Okay, I'll admit it: IHOP @ 4am was nothing like I expected, especially on a Sunday morning. This all started a week or so ago, when Erik the Redneck suggested we rendezvous there, since he'd be en route a 6am task at his employer (system maintenance happens when everyone's off the computers).
So, we arrived to find a very full parking lot and a mostly full interior .. and .. the majority didn't appear drunk! By the time we left, the crowd had vanished and the waitstaff had prepared the tables for a presumed breakfast crowd (which is why they ignored us .. after a quick delivery of our order while the crowd was there, our waiter mostly vanished).
The food was lackluster, too .. in the battle of Denny's vs. IHOP, I award Gene Bob's Golden Pancake Trophy™ to Denny's (without a doubt). Both of them pale in comparison to the non-chain breakfast spots in the area: Bic's; Bagelstein's; Charlie D's and Gilbert's (although none of them are open at 4am, so they're ineligible for the Golden Pancake Trophy).
Deep Thought #41: the pancake syrups included maple syrup, strawberry, blueberry and HOT. Since when is HOT a flavor?
Jill-Bob has forgotten how to blog, so I had to seek info myself on Slowing Down A CAT-astrophe: Keeping Pet Cats Indoors; several years ago, a vet told me that outdoor cats on average live only half as long as indoor ones. Along that vein, an owner of a birdfeed store told me that because domestic cats are a) not native to North America and b) seldom spayed/neutered, their out-of-control population threatens many bird species. Indeed, the article above says that 40 species of birds in New Zealand have become extinct because of their domestic feline overpopulation. Earlier this year, I watched a small cat carry off a newborn mockingbird from its nest in my front yard.
Somewhat related: Operation Noble Foster supports our troops by providing for in home foster placement of their cat(s) while they are called up. Part of that plan allows for spay/neutering, which is very cool.
Sunday, August 8
Saturday, August 7
How many hours does it take to go to Japan by car?
This is a great project: Fool's World Map. The more of the comments I read, the more my sides hurt from laughing.
It reminds me of a large company meeting (circa 1994) on the University of California - Santa Cruz campus. At the end of the meeting, they announced where "Sunrise Club" would be held the following year, and they said "BALI" to which most of the Americans replied "Where's That?". Most of those present from outside the USA thought that was very funny; I found it very sad.
It reminds me of a large company meeting (circa 1994) on the University of California - Santa Cruz campus. At the end of the meeting, they announced where "Sunrise Club" would be held the following year, and they said "BALI" to which most of the Americans replied "Where's That?". Most of those present from outside the USA thought that was very funny; I found it very sad.
Friday, August 6
A Friday To Remember
I started today by reading the Thursday and Friday editions of the Dallas Managed News, since I never found time to put yesterday's in the (x)read column. Then, just prior to noon, I moseyed over to Addison's Most Boring Place and was entertained by JB and Brian, until Drew-Bob appeared and enthralled us with heart-stopping tales of his birth at Florence Nightingale Hospital (now part of Baylor Hospital). I autographed this week's copy of The Dallas Observer for Drew, and advised that -- one day -- it will fund his retirement.
Following that, I moseyed downtown to pick up my new license plates; the Records Building (squeezed between The Grassy Knoll and the John Neely Bryan Log Cabin) closes at 4pm and I arrived at 3:40 or so and braved the short line, walking out of the building at 4:01pm with new plates in hand. As I left downtown via Elm Street, I crossed over the X (painted in the road) which marks where Oswald's bullet landed, over 40 years ago. The Sixth Floor Museum is still the #1 tourist destination in Dallas.
Next stop was the grocery, where I found an "in-house special" of milk for 99c per gallon (versus $3.15 for the milk in the regular location). Am guessing this is for gallons whose "Sell By ..." date is today. Most of the time, I buy grocery items that are on sale since it provides the opportunity to grab something New! and Improved! which I'd normally not buy. Variety? It's the spice of life!
From the campaign trail
Some putz didn't like John Kerry's retort after the 3 bank robberies in Davenport, Iowa when he and GWB were campaigning 3 blocks apart (Wednesday). Kerry said something like "both the President and I have air-tight alibis". I was amused, but perhaps the robbery victims wouldn't see the humor.
And finally, I wonder how many of these "facts" are real?
Still undecided in the election? Just So You Know makes for fun reading.
Following that, I moseyed downtown to pick up my new license plates; the Records Building (squeezed between The Grassy Knoll and the John Neely Bryan Log Cabin) closes at 4pm and I arrived at 3:40 or so and braved the short line, walking out of the building at 4:01pm with new plates in hand. As I left downtown via Elm Street, I crossed over the X (painted in the road) which marks where Oswald's bullet landed, over 40 years ago. The Sixth Floor Museum is still the #1 tourist destination in Dallas.
Next stop was the grocery, where I found an "in-house special" of milk for 99c per gallon (versus $3.15 for the milk in the regular location). Am guessing this is for gallons whose "Sell By ..." date is today. Most of the time, I buy grocery items that are on sale since it provides the opportunity to grab something New! and Improved! which I'd normally not buy. Variety? It's the spice of life!
From the campaign trail
Some putz didn't like John Kerry's retort after the 3 bank robberies in Davenport, Iowa when he and GWB were campaigning 3 blocks apart (Wednesday). Kerry said something like "both the President and I have air-tight alibis". I was amused, but perhaps the robbery victims wouldn't see the humor.
And finally, I wonder how many of these "facts" are real?
Still undecided in the election? Just So You Know makes for fun reading.
Thursday, August 5
Yellow Dog Republicans
In 1928, opponents of Alabama's Tom Heflin said something like "I'd vote for a yellow dog if it were a Democrat," and thus the term Yellow Dog Democrat was born. At some point, that became attached to Texas, where Democrats reigned for several generations. Things have changed, and now Texans would vote for a yellow dog, if it were a Republican. I'm not sure when people stopped thinking before voting, but the sad state of affairs is exactly that.
Today, I see that Sen. John McCain of Arizona broke ranks and has come out against the latest ads being aired in Ohio, Wisconsin and West Virginia. It's enough to make me want to move to Arizona so I can vote for him.
Today, I see that Sen. John McCain of Arizona broke ranks and has come out against the latest ads being aired in Ohio, Wisconsin and West Virginia. It's enough to make me want to move to Arizona so I can vote for him.
Note: here is the Friday update to the GOP Smear TacticUnrelated: Sundry on Thursday is now updated for today. Please hold the applause.
Tuesday, August 3
what do you mean, "cut" ?
amusing site du juor: WhiteHouseWest.com (not to be confused with WesternWhiteHouse.org). Pro-Bushers (aka Red Staters) won't get the humor. Sometimes I think Will Ferrell's funny, othertimes .. not even. At least Ferrell doesn't give me the Adam Sandler reaction: I never find Sandler funny. Sad and pathetic, perhaps .. but not funny.
If you need even more political humor, see Mock the Vote 2004 at atomfilms.com
If you need even more political humor, see Mock the Vote 2004 at atomfilms.com
Monday, August 2
he shoots, he SCOREs!
Tomorrow, a representative from the local SCORE chapter will speak to those of us at the outplacement company. I haven't attended the "Exploring Entrepreneurship" session, but I probably will. I haven't thought much about starting my own business, because I've always worked for large companies. There's lots of good information on the SCORE website.
Sunday, August 1
summer reading list
- Ron Reagan's article in Esquire: The Case Against George W. Bush
- Richard A. Clarke's book: Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror
- Justin A. Frank's book: Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President
- John W. Dean's book: Worse Than Watergate: The Secret Presidency of George W. Bush
As to Ron Reagan's article, I like it (although Esquire's web formatting leaves a lot to be desired - I almost missed sections 2,3,4 and 5). Ron Jr. just doesn't strike me as someone who has ambitions for political office, so he comes off as very believable. Heck, next time you're in Dallas, stop by for a Moon Pie and an R-C, Ron. I'd be much obliged.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
