Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Labor Day

The Wednesday before Labor Day, Weenie, Mooey and I boarded a plane to New York for a long weekend. We got in around 10:30 and cabbed to Manhattan. We were beat. We visited with her parents for a short while and then off to bed.

The next morning we were waiting for another friend to arrive. It was a surprise for Mooey. Our old friend Sandy was arriving from Burlington that morning! After her arrival, we walked down to our favorite diner, Pier 72. YUM!

After fueling up on breakfast, we shopped around the Upper West Side until it was lunchtime. We decided on Rosa Mexicano. It was margarita time!

Pomegranate margaritas. $12 each. Strong as shit. We had 3 each. Whoops! Do the math.

Mooey was very surprised that Sandy made the trip. We really tricked her!

The food was awesome. I had carne asada. Delicious!


After Sandy bought our lunch, we went next door to P.J. Clarke's for more drinks! We were super buzzy already.

The day was stunning.

As we were sitting there, our table almost on the sidewalk, I noticed paparazzi everywhere but I didn't recognize anyone that walked by. Finally, I got up with my camera and walked around the corner. There was a movie being shot. I heard some people say it was the new Hilary Duff movie. All of the sudden, a guy walked out and everyone went running. So, I followed. I took a picture of some young guy I've never seen before. It didn't really come out so I'm not posting it. Apparently, everyone else knew who he was, they were all trying to have their picture made with him. Oh well, I'm old.

Sandy decided we were in need of show tunes, so we cabbed over to Marie's Crisis. We were a bit early and the only ones in the bar. It's very tiny and we chatted up the bartender while going out to smoke.

Finally, around 5:00, the piano player showed up and Mooey and Sandy sang a few show tunes. I'm not sure what they sang but there might've been a tune from Phantom.

We got directions to Henrietta Hudson's from the bartender. It was only a few blocks.

Sandy immediately got in the cage. We were in hysterics and I thought they might ask us to leave.

Weenie and Sandy decided to play pool while Mooey and I drank.

It wasn't long after the pool game that Weenie had had enough and we headed home. I think we passed out around 8:00.

The next day we needed pizza to cure our hangover so we went to Patsy's. Delicious!

Then we cabbed over to Fifth Avenue for a little shopping. First stop, Tiffany's!

Weenie picked out a couple of things she liked and I bought them for our anniversary.

After shopping at Tiffany's we walked to the Argosy bookstore that Mooey's stepmom owns but not before Weenie and I got a hot dog. It was not good.

We caught the Hudson Line at Grand Central.

What a gigantic place!The view from the train was awesome. The Hudson was beautiful!

Weenie on the train.

We arrived at Cold Spring, NY and Mooey's stepmom was there to pick us up and take us to the lake house.

As soon as we arrived, I unpacked my fishing pole and put it together. Within minutes, I pulled in this bass.

Sandy and Stu went out for a canoe ride.

The moon was magnificent that night. Weenie grilled chicken as we watched it rise.

I was worried about my hair for the picture so Sandy fixed it for me.

The next day was just as beautiful and after breakfast, I took my hot dogs down to the pier and began fishing. It was 9:00.

Intense.

Everyone else enjoyed the boats.

I sat and fished ALL day. I think 8 hours. I caught a bunch of fish.

Then I caught this giant catfish. He must've weighed 5 pounds! I could put my fist in his mouth!

It was so beautiful there!

Here's the whole clan.

Here is my breakfast view. Banana and a bagel. Yum!

We caught the train back to the city and cabbed it to Chinatown. Dim Sum baby!

Chinatown was so packed, we didn't stay long. The crowds were just too much.

Instead, we cabbed it back to the apartment, dropped off our bags, and decided to bar hop. First stop, Malachy's.

Here Mother Malachy is telling me a story about some kick box champion. She was quite a character and liked us so much, so knocked off all the beers on our tab!

Then we went to Jake's Dilemma where we had the dumbest server I've ever encountered.

We ordered shooters but apparently people don't order shooters so she brought them as drinks. I ordered an Absolut and soda with a splash of cranberry and she brought me an Absolut Mandarin on the rocks. I sent it back and she brought it right back and said "the bartender says it's right." To which I explained cranberry juice was red and my drink was clear. We asked for the check.

She felt bad so she brought us 4 shooters (what a concept?) on the house.

We walked across the street to St. James Gate.

We ordered pomegranate caipirinhas. They were so good and so strong.

We were good and drunk and walked back to Niko's for a late dinner.

They stuck us in the back which was good because we were loud and obnoxious.

The next morning, Weenie and I got up and went to Times Square to the M & M store. I just love that store.

Then Sandy and Mooey picked us up in a cab and we went to Katz's Deli for a pastrami.

The sandwich is gigantic and so moist and delicious. I think for the 4 of us the tab was $93.
Super expensive and we only had sodas.

Then we walked to St. Mark's Place for a little shopping before heading to the airport.

I ordered this frozen yogurt. It was delicious.



We hope to make this an annual trip. Mixing the lake with the city was great!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Pickwick

A couple of weeks ago, we headed up to Pickwick for a little fun in the sun. We had a boat full!

The weather was beautiful!

After boating all day, I did a little fishing.

Then it was time for drinking! It was cool enough to build a fire.

Cornhole was played repeatedly.

We had a blast. Can't wait to go back!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Elvis Death Week

Weenie and I were on Beale Street the other night entertaining her mother and came upon an Elvis impersonator. Of course, we had to have our picture taken with him. He was from Canada.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Black Crowes

On Saturday, Ronny, Susan, Weenie and I headed to Tunica to see the Black Crowes. They were performing at Bluesville located in the Horseshoe casino.

As you can see, we had awesome seats. The people in the middle had to stand. Of course, Weenie had to rush the stage about 5 songs in. They were really awesome. They sounded great and Chris looked like he'd actually put on some weight. He looked like he might not blow away! After (and before) we gambled all our money away.

Cory Branan

Cory Branan (go listen to Tall Green Grass) was next door at Ardent and came over for a little fellowship. He's working on his new record and I can't wait to hear it. He brought me some signed goodies. Be nicer.

Gracie Jean

Weenie and I babysat for Gracie two weeks ago. She liked to sleep on Weenie's head. I snapped this shot at around 5:55 am.

Trivia

Our trivia team was once again victorious last Wednesday. It's the best when we win.

Our faithful server Leila. She takes our shit and gives it right back!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Julie's Top 25 Lists

I put these lists together in about 10 minutes.

Things That are Good:

1. Weenie
2. Finding money in your pocket
3. Your boss telling you to take off early on Friday
4. Patios with friends and beers
5. Live music
6. Naps
7. Days you never get out of your pajamas
8. Books
9. Laughter
10. Ice cold fountain Coke
11. Thai food
12. Fishing
13. Pizza
14. Winning trivia
15. Pontoon boats and the lake
16. Traveling
17. Best friends
18. 3 day weekends
19. M & M's
20. Cupcakes
21. Flirting
22. Cheap gas
23. Taking pictures
24. Air conditioning
25. Shoes

Things That are Bad:

1. Douche bags
2. Guns
3. Racism
4. Hangovers
5. Bills
6. Teaching hate
7. Doubt
8. Unrequited love
9. Paper cuts
10. Stupid people
11. People who yell out the answers at trivia
12. Diets
13. No raises or bonuses due to the economy
14. Getting older
15. Standing in line
16. Traffic
17. Mean people
18. Forgetting where you put something important
19. Greed
20. America's fascination with celebrities
21. Poverty
22. Organized religion
23. Biting your tongue
24. Allergies
25. Uncertainy

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

4th of July

On the 2nd, Weenie and I took off for west Texas around 1:30. We arrived at the lake around 11:00 that night.

We were up early the next morning and got out on the boat. It wasn't long before I was hauling in giant perch.

Weenie was making fun of my outfit. I thought it was pretty sporty.

This is a shot at the campsite. If you look real close, you can see all the deer in the distance.

DP and Weenie's dad caught a bunch of big bass and so we fried the perch and bass for dinner. Delicious!

The next day we were at it again. DP scored a 4 and 5 pounder that morning. Look at those keepers!

This is a picture of my first try at crappie fishing. We didn't catch any.

It was so hot that we took refuge under a bridge for shade. It was quite pleasant there but we didn't catch many fish. I caught this nice perch though.

We went back to camp around 3:00 and I napped until around 5:00. It's just too hot to be outside. DP cooked steaks and then we got back out on the lake to fish until dark. Weenie caught this monster right away.

I caught about 6 more perch and then it was dark and time to go in.

We left the next morning around 10:00. It was a quick trip but next year, we'll stay longer!

Big Weekend

Friday, June 19th, a whole bunch of us went to Overton Park to the newly refurbished Levitt Shell to see Susan Marshall, Reba Russell and Jackie Johnson perform. It was really hot but really fun.

After the show, we went to the Blue Monkey for more beers. It was ON!

The next day came to soon and I had a terrible hangover. We headed downtown to Ronny and Susan's place to predrink before the Eddie Vedder concert at the Orpheum.

After a couple of beers and shooters, I began to feel better and we went to the show. It was amazing. He really put on a great show. After the show, we met Leila at the downtown Blue Monkey for karaoke. It was her birthday.

Leila in the middle!

Group sing.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Pickwick

Weenie, Bacon, Meredith and I arrived Friday afternoon around 5:00 and we started on the beer right away. Then we boarded the pontoon boat for a quick ride around the lake while we waited on the others to arrive. Here's a picture of the baby waterfall.

Later that night, Bacon decided she was going to fish and took some Bunny bread and a pole down to the lake. We were all eating burgers and dogs when she burst through the door holding a catfish named Carl. I snapped a picture and she returned him to the lake.

Then more beer drinking.

The next morning we all boarded the boat around noon. I got on the Sea Doo and rode that motherfucker all day. LOVE!

Bacon was on the other one.

Flinking.

Lucas and Chelsea showed up around 1:00 and they joined the festivities.

Lucas got on the Sea Doo and rode for a while.

Weenie was our captain.

Two beautiful days on the lake with all my friends. Fucking awesome.