In light of what has now become yesterday's tragic events, I felt it would somewhat theraputic to relive some of my favorite memories of 15th street and how much it meant to me.  I lived in Tuscaloosa for only my four under graduate years, but I have extremely fond memories of many locations on 15th Street; and I feel certain that many of you do as well.  This has no doubt been a difficult day for the city of Tuscaloosa, its citizens, the University of Alabama, and its Alumni. 

For what its worth, I attended the Capstone from 97-01. 

1.  I used to get my haircut at a barbershop on 15th near Hargrove.  I don't recall the name of the place, but what I do remember was that they had pictures of great moments in Alabama football all over the place.  I also remember that John-Mark Stallings loved getting his hair cut there.  I was lucky that one time I was there at the same time, and it was truly a privledge to have my hair cut next to the man.  Also, this was the first time I was ever introduced to having a straight razor used on my neck.  To this day, I am insistant on that, because while I had never been exposed previously to a shaved neck, I will not go back.  While I hope this good ole boy barbershop survived, I know it didn't, so sadly all I have are memories.

2.  I served in my fraternity pretty much my entire time as handy man.  I held the houseman position for a couple of years, because frankly, I am very handy.  Don't get me wrong, I held other offices, but I have always had a knack for fixing things.  I know this will be shocking to everyone, but my fraternity used to break a lot of windows; at the time, there wasn't a home depot or lowes in town.  Even if there was, I freaking hate both of those corporate mongrols.  However, on 15th there was a great hardware store run by a man and his wife.  Over the duration of my 4 years at the University, I sort of got to know them, and they were truly wonderful people.  I doubt they stayed in business after HD came to town, but I always think fondly of them.  I hope they survived today. 

3.  Prior to being in Tuscaloosa, I had never been to a Guthries, and you have to remember that this predates Zaxby's. 

4.  Not 15th related, but I read where ABC supply got destroyed.  This made me sad, because prior to being at the University I actually was an electrician by trade (high school work program).  Anyway, in my aforementioned duties as handy guy, I quickly discovered we had crappy wiring throughout our house, and it was in desperate need of attention.  Long story short, I bought the vast majority of electrical supplies from ABC. 

5.  I lived for a year within a few hundred yards of Milos and Krispy Kreme.  It saddens me to know that the neighborhood I lived in is almost certainly destroyed, as it was a fun campus neighborhood.