cowboy flunkie

This past week in Dallas:

- Went to Pappa's Bar-B-Q, Texas Land & Cattle, and Uncle Julio's for dinner. Pappa's BBQ was the best deal (daily dinner special - Monday's was beef brisket and hot links - was only $4.95 - B+), and Uncle Julio's fish taco was the best tasting (A-). We actually went to Texas Land & Cattle twice, not by my choice, and both times I was disappointed (C for both rib eye steak and salmon).

- Coworker tried to order ginger-ale in two restaurants, and they didn't have it. At Texas Land & Cattle, the waiter said the bartender can make it and then brought back a mix of Pepsi and Sprite. Uh, okay. Is ginger-ale something foreign down south?

- For lunch, we went mostly to food court at the Renaissance Tower. It was all very bland and forgettable, including Kuai for a chicken rice bowl and Dickie's for a pulled pork sandwich (both C-).

- I actually saw two guys in cowboy hats strolling through the airport with their luggage - reminds me of the cowboys on Amazing Race. It probably wasn't them.

- I talked to this couple for the entire return flight. They are both Army retirees. He was the type who could probably talk to anybody about anything. I was glad to have the distraction for the four-hour flight. Still have no idea why it takes four hours just to get from Dallas to San Francisco. It doesn't look that far on the map.

- I ran over a traffic cone in a restaurant parking lot and got the cone stuck underneath the car. The two cars, loaded with fellow coworkers, all witnessed it, and yes, they all gave me a hard time. I seriously need new glasses to drive at night - it's kinda ridiculous that I didn't see an orange cone at all.

- Dallas is hosting the Superbowl this year. Man, I wish I were there at the same time as Tom Brady and the Pats. (Actually I shouldn't be jinxing that.)

- I stayed at this place called Homewood Suites. The lady at the front desk at night knew my name and greeted every night. And the hotel shuttle driver, who drove us to dinner one night, was super friendly too.

- It was freezing cold, with highs in the thirties, throughout the week. I don't think I've ever been anywhere that cold. Everytime I walked outside, I could feel the chill cut t0 my bone.

- The air was so dry that I was itching all over the place. In fact, I am still itching.

- The work part of the week was pure torture. Seriously I imagine this would be what hell is like. I am not overstating this. But regardless, four more weeks to go. At least this hell is not eternal.

- I fell asleep with the telly on every single night, watching Conan O'Brien. Thanks, Coco, for getting me through the cold Texas nights.

I am surprised that I squeezed this much to say about this past week. Dallas is as non-descriptive of a town as any I've been to. The place has absolutely no character. I guess I am not a fan.