Saturday Night Part 2

We rode over to Joshua Tree in Erik's car and were able to get two seats in the middle of the near end of the bar. I spent the night drinking a beer that was new to me, Lagunitas IPA, which was pretty decent. It's rare for me to come across a bad IPA. We hung out and caught up on stuff (Erik was in a bad mood but didn't really explain why), and I was pretty oblivious to anything going on except how beautiful my favorite bartender's eyes were (as always). After awhile Brian & Erik somehow wound up talking to two attractive & cool local girls, Kara and Tracy. Brian & Kara were instantly 'dumbstruck' into one another, and Tracy & I were getting along swimmingly (talking a lot and flirting without any awkwardness), as Erik talked a bit and mostly seemed to observe. What happened next I still haven't been able to piece together 100%...

One minute I was talking and laughing along with my friends and the ladies, and the next I had some hot little blonde in my lap, kissing me hard and long, completely out of control. Where the heck had she come from? After a bit of that extremely enjoyable, rather perplexing, and somewhat embarrassing activity, the bouncer asked us to take it outside, so I carried her out, and she kept going at me, while I did my best to comprehend my good fortune, as well as tried to stay upright by leaning against a lamp post. The crowd was cheering us on, and I was trying to explain that it wasn't like me to cause such a scene, but the girl smelled SO good, and she was such a kick-ass kisser that I just enjoyed it for a few minutes, occasionally coming up for air to tell her how beautiful she was (what a face!) and ask her "Where did you come from?". I never got an answer. But apparently everyone except Erik got tons of pictures! Sheesh.

(finish later)

Saturday Night Part 1

I just got home from a night out in Boston.

A quick ride on the Red Line, and I sat down next to Jay at the bar at TOAD around 5:45 and snagged a Smuttynose IPA, and after we shot the breeze for a bit Gavin & Lili walked in. We all had one beer together and then headed next door to Christopher's for dinner (we got a table for six), and just as we had ordered beers (I decided to try the Ommegang Rare Vos Amber, which was quite good) & appetizers, Brian & Erik sauntered in. I had a chicken quesadilla and some fried calamari from the group plates (the group got 3 appetizers and shared them), and then my main course was an English Burger (cheddar and bacon) and fries. We all ate and gabbed, and it turns out that Gavin & Lili are indeed engaged, and they bought a 2-family house together (they have tenants too). And Brian has confirmed that Erik's sister Lindsay does indeed exist! We have known Erik for over a decade and none of us has ever met her, or even seen her except in photos. Once dinner was over and our bill was settled we headed back to TOAD to see Abbie Barrett and her band The Last Date perform.

The music is a lot different live & plugged in than it is either on the cd or just Abbie solo acoustic. A lot of the songs were cool jam sessions, and she even had me enjoying the Neil Young (who I cannot stand) covers. I was disappointed that they didn't play "Dying Day", or any other of my favorites from the album (what are the odds?), but it was a good show. I was very surprised that Jay, Gavin & Lili all headed home even before her set ended! So the main part of the evening was over, but the night certainly was not...

I suggested we head over to Joshua Tree, which has become 'our' (Brian's Erik's & my) bar in Davis Square over the last few years. It was the right choice.

Red Line Adventures I

After a meeting in Waltham (job-related), and the joy of listening to WZBC in the car I parked at Alewife and jumped on the Red Line to Central Square.

At around 4:30 I was walking toward Phoenix Landing to meet Jay when I was hailed ("Hey fellow redhead!") by a trio of twenty-somethings, who turned out to be workers for the Red Cross. Since I didn't have to be there 'til 5:15, and the redhead (the stylish and vivaciously sexy Nia) was so beautiful, I spent the next half hour talking to them and listening to their pitch. It was quite fun, and they were a bit amazed at my recall (or prior knowledge) of all of their facts. I hated to let them down after all that, but obviously I do not have $10 a month to help out.

I got to Phoenix Landing, grabbed a table, and Jay walked in the door barely half a minute later - good timing! We ordered drinks and (half-price between 5-7 pm) appetizers. I had a Harpoon IPA and fried calamari and he had a shot of whiskey and a Sam Adams. We each had another round (and I had a kick-ass bacon & cheddar burger with amazing hand-cut fries) while we caught up on things, and around 6:30 Brian and Jay's friend Dave both walked in at the same time. Brian had a couple of Guinness, I had a 3rd IPA, and Jay & Dave racked up quite the bar tab, full of beers and whiskey shots. Our final bill came to $143 and change (my share was $27 before tip), and after misjudging the tip for our very cute waitress, Jay handed her another $20 before we all scattered. Dave had to catch the train back home to the Brockton area, Jay headed home, and Brian & I walked up the street to find another place for more beer. It was good to hang out with the guys and talk music, women, and other stuff.

We were going to go into Cantab Lounge, but I remembered that it has a lousy beer selection (though it's fun otherwise, with their live music stage and televisions), so we went to Tavern in the Square instead. It's a very nice place, wide and open, with big tvs everywhere, and a supremely attractive waitstaff. However, the central island where we sat, while being prime viewing area, was horribly uncomfortable, with no leg room, so I had to sit rather hunched at times. We each had a 23 ounce beer, and then decided to jump the T to Davis Square to see if either of our favorite bartenders was working at Joshua Tree. Neither hot girl was there, but there was plenty to see otherwise. We closed the place, and we got to enjoy the Miami Heat losing, dorks hitting on hotties, and a good beer I hadn't had before, Sam Adams Boston Brick Red. Good stuff! Anyway, we left to get to the T before the last trains were gone, but after we paid to go through the gate, the attendant informed us that we were too late, and upon inquiry, said she was unable to refund our money - WTF? We were going to hoof it to Alewife, but instead decided to take a cab, which was only 6 bucks, and spared us the indignity (and expense) of taking one later after most likely getting lost. Back to the garage, into my car, and a great drive home, accompanied once again by WZBC until I was out of range and then 89.7's late night jazz.