Got out early again from class tonight, had had the girl all day and didn’t really get a chance to eat while she was babysitting me. So, upon the way home, I made a split second decision to get off at the pilot knob exit (almost missing the exit, but made it by going on two wheels – JK), which just so happens to have a Chillies on the corner nearby.
Ordered something new called Margarita tex-mex chicken bowl, and boy, was it ever yummy. All sorts of awesome flavors. I usually have one of their great burgers, but this thing was at least ten times better.
I had a unique (for me) and unusual experience while I was there. My waiter was delayed taking my order due to a bunch (ten-twelve) college age kids at the next table over who were giving him a not-so-pleasant time about their bill. Anyway, he finally came over, apologized for the delay and I broke the ice by saying “rough crowd, eh?”. He told me he’d been working from the time the restaurant opened (and it was 9pm), and so, it was a long day for him.
After taking my order and serving me, etc., he starts to clear off the college kids’ table, and mentions to me – this was his final night, he’ll be moving onto a new job soon. I inquired what he was going to be doing – teaching English in Japan, just got his degree at UW/River Falls (after not knowing what he was going to do in his adult life for the past several years). “Oh, I’m at St. Thomas, finishing up my Masters in the fall”, I said. “What are you going for?” He asks, and I tell him.
So, we kibitz for a bit (restaurant is pretty empty at 9:30pm), and somehow, he mentions living in L.A. for a short period a few years ago, playing in a band, which didn’t work out for him. I said, really? Where did you live – Culver City. Ah, when I was your age, I lived in West Covina for a few yrs. So, we then talked about living in L.A., and if I liked living there, etc. Apparently he didn’t, he told me, since he comes from a small town in Wisconsin.
We really had a nice conversation – as best could be done, while I’m eating, and he’s clearing the set of tables immediately over from mine.
Like I said, it was unique for me, since my introverted self usually doesn’t strike up conversations with people.
Anyway, upon getting my bill, he wishes me “good luck with school”, and I told him “best luck with your new job in Japan – I hope it works out for you”.
Good kid – wasn’t college age, but late twenties or early thirties. Really hope he succeeds in life.
[an unrelated aside – I’m 99% done typing this up, and the iPad reboots on its own – I’ve never seen it do this before – and, I lost it, I mean, I was up and yelling, since I thought no way would it save my work and that I would have to remember all I said and retype it in again. Once the iPad finally came back up, I brought up FB, and look out – my FB status/dialog box with everything I’d typed in was still there. Now, that is gosh darn amazing and it’s a wonder MS/Windows is still the leader. I’ve only been an Apple fan since 2010 (with my first Apple purchase – the iPad), and 2012 (finally exchanging my Windows PC for a Mac), but now I wish I’d moved to a Mac earlier than I did).
