Despite their policy of not franchising their restaurants, In-N-Out’s expansion in Arizona doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Just a few years ago there were only 2 In-N-Out restaurants in the Valley and people didn’t think twice about spending 30 minutes in the drive-thru line. As urban sprawl continues, several new branches have popped up recently – I just realized there are now 10 In-N-Out restaurants in the Valley! But as a resident of downtown Phoenix, I just hope one opens closer to me someday soon… By the way, I was browsing around their website and noticed they have their famed “secret menu” posted on the site. Here’s a link.

involved giving this plant its first haircut in probably 27 years. Boy does it look better now! Anyone know what it is? I’d guess a yucca of some type, but it doesn’t flower.

Just in case you forgot, tomorrow is First Friday. If you’re new to Phoenix or haven’t been to First Friday in awhile, you should check it out. It’s quite popular these days so if you like art, crowds and people-watching, then Downtown Phoenix is the place to be this Friday night. Visit http://www.artlinkphoenix.com for general information, gallery listings and a shuttle map. Or you can just be adventurous and head down to the 3rd Street and Roosevelt area and go from there, you can’t miss the crowds or the dirt lots you can park in.

I love to sleep. The only thing better than full on sleeping is deep sleep napping. I hit snooze about 7 times each morning. I screw around in the morning trying to wake up by partaking in activities needing immediate attention like cleaning out my junk drawer, standing in the kitchen and staring at the floor, standing in my closet and staring at my shoes, and sitting on my bed and staring at the wall. And these activities require that I get up at an hour allowing ample time to partake in them since I have such a long commute. I loathe my hour long commute. I live in Chandler/Gilbert area east of the 101 and south of the 60 and just north of where the 202 has been extended. And I just found a shortcut. It cuts off about 8-10 minutes for me by taking the 202 to the 101 instead of taking Warner or Ray. This is the best thing I’ve discovered since penicillin and the printing press. Suck it, Warner and Ray. No more long traffic lights and buses stopping at railroad tracks for me. I just bought myself 8-10 more minutes of staring at my shoes and the floor and the wall.