Happy nostrils now, too. Mmmmmm... an extra advantage of this candle obsession. I haven't lit a single candle since Sunday night, but even still, the instant I open my door and step into the room, there is this incredible rush of sweet, fragrant air. Most delicious. I don't consciously notice it after I've been in here for a while, but when I first walk in.... Mmmmmmm.... The best Jerry. The best!

And just what has Bitscape been doing that he just arrived home from? Well, that's what this rambling is about. :)

I joined the one known as Zan Lynx and his parental units for a most delicious dinner up at the Red Lion. A most exquisite dining experience.

Okay, a little background info might be in order before I go any further. Zan Lynx. Who is this character, anyway?

• Zan Lynx is currently a coworker of Bitscape's. (And also has the letter assignment 'P', in case anybody cares.)
• Bitscape has known Zan Lynx since age 4. (Although I have only recently come to know of him by that handle.)
• Many, many, many moons ago, Bitscape and Zan Lynx were neighbors in a cozy little tucked away corner of the Rocky Mountains. Zan Lynx still resides at that location. (Which, sadly, due to its rural location, causes Zan Lynx great difficulty in attempts to obtain a high bandwidth connection.)
• During this childhood era of long ago, Bitscape and his younger brother were frequent playmates with Zan Lynx and his younger brother. Many an adventure was had in those outdoor territories; many a construction projoct took place along the creek bank which ran next to each of their houses; many a sled was ridden during the cold winter months, and.... Well, you get the idea.
• Zan Lynx is a formidable Quake 3 opponent. (I just had to throw a random one in there.)

The years went by, and, as often happens, this group fell out of touch. Bitscape and bouncing's family moved away to the city, different schools were attended later on. (Or, in our cases, many of the same schools, but in slightly different years.) Everyone when on with their lives, blah blah blah.

Then, by some strange coincidence, it so happened that Bitscape and Zan Lynx both went to work for the same company, being hired within one month of each other. Who would've imagined!

Anyway, wowee. ..... So today, Zan Lynx came to Bitscape's cube, announced that today was his birthday ("Wow, so it is!"), and proceeded to invite Bitscape to join him and his parents for dinner at the Red Lion in the evening.

Bitscape, whose prior plans for the eveing basicly consisted of the Buffy/Angel Event, decided this sounded like an interesting diversion.

After work, stopped by home, activated the archaic analog audio/video storage device, looked up the map (the office net connection had been acting too sporatic at the time to reliably retrieve enough useful information), grabbed his cell phone, and proceeded with Tobias.

Contrary to Bitscape's prior notions (somehow, I got the idea it was in the east part of Boulder, but I must have been confusing it with one of those other places), the Red Lion is actually up the hill a bit, away from the city. A somewhat secluded, cozy little mountain restaurant environment.

I quickly found Zan Lynx and his parents, who had sat down minutes before. Now.... it's a wierd, almost eerie experience to again see people you knew when you were tiny, haven't seen at all for years, and observe not only how they have changed / not changed, but how my perspective has changed as opposed to the distant memories. So familiar, so similar, yet... different. And the same. Through different eyes. Anyway.... yadda yadda yadda. Onward.

Not only was the atmosphere of the place most unique, but the food was quite scrumptious. Zan and I both ordered the Diane Steak. He ordered his medium, and I ordered mine well done. Upon hearing my request, the waiter frowned, and said, "Are you sure you want it well done? It's a very choice cut." lol. I like my steak DONE. (At least this time I didn't get lectured by the waiter, as happened once in Boulder when I was eating with coworkers months ago. What is it with me and waiters, anyway?)

"I would like my steak well done. Yes, that's my final answer." No, I didn't really say that, but thinking about it now, it seems like the thing to say. lol.

Really, the waiter was very nice. I like to babble though. :)

The waiter came out and actually cooked the steaks right in front of us. Open flame on the meat for a bit there. Quite entertaining. Smothered with gravy, wine, mushrooms (normally, I despise mushrooms, but in this context, they were actually quite good), with sour cream mixed into the sauce. Mmmmmmmmmmmm...

All the rest of the food was brought, served, and we proceeded to eat while discussing all sorts of random things that had happened over the interveving years. Zan's mom as bubbly as I remembered (perhaps even a bit moreso), and his dad with good bits of thought to share. A very enjoyable evening. Much moreso than I expected it to be.

(Teensy confession: Initially after work, I wasn't feeling all that much like going. being tired and all, but I thought since it was his birthday, I'd be a good sport. In fact, it turned out to be a very excellent time.)

All stomach's filled with the remains of deceased animal matter (who would ever think dead things could be so satisfying?), dessert was declined, and Zan Lynx's parents picked up the bill.

After the meal, standard closing words were uttered ("Say hi to your folks for us" and that sort of thing), and the parties proceeded to depart.

Tobias warmed up quickly enough, and we headed back to the Compound.

So here I sit, with a very happy stomach, sweet scents still quite consciously perceptible by my olfactory systems, and the music of Beethoven playing over the speakers.

I think I'll go watch a time delayed version of the much-hyped Buffy/Angel two hour trip into vampiric wonderland, and leave the content vultures to rest.

Fun for the whole family. Happy Birthday to Zan Lynx!