As a southern boy it is my duty to be a patron of Sonic. For the most part I am more than willing to fulfill this sweet tea heritage. It is widely known that Sonic has the best ice, their sweet tea (when on point) is the best around. They have a way of mixing the carbonation and syrup that beats the best soda jerk (or would, if I knew where to find a soda jerk). Sonic is convenient and reasonably priced for the quality of product.
When I go to Sonic I have a typical habit of pulling around to the stations opposite of the entrance. There are a few legitimate reasons for this but at this point it is primarily habit.
The reason I bring up America's Drive-In is this: today I went for lunch, something quick and easy was all I was looking for. As my companion and I rounded the corner to park on my prefered side, what did we encounter but a drive through.
Why on Earth would Sonic need a drive through? Essentially, Sonic is one large drive through. Is there a large enough market of people who do not like putting their car in reverse to constitute removing all the stations from an entire side of the establishment for the creation of a menu-board an a automatic sliding window? Is it really faster or more convenient?
I am considering stationing myself in the parking lot for the next few days questioning the drive through users about their choice. I will report my findings.
5.15.2008
5.14.2008
This room is not my own
I am sitting on a full bed with sheets of sea-foam green. A massive headboard carved out of a light wood, but stained to a much darker color, supports my head. A matching footboard runs along the base of the mattress - preventing my feet from hanging over the edge at the bottom (which I do not like them to do anyway, for fear of monsters under the bed).
On the north wall - the four seasons are displayed on Chinese wall hangings. Long and skinny pieces of parchment painted by the skilled hands of an blind, 89 year-old Chinese woman in the Hunan Provence who has been making similar paintings since she could hold a brush. The scene has changed in real life - but what her eyes see, and what her hand creates, is the village of her childhood.
Against the opposite wall sits a vanity - complete with a round mirror. The piece matches the solid wood of the bed. My grandmother sat here, with her wedding picture tucked into the frame of the mirror, and applied her lipstick before waking up my aunts and uncles for church every Sunday morning.
The room is a pail blue, not a far cry from the color of the bed sheets. The selection was made by the occupant of this house previous to my arrival, even prior to the arrival of the current owner.
The red plastic tubs stuffed with my summer clothes bring me comfort. My jeans thrown in the corner, waiting for a more permanent placement, actually elicit a smile.
With my life as transient as it is right now - it's nice to remember that home is simple where you do your laundry.
On the north wall - the four seasons are displayed on Chinese wall hangings. Long and skinny pieces of parchment painted by the skilled hands of an blind, 89 year-old Chinese woman in the Hunan Provence who has been making similar paintings since she could hold a brush. The scene has changed in real life - but what her eyes see, and what her hand creates, is the village of her childhood.
Against the opposite wall sits a vanity - complete with a round mirror. The piece matches the solid wood of the bed. My grandmother sat here, with her wedding picture tucked into the frame of the mirror, and applied her lipstick before waking up my aunts and uncles for church every Sunday morning.
The room is a pail blue, not a far cry from the color of the bed sheets. The selection was made by the occupant of this house previous to my arrival, even prior to the arrival of the current owner.
The red plastic tubs stuffed with my summer clothes bring me comfort. My jeans thrown in the corner, waiting for a more permanent placement, actually elicit a smile.
With my life as transient as it is right now - it's nice to remember that home is simple where you do your laundry.
5.01.2008
Lazy days
I do not have a job. I go to bed late, I wake up late. I watch Oprah and Yes Dear (the ultimate in afternoon syndication). My sweats are wearing thin, my hair is turning a different color. I can name that commercial in 2 notes.
I am on the final stretch of my current CBL stint. One week from today I will pack and go. Is this a new chapter? Is it a new volume?
I'm fairly confident this is still the prologue.
I am on the final stretch of my current CBL stint. One week from today I will pack and go. Is this a new chapter? Is it a new volume?
I'm fairly confident this is still the prologue.
4.16.2008
A list
A few things I have found out about myself, that I would normally be really aggravated or embarrassed about - but am learning to deal with:
1. I fit in in the city - but I prefer the country.
I don't know if it is my disdain for "fitting in" or if it is actual the rural appeal of farmland and green grass, but I have learned that, despite my avid love of the hustle and bustle, I truly am a country boy at heart. Nothing brings that out in me more than living in a big city.
2. Running is fun.
It's hard, it's painful and it makes me sweat (which I hate) - but damn, it's worth it. I feel healthy, toned and capable. The occasional sore muscle is now a good sign, instead of an indication of needing to back off. It clears my head.
If nothing else, running makes me feel better than all those people who don't run.
3. I like awful books.
Sure - I've read 100 Years of Solitude and Anna Karenina, but at my core I will always prefer to read Sweet Valley High and Harriet the Spy. I no longer need to read to enhance my knowledge. I need to read to escape what I already know.
1. I fit in in the city - but I prefer the country.
I don't know if it is my disdain for "fitting in" or if it is actual the rural appeal of farmland and green grass, but I have learned that, despite my avid love of the hustle and bustle, I truly am a country boy at heart. Nothing brings that out in me more than living in a big city.
2. Running is fun.
It's hard, it's painful and it makes me sweat (which I hate) - but damn, it's worth it. I feel healthy, toned and capable. The occasional sore muscle is now a good sign, instead of an indication of needing to back off. It clears my head.
If nothing else, running makes me feel better than all those people who don't run.
3. I like awful books.
Sure - I've read 100 Years of Solitude and Anna Karenina, but at my core I will always prefer to read Sweet Valley High and Harriet the Spy. I no longer need to read to enhance my knowledge. I need to read to escape what I already know.
4.04.2008
The world runs on dunkin
A few times a week I get up entirely too early in order to get to the gym before work. I have never been a morning person (or a gym person for that matter) so it still takes a lot of work to get me out of bed. I have started using tricks such as guilt, empty promises of afternoon naps, music, notes to myself...but the one thing that really gets me going in the morning is Dunkin Donuts.
On my way from the gym to my office I pass 3 DDs (mind you, this is only 8 blocks). One morning, after my work-out, I decided to stop in for some Munchkins (donut holes) and a Coffee Coolatta (essentially a coffee milkshake)...like I said, I have never been a gym person.
Dunkins in the city are fast paced, high pressure places. They are a well oiled machine of coffee and donut producing fiends. It is important to know what you will order immediately upon entrance, as you are likely to be called upon even when you are 6-10 people back in the line. So, my first morning in the store, in my scattered flurry of options I blurted out, "A dozen Munchkins and a large Coffee Coolatta." (Ordering under pressure has never been my strong suit - which is why I grew up ordering Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers...without bacon or cheese.)
Another thing about the Dunkin Donuts on 6th and Market - they always remember your order.
For the past month+ I have been "ordering" a large Coffee Coolatta and a dozen Munchkins. I want to branch out, I want to cut back...
I think I am going to have to change venues.
Yes, the world runs on Dunkin. Perhaps, however, not by choice.
On my way from the gym to my office I pass 3 DDs (mind you, this is only 8 blocks). One morning, after my work-out, I decided to stop in for some Munchkins (donut holes) and a Coffee Coolatta (essentially a coffee milkshake)...like I said, I have never been a gym person.
Dunkins in the city are fast paced, high pressure places. They are a well oiled machine of coffee and donut producing fiends. It is important to know what you will order immediately upon entrance, as you are likely to be called upon even when you are 6-10 people back in the line. So, my first morning in the store, in my scattered flurry of options I blurted out, "A dozen Munchkins and a large Coffee Coolatta." (Ordering under pressure has never been my strong suit - which is why I grew up ordering Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers...without bacon or cheese.)
Another thing about the Dunkin Donuts on 6th and Market - they always remember your order.
For the past month+ I have been "ordering" a large Coffee Coolatta and a dozen Munchkins. I want to branch out, I want to cut back...
I think I am going to have to change venues.
Yes, the world runs on Dunkin. Perhaps, however, not by choice.
3.05.2008
Copy and paste
Everyone gets so uppity about plagiarism.
I realize the difference is quoting, referencing and plagiarizing has been discussed in many academic circles. However, it continues to elude high school students who honestly thought they were just paraphrasing the article. Why can you set off 4 pages worth in block quotes, but if something remains uncited it is plagiarism?
In my profession we consider research published more than 5 years ago to be "common knowledge." Why should that not be the case for more genres?
This subject is not particularly timely or relevant, I was just thinking back to the time when I considered becoming an english teacher. I would carefully plan out my strategy for encouraging plagiarism from my students. Using the work of others is how new work is eventually created. If the original author does not want his/her work to be used - don't publish. "But then nothing would ever get published." Exactly.
I realize the difference is quoting, referencing and plagiarizing has been discussed in many academic circles. However, it continues to elude high school students who honestly thought they were just paraphrasing the article. Why can you set off 4 pages worth in block quotes, but if something remains uncited it is plagiarism?
In my profession we consider research published more than 5 years ago to be "common knowledge." Why should that not be the case for more genres?
This subject is not particularly timely or relevant, I was just thinking back to the time when I considered becoming an english teacher. I would carefully plan out my strategy for encouraging plagiarism from my students. Using the work of others is how new work is eventually created. If the original author does not want his/her work to be used - don't publish. "But then nothing would ever get published." Exactly.
2.29.2008
My favorite days
September 24:
This day is a stand out for me. A day like no other. For many years I held "September 24" parties. Nothing special happened on this day, as far as I know. It is not my birthday (or my half birthday). I would imagine my love comes from the aesthetic appeal of the word "September" and my fondness for the number 24. Separately they are good things - together, they constitute my favorite day.
I am thoroughly jealous of anyone who has this birthday, and will likely force it to be an important day in my life somehow. (ie, demanding it as a wedding date, holding labor until this day, not pulling the plug on my dad until this day)
February 19:
This one is a bit more obvious. It is my birthday. As I have gone through life, many of the coolest people I have met have February birthdays - so I feel cosmically privileged to be predetermined for this group.
As a result of this special assignment, I have also become a bit obsessed with the number 19 (some might recall my 19th birthday party).
February 29:
This is a truly blessed day...or a completely screwed up concept - however you wish to look at it. The fact that someone along the way said "Hey, instead of making every day longer," or "Let's alter the calendar a bit" said "Every 4 years we will add a day!" is astounding to me. Even more mind-blowing is that others agreed ("Oh yes, brilliant idea!" "Here, Here!").
However, they gave the day to poor, short, slightly self-conscious February - and for that, we are thankful.
This day is a stand out for me. A day like no other. For many years I held "September 24" parties. Nothing special happened on this day, as far as I know. It is not my birthday (or my half birthday). I would imagine my love comes from the aesthetic appeal of the word "September" and my fondness for the number 24. Separately they are good things - together, they constitute my favorite day.
I am thoroughly jealous of anyone who has this birthday, and will likely force it to be an important day in my life somehow. (ie, demanding it as a wedding date, holding labor until this day, not pulling the plug on my dad until this day)
February 19:
This one is a bit more obvious. It is my birthday. As I have gone through life, many of the coolest people I have met have February birthdays - so I feel cosmically privileged to be predetermined for this group.
As a result of this special assignment, I have also become a bit obsessed with the number 19 (some might recall my 19th birthday party).
February 29:
This is a truly blessed day...or a completely screwed up concept - however you wish to look at it. The fact that someone along the way said "Hey, instead of making every day longer," or "Let's alter the calendar a bit" said "Every 4 years we will add a day!" is astounding to me. Even more mind-blowing is that others agreed ("Oh yes, brilliant idea!" "Here, Here!").
However, they gave the day to poor, short, slightly self-conscious February - and for that, we are thankful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
