Another town, another nice, nay, terrific person

In Austin, I met a girl named Laura. We ate enchiladas at a place called Mother's. It's at Duval and 43rd, if you're ever in the area. It was a delight.

The connection to Laura? If you've followed closely, you'll note that many of the people I have met and hung out with all know New Orleans Sean.

Sean, thanks. Laura, thanks.
America, you're welcome.

More on food: IHOP is not for amateurs

I've eaten at Denny's. It's a pretty solid 24-hour joint that dots the landscape on both sides of the border. It's hard to beat their lumberjack slam. Denny's is a great place to pick up some free WiFi while you munch on some bacon, eggs, and hash browns.


Then, there is IHOP. I ate there tonight for the first time. Don't believe the hype. It's Denny's for pancake freaks. Actually, pancake Freaks. Upper case.

Case in point:

The undisputed champion of 24-hour breakfasts is Waffle House. It's not everywhere in the United States -- you won't find it in New England, most of Illinois, or the Midwest -- but Waffle House owns the American south's Interstate corridor.

Think Elgin Street Diner, but at every offramp you can find. Also, while Denny's and IHOP are all colourful with their logos, Waffle House is simple.

This one is in Birmingham, Alabama. I've only eaten at the Nashville location (er, one of the Nashville locations. There are several interchanges in the area).

Eating here is not for the weak

A gentleman named Dan, a son of Ellen who is a friend of my mother, took me 'round the city today. We saw some Petroglyphs, as noted, and we also went to the National Atomic Museum.

And then. And then we ate.

New Mexico loves food. They love Mexican food. They love eggs, re-fried beans, rice, cheese, cheese, chile (red and green), cheese, and honey. I don't know how I ate what I ate. Should have taken a picture. Then again, any record of having eaten that might hurt my stomach.

Food. Delicious, filling, and heart-attack inducing. Welcome to The Southwest America.

SACME, you've done it again

I picked the wrong profession. As it turns out, everyone who works for the Society of Academic Continuing Medical Education is incredibly nice. Well, two for two. The most recent example of this gallantry is Birmingham-based Jim Ranieri.

Jim rolled up to the Oxmoor Econolodge and we drove over to Five Points South, the historic-type neighbourhood in town, to grab a bite to eat.

Where did we go? Jim 'n Nick's, of course. We ate pulled pork sandwiches. I should note that mine was better than the one in Nashville -- everyone thinks they have the best BBQ, Jim says. Maybe I just didn't drown the Nashville sandwich in enough BBQ sauce.

All in all, a success. This morning was an early rise to write a post for MediaScout, so it was early to bed.

Thanks for everything, Jim!