Three strikes and you're out...of the gene pool

Oh, I wish.

Last night I accompanied Eli to wing night, which takes place every Wed. at the local Buffalo's (a mediocre, ostensibly Tex-Mex restaurant that also serves a variety of chicken wings). I used to go ea. wk. to these gatherings, but I quickly realized I dislike most of the ppl. there -- inc. those in our group -- and I hate the food even more, so I have significantly reduced my appearances. Fr. what I hear, the wings are quite good, but that does me no good. Everythg. I have sampled tastes like what I imagine would be the flavor of particle board with a texture to match. Point is, wing night holds few attractions for me and I have repeatedly failed to convince the few ppl. I do like who attend the wkly. ritual to change it to Mexican night.

And in case I needed that little extra push to convince me never again to return, I saw a woman last night who is a) a prime example of the sort of person who frequents this establishment, and b) also a prime example of the trash holes that populate this town. Observe:

1) When we pulled into the parking lot, I saw an unusually well-dressed pregnant woman (the phrase "barefoot and pregnant" originated in this region for a reason) walking toward the door and was slightly encouraged. I was quickly reminded that all hope is futile in this place when I passed said Pregnant woman Smoking w/a bunch of hillbillies just outside the entrance.
2) I was further unimpressed when it was brought to my attn. that this woman was attending a poker tournament being held in the restaurant, with her toddler in tow. I have nothing against responsible adults playing some poker if it strikes their fancy (I AM friends w/Eamonn, Chris, and Joe, for Heaven's sake), but I DO have a problem w/ppl. taking their small, developing children to an environment conducive to vulgarity, excess, and sometimes violence.
3) The superfluous icing on the cake was when the woman allowed her child to toddle about the restaurant unattended while mommy dearest picked at the leftovers that had not yet been cleared fr. a table in our section of the restaurant. It is important to note that the poker area was separate fr. our area, which means that she likely did not even know the ppl. who so generously provided her snack. Before I could fully appreciate her commitment to helping end American dietary wastefulness, I noticed her young child pick smthg. up fr. the floor. The child clenched it in her fist for a few moments, waiting for her mother to come admire her treasure. Now, I do not have kids and I certainly do not profess to be a child-rearing expert, but I know a few of the basics. Like, for example, don't let your kids eat shit off the floor, esp. in a public place. This lady -- and I use that term V. loosely -- examined the contents of her young one's outstretched palm and said, "That's candy. You put it in your mouth."

Oh, madam, if only YOU had simply put it in your mouth rather than following through with the whole procreationary act. Twice (that I know of).


Also, I had a FANTASTIC trip to Oregon to see Brianna and I will be posting pics and captions next wk. when Eli and I get back fr. Charleston. Highlights include: big trees, a crazy dog, and raccoon patty-cake. Yes, that's right.

And since I am abt. six yrs. behind in reading everyone else's blog due to the untimely death of my harddrive in June, I only just discovered this little gem on Daniel's blog: a website that generates your surprisingly comical obituary! Using my nickname, I got, "Evilly skulking around the neighborhood, jules died laughing hysterically. Jules will be terribly missed by the Lollypop Kids." This seems spot on to me, what with the reference to my evil-ness, my tendency to wander absently, my frequent laughter, AND my diminutive stature. The one that used my full name reminds me of how Brianna used to say I would end up like Blanche on Golden Girls when we got old (and it also references my evil-ness!). heh.

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com