From the Desk of Thomas Ott

Drink me!

Loading mentions Retweet

I went to a resturant called "Two Ways" in Stanley, ND for lunch. It
was a bar and resturant that served, according to one of the BNSF
guys, "everything."

I opted for a cheese burger, which was quite good actually!

Loading mentions Retweet

Although its hard to see in this photograph, the frozen Missouri River winds its way through the landscape in the center of this photograph (its near the line of trees in the middle left).  This shot was taken at a scenic overview spot on Rt 85 in North Dakota, somewhere in the Teddy Rosevelt National Park as we were heading to I-94.  Snow was blowing all around me as I froze my butt off to take this last shot of North Dakota.

Loading mentions Retweet

Day 17 of 365.  Today I decided to touch my pad, on my computer that is.  Just got the word that I'm heading out to North Dakota in two weeks for more Amtrak station inspection work.  While it might be freezing out there, I'm pretty excited to be in a new part of the USA doing something I love.

Loading mentions Retweet

This is life right now: my laptop, a different desk each day, my cellphone, and round trip Amtrak tickets.

Loading mentions Retweet

I took this shot at the 30th Street Station in Philly where they have this winter wonderland train set display.  It was fun to watch them roll through the winter scene while waiting for my Amtrak train home. It sure brings back memories I had as a kid.

Loading mentions Retweet

Tis the Season for all things jolly and frosty!  Shot in the 30th Street Station.

Loading mentions Retweet

I work with railroads and trains all day long.  Isn't that what little boys dream about?  Well I'm living my dream!

Loading mentions Retweet

This monument is dedicated to all the railroad workers of PA that served, and died, in WW II.  Shot in the 30th Street Station terminal, Philadelphia PA!

Loading mentions Retweet

     

Click here to download:

The_Falafel_Nazi_of_Philadelph.zip (5562 KB)

I had a reality shifting experience today. I was introduced to the Falafel Nazi (FN) of Philadelphia at lunch today.  It started innocently enough with a few co-workers inviting me out for a falafel platter and it ended up some good food and an interesting tale to tell.  

A few minutes before lunch, my two co-workers and I walked down Market Street to the intersection of 20^th Street.  Parked on the northeast corner was a silvery lunch truck with a few people waiting in line.  I could smell cooking chicken and saw wisps of smoke floating in the air.  We got on line, waiting our turn, when I innocently told the FN that I was from NJ and I heard that his falafels were the best in the area.

I realized that I had just said something wrong when my co-workers turned to me with looks of horror on their faces.  I had just broken a cardinal rule, never talk to the FN when you order your food!

For the record, you don’t need to talk to the FN to order your food; he only has one item on his menu, the Falafel Platter.  All you do is get in line, wave $10 at him, and a minute or two later you walk away with your food.  It’s that simple, but for a wise ass from New Jersey, like me, it ends up turning into an “event.” 

After I realized I screwed up and engaged the FN in what I thought was amicable conversation, he turned to me, stared, and then launched into a long rambling tirade on how hard it was to be a lunch truck operator.  He was going on and on about it, comparing it to balancing two large high rises in each hand and how hard it was to work 24 hours a day, 10 days a week to bring us mere mortals his godlike food.

Sensing my mistake, and wanting to calm him down, I made an even bigger mistake by telling him “if his food was any good, I’ll be back tomorrow.”  While that comment doesn’t sound bad, it turns into a threat when he misunderstands me and hears, “if your food is not good, I’ll come back to get you tomorrow.”  This prompted an even longer and more spirited tirade about how I should just be happy that I’m getting his Falafel Platter and I should just let things slide if I wasn’t happy with is food.  If I was unhappy I should just stay away from his lunch truck and never come back! 

My co-workers just started laughing!  On the way back to the office they told me that he must have liked me because I got my food in the end!

Back at the office I opened up my take out box and saw a crisp bed of lettuce topped with a fruit medley, hummus, couscous, toasted bread, barbecue chicken, and chocolate sauce?!?!  Although a bit strange, the food was delicious and the portions were more than generous.  We spent the remaing lunch eating and laughing over the events that transpired!  Good times indeed!

PS: I had to take these shots of the FN's lunch truck on the sly, he supposedly has issues with people taking pictures.  I wonder why? =)

PPS: It should be noted that Falafel Nazi is a term used lovingly with Seinfeld ovetures and connotations.  This post by all means doesn't imply he is a true Nazi.  Keep it funny and satirical ppl!

Loading mentions Retweet