Apprentice Punk

It happened a few months ago. I was walking across a parking lot in the middle of the day. My path took me near a youth, maybe eighteen, not very imposing. As I drew near, he muttered something. I looked around, thinking he might be talking to someone behind me. No one. So I turned back to the kid and said, "What?"

"G'meadolla."

It took me a moment to translate. "You want me to give you a dollar?"

"Yeh. Gi' me a dolla."

I looked around again, to make absolutely sure he was talking to me, and to see if any friends of his might be showing up. Still nobody.

Furrowed brow. "Why should I give you a dollar?"

This was his cue to produce a weapon, or a threat—in which case he would have gotten his dollar—but he did nothing.

I detoured slightly to get around him and went about my business.

So the kid got his feet wet. This may have been his first attempt at thuggery, and while he didn't get his dollar, the experience was relatively painless. Next time he'll be ready to back up his request. Maybe he'll elaborate: "Heh, I need a dolla to get a taco." Maybe he'll start carrying a knife. Maybe he'll bring friends.

But I'll be better prepared too. Of course, the main option will be to fork over the dollar (or whatever amount he requests). But I've got another idea that may work:

"G'meadolla."

"Kid, where do you live? I need to talk to your mama about you asking strangers for money."

Yeah, that might throw him.

What's to Eat?

For fun I thought I would take inventory of all the eating places within easy walking distance—three blocks or so—of where I live. It turns out to be quite a list:

Adam's: Halal Meat - Grocery - Grill
Aloha Grill - Hawaiian Food
Armonds Bakery & Cafe
Arpi's Phoenicia Deli
Best Dog Gone Sports Grille
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
The Bull & Bear Tavern & Eatery
Burger Guys
Café Caspian - Persian Restaurant
Cascadas Restaurante y Cantina
Charley's Grilled Subs
Chick-fil-A
Chipotle - Burritos & Tacos
Edomae Sushi
Empório Brazilian Café
La Finca Mexican Restaurant
Fuddruckers
Hank's Crawfish: Cajun Grill - Oyster Bar
Imperia Bar & Grill - Russian Restaurant
Jack in the Box
Luby's
McDonald's
The Moghul's Restaurant & Lounge
Mumbai Spice
New York Pizzeria
Nit Noi Thai Restaurant
P.F. Chang's China Bistro
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Piatto Ristorante
Pizza Hut
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
Rioja - Spanish Tapas Restaurant
Rockfish Seafood Grill
SJR Fusion Bistro
Sapori Ristorante Italiano
Thai Bistro
Tops Burgers & Wraps
El Toro Mexican Restaurant
Wing Stop
Wok Bo - Chinese Buffet

There's also a banquet hall; a pub which probably serves food; and a gas station which may have sit-down dining.

And there are three "coming soon" signs:

Freebirds World Burrito
Portugallia - Portuguese & Angolian Cuisine
Potbelly Sandwich Shop

I am so lucky ... to be on a tight budget, so that I can't afford to eat myself into a coma.