Observing a Scene: Roy Rogers

The first thing that hit me when I walked into the Roy Rogers on E. Patrick St. was the delectable smell of country fried food and the happy-go-lucky country music playing in my ears. I looked around and saw that the place wasn’t too busy, but there sure were not a wide variety of different people there. As I sat down and jotted down some observations about the people, environment, and even the food, I came to realize that Roy Rogers is a place that working men come to get their fix of that “home-cooked” country fried food.

As I looked around I noticed all of the country rodeo decorations around the restaurant. There were cowboy boots, horseshoes and lassos hanging on the wall, along with a neon cactus light. The whole environment just screamed country, and for a lot of people living in the city, that must remind them of home. It wasn’t too hot or too cold I noticed, it was just the perfect weather to warm someone up from the wind, or cool someone down who is hot from working.

Good thing, because the only customers that came in during the time I was there, were working men in their thirties or above. Roy Rogers wasn’t very busy in the time I was there, but no women entered or exited the place, and the only women in there were the ladies behind the counter. It was funny because all of the men that came in, even if they didn’t know each other, they all tended to sit in the same area of the restaurant, the back left. Another quality that every single customer shared was that they all paid with cash, no credit cards. I couldn’t find an explanation or conclusion for that, but I thought it was interesting. Also, most of the men ordered large combos, which would be a usual action for a man, but it must mean that the food was delicious.

I really felt like I was at home in my mom’s kitchen while sitting there, especially with the glass flower vases with yellow flowers inside and the more than comfortable seating. And as soon as I tasted those delicious Roy Rogers French fries, I didn’t want to leave. I left with the thought about how the place had such a comforting environment that made me feel like I was sitting in my own house waiting for dinner to be served.

Recalling an Experience

Have you ever been in a near-death experience? How about with four of your best friends? Almost six months ago I was getting ready for the fun night ahead of me at the Bourbon Street club in Baltimore. I was excited because my older sister, Emilee, had given me her ID for the night, because I had not turned 18 yet. Me and my four other friends were in my Jetta, heading to the local Exxon to meet up with the whole group of us that were going down to Baltimore that night. On the way turning into Exxon, I hopped a curb, resulting in a flat tire. Luckily one of my friends used to work in a shop with cars, so he changed my tire to a new one in minutes. Even though we should have taken that as a sign not to go, we still went.

We followed our friends to the club, and got there with no problems along the way. The rest of the nigh was a lot of fun, we spent a couple hours in the club, and we didn't leave until almost 1:30 am.

After pulling out of the parking lot, I begin following my friend home, back to good old Frederick. We get on the highway and after just fifteen minutes of being on the highway, I crashed into the side of an 18-wheeler. I remember that I turned around for something, and as I turned my head, my hand (that was on the steering wheel) turned the same direction as my head. The passenger side of my car was done for. The side of my car had smashed into the back wheels of my car...and proceeded to run over the hood. My engine was smoking, glass was everywhere, and two flat tires made it difficult to get my car to the side of the road.

Thank God that not one of us was hurt, besides my passenger who got a few cuts on her hands and feet from glass.

Everyone starts freaking out and I had no idea what to do, I had never been in an accident before. So instead of calling to police, my best friend whips out her AAA card. I was on the phone with AAA for a tow truck when the representative asks me, "Have you called the police yet?" and we felt like the dumbest people in the world. The police showed up with an ambulance and a firetruck and gave me a ticket for the accident. When all was said and done, the five of us pile in the "party" tow truck and head home, probably never to go to that club again.

"Live Life to the Fullest"

If I had to create a bumper sticker that modeled my philosophy for life, it would be "Live life to the fullest". I chose this bumper sticker philosophy because I believe that everyone should try and get the most out of life and have fun while doing so. The way I think about it, every day is a gift and we shouldn't take advantage of it because we never know when those days will end.

My dad always tells me, "life doesn't last forever", and that's true. Life doesn't last forever and I plan on living it up while I have the chance. I always have wondered how people can be so miserable and be satisfied with it. Trying to make the best out of situations and problems keeps me going, so I always try and think positive because if you let something drag you down, then it will. I try to be as positive as I can in life and not take the time I have for granted.

I love to get out and do fun things and create new experiences with my friends and family. Without them my life would be completely boring and bland. I love camping and hiking, swimming in the summer time down in Harper's Ferry, going out to eat, visiting museums and different cities, and my favorite of all are road trips. These are all ways that I like to enjoy the life that I have and live it to the fullest.