Oh February 29th, it’s good to see you again even if I cannot make it out to a Leap Year Day Hash today.
Ganz Toll
A factoid that you may not know about me is that at one point in my life I considered becoming an architect. Thankfully for all involved my hands and patience would never allow me to construct the models necessary to to become an architect, so I never pursued the career.
On Friday night I attended a lecture at the Goethe Zentrum given by a contemporary German architect. I found his work fascinating, and thankfully for me the lecture was spoken in English.
Though still not well enough I have tried to up my German game by listening to, and barely understanding, a German news radio station.
Practice, practice, practice…
Saturday Night RAW
I finally used my Scoutmob for Radial on Saturday night. When I arrived a little before 8pm the place was packed, and the staff overwhelmed. I was prepared to wait for a table but there was a single opening at the bar so I was able to be seated immediately.
Perhaps I should have waited for things to slow down.
At first there was confusion if one person could use a coupon for a dinner for two. I assured them that I was not trying to game the system, and after speaking with the manager we decided that I should take an entree home with me. I will explain why this is an important detail in a bit.
The $30 coupon afforded me:
- one appetizer
- two entrees
- two alcoholic drinks (of which I allowed myself one)
- one dessert
Given that I’d cycled that morning I was okay with eating a large dinner.
I ordered the “Bacon & Eggs” appetizer; four deviled eggs (halves) and four bacon-wrapped dates. This was the highlight of the meal. The eggs could have used a little more seasoning, but the bacon-wrapped dates were divine.
My one beer for the night was an Ode to Mercy from Wild Heaven.
After my appetizer I ordered a hamburger, cooked medium, and a chorizo-something casserole as my side. The entree appeared after some time and given that the burger appeared large, I cut it in half. It’s a good thing for me that I did, because the center was completely raw. [insert exasperated Gordon Ramsay look here] I flagged down the manager I sent it back. When a new burger arrived I cut it in half again and was pleased to see it cooked thoroughly. Whatever my casserole consisted of appeared to be little more than a brown glop baked in a ramekin — it was not very appetizing to either look at or eat.
Prior to ordering dessert I put in an order for fried chicken with mashed potatoes and corn soufflé to go.
Then I ordered the caramel spice cake and coffee for dessert. Upon arrive the spice cake looked great, however it was insufferably dry and very much needed the coffee, for which I had to ask a second time.
I wound up eating the fried chicken dinner I took home with me for lunch yesterday and was none-to-impressed with it either.
I’ll give the kitchen staff a bit of leeway because I clearly saw how slammed the place was all night long, but I shan’t be going back for dinner any time soon.
Why was the second entree so important? Turns out the way the Scoutmob coupon worked was that the entire meal is tallied, then the cost of the appetizer, entrees, drinks, and dessert are removed. However, the automatically-added 18% tip is calculated on the entire cost of the meal. So without a second entree the total would have been at least $15 less, reducing the mandatory tip. I still added a few extra bucks to my tip because I always tip 20% unless I receive horrible service.
So Close To Finishing TAR 4
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I managed to put in ninety minutes on the trainer. I’ve given myself a pass today. In doing so I’ve watched almost the entirety of Season 4 of The Amazing Race. I am down to the final two episodes of that season, and am curious to see who the winners were.
Preparing To Be Carless
No matter what the cost of my stupidity two weeks ago winds up being (I’ll find out on Wednesday) I am getting myself mentally prepared to be without a car for a while; the duration of this condition determined by the extent of the repairs needed. The only exception to this will be if I am still carless for the weekend of March 11th-13th, for which I have plans and will rent a car if necessary.
Why do this to myself? To punish myself of course! Oh, and to save some money.
If the weather cooperates I may even attempt to cycle to/from the office again! Whoa… Maybe all of this trainer time will pay off sooner rather than later.
Additionally I am going to attempt to sell things that are cluttering up my house on eBay in an attempt to recoup the cost of the repairs.
I might make good from bad out of this after all!
Hope your weekend was fantastic.
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Sorry your experience at Radial was meh. Everything you were describing sounded right up my alley (I’m a sucker for the take-home entry: chicken, mashed potatoes AND corn souffle? Oh my!), so sad to hear it was all just okay. I don’t get the whole math thing with tip and whatnot, but eh. Scout Mob is weird sometimes.
My weekend was good. Ended up not doing anything Friday — I think the whirlwind of the trip home and too much socializing made me really need to pull back and be anti-social for a night. Cleared out the DVR and finished binge-watching Orange Is the New Black.
Saturday I went to Marco Rubio’s rally up in Kennesaw (and the fact that I actually went that far OTP *gasp!* should make it pretty clear who I’m pulling for) and Sunday I just stomped around town trying to nurse a titch of a hangover. By 3 miles in to the 5-1/2, I was feeling much better. Goody’s powders helped too.
I did learn though that I’m beginning to love clomping on the city streets FAR better than the Beltline. On the Beltline, I was ran into from behind by a runner (she did apologize, but still) AND tripped by someone’s out-of-control puppy (again: apology, but still). After making it to Irwin Street, I decided the return trip would be along city streets instead. It was much more pleasant. 🙂
We went & did our 1 night of camping up at Red Top – it went very well. We had to go almost all the way back home to Three Way Camper to get a 30 amp extention cord – the one with the camper is only about 10-15 ft long. Where the electric box was located wasn’t that close. (I think this will e a necessary thing to have for most campgrounds) We tried Cabela’s first – but they didn’t have any. Cabela’s in an interesting store (product & clientele) – even more camo than Bass Pro Shop.
We cooked inside, using the stovetop – I think if we were with others we’d have grilled outside, but since it was just the 2 of us, we spent more time inside. Heat & heated mattress pad makes for some warm sleeping on a cold night.
Did 2 hikes around the park – we packed up the bikes, but I totally forgot to pack any bike clothes. Dyh!
This is a test comment. Darn it, I was hoping the comment error was fixed with an update I downloaded this morning. Obviously, it was not. 🙁
And in case you haven’t figured it out by my lack of Oscar content, I did not watch.
I think I was lazy Friday- nothing of note except shopping a bit for a chain saw.
Saturday, met friends at the café and was going to fill the truck before Debbie headed to the hunt in Dooly County, but she noticed a nail in the tire. I took her back home to get packed and I drove to the tire store, where their best employee “Lightnin’ ” got the tire plugged in record time- slow record!
Back home, got the trailer hitched and sent Debbie on her way and went for a bike ride. The road bike was shifting great and I was having a very nice ride, right up until the chain broke. Oops. I called a friend, but only got voice mail, so I started walking up hill and coasting down. After getting on a slightly busier road, got a lift right to our door! I love living in the country!!
The new chain saw bit me as I was taking it out of the box!! Cut my finger. Sombitch. But it cuts trees very well, too!!
I’m packed to go hashing tonight!! And I have buttons from the Leap Year Hash from 2000 and 2004! I hope to see you there- Barb, it’s in your neck o’ the woods.
-FP
Seems as if all things “chain” have been the bane of your existence recently, Steve.
BOTH of us will be there tonight for Leap Year Hash – Allan is in a class today, so he will be able to attend after all. I can not remember what my name is, but I got it in Dunwoody, which I think was the last one in 2012? I’ve been trying to think of where BUF might be having us end, but there are so many choices, but so many that aren’t really hash friendly.
I wonder where my buttons might be………. I might have to look around when I get home.
They should be on your hash bib, Barb. 😛 That’s where my one Leap Year Day Hash (2000) button is. 🙂
And I was smart and took tomorrow off!!
we leave for CA Wednesday evening – no day off for me tomorrow.
Stacey, have you thought about walking the other way on the Beltline? I know it isn’t paved, but the trail goes all the way behind the KroGay, if not farther.
Steve – I have. And you’re right: it’s much nicer. I’ve also walked all the way over to the Northside Beltline (entered off Collier Rd) to walk that one and THAT path is gorgeous (and far less crowded too). I should explore those more again!
Barb, your camping/trail hiking experiences had me jealous this weekend. Looks like it was a wonderful time. 🙂
It was really nice to get out away from the world (a whole 30 minutes from the house) – but Red Top is a pretty busy park, there were lots & lots of people out hiking. (which is good to see, little kids getting away from their video games).
Stacy, I completely agree with you about the Beltline. Great for the city, but it sucks balls on any nice weather day. Yesterday we biked up to Piedmont Park and back. On the way back, a woman who was walking veered suddenly all the way over to the left, right in front of my bike. I yelled, “On your left” and then apologized as I passed her. She yelled, “You shouldn’t be biking anyway, this is a WALKING trail!” By then I was too far away to make the retort I had ready. “Firstly, that is patently wrong, read the rules regularly posted along the trail; and secondly, fine, next time I won’t care about your well-being and just mow you down with my bike.”
Also: I will never understand why people like Radial. I think it’s terrible. Bad service and the food is boring.