Eric Johnson

Dad. Hill staffer. Kennesaw State Alum. Caffeinated and opinionated. Retweets are not endorsements, views are my own.

[NOBUNAGA🇯🇵🏯_夏樹蒼依 @japan_nobunaga]

In Georgia I entered a Chick-fil-A drive-thru line of forty cars.

I turned off my engine. I prepared to wait the way my ancestors waited out a siege.

Six minutes later I was holding chicken.

I do not know what happened to the other thirty-nine cars. The line moved like water that had somewhere to be.

A young woman walked between the cars taking orders on a small tablet, on foot, in the sun, smiling like the sun was her idea.

I said thank you.

She said, "My pleasure."

I did not think about it then. I should have.

At the window I thanked the young man for the food.

"My pleasure."

I thanked him for the sauce.

"My pleasure."

I thanked him for thanking me—

"My pleasure."

I want to be clear about what was happening.

This was a duel.

In Japan I trained in courtesy for forty years. Bowing angles. Seasonal greetings. The correct depth of apology for seventeen distinct situations.

I was a white belt in that drive-thru.

I escalated. I used my most formal English. I thanked him on behalf of my entire family line.

He said, "My pleasure," and gave me extra sauce.

Extra sauce. Unprovoked. A counterattack.

I returned the next day to reclaim my honor.

It was Sunday. The restaurant was closed.

All of them were closed. In the entire country. They close every Sunday, and they have closed every Sunday since the beginning, because the founder made a promise, and the promise did not expire when he did.

I stood in the empty parking lot and understood I had lost twice.

Once to a teenager with sauce.

Once to a man I will never meet, who kept his word so long it became a building.

In my country we say a samurai's word is his life.

I had never seen a restaurant say it back.

I returned Monday. I ordered. And this time I said it first, before she could.

"My pleasure."

She smiled and said, "It sure is."

America, I surrender.

It was my pleasure.

[NASA @NASA]

We see our home planet as a whole, lit up in spectacular blues and browns. A green aurora even lights up the atmosphere. That's us, together, watching as our astronauts make their journey to the Moon.

[Ken Farnaso @KLF]

Scarlet Oak is fine, but if you came up in the Cap Lounge, Bar 201, Hill Country, Town Hall, SoHo, and Tortilla Coast era of DC, you’re built different.

[Rob Adkerson @RobAdkerson1791]

Good luck tonight, Owls!

[Atlanta Braves @Braves]

The greatest centerfielder of all-time.

[Atlanta Braves @Braves]

Welcome to Cooperstown, @andruwjones25!

[Governor Brian P. Kemp @GovKemp]

Congratulations to Lt. Gen. Carden on his nomination as the National Guard Bureau Vice Chief! We know our whole nation will be safer under his watch and could not be prouder of this great public servant.
https://t.co/2PuDGlgx1J

[Kennesaw State University @kennesawstate]

Meet the Kennesaw State University Alumni Association's inaugural 40 Owls Under 40 class! These grads are boldly leading the way in their fields and proudly representing KSU. Read more about the full Class of 2025 at the link below.

🔗: https://t.co/WcrL3bnTXr

[Chipper Jones @RealCJ10]

Asked???

[Israel Defense Forces @IDF]

Eliminated: Yahya Sinwar.

[Air Mobility Command commander @amccommander]

To those I’ve served w/ for almost 35 years-thank you for leading me…for fueling me. Whether fly, fix or support…you led me…and I’m eternally grateful. As I transition from head coach to head cheerleader…my heart, my soul, my being is on your wing always. LFG.

[Tyler Rogoway @Aviation_Intel]

C-130 Factory: How Iconic Hercules Airlifters Are Born

Branded Content: Inside the Marietta C-130 plant, the longest-running military aircraft production line in history.

Story: https://t.co/iqwutTPy8e

[Andrew Dill @dandrewdill]

No one more deserving of the @CobbChamber Isakson Award than @TAGofGA...thankful for Gen. Carden's friendship and incredible service to our state and nation...we are safer because of the sacrifices he and the @GeorgiaGuard make everyday!

[Blooper @BlooperBraves]

players were asked their favorite TV shows growing up and of course Spencer Strider came in with just GOAT opinions

[ESPN @espn]

For the FIRST TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY ...

Kennesaw State is going dancing after winning the ASUN championship! 🦉

[TAGofGA @TAGofGA]

Congratulations to Maj Gen Thomas (Gasket) Grabowski on his retirement after more than 37 years of distinguished service! We wish Maj Gen (Ret) Grabowski the very best in his next chapter of life. #SharedPurpose #SharedValues #SharedVictory

[Defense of Ukraine @DefenceU]

In the past week, the #UAarmy received thousands of tons of ammunition as a gift from the Armed Forces of 🇷🇺 Please note that we do not accept gifts from murderers, torturers, looters, or rapists. In the coming days, we will return everything, right down to the last shell.

[Baseball @mlbelites_]

This Chipper Jones story is great 🤣

[ARCHIVED: NASA_SLS @NASA_SLS]

Pack your bags, we are going to the Moon! 🧳

The Space Launch System and @NASA_Orion are targeting a two-hour launch window starting at 8:33 a.m. on August 29. Check out this handy travel guide to know what to prepare for our #Artemis I mission >> https://t.co/br7XSCuhzD

[The Associated Press @AP]

NASA's new moon rocket makes its debut next week in a high-stakes test flight. The 322-foot Space Launch System rocket will attempt to send an empty Orion crew capsule into a far-flung lunar orbit.