The Cheyenne Salon Post

Friday night I me up with Sue and Arnold and Arnold’s sisters to head downtown to Cheyenne Salon on Church Street. I had never been before but had heard a lot about the place. Before hitting the bar we went to Hamburger Mary’s, a really interesting restaurant with a retro ‘saved-by-the-bell style’ going. The unique thing about Mary’s is their wait staff. The restaurant only employs flamboyantly gay guys to be the waiters. Each waiter has a different colored shirt on and unasbashfully brings out the food and drinks. Madonna and Celine Dion blasts over the sound system, and they bring out your check in a red stiletto. The whole place was pretty fun and the food was really good. A different approach to downtown dining for sure and a place I’d recommend if you want a big old burger in a place that’s out of the ordinary.

After eating far to much we headed down the street to the saloon. Sue’s good friend ‘Jet’ was there playing with his band, and Sue was on the guest list and we all got in for free which was pretty cool. The place was amazing. The whole area focused around a center stage right where you walk in, and has bars and tables set up around the perimeter. There are stairs in the back leading up to a 2nd level overlooking the stage, then a second and third set after that leading up to the fourth floor looking down over the floors below overhanging the stage. It’s pretty cool, and was packed solid. For some reason the waitress thought I was with a special event that was also taking place there, as all my drinks came to me and didn’t cost a thing despite my best efforts to figure out my tab. Can’t beat that- best saloon ever! Jet’s band was really great and had everyone singing along and rocking out, he’s quite the showman. After the set we went to go talk with the band for a little before heading home. Really fun night. Glad I got to go hang with the Wolfgang’s before heading back to VA.

The Final Stretch Post

Moving is tough. Not only do you once again have to address the fact that you own too much ‘stuff’ and have to find ways to box it all up; but in some cases you have to part with things that you can’t take with you. My couch, entertainment center and mattress are all spoken for, as is my computer desk and chair. Everything else should fit in the car. I am typing this sitting on a folding chair at a card table with monitors on it, and my video gaming and movie watching as been largely done on the floor. Arnold has been great helping me ship most of my stuff through the warehouse, so a lot of my things are already piling up in VA. I’ll be making the drive up with everything else with Sarah on Tuesday after doing my apartment inspection as soon as the office opens that morning. Least that’s the plan!

The Web-Head Post

Saturday was Hayden’s 3rd birthday and Sue and Arnold had a Super Hero-Themed party planned for the little guy (well not so little these days). It’s crazy to think its been a year since I went to his last party…anyway, the moon-bounce was back, this time with Batman allover it, and everything from the decorations and banners to plates and wrapping paper was dripping in Spider-man. I made a surprise visit for the kids dressed as Spider-man in a costume Sue and Arnold had been tracking down a few weeks prior. Arnold’s sister’s helped sew me into the costume which was admittedly a little big on me and had a few issues (weak Velcro holding the back up and a mask that hung limp. However with a few on-the-fly modifications involving a red panty hose and a lot of careful threading we made a pretty good stab at the web-head. I made my entrance by popping up over the fence and jumping in on the party while al the kids where in the back yard.

Upon my landing (slash tumbling) into the yard three kids screamed and bolted inside, parent following. The remaining kids however, Hayden included where really excited to see Spider-man leap into the party and posed for pictures and gratuitous high-fives all round. After webbing Hayden with a can of silly-string and bouncing with the kids in the moon bouncy for a bit I made an exit and darted for the bathroom to get out of the suit. It was 100 degrees midday Saturday and I was DYING in that getup! After tearing of my stitched on suit and changing back into my Peter Parker attire I rejoined the party, sitting quietly in the back under some AC with some heavily iced drinks.

It was a lot of fun and I’m really glad to get to be a part of what I am sure will be remembered as a great birthday for the little guy and all his friends there. Sue and Arnold went all out for him and I’m sure everyone there appreciated it, especially Hayden. I signed a three year deal and will be returning next year as either Buzz Lightyear or Batman, depending on who’s more popular.

The Lakeside Firweworks Post

Last night I was invited over to Kim and Monica’s for their annual 4^th of July party. Had a lot of fun hanging out with them and the extended Wolfgang family poolside eating and drinking well. Once the sun went down it was explosion time, and Monica had us covered. She needed help wheel barrowing her resent horsed of fireworks out to the launch pad. If it blows up and makes noise it was in her pile. I had never seen so many fireworks at a private house. They live on an oval lake that has 30 or so houses around it. We hopped over their back fence and down towards the water to launch our fireworks, as did the rest of the neighbor hood. It was really impressive to see some of the displays everyone was putting on. It was almost like a communal fireworks showdown with the neighbors. Fun stuff. I’m biased but I think we had the best of the bunch. Arnold, Monica and I where taking turns setting stuff off then running for cover. We only had a few miss fires, one of which spiraled to about 5 feet away from Arnold and I and showered us with sparks, which was a lot closer than I’d have liked. We also had one box explode on the pad and send pieces sideways allover the place. Gave off quite a bang that actually blew my sleeves back. We finished up with ‘The Beast’ which was extremely impressive. After the show was over Monica gave me this years Phantom Fireworks T-shirt (she gets one every year because she is a vip customer and gives it to someone in attendance). Hung out at the house some more rocking my new uniform and lost horribly to Arnold in a few rounds of pool. I was given a huge to-go-bag on my way out too. As I write this I am chowing down on a heaping plate of backed beans, cheeseburgers and Monica’s famous BBQ chicken. I’m spoiled. Happy Fourth!

The Memorial Post

Today was the memorial service for Sue Wolfgang’s father, Joseph, who had recently passed away. Afraid that I would be trespassing on a personal moment, I wasn’t planning on attending, as I hadn’t been formally invited and didn’t know Mr. Doole personally. I have never attended a memorial service like this before and always thought that they where moments of memory for those directly effected by a loved ones passing. While that is certainly true I have come to realize that by attending a memorial you are not just paying respects to the deceased but also offering support to those left behind. After a few encouraging words with Henry, Susan and Craig at the office I decided that as a friend to the Wolfgang’s I wanted to be there for them and offer my support during their time of loss, which I am very glad I did. Many people where in attendance and the effect of the supporters on the family is exactly what they need right now. I’m glad that my friends convinced me to go, and I hope that Sue and Arnold’s family are able to pull through their loss and remember Joseph and the time they had together.

• Legacy Obituary.

The Birthday Weekend Post

Apparently this is the cool weekend to have a birthday. Saturday I headed over to the Wolfgang’s for Hayden’s 2^nd birthday party. There where a fair few people there which sort of intimidated the poor little guy, especially when everyone was giving him all their attention most of the time. He was able to escape to the moon bounce they had to have some fun with his cousins and friends though, so I think its safe to say he had a god time. I had to leave early to go back and check on how Coolio was faring in the toxic paint cloud that is my apartment. But I did get to stick around from some awesome food, the candle blowing and some flying monkey. Judging from the pile of presents he had to open when I left they kid is going to have an awesome weekend. I miss being 2.

Last night I wet downtown with Buck and Laura to meet up with their friends for Jessica’s birthday. We went to the Thai restaurant that Sarah and I went to one time she was here. Great food, but really slow coming, which was amplified by the fact that we were all starving. Afterwards we went back to Dave and Jess’ to chill and play poker. I dipped out early again (apparently that’s my thing this weekend) due to the 3 hours of sleep I got the night previous.

Friday night Kristina from work had a (non-birthday)party out at here house which Bruce, Stacey and I went to. When I got there, there where keg issues due to the guy at the store giving them a domestic tap for a keg of Heineken. So no sooner had I arrived I was sent off on the keg-party mission lugging the thing back to the store. Flashbacks of Total Wine employment where aplenty. Everything worked out though and I had a good time. The evening was marred slightly with the persistent debates breaking out with a very conservative/traditional family who liked to strike up discussion about all hot button topics imaginable. It was easily avoidable if you stayed off the back porch however.

Dad’s birthday is today as well which is kinda crazy. This time last year was my last night in Virginia. Stefan and I were working the tiki-bar for Dad’s Hawaii-5.0 party and the next morning I left for the Amtrak station. Bizarre to think how time can fly. Happy Birthday to all!

The Gambling Cruise Post

This weekend, in celebration of Sue’s birthday, Buck, Laura and I joined the Wolfgang’s in Cocoa Beach for a gambling cruise. I headed down Saturday mid-day and met up with Buck and Laura at the hotel we’d booked last week. Small place, nothing crazy, but right on the beach which was awesome. Had the whole section of the beach to ourselves for most of the day. Once Sue and Arnold arrived we headed to the port and got onboard. The cruise was late to leave which had some of the more serious gamblers (Kim) irritated. I find the whole idea of sailing out to international waters so you can gamble a little silly, and don’t quite understand why people have to go to such great lengths to do so… but whatever. The ship was pretty massive and had loads of money eating machines and games tables set up. I promptly lost the measly stack of bills I had allocated for the trip and hung out with the rest of our group for the majority of the trip. Sue and Arnold’s sisters were there as well as Kim from the office, so there where a fair few of us onboard. I had a good time, partially due to the free drinks Sue was flagging down from the cocktail waitress for me while she and Arnold played craps. (If you are gambling the drinks come to you and are free). So in the end I walked away with an empty wallet, but I made out like a bandit with the drinks so I feel like a winner.

After the boat came back at 1:00 we headed back to the hotel, via McDonalds and called it a night. Next day I headed to Ron Jon’s to see what allot eh billboards were about. Turns out the store is exactly like the Ron Jon’s in Orlando so no big deal. But I wanted to check it out to say that I’d been there if anything (and bought the t-shirt). Sue’s family came back down and joined us on the beach with Hayden for a while which was nice. Then I headed back.

Oh and a word for the wise… don’t take pictures in a casino. Yeah they don’t like that. Turned a few heads with the employees there (as captured in an amusing little video). Lesson learned I suppose. I have some footage of the beach and the Cruise which I’ll post as soon as Premier decides to actually work.. till then here are a few shots.

The Time-To-Post Post

Last few days have been relatively low key. Not that I’m complaining, just offering an excuse for the lack of posts. Easter was cool. Buck, Laura and I headed over to Sue and Arnolds for an Easter brunch and egg hunt for all the neighbor hood kids. Sue and Arnold are the parents of Hayden (the unofficial cutest kid ever). Afterwards we met up with Jess and Dave and went to Buck’s mother’s new house for Easter Dinner. She had just moved so the house was barren for the most part. We ate loads of good food off of disposable plates sitting on folding chairs, which was a nice change from the standard Easter fair.

I won the tile contest at Tijuana Flats, and this week I went by to see my work up on the ceiling and get my prizes (free food and a t-shirt). They gave my tile a pretty primo spot, right when you come in, which is nice. They only ended up getting 10 or so entries so my victory isn’t all that grand, but whatever when I tell people I’ll make it sound way more impressive. Hit the ale house with Bruce once or twice, and had dinner over at Craig’s house another night. All in all nothing crazy really going on.