Pocket Fortune

JANUSFILES2 . . . ENTRY #0110 . . . OPEN:


A few days ago, I grabbed a jacket that I hadn't worn in quite some time. When I stuck my hand in one of the pockets, I realized that for whatever reason, I had not emptied the pockets the last time I wore it.

I spent a few minutes emptying the pockets. Most of it was stuff that could be thrown away. But as I was going through the odds and ends that were hiding in the pockets, I pulled out an old fortune from a fortune cookie.

I don't even remember when I last wore this jacket, so I have no idea from which restaurant the fortune cookie (and the fortune) came. But, here's what it said:

"You are cautious in showing your true self to others."

This is one fortune that does a fairly good job of describing me.

JANUSFILES2 . . . ENTRY #0110 . . . CLOSE

Delayed Thanksgiving Fortune, Sort Of

JANUSFILES2 . . . ENTRY #0109 . . . OPEN:

I went to 8 China Buffet for lunch today. I had planned to do it for Thanksgiving, but my timing had been a little off, and I wouldn't have been able to eat there and make it to work on time. So, this year I had to go with my backup choice for Thanksgiving dinner -- Golden Corral.

I still wanted to have lunch at 8 China at least one more time before the end of the year. Since I had the day off today, I decided that today would be as good a time as any.

I left the restaurant pleasantly stuffed -- maybe even a little overstuffed. I hereby confess, I probably overdo it just a little whenever I'm at any Chinese buffet.

I did manage to save just a little room for the fortune cookie. And here is what the fortune said:

"All the answers you need are right there in front of you!"

Well, if I'm on the Internet (as I am right now), that may indeed be the case. Either that, or if I'm reading the Hong Kong Book Of Kung Fu.

JANUSFILES2 . . . ENTRY #0109 . . . CLOSE

Nice Advice, But . . .

JANUSFILES2 . . . ENTRY #0108 . . . OPEN:


Last night at work, I discovered an abandoned fortune cookie by one of the registers. More than likely, one of my coworkers had opted for lunch inner at Oriental House, and forgot about the fortune cookie. I snagged the cookie, and when I cracked it open, here's what the fortune read:

"Don't forget to do good deeds as you accumulate wealth."

Very nice, very high-sounding advice. I might even follow it. It would really help if I could accumulate some of that wealth so I could do some sort of good deed.

JANUSFILES2 . . . ENTRY #0108 . . . CLOSE

Not The Oops I Was Dreading

JANUSFILES2 . . . ENTRY #0107 . . . OPEN:


Yesterday, I stopped by Lemongrass Cafe on my way to work to get lunch. I went with the Shrimp With Garlic Sauce lunch special. I was in the mood for something that I had eaten before.

It was only as I was getting to work that I suddenly said to myself, "Oh, crap." Shrimp With Garlic Sauce is one of several items on the menu that is flagged as being hot and spicy. They will alter the spice level to fit your preferences, but I had negelected to say anything in that regard when I placed my order. My first thought was that the default that Lemongrass Cafe used would be the highest level of spicy; something with more Scoville Units than I really wanted.

On the way to work, some of the garlic sauce had spilled onto the egg roll. When I took my first bite from the egg roll, I was pleasantly surprised. I did not immediately start belching fire, as I was thinking I might. Apparently, the default is the mild end of the scale.

After breathing a sigh of relief, I ate the rest of my lunch without any sense of dread. And of course, there was the fortune cookie at the end of the meal. The fortune read as follows:

"A family reunion in the coming months will be a tremendous success!"

This would have been better suited for my parents' wedding anniversary back in August, now that I think about it.

JANUSFILES2 . . . ENTRY #0107 . . . CLOSE