Love Like the Movies

 October 31, 2010

Baltimore, MD

Anna Maria Island, Florida

My Old Kentucky Home

I had a wild hair. Which is funny, because it's usually a stiff chin hair, not a wild hair, but whatever kind of hair it was, I went home over the 4th of July for a wedding reception. I had already declined my invitation many weeks before, but bored one Saturday, I discovered "cheap" tickets, so I plucked the hair or smoothed the hair or...I bought the ticket, okay.

It was a quick trip home, I'll admit that, but well worth it. I flew into Washington and out of Louisville, where the reception was held. I spent 1.5 days in Baltimore, if you can count the rush hour traffic from Dulles Airport, which we avoided by stopping in Washington D.C. for Angus burgers and beer. On Friday Chris and I set out early on a road trip to Louisville, Kentucky.


Instead of the typical mindset of having to get there as quickly as possible, we drove and when we wanted to stop, we did. Our first fun stop, was at a casino somewhere near Charleston, West Virginia (but not Charlestown races and slots like you hear on the commercials in Ohio). In 30 minutes, we lost $33 in a few slots, but mostly my fault at the craps table. I was able to annoy a bunch of old men when I showed up to the table and everyone passed the dice until they got to me, when I happily threw them for craps. Everyone loses! Woohoo!!

Back in the car and on the road a while longer, I saw a sign for Louisa (Kentucky), when I exclaimed, "that's where my great-grandparents were from! I was there once to see G.G.'s (great-grandmother) grave!" The genealogist in Chris couldn't resist, so we turned the car around and headed back for the exit and found our way to Louisa.
Once there, we trolled through town searching for a cemetery and finally stopped to ask someone. He gave me directions and we headed up a hill to find it. I had been to Louisa once before when I was probably around 10 years old. The area where my great-grandparents had their house was going to be flooded to turn into a park and we went down so we could see it one time, and for Grandpa and my Dad to see it one last time. We saw where the house used to stand and some bricks that once made up the one-room school house where my grandpa attended. On that trip we also visited G.G.'s grave and all that I could remember was that the grave was on a hill.


So Chris and I searched this small cemetery, looking at every headstone and plate in the grass, but found nothing. Back into town we stopped at a gas station for water, where Chris asked a customer about another cemetery. He gave us the locations of two others, which were more out of the way than the first. The largest of the three we visited, I was certain felt right, but after searching, we found nothing. Although we didn't find the graves, we did learn that one of our federal government officials came from Louisa. Pretty exciting.


On Saturday morning, for breakfast we met Chris' family, who had driven up from Tennessee, along with his daughter and son-in-law, the bride and groom. I just loved listening to them talk, because I love their accents. However, after not understanding something Chris said (his accent gets thicker the more he's around his family), I was corrected by his Mama that he didn't have an accent. Yes Ma'am!

The reception was Saturday. It was a burger bar and a local Louisville brew, with instructions to "wear whatever you're comfortable in." Perfect. I think weddings are overrated. The beer was wonderful and the burgers were delicious! Low key and no chicken dances. Nice job, Jen and Scott! Congratulations!

We visited the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory and that was awesome. They had an exihibt where you could choose from 4 game-used bats to stand at a plate to swing or have your picture taken. Every kid was opting for Lou Gehrig's bat (or was it Mickey Mantle's?), but being the oddball Reds fan, I chose Johnny Bench's bat.


On Sunday, we went to Churchill Downs. Because of the holiday, it was free to get in. Completely confused on where we could sit to see the track out of the sun and how to bet on the races, we sought help. A lovely usher gave us seats for a very small tip, a card on how to bet, and the program for race day. We sat in "box" seats, which had a tv with the race and were directly in front of the room where the rich people stayed, with air conditioning, servers, tables, food, and drinks. They only came out to watch the races.


We bet on every race we saw. We knew nothing about the horses, but chose based on their names and sometimes their odds. Our math wasn't that great, but I think we came out almost even.

Here's to America's birthday and to chin hairs!

I'm Gonna Take You Home

I was able to go home....for the entire month of April. 1 week in Ohio and 3 in Maryland. Some might call it a boondoggle, but I call it comforting.

In Ohio, I got to spend some much needed time family time with Mom and Dad, and I even got to see Chad, the now MBA graduate, for a bit. I did a lot of relaxing, despite the fact that I was wide awake between 4 and 5 for the first week. Mom and I went to Wilmington to visit Great Aunt Rosey and Great Uncle Kenny. I showed up bearing gifts, which I later learned Kenny seemed to devour before Rosey had the chance to notice. (Don't worry, Rosey, you'll get your own soon.) We also got to visit Grandpa, who smiled at me, and that was enough. Dad and I drove some golfballs one afternoon. Okay, Dad drove golfballs, I just swung the club and was lucky if they went far enough that I didn't get to retrieve them to try again. We also got to see the Blue Jackets lose one last time for the season.

Kenny, me, and Rosey at the Veteran's Memorial in Wilmington

After a relaxing week in Ohio, I went to Maryland for work and, of course, fun. As usual, I ate my way through the city at places like Abbey Burger Bistro and Woodberry Kitchen. I got to see a group of good friends and pictures of a good friend's so-called "wife" and "child." I also took in the wonderful weather at some iconic Baltimore sights with my best friend. We also saw the O's lose one of the first games of the season.

Johnny America

A Ghost to Most

Domino Sugar Plant, Baltimore, MD

So I've been hearing some rumblings about my blog from my fans. That I haven't updated it since September (Mike M.), that I've fallen off the Earth, that my life must be so interesting that I can't even share it with the rest of the world, that I've fallen into a permanent beer haze. I'm here and I'm not saying that at least one of those isn't true.

I've been busy and that's my final answer. I started another class for grad school in September, much to Dad's delight, and that is taking up a lot of my free time, although my t.v. consumption has gone up thanks to my SlingBox.

I was home in Baltimore for a week in October, I think the year to the date that I flew to Germany. I enjoyed my week in Baltimore a great deal, as I always do, and ate way too much at the restaurants I miss so much with people I miss more. I really didn't want to come back and would have gladly stayed, even if I had been chained to a radiator for the rest of my life.

I got older in October too (and I threw my hip out Sunday to prove it).

Otherwise, I've been working, working on school, and hanging out with friends. My house is becoming more complete, as I now have a dining room table and chairs. I also, as of this weekend, have a guest room....with a real bed. So if you were avoiding a visit because of the blowup mattress or the flop-out couch, now you have no excuses! You even get your own bathroom! No maid service, but there is a concierge.

Me, Kim, and Naymar on our last antiques trip to Tongeren, Belgium

Photographing Kim's son Jack in the fall colors for a Christmas card. I think this one is hilarious, because he looks like he's planning something evil...which he probably is.

Amy and I on the last stop of the around-the-world party a bunch of us had before our holiday in the middle of the week. Amy and I even were sporting college gear for the return to the days of a college-type party. (We're just older, have fancier drinks, and get tired earlier.)

The big news is that I leave on a 12-day cruise tomorrow. I'm going with 7 other friends and we can't wait! We leave Barcelona, then stop in Valletta, Malta; Cairo, Egypt; Limassol, Cyprus; Rhodes, Greece; Athens, Greece; Palermo, Sicily, Italy, and then back to Barcelona. I'm planning on lots of pictures and not looking at my tab in the middle of the cruise. I'm very excited and need a break from work, away, with good friends.

Almost right after I get home my friend will be in Germany to visit me and another friend in the area, so she'll be staying with me. The Christmas market opens while I'm on the cruise, so she'll get a good introduction to Germany that way. Soon thereafter, Mom will be here for Christmas, which, by the way, I can't believe is right around the corner. Luckily she arrives on the last day the Christmas market it is open.

After that, I probably have to go back to work or something. Right now, though, I should get packing.

When I Get Where I'm Going

I was lucky enough that I had to go back to Maryland for work and before that I went to Ohio. It was a good time to go for many reasons.

Main Street in downtown Wilmington, Ohio

Thursday, Mom and I headed down to Wilmington to see Grandpa, Rosey, Kenny, and Maurine. But first, we did a quick stop at the outlet malls. We had an hour, so after sycronizing our watches, we split up to find our bargains. I have to say, I think I did a mighty fight job stimulating the economy in under an hour. Oh, and Ann Taylor loves me.

We did the usual lunch at McD's (not McDonald's) and then Grandpa had to go home, because he wasn't feeling well. The rest of the afternoon we caught up, Mom and I found great recipes in the Rachel Ray magazine Rosey had (and subsequently got subscriptions when we got home), and drank some wine. That evening, since it was Rosey and Kenny's 59th wedding anniversary, Mom, Jennifer, Dana, Rosey, and Kenny went out to the General Denver for drinks and appetizers. (I tried to take the following pictures surreptitiously, but they didn't turn out very well.)

Kenny and RoseyJennifer and Dana

Mom

Friday, I once again tried my very best to stimulate Ohio's economy. Once again, I think I did a darn fine job! I took Dad to some appointments too, then we went home and hung out. Although not on my initial list of restaurants to visit while home, I was glad to have an old favorite--Donatos Pizza. Chad made a quick visit home too, so we told London stories and he showed us the pictures he took of the rest of his trip.

Saturday was another delicious dinner at Dad's before we headed to the Blue Jacket's last game of the season. They lost to Minnesota in a very disappointing game. They scored 2 goals in the first couple of minutes of the first period, then lost by a margin wider than I care to admit. It was fun to go, as I always enjoy the games with Dad. We even got free posters of the team, which made it to the NHL playoffs for the first time in their franchise history (don't ask how they did against Detroit in the playoffs, though). That night we got home just in time to see the end of the Miami University final game of the college hockey playoffs. Miami was playing Boston College, the #1 team in the nation. They lost in a heart-breaking overtime game. They were winning 3-1 with 3 mintues left, when Boston took their goalie out. Somehow, with a minute left, Boston scored two goals. Miami lost in overtime and it was such a devastating loss. Luckily, I don't think Miami is losing too many seniors, so they may be back next year, hopefully in the final game again with a different outcome.

Stinger, the Blue Jackets mascot

I got to Maryland and I ate my way through the week. I had a long list of restaurants I have been hungry for, so I didn't waste any time when I arrived. I had a steak at the Capital Grille, fresh roasted chicken at The Dogwood, my favorite Chianti and shrimp scampi (although Tillie's will always be my favorite) at La Scala, a bison burger at Golden West Cafe, I pigged out at this great Mexican place north of Baltimore (and whose name I don't recall), brunch twice at Miss Shirley's, doughnuts from New System Bakery (a.k.a. Heaven), and I had some delicious pie at The Savory House.

The Avenue in Hampden

I had a grand time in Baltimore, even if I did have to be rolled around in a wheel barrel because of all the food I consumed. Too bad work got in the way of having more fun. I got my butt beat at bowling (best of 5) by Chris. The owner of The Savory House (and Dangerously Delicious Pies), Rodney Henry, had a free outdoor concert of Baltimore bands on Saturday. It was BYOB and it was great.

Rodney "the Pie Man" Henry (in orange)

Junestar

The Young Jaquars

I also went to an O's game, but it was pouring before it started. We waited for a while, then left because we didn't know when/if the rain would stop. So I had my beer at Camden Yards, but didn't see my boyfriend Brian Roberts.

The ominous sky.

I'm sorry I didn't get to see everyone. It so hard when you have so little time. I'm grateful for the people I did see and I can't wait to see you again soon.

Further on Up the Road

I've done a lot more besides freaking out these past several weeks. I've had a lot of fun.

• I've eaten more than probably 4 times my weight in wonderful food and drink at the variety of great restaurants Baltimore has to offer.
  


• I continued to enjoy Tille's Tuesday night suppers of deliciousness and the company at them.
  


• I saw my favorite band the Avett Brothers.

• I had a nice steak on the grill and at outdoor fire at my friend Jeff's house.
  


• There was a great happy hour for a coworker and I as a celebration for our time in the office. Thank fully I had a designated driver ;)
  


• I was lucky enough to see my favorite Hampden street *cough* actors.

• I saw the Baltimore streetcar museum, which was really cool, Fort McHenry, and watched Domino sugar being unloded from a freighter while standing at Tide Point, all with my friend Chris on my last Sunday in Baltimore.

Unfortunately or fortunately (whatever your point of view), I'm headed east across the "big water" to create more fun and more memories. I probably won't enjoy the food as much, but the beer....ahhhhhh the beer.

The new chapter in my book starts tonight. You'll have to let me know if it's worth reading ;)