absentmindedness makes the stomach growl longer

lileks has more patience with meal negotiators than i do:

So people take a lot time looking at (the large menu over the counter)... The people in front ordered like you’d expect: lots of peering, consultation, discussion about sharing portions, and so on. All of which could have been settled earlier. Then it’s time for drinks. What would you like to drink?

Oh, gosh, I don’t know. Do you have Sprite?

We have sprite.

I’ll have a sprite.

What size?

Oh, medium.

And so on with the kids. And then the husband with the beer list and the studied consideration of each fine craft-brewed option.