2:40 A.M.

Friday, Home.

Welcome to 2010.

New Years, another holiday where we just sit around and do whatever. I wanted to go out but I couldn’t complain. After all, I just got MY car today and I understand why my parents wouldn’t want me out on New Years. I was much too happy to try and go against that anyway. I really love it, MY car I mean. I want to name it, but I can’t think of anything good. I was told Amber, which I like, but I want something odd…

Now, I always want holidays to be special. You know, like a big deal. On TV they always are. Families get together, friends hang out and have a great time. I don’t really get that. Christmas dinner involves my parents and siblings going over my Granddaddy’s. There we watch some TV and eat some dinner, but that’s it. There’s not a huge table filled with people, lights aren’t shining everywhere, and there’s not goofy sweaters and tons of fattening food. I don’t know why I want holidays like this, but I think I have for a long time. I just want to celebrate something… Really celebrate. So today was a little depressing too. But I wasn’t extremely upset about this, because there was something big that lightened up my day today!

After driving MY car home, my brother and I went to get some gas and then some sweet tea’s from MC. Donald’s. After this, I came back home and got my mom to go to the insurance company. Then, I took my brother to his friends to get something and then myself to get some hair dye and Rook’s. I had some fun at Rook’s, although I felt it was a little awkward. I don’t know why, but it just was. I think it was because of his sister, I don’t do well around people I’m not used to. Erick was there, but that was fine. I know him, get it? Ahh but that’s not what lightened up my day so much! It was a letter that I received.

Rook wrote the most amazing thing. I have it here in front of me now because I wanted to write it up. I decided that I wouldn’t, seeing as how it was personal. I’m at a loss of words when it comes to describing what he wrote. However, I must say that I absolutely love it. I feel adored because of this. Like I’m doing something right and that I’m making a big difference in someone’s life. Rook says he’s come closer to God too. That’s what’s most important.

I’m probably going to put the letter on my wall. That way I can read it whenever I’m upset. I’m sure this letter will cheer me up. It’s encouraging, and I need as much encouragement as I can get. The appreciation is nice too. Wonderful, is a much better word actually.

But those words came up again.

Those same three words that human beings obsess over.

Apparently, people are stuck on the idea that Rook and I will eventually get married. I find this humorous… I guess I shouldn’t, but I don’t know anything about that kind of love. I say I love everyone like a brother or sister, and I do believe that I mean that. On top of that I love my family rather dearly, but the thought of marriage terrifies me. The thought of that kind of love terrifies me. Those stupid dreams of a country home with a dog, kids, and white picket fence terrify me too. I don’t know if it’s because I don’t want to be tied down, stuck on a person, or if I just don’t want it. Wait, yes I know why I’m scared. It’s because I don’t want to settle down, I don’t want to slow down, and I don’t want to push my dreams or hobbies away so that I can obsess over some guy like others seem to do. I’m going to concentrate on God, and put God before anyone. I’m not going to put things away, practice less, ignore my friends, SETTLE DOWN, have kids, and so on. I don’t even want to live in the same place either. I just want to be on the road. I love the feeling of being lost or not knowing where I am, and that’s what I wish for. This is why I don’t bother with dating:
1. God
I don’t want to forget about Him, get pushed away from Him, or get lost in lustful acts.
2. I’m a senior in high school.
Why date when you’re just going to leave?
3. I don’t like all touchy-feely.
I don’t like to cuddle. I don’t like to depend on someone either.
4. Whose going to accept the fact that God, softball, and music go before them?
Also, what interest would a boy have in such things? Especially when they can’t get sex or a hand job. Oh, and that leads me to number 5.
5. I’m abstinent.
It’s hard to find anyone who is these days.

I feel like I sound like a trick or like I’m ranting on the thought of Rook and I getting married or something. Sorry Diary. I’m just ranting on marriage in general. Hey, I’m young. Let me rant some. I’m too young to be thinking about marriage anyway, although December 21, 2012 sounds like a great date. Haha. Maybe December 20? But right when it’s counting down to December 21. Haha. There’s a theory behind this, you should hear it.

Rook and I decided that we’re so amazing that the world would end if we got married. It’s an action that would occur from two perfect people uniting. Hahaha. I love it. I absolutely love it. I guess it’s rather wrong of us to laugh about such a theory (the 2012 theory), but we are and we do. I actually think it would be great. After all, who knows what happens? How old would I be if God brings me to 2012…? Ahh, 20. Wow. If God is willing and I’m alive, I wonder what I’ll be like or what I’m doing. Will I be in college? Living my dream?

No. Doing what I’m supposed to do.

Later.

P.S.
I got sunlit orange and bold gold for my hair. That’s basically orange and yellow. I hope it turns out well.

P.P.S.
A great friend of mine was crying today. I don’t know how to explain how that made me feel but it scared me. I hate it when people cry, and I’m awkward enough so I don’t know what to do when people cry around me. I never know when it’s the right time to hug someone or touch them in times like this. I think this is because I keep myself at such a distance from everyone. I wonder when I became so detached from people. But I guess that doesn’t matter. What matters is the fact that at a moment like this my phone decided to be stupid. I didn’t like that, not being able to make sure that everything was alright or try to help. I could have cried too because of that. But, of course, I didn’t. I don’t like to cry. It’s ok to laugh so hard that I do, but if it’s over something else I hate it. I utterly hate it. It makes me feel weak, and like I need someone’s help. I hate doing that. I hate crying in front of others too. But that’s rare. Soooo rare that I think I’ll be fine.

P.P.P.S.
Layla bit me in the face. Haha. I have this tiny scratch in between my eyes. It looked cooler when it was bleeding.

P.P.P.P.S.
Haha. You’re supposed to just keep adding P’s right?
I just wanted to say that I’m cold, it’s now 3:51 A.M., and in my way love you too.

I spent the day in Chapel Hill today, and had lunch with my beautiful cousin Ellen at the cutest little place called Elmo’s Diner at the historic Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro.

This is Ellen…ain’t she purty?! She’s taken, though…sorry, boys.

Elmo’s Diner is in this funky little mall, that is mostly artsy shops and eateries, in an old mill (hence, Carr Mill Mall).  That’s why the walls are brick, although most of the buildings in the area are brick, too.

Ellen and her brother Michael were going to the Tar Heels game, and we decided to meet before hand to get some food. I wanted to try a local place (much as I love chains, I prefer to eat locally when I am traveling because you are always trying something new and different!) so she suggested Elmo’s Diner, which was in Carrboro, about a five (ten?) minute drive from Chapel Hill.

Here is the inside of the diner.

The diner was super child-friendly – most of the tables had kids at them.  The range of food was staggering.  All day breakfasts including omelettes, pancakes, waffles, and of course, biscuits, as well as burgers, sandwiches, fries, dinner salads, pizza, hummus plates, etc.  I had a tough time deciding what to get.  Almost got the hummus plate in honor of my sister (Robbie always gets a hummus plate at the Spar, and I always end up eating half of it), but I ended up getting a spinach salad and, duh duh duh…tomato basil soup. My favorite.  And of course, Southern sweet tea! Everything was delicious, right down to the huge slab of cornbread that came with my soup (choice of cornbread, roll or biscuit).

One of the best parts was the photography on the wall. I loved it.  Here is an example:

Isn’t that hilarious? Hilarious and adorable.  It was cracking me up during the entire meal.  Ellen told me she comes to Elmo’s Diner with her friends from home frequently, due to the yummy food, cheap prices and nifty atmosphere.  We chatted about college (she’s almost done!), turning twenty-one (we feel so old!), and figuring out New Year’s Eve plans (going to DC!).  I wish I was able to see my Southern cousins more often.

Ellen and I are off to Charlotte for the day tomorrow, stay tuned!

______________________________________________________________________

9 am, The Hague time. I finally handed in my papers 3 hours before the deadline after staying awake for 1,5 nights. My bed was calling me like a whispering breeze from heaven, so i speed up my bike went home to hit it; i desperately needed some sleep.

I doze for few hours until a phone call woke me up. Half awake, I answered the call
“Hi Dear (this Pakistani guy called everyone ‘Dear’ and I didn’t mind to be called so by thinking that he probably forgot everyone’s name, he’s almost as old as my father ), let’s take a walk to the city center, the year-end sale is remaining. We deserve some gifts to ourselves after completing this tough term successfully”
“what? what are you talking about?” I barely awake and needed some moments to collect my consciousness.
“I said, let’s have some walk” he said
“Oh, sure, why not but please call me again after 2 hours”.
I went back to sleep. I regret how disrespectful I was to this old man.

My Pakistani friend called me again
“It’s been 2 hours, can we go now?” asked he
“Sure, i’ll buzz you in half an hour, ok?”
“what about I buzz you?” he demanded
“when?”
“now”
then my bell rang.
“I’m downstairs!” he said and laughed out loud.
I hated to be in such situation, when somebody came without informing me in advance. I didn’t like the moment I have to dressing up in rush or cleaning some silly mess I always had in my tiny room.

So there was I and My Pakistani fella, walking down to Centrum (the city center) of The Hague in the 6th of Muharram 1429 H.
I didn’t really like doing window shopping at that moment, the days when I supposed to be in mourn, remembering the Karbala Tragedy. But my Pakistani friend was a sunni (I always thought that sunni-shi’i is a very sensitive issue among Pakistanis, so I never mentioned anything related to it) and I needed some fresh air and walk after sitting whole 2 weeks in front of my computer. I always told my friends that making papers was like delivering babies, it’s painful but after you submitted them, you’d feel very relief and the best thing was you have added knowledge to the world. In return they asked: So how many babies you have made?

We walked under very light shower (the greatest sort of rain I may say) that evening. We passed the most expensive street in The Netherlands while talking about Annemarie Schimmel. What an interesting view we had in the city center. Almost all stores offered very big discount, range from 30 to 70%. Mango, Zara, GAP, Max Mara, you name it..all famous brands..
My friends told me happily:
“Look Dear, I can find lots of good things for my wife and children here”
“he he he, seems so” I replied.

We entered a famous outlet. I looked around, felt confused and tired ’cause the store was too crowded. It’s like an Indonesian traditional market in the early morning of a weekend. Men, women, children poured in the shop, where were they during the normal seasons?

I looked at a green sweater in the corner: Made In Cambodia, at another sweater: Made in India, at few trousers: Made in Vietnam…a curiosity storm suddenly came as usual, I wildly wandered around the store. Then I found what I was looking for..A nice brown jacket with an extremely small size hung lonely in the rack stick with 70% sign, it’s MADE IN INDONESIA.

My stomach strangely painful. I remembered clearly Pilger’s report in the movie ‘The New Rulers of the World’ on how globalization has caused so much pain to the poor countries like Indonesia, especially to the poor underpaid workers. They were ‘forced’ to work for more than 24 hours to fulfill the demands from these businesses. I could imagine thousands women had to work in long shift (especially in this kind of occasion) in very bad conditions (they had to stand up whole working hours, work under 40 centigrade temperatures with very low level of safety), to supply these materialistic and greedy people with such nice sweaters, fancy jackets, silly boxers and so on.
These factories got huge profit from the sweat of developing countries’ cheap labors (whose governments weren’t able to protect the rights of these poor, cause they were bound by tricky free trade agreements).

I cried in heart, with the brown jacket in my hand.
My mind went back to the days when Imam Husein had to face the troops of Yazid in Karbala, where he and his family were tortured and killed inhumanely, where his women were harassed…He went to Karbala for something: to show the true Islam, fight against oppressions and injustice.

So there was I, in a crowded famous brand store, surrounded by fancy clothes made by cheap labors of the third world countries…
“should I buy something here?”, my mind asked. The prices were extremely cheap, it was really good time for shopping. “No”, I said to myself, “stop buying from these outlets, they are modern Yazids. You know, there is no grey area between truth and falsehood, and Imam Husain has shown it to you very well with his martyrdom. You should take side in every decision you make in your life, even if it’s for a piece of sweater, are you going to be with Yazid and his derivations or to be with the Imam as?”

My friend left the cashier with lots lots of stuffs in his shopping bags.
“I’m leaving” I said
“Hey Dear, why so fast?,this is our first shop, there are so many shops still…”
“I’m not shopping this time”
“You don’t buy anything? I thought you need a waterproof jacket for biking”
“I know where to buy” I replied and walked to the door
“where?” he asked while he was trying to catch my steps. He seemed disappointed with my decision to leave Centrum so early.
“Kringloop*!” I answered and walked trough.
“I take your side, Dear Imam…” I whispered in my heart.

* Kringloop is a famous secondhand store in The Hague, they get the stuffs from donation and then sell them in very cheap price to run the business (pay the rent and few shopkeepers)

I’m indebted to Ustad Muhammad Rusli Malik for his enlightening article in a Muharram Magazine (I don’t remember the name and the year, I’m sorry )
May Allah bless him through and through..

A few weeks ago, while we were protesting the atrocitities that are taught behind the fences of the School of the Americas, some of my Sisters introduced me to the yummy goodness of Sweet Tea.  While it’s is popular in the Southeast, Sweet Tea hasn’t yet been introduced at the South Pole.  But, don’t worry.  I’m planning to broadcast the fact that Sweet Tea is good stuff!

You see, since I’m a  3 ½ inch, stuffed, native Antartican, I found it a little hot in Georgia. That’s why I needed a cool drink. I guess that I’m used to igloos, not peachtrees.  And, I’m also used to discussions about love rather than discussions about terrorism.  Basically, I’m not sure what had my little body overheated.  It could have been the weather.  But, it also could have been the fact that my stuffing was boiling as I learned about the horrors that have been caused by former SOA students.  Thankfully, I found the cooling and calming qualities of this Southeastern delicacy.   Yepper, Sweet Tea is good stuff!

By the way, have any of you heard the SoA referred to as the School of Assassins?  I heard that phrase today and plan to take the concept into my daily prayer.   But, if I’m going to pray with such deep insights, I may need to find some way to make sweet tea here right here in San Rafael, California!

Prayerfully,
Sister Penny

Sweet tea and a massage before bed? Jessica is one spoiled hippo.

So many blogs have the “ABC’s of weddings”.  Well, we are doing the “ABC’s of a KENTUCKY wedding” because we love the bluegrass and there is so many ways to incorporate the state into your wedding.  Let’s get started….

A…  Ale-8-One. Have the soft drink that is made in Winchester, Kentucky as an option for your guest. 

B…  Bourbon. Enough said.

C…  Call to Post. Hire the official bugler from Churchill Downs or Keeneland to come and kick the evening off.

D…  Details. Southerners notice things. Have details and you will surely be the talk of town.

E…  Eyes. All eyes are on you because it’s your day to shine!  Seize the moment.

F…  Friends and Family. Enjoy the time with friends and family. Let them know you appreciate their presence.

G…  Goldenrod. Throw the state flower in your bouquets or centerpieces.

H…  Horses. Take a picture by them, make your grand entrance on one, whatever it is … nothing says  
                       ”Kentucky Wedding” like a bride and a horse in a photo.

I…  ”I Do.” Say it loud and proud. Let Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana and Mississippi hear you!

J…  Julep Cups.  These are great to serve a cocktail in or to use as centerpieces for cocktail tables.  They instantly make you think of the mint julep … maybe that could be your signature drink?!

K…  Kentucky’s Beauty.  Take advantage of the rolling hills and scenery that Kentucky offers.

L…  Luck. Give your guests a horseshoe to wish them luck.  Make sure you attach the old tale of how a horseshoe brings luck.

M…  Mason Jars. Use them as centerpieces or glasses and it screams “southern.”

N…  Never forgot your southern hospitality. Greet guest to your wedding with a welcome bag and fill it with things they will use over the weekend.

O… Old Kentucky Chocolate. Offer guest a taste of Kentucky with these local sweets.

P…  Passed hors d’oeuvres.  Have mini hot browns or bite size country ham and biscuits!

Q…  Quiet Time.  Make time with you and your future hubby during the week of the wedding to just relax and TRY to not talk about wedding plans.

R…  Remember something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

S…  Sweet Tea. Offer your guests a refreshing glass of sweet tea especially if the wedding is outside and hot.

T…  Thank you notes.  Southerners believe in hand-written thank you notes. It’s very personal!

U… UK/UL Football and Basketball.  Plan your events around these games, especially if they are playing each other.

V… Venue- Check out Kentucky Bride Magazine in January for unique wedding venues around the state.

W…  Weather- Look at a Farmer’s Almanac for weather forecast. We believe in it!!!

Y…  Your “old stomping grounds” may be the perfect place for your wedding.

Z…  zzzzzzzz. Get plenty of sleep and rest up for the big day! enjoy!

And one more,

L…  Let us hear your ways to include the bluegrass in a wedding.

celebrating Kentucky Weddings …

sara lain for

I was raised in Miami. I currently spend 50% of my time in Florida and the other 50% in Massachusetts. This in itself is a miracle. It also provides for the most amusing cultural differences known to man. For example: tonight was “Southern Night” in our apartment. We’ve got a friend visiting from Tampa and thusly two Floridians in one place (outside of Florida) equals Sweet Tea and fried chicken. It’s not a stereotype…it’s just what we both enjoy (so I’ll leave it at that). Of course, things escalated from just being “Sweet Tea and fried chicken” to “Sweet Tea with Vodka, fried chicken, cornbread, and O Brother, Where Art Thou?” We also thought it a good idea to trek through Boston’s first “real” snow of the season to Davis Square and hit up our favorite comic book store and some Kick Ass Cupcakes. Two hours of Bluegrass, jailbreaks, and two delicious cupcakes later- the three of us find ourselves in food induced comas, sprawled on the couch. Times like these make me proud to be Hispanic, Southern, and a New Englander at the same time. New Englander sounds awkward…there has to be a better word for that.

And here, your moment of zen:

-Estherocket

It took me forever to realize that SoCo is actually just whiskey.  Before I figured that out, I thought it was just some random, strong liqueur.  I realize that I should have noticed when I grabbed it from the whiskey section, but its just a bit too sweet to think “HEY DIS WHASKI IZ Goo!” when you’re parading around with your pants off.

Not that I have done that.

I guess I now understand the name though.  The South is known for their sweet tea and sweet salt water taffy and all that stuff, so why not sweet whiskey?  After writing that, I now think how good SoCo may be in sweet tea, and then I think of the worst hangover I ever had was from boxed wine, which I’m sure has about the same sugar content.  So maybe sweet tea and SoCo may not be for me.

It is pretty good for mixing with soda.  Pop if you live in the North sometimes.  I guess… I don’t know what this whole great divide between soda and pop comes from anyway.  I digress.  Dr. Pepper tastes great with the stuff, as does just about any dark cola.  It is also pretty light on the noxiousness.  Is that the right word?  No, I’m thinking of harshness.  It isn’t harsh at all, which is kind of surprising since its 70 proof, which isn’t too off from mainstream vodka.  So there, I’ve circled back into the sweetness factor.

Basically, Southern Comfort is pretty good.  Actually, it is pretty damn good for mixing things up.  It is pretty unique and a good choice for when you don’t know what to buy.  It’s also perfect for when you’re sitting on your rocking chair, overlooking your vast crops, or the vast amount of lanes on 285.

Heh.  McDonald’s wrote back about my brief stop and UrbanSpoon.com review (posted with pictures) the other night.

Here’s the message below, that rides the “impersonally personal response” line quite well.

Someone got rid of the pictures at UrbanSpoon.com… perhaps they were flagged as inappropriate?  I can see that.  Oh well, no reason I can’t show them here.

Here’s my review…

“Sadly, had the best service there tonight in years…” by ERiC AiXeLsyD (98 reviews)
November 29, 2009 - Doesn’t like it – Small crew tonight, decent night-time crowd, stopped for a late dinner, was served relatively quickly… fries were a perfect golden color and hot… burgers were OK, super-greasy but it IS McDonald’s. We were out at an event earlier, on the way home… had to use the facilities… but they were trashed. Stall #1 had no TP dispenser, the roll was on the back of the commode, and the bowl was chock full of the stuff. Stall #2 had a broken doorknob/lock mechanism. One hand dryer was stuck on, the other didn’t work, and both urinals were full of urine. I know they can’t control flushing… but periodic checks/cleanings and some repairs might be in order.  Just when I thought this place had their stuff together for once… My advice? When stopping here, use the facilities somewhere else.

1 person likes this review Recommend

And here’s their response with my message submitted through the McWebform following below…

From: McDonalds.CustomerCare@us.mcd.com
To: eric_aixelsyd@yahoo.com
Sent: Tue, December 1, 2009 5:14:49 AM
Subject: Message from McDonald’s USA

Hello Eric:

Thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald’s Customer Service Center to bring your recent experience to our attention.First, I hope you will accept my sincere apology for your disappointment in McDonald’s. I can assure you that we want you to be completely satisfied every time you visit one of our restaurants.Because most McDonald’s restaurants are independently owned and operated, I have forwarded your comments to the franchise owner or local representative for follow up at the restaurant you visited. Please be assured that your comments will be investigated and, if appropriate, corrective action will be taken.

 

Secondly, although we did not completely meet your expectations, please know that our restaurant employees strive to maintain the highest standards of quality, service, cleanliness and value and it’s certainly nice to know that their efforts are appreciated. We want to recognize your complimentary comments and thank you for your kind words.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald’s and giving us the opportunity to address your concerns. Customer feedback is very important to us as it helps us improve. McDonald’s is number one because of customers like you.

Ashley
McDonald’s Customer Response Center

ref#:6502666

————————————————————————————————————–

Please do not “reply” to this email response. No “replies” can be received through this mailbox. If you wish to contact McDonald’s Customer Response Center again, please visit our website at www.mcdonalds.com

You wrote:

The crew in the place tonight seemed to be operating well, were friendly, and quickly as far as the food was concerned, but the parking lot was full of cars for the bar next door, and the men’s bathroom was disgusting.  Please see this link for a review & photos: http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/23/1346713/restaurant/Far-South-South-Hills/McDonalds-Pittsburgh

Rarely is this kind of stuff ever followed up by the local chain. I don’t know if that’s indicative of stores nation-wide, or just in our area.  Then again… it gets me wondering…  I put my address in that webform… and my photo is up at UrbanSpoon.com.

Bad idea?

If I never knew you
If I never felt this love
I would have no inkling of
How precious life can be
And, if I never held you
I would never have a clue
How, at last, I’d find in you
The missing part of me

In this world so full of fear
Full of rage and lies
I can see the truth so clear
In your eyes; so dry your eyes

And I’m so grateful to you
I’d have lived my whole life through
Lost forever
If I never knew you

I thought our love would be so beautiful
Somehow, we’d make the whole world bright
I never knew that fear and hate could be so strong
All they’d leave us were these whispers in the night
And, still, my heart is saying we were right

If I never knew you
There’s no moment I regret
If I never knew your love
Since the moment that we met
I would have no inkling of
If our time has gone too fast
How precious life can be
I’ve lived at last

And, if I never knew you
I’d have lived my whole life through
Empty as the sky
Never knowing why
Lost forever
If I never knew you

What does a pipe, whiskey flavored tobacco, grilled hot links with spicy mustard & cheese, sandalwood incense, a beautiful winter’s evening over looking the city’s lights, going two days unshaven, and sweet tea all have in common? They are the ingredients to some overdue quality time off. Despite what others may tell you work can be stressful; and sometimes just downright overtaxing. This added to the difficulty of being away from my family during the holidays, I must admit that I have been at my wits end.

The past couple of days, and especially this evening, have been the longed for time I really needed to myself. I’ve had the opportunity to dedicate much needed time to prayer and study, enjoying the small mercies in life, and even had ample time to speak to my wife and daughter over the phone. Truly this has been a time of rest.

It is moments like these when I pause and reflect upon the grace and mercy of the Lord. This Thanksgiving I had much to be thankful for. My wife and my daughter, my job, my victory in the semi-annual PFA, the time of calm and restful relaxation, and -above all- the love of God which has drawn me to Himself.

Tomorrow my week begins all over again, but -thanks be to God- I am ready and well rested for the race that is ahead.

How were your holidays, and what are you thankful for?

Blessings!

Do You Remember?

Do You remember, the girl came to me and left her tears on my shoulder?

In that freezing December..

She cried for the boy who left her…back to his country so far far away

In that windy December..

What did you think at that moment, when you saw her crying?

I told her not to worry about him, I was so sure that he loved her

But she was so fragile and filled with sorrow..

And I was so naive about love and romance

In this rainy December, I remember that moment

When you and I sat in silence

When none of us understood what was going on..

and when the boy chose his path: not to be with her..

Love Sonnet XVII

by Pablo Neruda

The Dog House is a small chain of fast food hot dog restaurants in Durham North Carolina, with satellite locations in Roxboro and Hillsborough.  All of the restaurants are housed in what appears to be a dog house, (as in the above photographs, these of the location in Hillsborough).

Though more popular in the early 1970’s when The Dog House restaurants began, the franchise plays heavily upon the interplay of hot dogs and actual dogs, which seem to only be connected by the fact that both concepts contain the word “dog.”  The building is shaped as a wooden dog house (a relic now, everyone keeps their dogs in their own house, or purchases an injection mold plastic dog house at a big box store).  The trash cans are topped with chain and fake hose connections, to appear as fire hydrants (that everyone who has ever watched cartoons can tell you, are constantly peed on by our canine friends).  And, the hot dog variations are each named after a type of dog; the collie dog, boxer dog, and Ol’ Yeller (here changed to Ol’ Yallow), a hot dog drowned in the same hot Velveeta type cheese people douse on nacho chips.

The restaurants seem to revel in the dog reference kitsch they project.  In the photograph above, located in the service window below a perfectly understandable “Closed” sign is taped another sign stating “Our dogs have all gone to bed, see you tomorrow.” 

The Dog House restaurant buildings offer a combination of service usually not seen together.  There is a drive-up window in the tradition of the mega-chains (ex. McDonald’s).  But unlike those mega-chains, one can not walk into a Dog House.  The interior consists of 4′ x 12′ of floor space, crowded with 3 or 4 ladies taking orders and making food.  The other service option is instead a small sliding window, where takeaway orders are placed.  So, since most Dog House locations are not in a “downtown” location or walkable community, a car-bound customer pulls off of the street into The Dog House’s asphalt environs and is immediately faced with a choice.  Do you stay in your car and use the drive through window, or park your car to walk  5 steps up to the side window to place a take out order?  (This choice, in this author’s observation, is usually based on which line is currently shorter).

The Dog House is a great restaurant because it understands the two main concepts of why people eat hot dogs and other fast foods, and delivers on both.  First, people eat at hot dog restaurants because they need that sweet and salty interaction your synapses seem to crave from time to time.  When I stop by The Dog House for lunch, I order a hot dog (I choose the “Puppy Dog,” a plain hot dog on a bun with no toppings. I want to taste the meat and the white bread, and so ketchup and mustard is such a wast of my time), french fries, an apple turnover and a sweet tea.

For the next 15 minutes my taste buds are spun around, as they try to tell my brain that the crinkle cut french fries are hot and salty, only to be introduced to a tooth-achingly sweet tea, cold from the pellet ice it swims in.  The hot dog is also salty, muted in the pillowy white bread bun.  Then, to end the salt and sweet interplay, sweet wins with a hot apple turnover, the best one I have ever had outside of an old-timer’s kitchen (where they make real fried apple pies out of dried on the farm apples and biscuit dough).

People also eat at hot dog joints because their current reality clues them in to finding cheap, quick, high-caloric foods.  A trip to The Dog House at lunchtime means mingling with manufacturing workers on lunch break, tradespeople on break from the job site, and others who need energy to replenish from the morning, with extra left over to make it through the afternoon.

I personally like The Dog House because it represents what my mind is drawn to in just about any tangible object or experience; a connection to the past.  The (mostly) women who work at The Dog House locations I frequent have worked there forever, they know me and smile when they see me.  Making hot dogs in aprons and hair nets is something I know I am not going to see at a Starbucks or TGIFriday’s.  And, when they pack my order in a white paper bag and hand it out the window, they always implore me to come back and see them real soon.

And, I always feel at home while waiting in line, standing with those tradespeople, their white trucks and vans in the parking lot, or the guys in dungarees who work nearby in the industrial shops.  They are like me in that they have roughly 15 to 20 minutes to find some lunch, and then get back to work, to be able to finish up everything that needs to be done that day.  The Dog House makes lunch for all of us, quickly and with a smile; two simple notions usually lacking at places our doctor’s would rather us eat, the salad bar or the whole foods market.

Halloween is my favorite time of the year. I love scary movies, candy corn and dressing up. But since I am out on the road visiting every Bojangles’ in the country I won’t have that opportunity this year. But I have an idea on how to keep the spirit of Halloween alive but I will need some help.

While I have been traveling around the past week or so I have seen a ton of great jack-o-lanterns on peoples porches. I also saw It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown last night that help inspire this idea.

All this has me thinking about designing a Bojangles’ jack-o-lanter. But I am on the road so I was wondering if anyone would be willing to carve one up. If you do, please email me your pics and I will post them on my blog.

If you are wondering what my costume would have been this year just think of a Large Bojangles’ Sweet Tea and you will get the idea
Happy Halloween everyone!!

So I forgot my wallet this morning. This is a bad thing for me, as I happen to like eating.

Not having money with me throws a wrench in that plan.

So now I’m stuck on campus, trying not to think about all the wonderful things that I could be eating right now.

I shouldn’t think about those fresh waffle fries from Chick-fil-a.

Or the nuggets.

Or strips.

Or the wonderful chicken sandwich, which is even better when you have some zesty lettuce on the top.

Or the sweet tea.

Or the lemonade.

That kind of thinking might make me hungrier.

Instead, I’m thinking of the most unappetizing thing in the world: protein shakes.

Drinking a protein shake is like running a marathon. You have to have endurance to make it through.

First of, it smells far too sweet, and tastes awful too.

Most people prefer sweet tastes. But not this.

Take, for instance, one of those marshmallow peeps everyone hates. Let it decay into sap. Then add curdled soy milk, and mix in with a pound of sugar per pint. Tasty, no?

I try not to inhale while I’m drinking it, as the taste and smell together are enough to make a man gag.

I’ve gotten to the point where I can almost shut off my taste buds through sheer willpower and a gargling motion.

The end is the worst. Once you get to the lumps, most strong men are done for. No trick or illusion can ever disguise the awful greasy, slippery, grittiness of a lump. Even seeing a lump can throw the inexperienced.

I think I’m feeling less hungry already.

Sweet tea sounded satisfying to me.  Ordered some from the restaurant.

No, they didn’t have it.  Would I like regular tea?

I was surprised until I realized – Oh, yeah, I’m in Indiana.

Slowly becoming a Texan…where the sweet tea is as ubiquitous as the barbecue.

The Death of a Pope
Piers Paul Read

I’m currently home for fall break, and you know what that means… sweet tea!!!

And free time.

So I decided that besides watching TV on the internet and writing my 8-10 page paper on Origen’s Contra Celsum (just go ahead and guess whether or not I’ve started that yet), I’m going to read.  And I’ve heard that this is a good book, both from friends, such as Karlo (OK, OK, he just says that he read it, not that it was good - that doesn’t mean he didn’t like it though!) and from the reviews on the back cover.  One of them calls it a “faith-driven theological thriller.”  Sounds just about perfect for a fall break read, don’t you think?

I woke up this morning with a thirsty that could not be quenched by the normal morning beverages. I tried drinking coffee, juice (three kinds) and milk (chocolate of course). But nothing I had satisfied my thirst. Then I thought about tea. I hadn’t tried tea yet. But I don’t just like any tea. There was only one place I could go to quench my thirst. Give up? Well, you probably guessed that the only thing that could do the trick is Bojangles’ Sweet Tea. I bought two half gallons of the sweet nectar of the gods this morning. The proof is below.

Thirsty?

I’d also like to give a special shout out to @hungrysisters and @hokiefez for their suggestions on Twitter regarding  places to go while I am in the Carolina’s.

BT-