OH Charley!

I've had this blog in my head for nearly a week now... time hasn't permitted me much time to write lately, but this is an experience that the Internet viewing public needs to hear ;-)

On Monday, finishing up on my first exam at boot camp, several (12) of us decided to do a good lunch out to celebrate the milestone, socialize, and to relax.  When O'Charleys was brought up, vision of hot buttered rolls danced in our heads and two carfulls of people trucked it over to the restaurant in Conyers, GA (off of Exit 82 on I-20) for lunch.  Our table arrived at the restaurant first and I believe ordered first.. our second carfull (and table) arrived a few minutes later and ordered as well.  

My table of battle-tested professionals were talking, sharing stories, and laughing... in the meantime, the other table I started to notice was doing the same, except with food.  Given that we had a deadline to get back to the office for the afternoon's classes, I checked my watch and noticed that we had 20 minutes to go and no food (except for rolls).  Hmmmmmm... 

A couple of minutes later, the manager comes to our table and announces that our meals would be free because our waiter forgot to put our orders into the system.  Hmmmm, wonder why we didn't have any food?  Given that we are all eating (excuse me, maybe not eating... ha! :) ), breathing, and living Raving Fans, we thought that was a good step on that manager to create a raving fan experience for us.... until. 

15 minutes later... no food.  And we're due back.  So, can we get this order to go?  

No problem, so I thought.  

But still... no food.  We're not raving... more like graving.  

To the point that we eventually get up from the table to give them a hint that we need to get going... and stand in front of the entrance to the kitchen to send a hint.  

But, no sense of urgency.  Huh?  In fact, one of the waitresses gave us a dirty look for getting in her way.  What?  

We finally get our bags and race to the office to make our next session.  We arrive to a chorus of applause carrying our to-go bags and now needing to wait for the next break to eat... breathing in the scent of food as we learn more about computer networks.  An hour later, the to-go bags were opened and we finally (sort of) enjoyed our O'Charley's experience.  

But that'll be the last one.  As far as networks, I'm studying up on them.  But as far as this network (blogspot) is concerned, I figured I'd advise you to steer clear of this O'Charley's... unless you have 2 hours to throw into a quasi-decent lunch.   The experience... HARDLY of the Raving Fans type.  

If not, there are better places to go.  Even in Conyers.