Work was so busy that I had no time to get on here. Yes, this place is something else. Had a very good weekend, shame it was so short. Will be glad for the four day holiday for Thanksgiving. Dinner at Bicycle was amazing Friday. Had the salmon again, definately the best of the places where I have had salmon of late. Was a little torn between that and a couple of other things, I know that I have been getting salmon several different times, but I so enjoyed it when we went there for Nick's B-day, and this time was no different. Started with that spicy corn chowder with blue crab, that had been intriguing on the menu. Delicious, almost like a thin refried beans, robust and, as we have learned from Chef Ramsey, you could really pick out the ingredients in the flavours, which is a good thing. Nick got his sashimi tuna tar tar, of course. Still not trying raw fish, I'm so not up for that. He got a steak, shocking, I know, practically still alive, and I got the salmon. It was seasoned perfectly and came with the yukon gold mashed potatoes and their wonderful vegetables--- brocolli, string beans, red and yellow peppers, and, of course, asparagus!! We got a bottle of Gladiator wine, one of the $18 specials (which they have at the liquor store by the old apartment for $10, have to get some.) Got deliciously drunk on that with dinner (very similar to champagne drunk, lovely.), felt stuffed, but somehow, we found room for dessert. Nick got the coffee creme brule and I got the pumpkin pie cheescake. Actually, there were several items on the dessert menu that were tempting, the coffee creme brule being one for me, as well as a cappuccino and mocha tort with chocolate mousse, but I opted for the cheesecake, because, as is a well established fact, I am all about the pumpkin. The coffee creme brule was very good, the flavour changed as you ate it, very subtle and distinct, and since Nick doesn't like pumpkin or cinnamon (how can you not like pumpkin or cinnamon?), the cheesecake was entirely mine, and it did not stand a chance haha. A terribly good meal, which left me feeling ready to explode as we headed out of Federal Hill, up the long stretch of Charles into Station North, and to the waiting arms of The Wind-up, where I nearly fell asleep several times, on account of the wine. Once Rob and Angel, and some other people showed up, I had a second wind. It was also helped before they got there by the ridiculous movie that was playing. It was a blaxlpoitation movie from the seventies titled "Petey Poststrall, The Devil's Son-in-law." I kid you not, it was unreal. Big Afros, a magical pimp cane, and a cameo by Aretha Franklin. Nick insists that he is going to buy this movie. Once it started getting more crowded, they shut that off, and people started dancing, although they didn't play anything terribly good. Still, it was cool that it felt like a Saturday night, but it was only Friday. Saturday ended up being very busy. We were going to go to B for dinner, but then Nick's parents asked if we wanted to go to Tapas Teatro and see Vickie Christina Barcelona with them. They were good enough to pay for us, which was very nice. Before that though, we picked up Christina and met the rest of the Goucher Lesbian Brigade at City Hall for a protest against the Prop 8 legislation in California which basically retracted the same sex marriage laws there. I don't care what people do, if it makes them happy, so I have long been for gay marriage, or simply, not against it. It's silly to be so opposed to something that has nothing to do with you. Anyways, it started raining, and there was a tornado watch, and just as we were emerging from the Sonar parking lot, with the 83 overpass, it started raining torresntially, and we got soaked. But it soon let up, and we eventually dried out. Luckily it was pretty warm, and the protest moved down to the end of 83, at Lafayette and President Streets. We chanted and waved, and kind people beeped, and even though it isn't my fight, it was a good experience and felt good to take part in something like that. We got to Tapas Teatro first and waited for Nick's parents in the bar, having some drinks. Got a little tipsy straight away, since we hadn't eaten. The meal was good, got several small plates, and everyone pretty much shared what they themselves ordered, so it was good. Got grilled shrimp, spinach with crab meat, grilled chicken, and a salad with chilled asparagus. Also tried some baby potatoes, and delicious potato croquettes, which had to be horribly fattening. Went to the movies afterwards. I knew that Nick had wanted to see this movie since the summer, so I'm glad we finally went. It was alright, nothing incredible. It was no Happy Go Lucky, but it had its moments, mainly with Penelope Cruz. Afterwards, we set up camp at Club Charles and waited for Rob and Angel and Lori. More drama, that I don't even want to be bothered with. Sunday, we got up, after starting the day the best way, and went to Nick's parents for him to get his Ravens jersey, where he was able to convince his dad to come to Chris' parents' to watch the game with us. It was a lot of fun, even if we ended up losing. We had reservations for B for dinner, which proved to be a delicious experience again. Started with a salad, Nick got a squash soup, which I liked, since it tasted very much like pumpkin pie, but after a while, Nick realized this, too, and took a dislike to it. Anyways, the main courses were their house ravioli for me (without the sage brown butter, just the marinara, which made all the difference this time, awesome.) and sausage tortolini for Nick. We both enjoyed our meals very much and for dessert, pumpkin creme brule for me and chocolate tort for Nick. Had that cherry lambics beer I like, Kasteel Rouge, that we got so deliciously drunk on in Philly at Eulogy when we were there to see The Kills, as well. In fact, I didn't get my cappuccino on account of having two Kasteel Rouges and feeling very ready to explode.

Monday, we went to Club Charles, got in some interesting conversations with a random hipster at the bar, played some music, had some drinks. Tuesday was Smiths/Morrissey Karaoke at The Ottobar, old-school, singing over the records. Bill was there, of course. It was so much fun. Nick sung three times, I sung twice (I Want The One I Can't Have and Suedehead.), it was awesome. Terribly good fun. Wednedsay I met Mom and Tony for dinner at Outback and received a phone call whilst waiting for them from Nick telling me that I was missing a Quacker Factory Special on QVC or HSN with a live studio audience, that looked EXACtLY like you would imagine them to. Sorry I missed that haha. Hope they run something with Palermo soon. Watched Top Chef. The very dull girl from Red Maple got voted off. Thursday, we went to The Wind-up, where even though there was a cover for a jazz ensemble, which I could have done without, it was still fun. Rob and Lori came out for a while, and eventually, without even noticing, we were the last people in there save Russell and Jason. This was the night that my Mom went to see The Eagles in D.C., and she had so much fun. I was so glad. They upgraded her and Tony's seats and they were in the second row. It was really good that they had so much fun. Friday, by far the worst day at work this week, became an unintentional evening of rest for us both, as we took naps when we got home and Nick slept through my calling at the time we said that we'd get ready to head out, and my going back to sleep, as well, but it was alright, since we had the drive to New York on Saturday.