I must start by saying how very unhappy I am to be back at work after the long weekend. Not because I don’t want to work but because after celebrating our nation’s independence I must put my shackles back on and run on this hamster wheel. Prompting me to wonder when my independence will be…
I had a great weekend with old friends and making a few new ones. Started off with happy hour on Friday at Stout, a new Irish bar in the “Warehouse District” of Albany (directly across the street from Wolff’s Biergarten on Broadway). Luckily my friends were there early and snagged a table outside though had only managed to get 2 chairs (for themselves). Luckily I went to high school with one of the women at the neighboring table (who played Happy Birthday on the bagpipes to her friend) and as their group dwindled funneled chairs to our expanding one. It has been awhile since I hosted a beer meetup and was not excited about going at first but ended up having a great time and meeting some truly interesting (and new) members. While they were all fantastic, one left a lasting impression. One woman who recently moved from Idaho, after a recent divorce and for a job doing nuclear inspections (I think), was trying to figure out how to get her Psychedelicatessen to New York.
My friend Kirby and I also checked out the new Barrel Saloon down the street. Let’s just say it was unique and the band was amazing. If you are looking for high class this is not the place for you. It was quite a change from Stout with their polished wood, leather upholstered stools and swanky outdoor furniture, with the most comfy iron framed chairs I have sat in. The Barrel Saloon is a themed “dive bar” with $2 and $3 cans of beer written in grease pen on the mirror behind the bar. Lucky for me and Kirby they did serve Blue Moon, albeit in a plastic cup which only added to the kitsch.
Saturday was a non-stop day with my 2nd cousin (Tom’s) daughter’s (Cassandra) 5th birthday party and my best friend’s husbands 27th birthday BBQ. While I didn’t get to taste the cakes at the kid party they were in line with the theme (Hawaiian) which is always a joint one with Cassie’s cousin (Bradley who is also 5) thus the 2 cakes. One of Brenda, Tom’s wife’s sisters makes amazing cakes and always fitting to the theme of the event. They seriously need to go into business throwing kid’s parties.
I rested most of Sunday which was rainy and perfect for lounging around as I still needed to recover from the previous 2 months. The only thing I did get accomplished was moving stuff to my newly acquired bookcase, which is actually my grandmother's (who passed many years ago). I finally have a place to display my shot glass collection, started and perpetuated by my brother Rob. I also move my Vanity Fair collection to the bottom shelf and out of a room I never go into. These are the only 2 things I collect and it's nice to finally have them "displayed".
Monday (the 4th) got off to a slow start but I stopped by my parents in the ealy afternoon before heading to my friends Amanda and Jared who live 2 blocks from the Empire State Plaza and where the fireworks would happen.
I am never disappointed with a visit to their place. While a small group of about 8 of us, we partook some wine, micro brewed beer, clams, various sausages, grilled veggies and amazing corn salad made by Ilene. The fireworks were nice but I never really get what the big deal is and think it’s something better left for kids to enjoy. I am officially old and would rather stay home than fight crowds, unruly children and traffic…which was backed up, even after spending 45 minutes at Amanda and Jared’s enjoying the chocolate covered strawberries (provided and transported on the bus by Laura).
Over all it was a rather enjoyable weekend.
Hope to have the update for this past weekend tomorrow!
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