martini night or martini weekend?

Whew. What a weekend. I would like to warn you, this could be the longest post you'll ever have to read, but it will be worth it I'm sure :)

Let me start with Thursday. My first Art Prize experience. Though a quick outing, Amanda did a great job of giving me a thorough tour of downtown and some great outdoor art installations. Which then prepared me for Friday. This is how Friday went and what I enjoyed most:

Toilet Tricycle Race put on by the Dufala Brothers, Ahhhh-mazing!

Phone call from Jeff then seeing his brother Joel randomly on the street. Enjoying a White Peach Bellini Martini from my first trip to Republic, which I'd give a 9. Running into the Shingledeckers on Cherry street and having a small world moment (which really I had all day, and kind of all weekend). Taking a second trip through WMCAT (awesome building. can I work here please?) and seeing Rex and Monica Rainey. Holla, PHS! Finding my new favorite quote "do the right thing every dog-gone day of your life" under a massive table and chairs. Getting a ride back to Amanda's for a sleepover :)

This is how Saturday went:

I finished what felt like a very long 13 mile run with a less than satisfactory feeling at the end both mentally and physically. Hello, blisters and weird hip pain, I don't want to be friends anymore, please leave now. Could this be from the 5 hour jaunt across Grand Rapids I did last night? Oh well, that won't happen again. And I'll certainly eat dinner the night before too. And then maybe I'll be able to follow it up with an actual nap instead of laying in bed dreading the fact that I have to work for 5 hours that night because someone doesn't know how to do their job. Let's just say Saturday wasn't my favorite but I made it through with only minor irritations. But not to worry because Sunday brought the following and redeemed the day prior:

a church service that couldn't have been more tailored to what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. T-Pain, Akon and Kanye, enough said. A trip to Dunkin Donuts, mmm coffeeeeeee. Taking a personal day from work so I could heal both mentally and physically from the day before (it worked). Checking out all kinds of art with Adam and Jenna. Meeting up with Colleen and her parents, you wonderful Nelsens, you. Also meeting up with Jeff and Joel DeBlaay and Face, who I will call Face forever because I can. Running into my Aunt Bonnie in the middle of 20,000 people. Finally visiting ActiveSite and seeing the Rainey's again. The Old Federal Building, I love you. Parsley Mediterranean Grille, I love you too. Seeing Rob Bell and his adorable family. Making Amy call into work because of car trouble I caused, ha. Not meeting up with Missy and Dan (this was disappointing, don't take this wrong) which led to a wonderful phone conversation by the B.O.B and reminded me of why Missy is so wonderful. More back and forth across the city which included my first visit to Founders and witnessing the consumption of quite possibly the most disgusting beer ever (who puts chocolate and habanero peppers in a beer, it's gross already!) Thai food for dinner at XO with Amy, Joel L and Amanda and my second martini for the weekend, the classic Peach, which I'd give an 8. One to begin the weekend and one to end. There was so much to see and do, to take in, to process. And I came out alive and inspired. I don't know about what yet but I'll let you know when I do. God brings hope through despair when we need it the most and sometimes He does it with a weekend like this. Thank you to all who were a part of it.

I've been sitting here for probably about 5 minutes trying to figure out how to begin and this is all I came up with. I have no zip today but I'm trying to get past it. Besides, it's not about today, it's about Saturday. And Saturday was a good day. I didn't have to work. It's the strangest feeling having a day off that most people normally have off. I didn't know what to do. I'm so used to filling up my time, it was wonderful to just sit and chill and not get a thing done. And then it was time for the usual.

I had a martini night milestone this time around. The waitress didn't have to see my ID to get my menu. You know what that means don't you? Yes that's right, I'm becoming a regular :) I had decided since I was a bit behind that this week I would knock two options off the menu. I started with the Sun-Tini which felt very summery (and strong). I liked it but I'm giving it a 7. There just wasn't anything phenomenal about it. The next was the Fruit Loop which may have looked like sewer water(see picture to left) but I assure you, was no where close. You have to like melon in order to enjoy this tasty treat, consider yourself warned if you do not, and I give it a 7.2. Nice flavor but not for everyone, mainly those that don't like melon.

I'd love to be able to start a whole discussion on something intense that we talked about but there isn't anything to talk about. And by no means was this a disappointing evening. It was perfect. We laughed, we danced (in our seats), we enjoyed each others company. I hope I never forget how fulfilling just spending time with quality people is. Even if we do sit there and talk about cat costumes and flash mobs.

Nightly wrap-up:

Attendees: Jenna, Julie, Adam and the round table

Drinks had: Sun-Tini and Fruit Loop

Best moment: admitting I'm a Miley fan. ha.

my own two cents

This week I am going to cut to the chase. I took a gamble on the Money Penny and I feel I came out even. My actual rating would be a 6 though at first taste it received a 7. Amy, I'm sorry you didn't get a clear rating before you ordered :)

And now I'll share on my "you have got to be kidding me" moment. In the middle of my martini, which I was still trying to decide my feelings on, some friends walked in the door. Or maybe I would say acquaintances. (this was the moment) I just had to laugh because of the inevitable encounter approaching and I must say I'm slightly shocked at the other parties' reaction. I got acknowledged in a "oh, I think I knew you once...(walk away dramatically)" way. And then the other person says nothing. Now in a way I'm not complaining because it could have been drawn out but also, martinis don't like drama and neither do I. So it got me thinking about friends vs. acquaintances. I think the latter, for some reason, has a bad stigma with it. Like, if you're only an acquaintance that's a bad thing. Really? I think it's better than an enemy, or better yet a frienemy. It might be a difficult situation if somehow the friendship has moved to just acquaintances but it's most likely for the better. I mean come on, can anyone really stay friends with everyone they meet? It's impossible! Most of you can't even remember the name of your best friend from 4th grade. Ok, that's the end of my rant. Thanks for listening and as always, your thoughts are welcomed.

Nightly wrap-up
Martini: Money Penny
Attendees: Amy, Jenna, Oven, Kate, Lena and poor Jon :)
Best moment: fully enjoying the night and being in bed by 11 (totally not lame!)

be with who you're with

Oh martini night, you have been hard to visit with lately. I'm sorry, I will see you soon, I promise.

I did however visit elsewhere. On friday evening I attended the LaBarge/Lam wedding, which was wonderful, and took advantage of Boatwerks' Pomegranite Martini at the reception. Let me just state: either Boatwerks makes one heck of a strong martini or 84 East does exactly the opposite because that was one strong martini in a very large glass. Not that this rating counts but I would give this one a 7, flavorful but a heavy lime flavor coming through from somewhere....(note the large, but empty glass)

On to my next thought, which happens to be the subject line. Allow me to explain. We've all been there. We're hanging out with friends or family and think we're having a good time, there might even be people there we haven't seen in some time and then we notice that person, you know who they are, that's texting under the table. And they think no one notices?! Or worse, they don't care! I noticed this happening this past weekend. I'm not going to give actual people or actual stories but I think we can all think of a time that we were with someone but they weren't really there. They weren't present, their attention was elsewhere and you know what, I'd like to say that's rude. Just rude. I understand that there are times when you're at a very casual event or communication is necessary but what I'd really like is for you to be with who you're with. Period. And those are my thoughts on that.

the newest (old) trend

i love blogs because they're always there when you only have 10 minutes. this happens a lot and now instead of watching tv or feeling like i'm wasting time online, i can feel like i'm having a conversation, even if it is with myself.

my days off this week have been loaded with tasks to do. things like: go for a run, go to the post office, pick up some dr. peppers, find out your best friend is having a third child :) , paint, pack, take a mandatory break at the brewery. i feel like i've gotten so much done, which is a great feeling.

it was nice to be at the brewery again too, there's just something about that place that just feels normal. plus you get to talk about things like what crazo church is behind all these "singles" signs bombarding the streets of holland and man scarves: the newest trend. according to their main page, apparently wearing a scarf is branding yourself. good to know. they also say the scarf is the new tie. interesting.

i'd like to elaborate further on the man scarf. is it a new trend or is it just coming back? take these pics for example:

old trend?

or new trend?

i think that proves my point. and i realize i didn't have a point. just more of a thought, that's it both new and old together. it's got me thinking what the next trend will be. i've noticed plaids are back. which to me means flannel but i'm not sure that kids these days even know what flannel is.....

anyways, i seriously hope the next trend is not this:

and a mental note for next time, this took way longer than 10 minutes...

Wedding Caketini AND Watermelon Jolly Rancher

Welcome to week 2.

It's been a long week. That being said:

I couldn't help myself. I had two. First off I had the Wedding Caketini in celebration of Brooke and Ryan who tied the knot on Friday. The actual flavor of the drink reminds me of something else, but I don't think wedding cake. If it weren't for the amaretto it'd obviously be a pineapple upside down cake instead but to the point, I give it a 6. I did enjoy it but it doesn't stick out as one I would like to have again this next year. For my second, I had the Watermelon Jolly Rancher. Isn't the name enough? We all know it doesn't taste a darn thing like something that's bad for you. I've had it before so I purposefully got it because it sounded good. It's definitely a 10. I don't even hesitate on that one.

So this evening was completely different than the last. Our conversations spanned many topics including: Funks: when you're in one, how do you get out?, Homosexuality: how's your gaydar?, Life: the new midlife crisis; finding your purpose and lastly, my favorite, Christian Playas: how to spot them and how to avoid them. I'm sure you can just imagine what was discussed. We laughed a lot and probably quite loud and there are some things that stay at the table :)

But really, my main question was how to get out of a funk? For reasons I cannot explain, I was in a funk on Friday. It's the worst feeling when you recognize it and you can tell that maybe others are picking up on it, but you still can't shake it! And then you get annoyed with yourself. I don't think I have a remedy except time and prayer. I think that's all I'll say on that matter. Anyone have other thoughts? I'm willing to discuss the other topics again too :)

Martinis had: Wedding Caketini and Watermelon Jolly Rancher

In attendance: Jenna, Amy, Sandi and Lisa H.

Favorite Quote: "Take a drink, and spit it out!"

The Adventure Begins Now

Hello blog world, I've missed you.

I haven't kept up a blog in a good amount of years. I'm a little bit worried that after 100 days I'm going to forget about you and leave you hanging. I will try my best though. My goal is to stick with this for one year. And during that year I will be reporting my opinions on the 45 martini's offered at 84 East, my favorite weekend hangout :) I'll also be sharing my thoughts on the conversations of the evening and life in general. One flavor per weekend minimum with a few extra weeks in case of holidays or other unforseen events should take me to next August 14th.
This whole idea came from the movie Julie & Julia. And of course my rating system stored in my phone of previous martini nights.

I started last night with the Coconut Raspberry. I LOVE coconut so I don't think it could have been bad. I gave it an 8 on a scale of 1-10 only because it tastes slightly creamy without actually being creamy at all. I was able to share the evening with Esther and Oven and it wasn't long after talking about the "dance floor" we began our topic of the evening: The Slow Dance. I began to explain my policy; I do not slow dance. I just don't do it. Of course I'm referring to wedding scenarios because I can't think of a situation where I would ever need to slow dance elsewhere. I think slow dancing is:
1) too personal
2) too boring
3) precious time to cool off and recuperate for the next batch of fast songs
4) something I'll do when I'm married
Needless to say, we had different opinions. I figured if I keep the policy and don't break the rules (which I did in the past and then the turnout made me feel worse, I should have said no!) then I don't have to worry about it. But what if you take a date they ask? Well, the date will already know the policy. This doesn't have to be difficult, I think it makes perfect sense. Does anyone else have this policy? Or a policy in general? I can't be the only one. I just can't be.
So this was day one. Or I guess night one. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topics or ideas of topics for next time. Most of all I'd like you to join me.
until next time,
miche