east end, i take it back

This morning my smoke detectors LOST THEIR COLLECTIVE SHIT. 15 solid minutes of FIVE SMOKE ALARMS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON. On the upside, I now have a working conceptual model of ionic radiation smoke detectors and can even correct my dad who thinks most smoke detectors still have optical sensors.

So I needed 9-volt batteries. Which meant going to the brand new Ukrop's here in the east end! Brand new! With a rare-for-Ukrop's self checkout. And perplexingly giving out free bread. [Non-Richmond flisters, Ukrop's is the local family-owned grocery store that is now a ginormous business that has made them very wealthy without selling alcohol or tobacco. People have very strong opinions about this store, and mine are positive.] It's in an equally new suburban shopping center that I didn't know about. While I love living in the city, I also like things like Target. And I've been griping since I bought Willie that these things would all be so far away. They're not! They're like 5 minutes from the house!

Well, 10 minutes if there's an INSANELY AWESOME SHRINER & MASON PARADE on the way. Which there totally was. LITTLE ORANGE SHRINER CARS.

East end Richmond, I'm sorry I ever doubted you.