I arrived on the other side of town early this morning after sleeping through more of the night than I have in some time—yesterday in particular, wrapping up the coffer artifacts, prepping in Toramarai then “going for it” and spending almost two hours soloing Magic Sludge—so I parked at the McDonald’s a few blocks from the client instead of using the drive-thru for a Shamrock Shake to try their new McSkillet breakfast burrito. Tasty to be sure, but nothing to write home about, not for $2.99; rather, it was the strange, new feeling when I walked in that I could enjoy working there. Real American Beauty moment, remember that movie? (Seems only the Family Guy writers do.) It’s been over ten years since the boss and I discussed franchising one in fastfood-unfriendly Beverly Hills. And now they’re all upscaling, iced coffee in three flavors on their menu and WiFi-equipped 風水 interior design. I was full of ideas back then. Now I'd settle for a McRib.