The Weeked That Was

Birmingham, AL

I had an A-MAZING weekend. What started as a simple plan to attend an Atlanta Braves baseball game turned into an entire weekend of fun-a-palooza!

Friday night started things off with a fun little trip to Chuy's. A cool little Tex-Mex place. I have to say thanks to my Dad and his wife Judy for watching the G man. I hadn't planned on doing one of "my" nights, but they offered, and the opportunity was there, so I took it since I don't get many. I know G-Man loves spending time with Grandpa and "Gigi," especially their iPhones.

After that was a trip to The J Clyde where I tried beer I can't even begin to remember the names of, one of which was a "chocolate beer." Holy crap it was amazing. Next time I'm insisting it be garnished with either Hershey squares or a Peanut Butter cup... or both.



German Flag

 Once beer was had it was off to German Bar. Now where do I begin about German Bar? The name of the place actually is Freunde Deutscher Sprache, but once you've had a couple it's just easier to say "German Bar." I love this place. The host, and one of the owners, Tristan is a German-American who is the host of host. He knows how to make you feel welcome, inform you on the intimate qualities of certain drinks, including absinthe, and in the end is the guy who keeps the party going into the wee hours. He is an inspiration, and he drives a badass mini cooper. What else can I say about German Bar.. but that it's different from any other bar I've ever been to. Think 90's Prom setup. White linen table cloths with votive candles burning atop disco squared placemats, there's a dancefloor and DJ, and you'll find people wrapped around the bar playing dice games or singing Disney songs with a friend of mine.

Cocktails and Dreams?
Maybe!

Friday night as we finished the evening at German Bar Tristan sat down and told me and my friend (a guy known at German as the guy who danced on the table... long story there) about some employee woes he was having, and then looked right at me and said "You belong here."

My response was an affirming and confident, "I do!"

At which point he kind of offered me a job. I'm pretty sure he was serious, and I even confirmed with my friend the table dancer who felt like he was. My guess would be that I would get to bartend, and perhaps even event plan in the absence of the employee in which Tristan spent half an hour discussing about why she had to be fired. There's not much I would rather do. Did I mention I love that place? Plus one of my life goals is to run a bar. It's in the Bham, which I love, and now as I write this, and look at my current situation that continues to hold me in Montgomery and Steak-World, I'm absolutely sick to my stomach that I can't work there. I know it's not all sunshine and rainbows, or in bar-speak: martinis and skirts. But, to have a chance to be the "events" guy, to be the host at a place that catered to something besides rednecks, hood-rats, and geriatrics would be AWESOME. But most of all to be somewhere I was wanted, and where I would want to be, seems beyond a hope after these many years of hated steak slinging.  I just want to be in a place, "where I belong."

There will be more about this future post I'm sure. But to move on.

Saturday G got to see his mom for the first time in many years. She made some bad choices and as such is part of the reason I'm in the situation I'm in. However since she has made great strides into putting her life back together, and has started acting responsibly, I decided it was time for them to have a little reunion. Things went very well and I was super happy with the first supervised meeting, and while the road to recovery and forgiveness is still long and hard, it is my hope that the future will be bright for G and his needs. There was clothes buying, Lego shop visiting, lunch, and picture making. He and his mommy had a good time.

Turner Field
"Braves Country"

Once that was done it was off to see the Braves play in Atlanta. It was hot, but fun! Thanks to Jacob again for the tickets. You rock.

Sunday Grandpa and Gigi took us to lunch and then to see Smurfs. GREAT movie. We had a lot of fun. I can't wait to add that one to the DVD library. Once the movie was over it was time for a nap, and then we tried to head out of town, but we weren't quite ready to leave our beloved Bham so we made a trip to the Galleria where we got some new sunglasses, checked out the Lego store (again), ate some Cindy's cinnamon sticks, and I bought a Smurf and him an Angry Bird at Build A Bear.



Gutsy Smurf

 We finished off with a meal at the 119 Applebees which was the spot back in MC days. Made me a little nostalgic.

Finally home. It was a long weekend, but it was one of the best ever. Again, thanks to everyone who helped make it special. G and I both had a blast!

Yo!

-Simpson