Looks like you

I took some of my writing notes with me to lunch to 'work on' at a nearby restaurant. (The same restaurant as this blog post).

I was promptly seated and a blond waitress (let's call her Jessica) came to take my drink order. Jessica proceeds to bring my drink, I take a sip, and give her my food order. I ordered a sandwich & substituted the fries for a $.50 up charge to some broccoli cheddar soup. It sounded good and I don't even like broccoli. It was in fact, good soup!

About five minutes later, Jessica walks by and asks, "have you been helped yet?"
"Yes," I replied, "I ordered the chicken sandwich and broccoli cheddar soup - will the soup be out first?"
"Who was your waitress? Was she blond?"
"Umm yeah, she looks like you."
"Oh?" Jessica proceeded to check her computer for my order, realizes she thought I wanted broccoli on my sandwich and not the soup. She brings me my soup with no up charge and a minute later my sandwich.

(Blogger's note: The blond references isn't to say, "she was blond and dumb" but more because when she asked what my waitress looked like, it seemed like she was describing herself because none of the other waitresses were blond.)

This bar is full of nothing but Chads

"Chad" as defined by the Urban Dictionary

(some fowl language may appear)

#4 is nice

Hot, attractive, intelligent male. Known for his all American good looks, dry humor and sarcasm. Funny, witty and modest. Chad is a well rounded, great friend, boyfriend, husband, etc.
He's so perfect, he's such a Chad.

Books vs Cigarettes

My good pal Mike & I banter back & forth about our habits.

He, smokes.
I, buy books to fill my bookshelf. Reading them is another 'story'.

Similar to a compare & contrast I did regarding his shopping cart & my shopping basket at Wal*Mart, I decided to do the same with cigarettes & books.

This will be an ongoing blog post in progress, feel free to add a comparison or contrast in the comments area.

Comparisons & Contrasts between cigarettes & books
Cigarettes can cause lung cancer.
Books can cause paper cuts.

Cigarettes cost $.70 to $5.50 a pack
Books vary between $1 and $100 for some text books.

Cigarettes come 20 to a pack.
Books come one at time unless it is a book of anthologies or an author's best of combined.

Cigarettes burn up in about 5 minutes
Books can be read for hours.

Cigarettes smell.
Some really old books do too.

Cigarettes have a quick stress fix.
Books - possible.

Cigarettes are burned.
Sometimes, books are too.

Cigarettes (smoking) are banned in restaurants.
(some) Books are banned in schools.

Once you buy cigarettes, most smokers pack 'em.
Before going to school, most students pack their books.

Cigarettes have nicotine.
Books do not.

Cigarettes cannot be resold.
Books can.

Cigarettes come in many varieties of brands.
Books do too.

You have to be 18 to buy cigarettes.
You can buy books before you are 18.

Cigarettes weigh around an ounce.
Books weight more.

Cigarettes cause liter when thrown out a window.
Books would too - if thrown out a window.

Some cigarettes are best sellers.
Some books are best sellers.

You can buy cigarettes at gas stations.
There are few books sold in gas stations.

Smokers smoke outside coffee shops.
Readers read inside coffee shops.

Take your pick
Second hand smoke.
Second hand bookstores.

Does anyone smoke while they read?

Food Service...

I've never been a waiter. Like many, I believe that not all days are the best. I had a few bad days working at a fast food restaurant when I was younger. However, if you are a reader of my blog, you know I have knack for always having odd food service experiences. (I need to find & tag them all).

Here is today's:
I went to a sit down restaurant to have lunch & read a magazine. The hostess ushered me to a booth. I had about 5 minutes to study the menu before the waiter arrived.

I ordered ice tea & a water and their combo sandwich, salad, & dessert.
I asked to have the salad before the sandwich, he nodded and took the menu and I began to read my magazine.

He brought the salad and sandwich to my table, without the drinks.
I finished my salad and asked for the drinks which he finally brought without apology.

I finished the sandwich and the drinks which all remained empty on the table even after he brought my dessert.

Then I went to a gas station for afternoon munchies and I asked for a sack for my misc items, but got none until I asked again and I said no need for a receipt, but I got one anyway.

On Writing by Chad

Some random thoughts on writing - posted on my writer's blog:
Black Letters Against White Space

Clouds 365 Project

year-long photographic experiment shooting clouds
~ Clouds365.com

Just the Sandwich...

Cashier: (sets my sandwich to go)
Me: "Just the sandwich today" (I said while holding my cash)
Cashier: "Would you like chips & a drink?"
Me: "No, just the sandwich"
Cashier: (rings up my order)
Me: (shocked look on my face as it was more than I thought)
Cashier: "That is the total with chips & a drink"
Me: "I wanted just the sandwich."
Cashier: (refigures the order) and says, "Have a nice day".

Stuff

November is flying by, next week is Thanksgiving already. I have much to be thankful for this year. More on that next week.

I was able to gain another client for my side consulting business and I have another one in the works. Both are local companies and both contacts have been great to work with. One of the benefits of doing this, I get to meet some great people.

Writer's Blog & Bookstore:
I've been slowly working on my writer's blog as well as what I call Chad's writer bookstore. As many of you know, I enjoy browsing bookstores and buying books, but when it comes to actually reading them cover-to-cover - I fail. My hope was that by compiling books on the craft of writing in different subject areas, I'd pick a few off my bookshelf and crack them open - thus, finally write again as part of the bigger picture. Stay tuned.

Peach Iced Tea:
I picked up a new addiction thanks to my sister: Peach flavored iced tea. I found some sugar-free drink mix. It hits the spot. Nice change of pace from pop, especially after a long day at the office.

Angie & Scott:
Speaking of my sister (and her husband)... their local support raising for their mission work with Campus Crusade for Christ is coming to a close and they are going to be making their way back to Orlando. If you'd like to find out more about what they do, visit ScottandAngie.org.

Goals:
I opened a fresh new Word document to jot down some goals by category and included some sub-categories (sounds exciting - I know). I was at the point where I had too many in my head that I'd forget some. Now they are in one central location. I've heard that if you write down your goals - your chances of reaching them are like 80%. I reviewed a similar document from years back and see that I've met most of those goals and the ones I haven't met are in the works.

Early Christmas for Noah...

Noah Biorkman, Dying 5-Year-Old, Gets Early X-Mas Cards From Around the Nation

Noah Biorkman is a 5-year-old child currently in a hospice, dying from Stage IV Neuroblastoma. His parents are asking people around the country to write Christmas cards to the young boy.

Tosca's book promos

Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee (book promo)
Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee (book promo)