When we were in Dublin way back when, we stopped at a small restaurant to have dinner. The maitre de sat us by the front window so we could watch what was going on outside, and, I think, to carry on a conversation since business at that time was slow. After we ate, he indicated he would like to present us with Irish Coffees, on the house. Of course, we accepted. That was some strong coffee, let me tell you! By the time we had finished them, I was really glad neither one of us was driving... anything. Fortunately, we did not knock anyone off the sidewalk as we made out way back to the hotel.
One other event comes to mind as well. Different night. We went to the Temple Bar area, and the Temple Bar, to hear some traditional Irish music. We sat in a corner and nursed our Guiness, listening to the music. In front of us there were five young, relatively attractive, ladies sitting there. In no time, they were joined by four, eager, young men. It was interesting to watch the play as they, over the course of an hour or so, as the young men paired off with the young women. The one young woman who was left alone, so to speak, was the only one there who had several piercings arranged around her lips, ears, eyebrows, and nose. She attempted several times to try and join the fun, and was basically ignored by the young men. If looks could kill, there would have been four dead young men in front of us.
Anyway, we were discussing the evolution of the evening on the way back to the hotel, and I remarked to my wife that what was likely to happen was that the over eager, hopeful, expectant young men, would be left sitting there at the end of the evening wondering where the young ladies were off to, thinking of what might have been. Been there, done that... but then, maybe it was just me, and they would actually score, whereas I was usually left on base wondering why the game had ended so soon.
Because of the scenery in the movie and the memories of travels past, we have decided to eventually find part time jobs doing something, throwing all the money we make into the bank, and then head to Europe in early 2011. Where to will depend on how much money was have saved up by then and how long we could stay.
Saturday morning we met our youngest son and his two daughters for 'brunch' at a place called Kuba Kuba down in the fan. For those who do not live in Richmond, the fan is an older district in the city proper that is full of interesting houses, row houses, and great restaurants. Kuba Kuba is on the corner of Park and Lombardy, across the street from where the granddaughters used to play in the park there.
The food served in the restaurant has a Cuban, Caribbean flavor, and is excellent. Just spicy enough to add a bit of zing to the flavors, but not so hot one's tongue becomes numb to the taste of the food. The prices are very reasonable, and the portions are good sized for many things, just right for the rest.
On the way to the car we passed a house for sale. It was empty, so we peeked in the windows. It looked really nice. But then, it should, since the price listed was $500,000.
Dinner tonight was eaten at Weezys, a restaurant on Cary Street across form the ever popular Can Can. We go to Weezy's when craving crab cakes. One can have 4 crab cake sliders (enough for two people), a good sized bowl of black beans and rice, seasoned, and a bowl of vegetables, all for $20. The crab cakes are $10, and the others $5 each. And, there is more than enough to fill one up and even bring home for eating at another meal.
I was only going to eat one of the crab cakes and bring the other home so I could have another complete meal tomorrow, but my beautiful wife informed me they were not good when reheated. So, I forced myself to eat them both, felt stuffed, hoping they did not go to my waist.
Can Can is our place to go on occasion for Sunday breakfast, which is affordable. We skip eating dinner there, as it isn't affordable, at least not for us.
Diet wise, I have lost 9 pounds so far, with only 16 - 17 to go! I need to lose that by April, so when I go back to the doctor to get my blood pressure checked, maybe it will be good enough whereby I can stop taking the meds for it. One can always hope.
Tomorrow, back to work on the writing! Other than the blog, that is.
Weather wise, I'm going to put the snow shovel back in the shed. Tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future, it is supposed to be warm, 50s and 60s, so I don't think it will snow.
