IHOP with the internationals

Long day today. Had the usual advanced building systems morning show at 7:30. After structures, however, Dew said "IHOP," and I said, "let's do it." And so Dew, Kenny, Chuck and I went out to IHOP and got way too many pancakes. 

There's something about the cumulative IHOP experience which is great- and its really the American Breakfast Chain kind of experience- the friendliness of the chunky coffee mugs, the slightly irritable waitstaff, the giant plates full of eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, and pancakes, the tightness of the spaces between tables and booths, even the laminate plastic menus and chorus line of syrups (none of which is the prima donna, maple). However, if you try to peg one thing, especially the food, the experience tends to fall apart. There's something really exciting about ordering a breakfast combination plate, but the pancakes are too doughy and bland, the bacon is always burnt to a crisp, the eggs are weak and forgettable. It's still fun though to go, especially with friends, talking, eating, drinking way too much coffee.

It was also a spectacularly beautiful fall day. Warm, sunny, breezy, blue skies with wisps of clouds. Everyone was outside around lunchtime, enjoying the weather. Tomorrow is forecast to be the same, so you know that its going to snow, or pour rain at the very least. 

Worked late in studio, almost until 1 am. Thought it was close to 2, so I came home to sleep. I'll be back up at 7 tomorrow. For now, I'm simply enjoying the sound and breeze of this windy evening.