Waffle House Research

Ok, guys. I've been doing research on this Waffle House debacle. I've kind of come to love this place. In fact, I think I may find one and pay a visit this weekend. I don't know if I'll be ordering any of the food, but perhaps I can stand to drink the coffee and read a book for the ambiance of it all. I bet it's a friggin' sweet place for people-watching. Or, for engaging in conversations with creepy truckers or other distinguished patrons. There are, indeed, some interesting things to know about Waffle House. (And yes, I have a life. What gave you the preposterous idea that I don't? Geez.)

#1: It opened a long time ago. In 1955, the first Waffle House was opened by a couple of chums who still run the joints today. By the end of the '70s they had 401 restaurants. (Now, about 1,600.) Everything was so much cooler before I was born. Sometimes, this elicits an emotional response deep inside that resembles that of being pissed off. But I think the waitresses looked so glamorous back in the day. If I lived back then and could wear my hair that way with the cute outfit, I'd work at the Waffle House, for sure. There was just something special about the lady at the diner in those days. Now, the lady at the diner is usually missing a tooth, has a raspy voice and a smoker's cough. Is that rude and prejudice of me? Sorry. She's probably really sweet.

#2: The Waffle House reopened its original location in Georgia for a museum in 2007. That's right. A Waffle House Museum. I wish I had known this during my trip. I don't exactly know what this museum houses, but this is what the Waffle House website says it looks like. I think it's so cool that all the visitors have old cars. It really contributes to the history of the place. Wait..

#3: According to a USA Today article, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson lived off of grits and eggs at the Waffle House while he was traveling a tiny wrestling circuit making $40 a day. Who doesn't love The Rock and his tough exterior, yet, ever-so-tender interior in movies such as The Tooth Fairy and The Game Plan? His bod doesn't suck either. If you're into rock-hard muscles and sexy tattoos. But who'd secretly be into that?

#4: The Waffle House includes a "Featured Waffle House Regular" on its website. With every refresh you get to meet a person who adores the Waffle House, hear their sweet sentimental story, and their favorite thing to order. I think I have a new item to add to my bucket list.

#5: An Anderson Cooper 360 correspondent also noticed the abundance of Waffle Houses while touring the Florida panhandle to talk to people about the oil spill. His curiosity motivated him to visit this fascinating "house of waffles". He so thoroughly enjoyed himself that he, too, was moved to blog about it. In his blog he mentioned the no-nonsense way you get what you order at the Waffle House. And, the innovative way you don't have to ask for a refill of coffee. Instead, the waitress just, like, walks by and GIVES it to you. Gosh, what a brilliant concept. I couldn't help but wonder where this guy has been eating all his life.

#6: Probably the most interesting thing about Waffle House is what happened in 2008. Beginning in a restaurant in Georgia, and in 30 others by 2009, The Waffle House began providing "by reservation only" candlelight service on Valentine's Day. That's right, guys. Nothing says "I love you" like sharing a stack of waffles while sitting right next to your honey in a sticky booth. I joke, but I do think this would be a fun date. I'm interested. Now, no need to fight, boys. The Waffle House is open 24 hours a day so there will be ample opportunity to go with each of you on Valentine's Day 2011. Holla and I'll pencil you in :)

Ok, to wrap it up, I'll leave you with the link to the Waffle House "Fun Facts" page. Because who ISN'T curious about the distance the bacon served each year would reach if placed end-to-end?

Thoughts on The Dirty South and Etcetera

So, I went on a road trip to Savannah, GA. It was quite pleasant. I have decided that Texas is the smartest of the south, however. Other states down here just aren't wise about the way they lay cities or how they appropriately place their businesses for convenient highway access. They also have no idea how to clearly word road signs. And...they have far too many Waffle Houses. How are these places still in business? Have you ever seen a car at a Waffle House? No, you haven't. So it boggles me that not only do Waffle Houses still exist, but that you'll find one at each exit. I'm dying to learn more about this chain and its operators.

I've been thinking a lot about autumn today. I'm freaking excited. It's just the best time of the year, hands down. I mean, you have World Series action, the beginning of football season and basketball season soon after. Your favorite shows come back on. Everything smells better. Have you ever noticed that? The trees turn pretty colors. The temperature is just right and I can save the world one pair of pants at a time by covering my pasty legs back up. Autumn wins. I'll get married in the fall. Count on it.

So...Georgia. It was magical. Savannah is the sweetest place. I couldn't imagine calling a place like that my home. (Pictures are available here.) If anyone knows me, they know my affection for old things. That makes Savannah a prime destination for a Coby vacay. Do you ever feel all weird when you're standing in a place so many people have been before you? Like...at a place where you know that there was once nothing until someone created a something a long time ago and that something is still standing right before you. Ya know? haha...that made total sense, right? But really...historical sites and buildings blow my mind. It's so eerie. In a cool way.

Speaking of eerie, I saw Inception last night. I'm pretty sure that is the most complex and ingenious thing I've seen in a long time. Perhaps ever. I couldn't help but consider the mind of the writer. I'm so mediocre. From there I began contemplating reality and almost had a panic attack in the theater, so I ate more Raisinets and moved on with life. But seriously...see Inception. I'll go with you.

That's all I've got today, guys. I'm pretty worthless and kind of ready to go back to work. In the meantime I'll go work on my bucket list and Google "Waffle House". Stay classy :)

Another List

As inspired by my 25th birthday and a recent photo album I viewed on Facebook (thank you, Penny Lueders, for your Hershey's pictures :) ) I have been considering my bucket list. What do I want to do before I die? I'm sure this list won't ever be exhaustive, but I have come up with a few things thus far.

1. Obviously, my muse: visit the Hershey's factory.
2. Travel through a significant amount of Europe. Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland, Italy, and England over and over again.
3. Write a book. Most likely a children's book. I might be able to generate enough pages for a short story. We'll see.
4. Own and operate a coffee shop/bakery...perhaps even a B&B.
5. Play the tambourine and sing back up vocals for a band.
6. Take a ballet class.
7. Improve my piano skills for the sole purpose of playing at church when I'm old.
8. Renovate an old house. Preferably a house with wood flooring, arched doorways and a white picket fence.
9. Plant a garden that grows all of the produce I need for cooking.
10. Make babies.
11. Spend a summer teaching or talking about Jesus in another country.
12. Buy a freaking huge and expensive camera.
13. Learn to play a video game like Halo or Modern Warfare.
14. Read the classics. All the Hemingway, Faulkner, Poe, Thoreau, Tolstoy, Dumas etc. I can stand.
15. Complete a crossword puzzle from the NY Times without cheating.
16. Eat a hot dog at Wrigley Field.
17. Learn about wine. Not so much that I'm obnoxious, but enough.
18. Surf.
19. Speak a sexy amount of French.
20. Experience a rap concert.

Ok...20 is a good, solid, round number to end on. Hopefully I'll add to this as I mark things off. I'm a quarter of a century old now. I should probably get started. Tomorrow, I'll begin reading The Count of Monte Cristo as my official bucket list kick-off. I just realized that none of my items are dangerous or risky. I think I lack adventure. Therefore, I'll add another.
21. Hike through Costa Rica or climb a mountain OR go white water rafting. Or all three.
Ok, that's the list. 21 is better than 20. A winning hand adds up to 21 in black jack, you have to be 21 to buy alcohol, and 50 Cent had 21 questions. I like 21. What's on your list?

Summer Update #1

My summer officially begins in 3 days. Wednesday, June 30, marks the start of a school-less summer. This makes me very, very happy.

Some things rocking my world right now:

1. The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s. If I could have them all, my iTunes collection (and my life) would be complete.

2. Austin, TX. I mean, this isn't really a surprise. It always rocks my world. But, I recently got to spend some time there. I'm going back again soon. Like, within the next couple of weeks. Probably more than once.

3. This. I think I'll grow to enjoy them a lot. Plus, there's an appearance by my girl crush, Zooey Deschanel. Done.

4. My 25th. I may or may not surprise you with my 2-5 antics. Stay tuned :)

5. Fish. For those of you that know me, you realize this is insane. I've always hated fish. I've added "loving fish" to my list of things to do this summer. I'm starting with tacos. You put anything into a tortilla and it's better.

6. Planning trips. First, there's Georgia. Soon after, it's Costa Rica. Then a backpacking adventure through Ireland. Don't say "yeah, right", hoes. It's happening.

7. Lists. Can you tell? Most of my blog entries are lists.

8. My patio. It's never too hot there. Especially when wine is involved.

9. Learning how to grow an herb garden. I'm going to buy my babies sometime this week. I really suck at taking care of plants. I've killed a bamboo and an Easter Lily in the last few months. I don't know if you guys know anything about botany, but rumor has it those are both very low maintenance and easy to keep. Sigh...I won't give up.

10. Heaven. I refresh this multiple times a day.

Well, that'll do. You've been updated :)

I love summer nights. Screw the bugs.

With summer upon me, I'm coming up with a list of things to do while I revel in the greatest advantage of the profession I've chosen: a paid summer off of work. Although I AM working a session of summer school to earn vacation money, I will still have a solid 5 hours of daylight remaining when I get off of work at 3:30. With this time, I'm going to do cool things. A few of these include:

fall in love with running again
sit by the pool
read books that grown ups read--not 6th graders
get a boy to write a song about me
make my mom the dress that Julia Roberts wears in Pretty Woman when they go to the polo game
enjoy a fan-freaking-tastic road trip to Savannah, GA with Carla Hartley :)
squeeze in a cruise to some place sunny
stay up past midnight
finish a quilt
frequent the farmer's market
dance more
spend the fewest number of weekends in Houston as possible
start a book of family/personal/tasty recipes
take my nieces somewhere fun
get silly in Port A

If you're reading this, you're holding me accountable. Deal? Deal.

Words

I got an iPhone. It's glorious. I am obsessed with Words with Friends. (CobyLT...bring it.) I love words. I also enjoy scoring points. This is obviously the perfect game for me. I have quite a few challenges going on, and I have a feeling that someone is cheating. (TyMire25, if you're reading this...I hope you know that cheaters never win. However, you have beaten me 3 times now, I believe. So really, they DO win. But it's annoying. Your high scoring words are absurd. I'll keep playing, but know that I'm onto you and I'm aware of the Words with Friends Cheats app. Don't be that guy.)

I am very behind on blogging. I think the best thing to do is to start with spring break. It's been over a week since it ended and still, I dream about it. You'd think I was being dramatic, but I'm sincere. I loved spring break. Like, I big and tall loved spring break. I spent time with my babies, I spent time in the sunshine, and I spent time in Austin with music and wine. All of these are in my top 10 favorite things amongst Jesus and Mexican food. Thus my joy.

Some random thoughts and additional happenings for you as of late:

I hate when toilet paper dispensers regulate the number of plies you are allowed. You know? Like, when you pull too hard it breaks over and over again. Until, after a flustered experience on the toilet you stick your hand INTO the dispenser and manually turn the roll yourself, releasing a satisfying amount of paper. After you've probably cut your hand on the freaking spiky things that assist in the tearing of the paper, you're finally able to finish up this process. It's troublesome.
This being said, I've decided that the ply measurement for toilet paper is pointless. Plies are much too small. A wad of toilet paper is necessary on every occasion. I don't care who you are. People don't count plies, and even if they did, I can guarantee they need more than 3. Therefore, I propose that if you really feel as though you need to divide the roll into something, make it meaningful and make your plies bigger. Or just let us rip the crap without perforation where we see fit. I mean, really. We can handle it. I'm taking this to Charmin. End rant.

Question: How much money is too much money to spend on iTunes a month? Yikes.
If you want to do something nice for yourself buy She & Him's Volume II, Vampire Weekend's Contra, and then, go ahead and purchase the song "Lover" by Devendra Banhart. You'll immediately be filled with happiness and sunshine. All of these are a glimpse of my springtime soundtrack. Be a pal and send other suggestions if you have some! But know ahead of time that I think a lot of stuff is stupid and I might ignore you. Sorry, it's not you, it's me.

I'm in the market for a piano. I looked into a new one and it basically costs more than a new car. Flippin' yeah, I'm serious. Where the heck have I been to not have realized this? Anyway...pianos for sale?

Did you know that the McDonald's Egg McMuffin is delicious? I was recently reunited with them and I've eaten 2 in the last 36 hours. Take the nasty ham stuff out and it's incredible. Go enjoy one soon.

I am the ultimate roadtripper this spring. I haven't stayed in Houston in a while, and I don't see it in my near future. I'm ok with this. Holla, and I'll let you know when I'm in a city near you.

Ok guys, it's my move on WWF. Crumpet, tea, a book, and I'm out by 9:30 tonight. Swear.

i crave nourishment so strongly it resembles that of a wild canine

The first thing you need to do is figure out the title of this blog. It's the new cool thing on Twitter in which you translate pop lyrics into formal language. I stole this one from Dave Barnes. It is funny.

I want a sunburn.

I decided today that I want to begin writing a children's book. You will be informed when it's published. As of now, I'm deciding what the book will be about. And how the heck you write a book.

I'm about to partake in the 6th course of my dinner. It's a hot dog. I honestly don't think I've had one of these since the high school snack bar. If it were next week, I'd have an iPhone, and I'd take a picture of everything I'm eating and post it on Facebook. I don't know why, really. Most things are just funnier to me than they are to others.

I'm very excited that Jim and Pam are having their baby tonight. I feel like my friend is having a baby. And no, I'm not ashamed of this emotional attachment.

I can't wait for spring break. It better be sunny, or I'll cry. I have to read the Twilight books, or my kids win a pizza party. I'm beginning to think that I'd rather pay the $30.

Do you ever wonder what the relationship between Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest is like behind the scenes? They're so darn mean to each other. It makes me uncomfortable to watch sometimes. I'm on Simon's side. Seacrest is a fart knocker.

You know who I like lately? U2.

I just finished my hot dog. Could probably puke.

Welp, see ya later. :)