"We need to take this, ok?"

The nighttime receptionist didn't know what to say. I had just grabbed the poinsetta plant from her desk and before she could reply we were already halfway to the door.

"Well, I guess..."

They were almost used to us at the Dobie, the dorm my friends and I lived in. We were so well known from our hijinks that whenever something was awry, we got a knock on our door before anyone else was questioned.

Just a few minutes earlier we were convened in the hallway trying to decide what to do. Some of us wanted to go eat at IHOP, some of us wanted to cause mischief (guess which camp I was in?).

We compromised. We'd go camping in IHOP.

We got my tent and raided our friends' rooms for a couple small plants. Camping just isn't complete without nature.

"Hi. We need a table for six and room for our tent."

She thought we were kidding and showed us to our table. Our timing was perfect. Our waitress took our drink order, and as soon as she left we burst into action.

Tent poles were quickly connected together while the tent was unrolled and situated in the corner. Like a swift military operation we had the tent set up and decorated with plants in just a few minutes.

(how cute was I? I look like I'm about 10 even though I'm 18 here)

We gathered inside the tent with our menus, ready to order.

The waitress was not pleased.

"You can't eat in there."

"Why not?"

"It's against our rules."

"You have rules against eating in tents?"

"Yes."

"Do you have rules against ordering in the tent?"

"Umm... I guess that's ok."

"Ok, how about drinking water in the tent?"

"That's fine. But you CAN'T eat in there."

Good enough. We drank our water and took a few pictures while we waited for the food.

I think the receptionist was surprised to get her poinsetta back.

Oh... and a bonus picture of me in a tux with my formal hat on at my friend Phil's wedding.