Thursday, March 20, 2014

Spring 2014 aka "Like We Thought It Would be Warm"

Okay, so the first day of Spring didn't really turn out like one may hope.  But, it wasn't as bad as this picture, taken off my back porch.  Looks like someone needs some gutter work done.

Last weekend was the local St. Patrick's Day parade, of which I've never attended, but made a point to this year.  After the usual beginning of the emergency vehicles (I just don't get it), the county's HazMat van went by.  That was also impressive.  Then, the float made by the POW/MIA people.  Did I mention that anyone could enter a float?  The grand marshal went by on possibly the nicest flat bed truck bed I've seen, complete with what looked like high school marching band players.
Not too bad, so I kept looking for the Irish dancers.  It was naught to be.....but there were plenty of bars who had their own flat bed truck/trailer/bus/beat-up pick-up/van with entries.
Eventually, something cool crept by.
We're off to a great start out here on the Gold Coast.  Can't wait to see what fun and weirdness is yet to come.







Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Unexpected Wonderfulness, with a dose of terror

Most people don't make lists of things to do in a year.  But, if  you are a chronic planner (with a bad memory), lists are extremely helpful and also give a person something fun to look forward to in life.

Yet, one of the most fun things I've done wasn't on the list, but it should have been.  In Columbus, a friend suggested we go to the Brothers Drake Meadery.  After the initial confusion as to why my friend wanted to take me somewhere that sold a lot of meat, I realized the correct pronunciation (I wasn't the only one confused by the conversation, and I was keen on going to this meat place too).

Fabulous.

The only problem is that mead has 13-14% alcohol and sipping these lovelies (and a bonus one, thank you Brother Drake of Unknown Name), my face began to feel numb.  Of course, that's not a really big problem.  Unless you are driving home.  Then it's a different problem with legal implications.

Meanwhile, in East Texas where Mardi Gras is a serious celebration:
By the way, I've seen this monkey without the mask, and he is far more terrifying.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

14 Things in '14

It takes a deliberate act to make life interesting, whether you live in the city or country.  At the beginning of the year, I made a list of 14 Things to do in 2014.

The first one accomplished was a birthday party with some friends - just to celebrate the mean feat of staying alive one more year:
Then, going tubing at Mad River Mountain, despite it being five degrees.  It was fabulous fun.
Last night.....hoho....last night:
There he is.....Spike the Walleye
At the Toledo Walleyes Hockey Game.  For $15, one can't have a better bargain.
And it's only March....