I had been traveling along the East Road for some miles and wanted nothing more than to warm myself, both inside and out! Twinkling lights in the distance showed promise and I hastened my stride. The gatekeeper let me in after asking me my name and my business. “My name is Charlie. My business at the moment is finding something to eat.” I wanted to add, “Now get in my belly!” but thought better of it.
Walking up the road, I soon came to a respectable looking Inn. Heavy curtains behind shuttered windows could not hold back the promising sounds within: the clink of plates, the chatter of customers, and the all too familiar gushing noise of beer being chugged.
I walked in and the landlord took me to a table. It was off to one side of the room and not too far from the comfortable fire. Through the lamp-lit haze I could make out the various patrons across the room. I ordered a drink, sat back, and relaxed—finally resting my tired feet.
My repose was soon broken by an unexpected scene. There had been a large gathering around a little fellow telling a story. I didn’t pay much attention to the group until someone else (who had obviously taken as much drink as was good for him) climbed up on a table. He spoke a few words I couldn’t make out when a few folks called for a song. Much to my surprise, he obliged. The song was some nonsense about cows and cats and fiddles, but it was enjoyable enough. I was about to join in the singing myself when suddenly our funny little performer leapt into the air and came crashing down into a tray full of mugs!
This was just what I needed after a weary day of traveling. I began to laugh, but it died on my lips as I realized this fellow simply disappeared as soon as he hit the ground. I mean, he was there and then he wasn’t! I’d never seen such a thing before and I doubt I ever will again. The commotion was what you might expect, and everyone found this turn of events most queer and disturbing. Just as the crowd was trying to explain everything to the innkeeper, he shows up again! Says he just crawled away quickly under the table after he fell, but I wasn’t buying it.
Most everyone left after that. He and his friends headed back to their rooms followed by a shadowy figure I had not noticed before. I took a room myself and slept like the dead. The next morning I saw them all head off but whatever became of them, I’ll never know. Probably got lost in the woods and were never heard from again.
Now we separate the true geeks from the rest of the pack. I’m sure half of you might have enjoyed my little trip to The Prancing Pony in Bree here and the rest of you are scratching your heads. Either way, what does my little story have to do with the “eating out” category? Well, true geek that I am, I always thought it would be cool to go hang out at the Prancing Pony. And whether you’re a fantasy fan or not, pretty much most fiction (books, movies, TV) sooner or later has a restaurant scene.
So that’s this week’s poll: what’s your favorite fictional restaurant? Want to go eat at Mel’s Diner? Or maybe Milliways: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe? Or how about real life places that have a prominent place in fiction, like Tom’s Diner?
But for those of you, like me, who really would love to travel to Bree, your only hope is probably this CD. Listen to the Dwarf and Orc sample, if your QuickTime is up to date. If not, just come on over to my place and I’ll play the CD for you. You bring the beer. But please, stay off my tables.
In early November, I mused a bit about what I’d like to be 
I really did want to design stuff. Unfortunately my career was cut short when I poked my finger with a mechanical pencil. You can clearly see the severity of the career-ending wound. It’s hard to believe that this many years later, that tiny bit of graphite is still visible to the naked eye.
That’s just what I did a couple hours ago. On my way home from work, I stopped by HEB to pick up a few needed supplies along with the coveted can o’ hash. Except I couldn’t find it. All the canned goods are basically in the same spot in the store. We’re not talking about twenty square miles of searching here. So where the hell was it?
Two weeks ago I was having a bit of trouble. I read about (and subsequently attempted) a dietary experiment. And 
I learned better than to ever promise a date..."
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