It's time to get tough and take a stand.

A couple of Fridays ago the lovely Jackie Winspear pointed out that the President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, was battling obesity and leaving the country for a three week stint at a fat farm. I felt for the man. I mean, there is a lot of food in the world. There are some great restaurants and don’t get me started on chocolate. But the svelte Ms. Winspear had a point. This little tub of lard should not have abandoned his country at such a critical time to look better for the ladies. So I had an epiphany (yes, I had to look up the spelling). I saw the light and decided I’d make a statement. I’d take a stand. I want to show the world that I do not support Mr. Talabani’s timing in his effort to look more like a Kurd.

While visiting Tallahassee recently I indulged in my favorite traveling activity. No not that and not drinking either. Those were favorites fifteen years ago. Now my favorite activity is eating breakfast at The Waffle House. Any restaurant that can include eggs, ham, waffles AND chili in one sitting is some kind of special place. I love the Waffle House. There are very few convenient ones in South Florida so I savor the treat when I’m somewhere else.

As I sat in the crowded Waffle House a few weeks ago, the day after Jackie’s post, I looked up from my hash browns with ham, onion, pepper, tomatoes, cheese and chili, to realize that at two hundred and five pounds, I was the smallest person in the entire building. There were people in there that carried their own cushioned chairs inside their expandable, polyester slacks. I started to think there might be a link between where I was eating and how people looked.

Then it came to me. The perfect cross of action and principal. Sort of a Lent and anti-Talabani protest wrapped into one; A boycott.

I will not eat at another Waffle House until one of three things happens. I weight 195 pounds. Mr. Talabani weighs 195 pounds or Mr. Talabani is killed. I feel confident that in the next year one of those events will occur and until it does please don’t invite me to have breakfast at a Waffle House with you.

I know this is a tough stance but I will not relent.

Even if I’m hungry.

Follow-up from last week

I told you I'd miss people who were helpful and not one way streets. One came to mind after he insinuated that it was a personal slight against him. It was not and to prove it I give you these two photos of a fine person, fine writer, fine American, fine redneck and two way street.

For identification keep reading but see if you can guess who this is.



He served in the U.S. army.

He has a well-read blog.

He may be crazy.

His book featured a piano playing hero.

He lives in North Carolina.

His last name is not Rhodes.

You don't want to see him mad.

Give up?

It is none other than David Terrenoire

How's that for a big photo!

He's the man. Master of A Dark Planet, author of Beneath a Panamanian Moon .

Father, husband, legend.

My apologies to all others I forgot to mention. David really is a generous, supportive writer who uses his blog for good rather than evil.

Until next Thursday,

Jim