The '59 Sound

I think that I am finally done with the Christmas shopping, although, everytime I think that I'm done, something else arises and more purchases are made or need to be made. It's absolutely maddening. Anyways, back to work today following a lovely weekend. Friday went to The Wind-up, Rob met us for a while. We were both utterly exhausted when we left, so it was nice to sleep in on Saturday. After starting the day in the best way, watched television (mainly Ninja Warrior) whilst imbiding a bottle of champagne (lovely lovely) till braving the crowds out in Timonium to go to Best Buy for Nick to get his dad and brother's presents. Then back to the house till it was time to go to dinner at The Dogwood at 6. Other than a couple peieces of carmel popcorn and 2 bagel chips at Nick's parents' house beforehand, did not eat till dinner, and then did not go overboard. Felt pretty good. We had some cocktails which were pretty amazing--- I think the first one Nick got was called a French 75. It was Hennessey and Champagne with sours. It was very good and I liked how you could feel that warming sensation when you took a sip (the Hennessey does that I was told.) I got an apple martini made with their house infused lemon vodka, apple schapps, and sours (definately a different kind of apple martini, but very good.), then Nick got an Old Fashioned (which I remember was one of Buba's favourites.). Started with the Maryland Crab, which was good, but after I ordered it, noticed that they also had a vegetarian black bean chili, which I would have liked to have tried. Nick got veal sweetbreads (inerds, disgusting), on top of maple risotto. I got a nice teres major tenderloin, medium, the most rare medium I've had so far, and there was apprehension on some of the peices, but I didn't end up getting sick. That came with roasted fingerling potatoes with mushrooms and mixed vegetables, all very good. Nick got bacon wrapped pork tenderloin (bacon, of course) on top of Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables and an apple and pumpkin seed chilled salad with raisins. Surprised how good that was.The tenderloin was delicious, and we skipped dessert, which I was very proud of, and ended up feeling full but not ill. Got in a lovely conversation with the couple sitting next to us, the wife having lived for a while in Hamilton and the husband being Czech. We do meet some very interesting people out stumbling onto random conversations. Got back in time to see the start of The Ravens' game. We won, inching our way closer to the playoffs. Got a very late start as a result, so back to Hampden to Frazier's. Slept in on Sunday, started the day brilliantly, before lounging around with Carmin and Allen before heading to Fell's for fish and chips at Slainte then Soundgarden, where I found some fabulous impromptu pressies for Carmin and Nick (Cat Power and a Gaslight Anthem EP) and then, out of the corner of my eye, a live Babyshambles CD and DVD from the Oh, What A Lovely Tour tour from December of last year. What a find!! Chicken enchilata soup today. Need to stop at the mall (oh, the horror) after work. Haven't been to Curves in over a week, but weighed myself this morning and I am down two pounds from last week. Doing better and feel good about it. Keeping up, feel like I've made the tiniest bit of headway (even if I don't and won't see it for a bit), that I feel like I've made it over the first speedbump as it were to spur me on (that gnawing hungry feeling is empowering, it's the feeling of inching towards my size 2's again, resisting needless temptaion, and rewarding myself on the weekends (and eating out with Mom or Carmin), able to enjoy it because I feel like I will have earned it. Will be glad to see Nick later.