July 10, 2000

I got some e-mail today from Brian, a friend of mine from work. He was wondering if Jim and I would like to get dinner with him sometime. Okay, technically he sent the mail on Friday, but I was just getting around to reading it today. We all exchanged some more mail, and we decided to get dinner tonight. I love it when a plan comes together.

The plan was to meet at Dead Robin at about 6:30pm. I don't know why it is that we normally go to Dead Robin, we just do. Oddly enough, when only Brian and I get together we normally end up going to Wendy's, and when it is only Jim and I, we typically go to the same Teriyaki place.

Brian, Jim and I worked in the same group. In fact, we all used to be in the same wing of the building and would chat in the hallway quite often. Jim and I still work in the same group, though his office is much further away now. Still, they are good guys and I enjoy spending time with them. Jim and I work in the same building so we end up going there together; I drove.

Dinner was good. We had a waitress that seemed a little too happy. You know the type, when I see them a couple of things come to mind. First, they're either putting up way too much of a front when serving you; there's nothing wrong with politeness, but there's a lot to be said about an honest smile and courtesy. Second, if they're not putting up a front, they're really way too happy. Life is not all good, please turn it down a notch; you're depressing me.

Oh, and she was a tad unattentive, but otherwise a good waitress.

I tried the California chicken burger this time around. I did ask her what her opinion was and she gave it pretty high marks. I'm glad because I enjoyed it. I forget what the rest of the guys were having, but they seemed pretty pleased with their meals.

We always seem to get into long conversations when we sit down for dinner. Jim and Brian talked quite a bit about some of the music projects they were working on. Though not professionally, Brian is a musician by passion. It's always great to hear what he is doing with this or that with new synthesizer, as well as much of the new music software that he's tried. They have much more in common about music. I know little about music, but I really enjoy hearing them talk. If anything, I do more digital illustrations, though not as much recently.

Brian and I also chatted about one of the clubs we used to go to. It seems as though they might have changed management and re-structured around a bit.

We lingered for a while at Dead Robin, catching up on old times. It's always fun to do. We probably lingered a little too long. It's one of the things that bug me, having been a waiter for such a long time. Waiters make their money with tips, they make more tips by turning over the tables faster. They can't do that if people linger on their tables.

Jim is also s little different once we leave work. Not to say that he is unpleasant when we're at work, but it is just that he lets his hair down… well, as much as Jim might anyway.

We did eventually go back to work. Returned to fixing more bugs with the product.

July 10, 2000