, he's also an investigative reporter!
Conversation then turned to hockey, another of my passions. And yes there are many occasions where I combine the two. Many a Thursday night I sat in the parking lot of the Macon Coliseum stuffing down Krystals just before a Macon Trax or Macon Whoopee hockey game. Years ago, the last time my beloved Red Wings won the Stanley Cup it was on a Thursday night. I, along with everyone in the hockey world, knew the Wings would win that night as they had assembled the greatest collection of players on one team in hockey history. Anyway, I bought a sackful with every intention of stuffing myself and being in Hockey-Krystal Heaven. Suffice it to say, I got to 6 Krystals by the end of the first period, but it took the next 2 or 3 hours to dispose of the remaining 6 Krystals. But I savored every bite and moment. (For those paying close attention, my Red Wings were shockingly knocked out of the playoffs last night, so I will be in mourning for a while).
Anyway, Ed related to me that they were trying to get the book Once Upon a Whoopee turned into a movie. If this happens I will be the first in line. Even if it requires me to camp out for tickets, I will be first in line for that movie.
Lastly, the conversation turned to the topic of this blog. Ed has been looking at doing a blog and been encouraged by the people at the Telegraph. His web site, www.grisamore.com already has the beginnings of a blog as Ed posts daily reflections and thoughts. It would just be a matter of turning it into a true blog. Most bloggers turn to blogging because they lack an outlet for expression. Ed has a column for expression, but a blog might give him a new outlet, mostly free of editorial and managerial pressures. Ed, I say try it! If you want help or advice, I am there for ya 120%.
I do not yet know when the story will hit the paper. I will of course keep my eyes open and let you know. I feel certain I will have at least 10 emails from various friends both on and off this blog, who will let me know they saw it. I do want to let you know, though, Ed asked if he could put the blog address in the article and I said that would be great. So expect heavy traffic here soon! Ed also suggested I go ahead and line up ads for my blog so I could make some money off the spike in traffic. I understand where he's coming from, newspapers MUST sell ads to survive. I think I will keep this blog as non-profit as possible. I think it gives the place a tidy look, don't you?
Lastly, thank you Ed! It was great to meet you and I thank you for choosing to come talk with me. I look forward to seeing your column (no big surprise since I look forward to most of em anyway) Krystal Lovers like it steamy.