After a three year COVID hiatus, we renewed our symphony subscription and went to our first performance of the season last night. Sadly the attendance was well under 25% of capacity.
Going to the UBC Apple Festival tomorrow. Sunny and over 70 degrees (Fahrenheit) all weekend in Vancouver so outdoor activities will be popular. Still able to cycle in shorts and a t-shirt.
About to take a nap. Having some siblings over tonight to play some games and will quilt this weekend, hoping to finish the big one Iāve been working on.
Way too much GAFing yesterday. Butt is parked on the couch with coffee while catching up on GoA.
i spent the weekend trying to figure out other peopleās anagrams
Did my non-court-ordered volunteering for seven hours on Saturday, then went beer tasting, then margarita tasting, then ice cream tasting. Sunday cleaned about 1% of the garage, but that one countertop looks real good, and bought some pegs for the pegboard, assuming we will use the pegboard. Then went to friendsā place for dinner and wine, discussed elsewhere.
I feel this comment. Ugh.
So, in about two years (1% per weekend), the garage will be clean! I might be able to put a second car (Smart?) in my three-car garage.
Math checks out. Iāve currently got a car and a scooter in a 2.5 car garage and itās getting a bit tight out there.
Friday early afternoon walked the north end (less commercial, more residential) of the San Antonio Riverwalk then hit up an Octoberfest in the King Williams district. Apparently it was the 2nd weekend so the actual availability of Marzen style beers was limited but at least got to drink some Ayinger, which Iām not sure I have had before, and is probably at least as good as Paulaner.
Saturday was slow, then went to a Thai place we had never been to (great choice) and watched a performance of Plaza Suite at a community theater in the Texas hill country. The play was entertaining and the acting was surprisingly decent with a few very good performances.
Sunday was brunch in Austin at a favorite spot, then dinner with old friends a few hours later, followed by a few too many cocktails at the hotel bar. But I met a couple of interesting individuals, including a demographic economist (I think that is the best way to describe what he does).
I cleaned up my work bench tonight and liberated like 2.5 sq ft. Iām gonna be riding this high all week. Life comes at you fast, kids.
Nice. I did the San Antonio Riverwalk with my (then future) wife in 1974 and loved it. Hope it is still charming.
The river is basically split into two main sections. The south end near downtown is where you would have been at the time. I have never been a big fan of that section because it feels touristy and dirty. In the late 80s and 90s it was basically just a bunch of restaurants, bars, and a mall. It has been a bit since Iāve been on that end though.
Over the last decade or so, the city has been working on revitalizing the entire thing, adding on, returning some of the concrete to looking a bit more natural, improving habitat for wildlife, adding outdoor art projects and zoning for more residential areas in the newer sections. Much of that has occurred on the north end and it feels less touristy.
Saturday went to a brew fest in Durham, NC. Barrel Culture Invitational. Stayed overnight at an overpriced shitty AirBnB. Tried a new Pizza at Trophy Brewery (good pizza and beer).
Sunday brewed a Rye Pale Ale for a beer fest I was invited to (November 12th - Bright Leaf Brew Fest in Daneville, VA)
OddSox was invited to a work people party (even though he doesnāt know him well) and we decided to be social.
The. Spread. Was. AMAZING.
Iām going back next time just for the food and copious amounts of alcohol.
Are these BYOB events or does the host provide all the booze?
They provided hot cider (with cinammon vodka option or caramel something), several bourban options (bitters, maple surup), a bunch of wine bottles, sparkling booze something, beer in a cooler outside, bottles of water beside the beer.
There was an entire dining room dedicated to finger foods, meats, cheeses, dips (and weāre not talking fruits and veggies here people - there was like apple walnut brie melts and butternut squash cups).
The kitchen had 2-3 chilli options in crock pots (one standard chilli, one chicken and white sauce chilli, all the fixins). Another crock pot with meatballs. The booze table doubled with the deserts - cookies of various ingredients, baklava, M&Ms, cupcakes, ginger snapsā¦
Oh god I wanna go back.
Wow, I would want to go back as well. Must have been at least partially catered?
Mmmmm melty brie.
Honestly, I think they made most of it themselves or had neighbours bring some of it prior to me getting there.
Wifeās 60th is Tuesday, so this weekend we went to NYC.
Two nights at the Marriott Marquis (44th floor, corner room)
An amazing Honors Lounge
Had some chocolate covered strawberries delivered to the room
A couple of very nice dinners (Strip House (Steak); Le Rivage (French))
Saw Into The Woods
Took a long walk the length of Central Park - unbelievable weather and cool stuff with the marathon the next day
and some day drinking and night capping as well