Recently in IHOP Category

IHOP is holding a contest on their website, it started at the end of March, and goes to May 31st. Enter Here. You have 250 words, and an optional picture to convince the judges that your story is:entertaining (33%), original (33%) and has an emotional impact (34%), or so says the rules. I did not yet submit an I.F.S. story as I am about to leave work, but what I found more interesting while reading the rules of the contest is that IHOP's 50th birthday is coming up on July 7, 2008, and they are holding some sort of celebration for it in New York, which the winner is flown out to be a part of, ontop of a lifetime of free pancakes.

Kirsten Haglund was named the official spokesperson for IHOP's 3rd annual national Pancake Day.  Click here for more photos.

Ministers and Rabbi,

    Although we have had lots of fun at various informal gatherings since Chico, the fact of the matter is that we have some serious business to take care of.  Numerous loose ends need to be tied up and I am looking forward to a very business-like meeting. 

    We will be inducting a new member and as usual it is very important for the organization to maintain our code and conduct.  The new member will be fully endorsed by all necessary parties and will have the paperwork completed before the meeting.
    I propose every member have something to bring to the meeting, no matter how small.  I personally will be bringing numerous items, including the member of the year trophy for the best member of 2007.  Remember what is at stake here.  I implore you, "If you have a responsibility within the group please carry out your required duties."  If you cannot perform your duties, find a minister who can and is willing to help.
    I also proposed a picture day in which we will be taking personal photos for the website and filling out personal bios.  I have prepared the bio forms and will be handing them out at the meeting.  For those members not present, the forms can be filled out and emailed.  It is my vision to work these personal biographies into the website.  So either wear something nice or IFS gear, or both.   
    Sorry about the serious business post.  Do good work,  love your beer, love your flapjacks, honor your organization, honor your country and be good ministers.  That is all.

Did anyone else know that there is now an IHOP in Monterrey, Mexico?  Or that the Mayor of Monterrey, Mexico, Adalberto Madero is a member of the National Action Party, which is known by the acronym "PAN". 

With the recent acquisition of Applebee's, IHOP is on the move. We need Nic Cage to unearth this vast conspiracy.  Or we need to have a meeting in Monterrey.  Or is Mexico too dangerous for our outfit?  It's an easy way of popping the proverbial cherry on our first International meeting.  The city does have the highest GDP in Mexico, and brews plenty of beer.

Just a reminder to all ministers...  "Chico the River Wild" is just a month away.  We are still planning on taking our next meeting on the road for Memorial Day weekend. Reservations have been made at the finest hotel Chico has to offer and reservations have been made at the world famous Sierra Nevada Brewery.  Be sure to pack a swimsuit, a bowling shirt, a healthy appetite, and a thirst for microbrew because you'll use them all. 

The exact dates are May 25th-May 28th.  A large passenger van will be rented and depart Los Angeles Friday night to return Monday evening for all Southern California ministers.  I'm posting this a month in advance to remind all ministers to get off work, turn in your homework early or pacify your girlfriend.  Mark your calendars!  This will be a great journey and I expect all ministers within a thousand miles to be there.  Mahalo.

So this was initially going to be a marathon info update, but as I was perusing through some new photos I dug a little deeper and found some jems that represent some major events that have occurred up until the upcoming 500th post (crossing my fingers). When I look at some of the photos that have been taken, it wets my appetite for the next party, the next meeting, the next trip, the next visit, the next buffet after a party, the first wedding...holy shit, the first wedding.

But first, a little marathon info update:

Most importantly, the date of the marathon is April 29th, from Big Sur to Carmel, 26.2 miles. If you are planning on attending, which I know some of you are, give me a call so that we can talk about the housing situation. About my training: after drinking myself into the flu and tearing a silver dollar sized blister on one foot and a quarter sized blister on the other during the Super Bowl weekend, training was postponed for a week. But I am proud to mention that since then, training has commenced, and is going strong, real strong. My weekdays consist of going to work around 8:30, running an average of 8-10 miles during lunch, back to work till around 6, then to the gym for weights and more cardio on the bike or elliptical. On the weekends I tend to drink too much to run the next day. On Tuesday I ran the farthest I have ever run, 16.7 miles at an average 8:30 minute mile pace. Although I did not adequately prepare for running this great of a distance (it was kind of a spur of moment thing for that days run, thus I did not load up on carbs or liquids the day before or even that morning) I rose above the cramps due to the 80 degree heat and poor preparation, and the muscle and joint aches to finish at a good average mile time, knowing that with better preparation I can shave some time. I leave this update feeling very confident in the way my training is going.

Before the photo collage, Old Kings Road tomorrow night with Jordan if any of you are up for it (note: no harsh words in this post, just a simple invitation, didn't want to hurt any of our sensitive members).

2007 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade I attended, where were you Curtis? I thought I saw you a couple of times but it wasn't you. All the same. These guys in the yellow body suits where my favorite.

 

Curtis and I with seasonal facial hair at Forbe's Island and Pier 39 during Christmas. Amanda was present, but I felt more like Curtis' date except for when they started hooking up while I was in the bed. Amanda insisted I sleep on the bed and not on the floor.

Thanksgiving 2006 at the Mesa House, my stuffed 24 lb. beauties. Josh would have been proud. Just like the pilgrims.

IFS Grapes of Wrath. Just the beginning. They didn't know what they were getting.

      

Through Curtis' and my eyes.

Nova and I at the Chargers game. Sorry about your face Rams. Thanks Morgan.

Halloween 2006.  

Allergies and the resulting patch test.

IFS the Exodus.

Baez and I's stunning win at the inaugural S.L.O.W. boccee ball tournament, with thanks to Simone in the first game.

2006 Solstice Day Parade. This man is getting married in a couple months?

 

Me at the grassy knoll. X marks the spot...oh god I'm going to hell.

IFS Vegas. Chuy (damn picture won't load but try this link Download CIMG0272.JPG).

Halloween 2005. The greatest Halloween ever.

Two times. Minister of Athletics, I had to remind you all why.

 

Happy National Pancake Day! or Fat Tuesday...all I know is that we lived up to the expectations of both titles here at the founding of our beloved organization:

Flapjacks and an Adolphus followed by a strong round of bowling and beyond (9-4-1)...goodnight.

oh...Bernie was in attendance.

MOW

Happy National Pancake Day!  I encourage all of you to frequent your local IHOP and treat yourself to a free shortstack.  Though the flapjacks are complimentary, donations are encouraged.  All donations received will benefit the Children's Miracle Network.  Please, think of the children!

Love Letters

here's a picture of some guy at an IHOP.

Talk of our next meeting is underway and so it is time for us all to scramble into action in hopes of winning the coveted MOM trophy, or for some, attempt to be less of a piece of shit than Baez or Booman to avoid the C.B.A. and the surfing monkey coin bank (I've won it too so I can't really talk cc: peeing on everyone's stuff).  So everyone will ask themselves the same question before the next meeting - what can I do to help I.F.S. and my fellow ministers? 

I'm just the Minister of Philanthropy.  My job doesn't mean anything.  Those guys we're just all drunk and hungover when they gave me my title.  Well Esteban you are wrong...

All of our ministers can contribute to IFS in a myraid of ways, including the Rabbi, but I think that most of us have forgotten how easy it is to to make our contributions in between meetings and for meetings.  My job may be the best suited for what I like to do, but I spend time everyday thinking of new things for the site / tech things to introduce to the group (you can see my to-do list if you like).  While I don't expect everyone to invest as much time as myself, I expect everyone to invest time in I.F.S. every month, and at least once a week.  This can come in the form of posting or commenting on the site, but it can also be something that you are interested in, or related to your position. 

While I am not calling out everyone or anyone, I think things have to change in order to maintain the level of commitment and fun that we've shared in the past.  The first order of business would be to establish on paper our positions with descriptions.  I imagined everyone could write there 4 sentence descriptions before our next meeting.  We could then transcribe our Constitution and Amendments to a sacred book for safe-keeping.  Let me know what you think, but I have discussed this with other members, and we think it could inspire some pride in our positions, and help us each see what we could do for the group.  (We do it verbally anytime there is a new guest anyway)

The 2nd order of business would be to password-protect the site.  This has been a topic of debate since the beginning, but the time is right.  There is no need for our site to be seen by the world, as we're not making money off of it, and all of the posts are geared / written just for our group.  I realize that this will be one more password to remember, but we're all capable of remembering a few extra words.  Changes to the login and password will be made available through the I.F.S. email account. 

If anyone has any questions about their email login and password, email me directly and I will send it immediately.  Flapjack.

-M+T

Putting off working on my yearly work review, I decided to look at the site and noticed that with this post we will be at 350 posts and almost 950 comments.  A year and almost a month old, this site as well as I.F.S. have come a long way, and none of it could be possible without everyone's ongoing contributions (except Dane and Jimmy cause they haven't posted). 

I will be purchasing three thirty packs of Adolphus in SB this weekend if anyone would like to join me at my new vacation home, the Mesa House.

Just as I gave you all Recent Comments when we hit 250 posts.  I am experimenting with new side content.  We now have "MOM's Posts from the last 60 Days" to highlight our current MOM, the Minister of Trade.  As well I have added the "Category Popularity", which shows the most popular Categories for Posts.  Let me know what you think.