Glad that the weekend is upon us. Went in late on Wednesday on account of the weather, then totally regretted it, since no one else really came in, and Nick texted me that he basically wondered around a snow-slumbering and virtually deserted Hampden, had a coffee at Common ground and then soup (red pepper and crab bisque!!) at Soup's On, then down to Atomic and True Vine (surprised, actually, that any of those places opened on such a day. I guess that it is probably because everybody who works in these places lives nearby). Terribly jealous, and also, just would have liked to spend the day bumming around with him. Watched Top Chef with Carmin. Can't believe that Jeff got voted off, thought that he would have made it to the top three, but I guess that he does tend to over-do things. Really shocked that Carla won, and that Stefan, my hands-down favourite, was in the bottom. But, eh, he is too good, I think. Rob texted me some about distancing himself from Angel. I know what he means, as in them just hanging out instead of sleeping together or doing couply things, but I still found it funny when yesterday Nick said that he was out having dinner with her. Anyways, went over there yesterday evening. We had dinner reservations for 8 at Petit Louis. It was very good, although I think that I am going to have to start specifying that I want my salmon cooked well, since this is like the fourth time that I have encountered salmon that I thought was raw in the middle. The waiter did say something about it being prepared medium, but I that that just how dark or crisp it was on the outside. Since this has happened before, maybe that is the traditional way to get salmon in a high-end restaurant unless otherwised specified. Bicycle is the only place that it has been fucking perfect right off the bat each time. I did enjoy the meal, though, and would go back for the full menu. Speaking of Bicycle, they are extending Restaurant Week, so we now have reservations there for next Friday. Hit The Wind-up after dinner. It was a weird crowd, looked like a lot of Towson and Green Turtle types, and Holly confirmed our suspicions that they were pretty much douchebags, and we wondered how the hell they found the place. Christina and Cintya came out. Went back to Hampden for a rather lovely time, Nick asked me to stay over, so I did, even though I didn't have clothes for work today, and somehow managed to leave there at 7, get home and changed and then got to work on time. Amazing. I actually was surprised at how well I looked this morning. Usually I think that I am aging horribly and all that, but today, I thought that I looked particuarly pretty. Vic texted me about whether the Lithowanian Hall was doing their soul night. I think they are. I would like to go to that, but we are going to Fletcher's for their version of Underground. Bill is supposed to come out, he better had. Slept very well last night and woke rested, surprisingly. Will be very glad to get out of here and see Nick. This week has been taxing in this place.

So the ice storm cameth. Went to Sotto Sopra last night. The snow and sleet had let up in the afternoon but started up again in the evening, and continued on all through the night, so today, everything is covered in a half an inch of ice. Very low turn out at The Ottobar last night, and for good reason. Only lunatics were out, people like us who should have our heads examined. Rob emt us. He was very talkative, and I appreciate that he said how much he enjoys talking to me and that he really values my insight. Taht means a lot to me. I just felt bad that I was talking and listening so much to Rob, I felt bad that I wasn't paying attention to Nick. I said something to him about it (he said it was one of those things where he has heard the same speeches, sometimes worse than others, many times before, so it's not anything new for him to hear.), and he said that it wasn't a problem. He was distracted by the television in the bar, so he was unbothered. I was glad for that, but still, I don't want to feel like I'm having too constant a heart to heart with Rob and neglecting Nick or being too bogged down by drama to enjoy my situation. Anyways, we still had fun. I think that nick and I tried to steer the conversation to more unlifting topics, even if it was the weather and their schools closing. Rob left after us, but I heard him come in the house after we had gone to sleep. Called my boss to say I would come in late, but there was no way I was leaving to come in at 8. Even at 11 when I did venture out, all of Hampden was a sheet of glass and I almost killed myself trying to walk uphill to get to my car and had absolutely no traction and slide back down. Took me a good while to clean the car off, had to reward myself with a bagel and coffee before heading into work at noon. Shouldn't have even bothered, almost everyone cancelled and only one other girl came in. Anyways, will be so glad when the nice weather starts. Top Chef tonight. Nick was planning on coming down to watch it since Rob doesn't have cable, but with the weather, don't know. It was nice to get to sleep next to him last night.

Winter Restaurant Week started, woo hoo!! Very excited. Went to The Wind-up Thursday, after not going to work for two days. Took off on Wednesday and called out on Thursday (very bad, I know.). Wednesday though, I took off to get stuff done, take the car for the emissions, got to hang out with Carmin. We went to Common Ground for coffee and bagels (so good!), dropped stuff off at the Salvation Army, then took Carmin back to meet Allen and I took the car for the emissions. Liberated me of $14--- bastards. Went to the mall, bummed around trying to spend giftcards from Christmas. Watched Top Chef, it was Resaturant Wars. Still don't think that Carla should have scraped through yet again, but I'm sure that her days on the show are numbered. Have this stupid cough that kept me up all night and never got any sleep, so I called out on Thursday. Slept in then went out to get my med's and some stuff for this cough, went to Grind On for a bagel and coffee (I swear that is one of my life's greatest joys, the going for a bagel and coffee excursion.) Went to The Wind-up Thursday evening. Rob hung out for a while. Drank two Irish coffees and one vodka and diet. Friday got a haircut after work (and a frap for dinner), then, shock and amazement!! Carmin came out with Nick and I to Club Charles. She drove down with us and all. It was awesome. I hope it spurs her to come out again soon. She enjoyed herself. I was very, very glad. I did overdo it though, in all of my excitement, and when I felt like shit the next day, I initially thought that I just had a hangover, but it became a full-blown migraine, and I was completely unable to go with Nick to help his parents moving his furniture into Rob's house. I felt better by 5, went out there, I love the house. I absolutely love the house. I'm jealous, of course, since it's an older house than mine, and it's in Hampden (not that I don't like my house, I do, just wish it were elsewhere.). Anyways, we left there after a bit, went back to the house for Nick to get dressed, and we went to dinner at Abacrombie. It was terribly good, as usual. Started with that fabulous mac and cheese (first foodgasm of the meal), Nick got a carrot soup. For the second courses, I got short ribs with mashed potatoes and spinach and carrots, Nick got the pork confit with apple butter and a celery mash, then for dessert we both got this espresso cake with chocolate sauce and vanilla cream (which I used in my coffee, French press, bitches!!). It was an amazing meal, as usual. Didn't get to see Jess, since they were so busy, but she did send Lucas out to say hello and ask if we liked everything. After dinner, we went over to Chris and Todd's on Barclay, sat around, smoked myriad cigs, Rob came over, saw Phoebe for a minute, then we headed to The Wind-up. Rob met us and stayed till he was too sleepy. They were doing their own Britpop Dance Party (Heartbreak Beat, whose Christian name is Edward, of Ottobar Twofer fame, was D.J.). It didn't pick up till close to midnight, if not a little later, before it took off, we were the first poeple to dance (to A Town Called Malice). It was fun. Angel came in later with that new guy that she's seeing. It was nice to see her, although the guy she met is nowhere near as good looking as Rob, honestly, I can't see why she would give him the time of day. It was fun, dancing, got some exercise, stayed till Russell put us out. Slept in on Sunday. Went over Nick's parents', watched a midget western called The Tiny Terror (all midget cowboys, riding minature ponies, very much like an old Gene Autry movie), then to dinner at a place on Howard called Night Of The Cookers. I didn't really enjoy it, Nick did moreso. Had a crab quesadilla to start, which was pretty good, Nick got a barbeque chicken mini pizza, swimming in barbeque sauce, then I got a piece of salmon with crab on top (eh, middling at best, salmon may not have been fully cooked) on rice which was nothing to write home about, Nick got short ribs, which were alright, but lacking flavour except for one very tasty piece, on top of cheese grits (now know that as I suspected, I do not like grits.). We both got asparagus, which was pretty good. I would say that without a doubt, the high point of the meal was dessert. Nick got what they called a mousse martini, a very thick chocolate mousse with bits of chocolate and whipped cream in a martini glass, and I got an espresso cake (must be the thing this season), a flourless torte with a chocolate graham cracker crust, very, very good. Not exactly my first choice to go back to, but, eh. Yesterday, Nick took off and got the rest of his stuff moved into Rob's. It's really nice, of course, I am jealous. Went over there and hung out a bit before hitting Club Charles, passed the time making asses of ourselves at the bar (zombie mode), making out and singing, and talking about Morrissey (got tickets for D.C.!!) and Gaslight. Went back to Rob's. Nick's room is so adorable, God, I love old houses. It is snowing today and is supposed to keep up and then turn to ice later on. Hoping to get over to Hampden after work alright. Don't know if where we were planning for dinner will be open (trying for Sotto Sopra), although, Paper Moon or Golden West would be lovely, as well. Anyways, wish they would let us out early. We've had cancelations, but not enough to close. Will be glad to get out of here and see Nick later.

Ravens and Raveonettes

Falling back into my bad old ways--- OCD and losing the plot again with eating. Really wish I could go to hypnosis or have some far more glamourous or benifitting addictions. That said, The Ravens lost to Pittsburgh yesterday. It is a big let-down, but we still got a lot further than everybody save three other teams, and we did better this season than anyone predicted. It's a shame. What's more disturbing is that hit that Willis McGahee took, it looked like two trains colliding into eachother. Yes, it became a very somber mood at Chris' parents' house last night. It was still fun, though. It had been a total Ravens weekend, albeit in a weird way. Friday night, Nick and Rob were going to do a Guy's Night, so I went up to The Barn since Victor said that there was a Rockabilly show there that night. I got there before him and was very pleased to find out that the opening band was The Motorettes, who are playing for that Girl Group Night at The Sidebar in February. So I enjoyed that. It was funny to see this bar, completely awash with everybody wearing everything Ravens, and the rest all greasers and pin-ups. Talked to Vic, met some more of the people in his car club, danced some (Victor re-taught me how to jitterbug, hadn't done it since Buba has been gone, but it came back to me. I'm really excited about that.). Got surprisingly drunk, sent suggestive texts back and forth to Nick. I was very glad when he got over the house. Needless to say, there was some pent up energy, and a lovely time ensued. I had to take Niley up to the vet's for his shot, but I was back and Nick was still asleep, so went back to bed, woke a while later, started the day in the best way, watched some QVC and HSN. Nick had the good idea to try Annabell Lee, a restaurant and bar in Canton that I've been meaning to go to. We went back to his for a bit, watched Obama's speech here in Baltimore (following some choice Cheap Seats.). Made our way to Canton. Annabell Lee is wonderful. It is, of course, named for the poem by Edgar Allan Poe, and the whole restaurant, which is a very cozy pub, is done on that theme. Verses from his poems and stories are scrawled on the walls, drinks are named for his writings, a great big portrait of the man himself hangs in the rear of the bar. Elsewhere, there are photos of Baltimore from years ago, some O's and Ravens and Natty Boh items, but it is all done complimentarily with the almost Victorian interior. So the atmosphere alone was awesome. There were about eight things that immediately jumped off of the page, and I had a hard time deciding. We did learn, however, that the Barbeque Chicken Nachos with applewood bacon (Nick's idea) is huge and, in my opinion, way too greasy. I got a delicious crabcake with a generous dip of mashed potatoes and asperagus. It was really pretty amazing. Nick got two sliders, Kobe beef topped with pulled pork (very good) with duck-fat fries (good, but not as good as Salt). We avoided dessert, but did indulge in some drinks. They have local brewery, Raven beer on tap, as well as a cocktail called "The Raven." It is the same thing as The Dead Poet in New York, the drink with the seven liquors in a secret recipe. So we know now, basically, what goes in that, as well. We hadn't thought of different flavoured vodkas counting, but, yeah, it's four different fruit flavoured vodkas, plus sours, white rum, some schnapps. Very good, but one of those drinks that doesn't even taste like alcohol, so it's easy to keep drinking and wind up completely fucked. I got "The Tell-Tale Tini," which was basically a chocolate espresso martini (Van Gough vodka, Godiva liquor, half and half, maybe some Kaluha for good measure.). Definately want to go back there, many more things to try and would like to bring people out. We left there and headed to D.C.. Had no trouble finding The Black Cat, sat in the back up on the tiers at a table (except for when we danced, which I would have done more of were it not for that damn carpet impeding my moves.). It was a good show, The Raveonettes sounded great, but not as good as the one in March at The Ottobar. A lot of it I think had to do with the crowd. People in D.C. are just not good crowds. Got out of D.C. no problem, got home in enough time to get one drink at the Wind-up at closing (after some mishaps involving one way streets in Westside). Yesterday, I slept till one, we watched some more QVC and HSN whilst playing Tom Waits very loudly on the record player (take that, hippies who live downstairs!!) before heading out to go to Chris' parents' to eat massive amounts of food and watch The Ravens. I think Phoebe is having a party tonight. I am hoping that it gets cancelled, just because it is so cold. I would rather go to the welcoming glow of Club Charles. I am going to refrain from all cola products for a while (trying to figure out what to drink then with vodka as an everyday drink), since I have been plagued by heartburn of late, and the soda definately adds to it. I will be glad to see Nick later.

"If You Have Five Seconds To Spare..."

My OCD was really fucking bad yesterday. I also got ridiculously wired on coffee, so that may have added to it, although the anxiety has been an issue. Got the tree taken down though, finally, and watched the Babayshambles DVD (Oh, What A Lovely Tour.). Nick and I went to The Wind-up (they DO have working heat now!!), met a very distraught Rob and later Lori (don't get me started on Angel, my blood boils), but he said that he felt better by the time he left. We had our Top Chef discussion. I hated that Nick had to go home, but I am glad that it is Friday, and like he said, soon we will be able to trade off on staying over at eachother's. He said that of his own volition, which I was glad for. I think that he is going to try for a guy's night with Rob tonight. Carmin's sister is up from Florida for the next few days. She is at her wits' end with Allen and his lack of initiative and assertiveness in their relationship. Got the tickets for The Gaslight Anthem in Philly in March yesterday. Got The Raveonttes show in D.C. tomorrow (hoping it's not going to be too difficult getting around what with the Inauguration and all.). Will be glad to see Nick and start the weekend.

Tuesday was Ottobar. Rob and Angel haven't broken up (whatever that means). Lori was out, hoping to see Vic, but he was elswhere. Shrouded in mystery. They played some Motown and Nick and I danced, terribly good time. Had two vodka and diets (adult size), which Nick was good enough to pay for. He was supposed to start moving some stuff over to Rob's yesterday. Hung out all last night with Carmin and Allen. Carmin made homemade pizza and she saved a non-mushroom piece for me (of course that added to the me having completely fucked up on my diet this week. Back to my bad old ways.). I fell asleep at the very end of Top Chef and woke up in the beginning of the 11 o'clock re-run. Have to check out The A.V. Club's write-up. Wish I could go to Starbucks like I used to on my lunch. I will be glad to see Nick later, The Wind-up is supposed to have better working heat now.

Roses, Lambics, And Peter Lorre.

Philly was awesome. Finally got on the road at five of 8 Friday night (it takes so long to get things underway and both of us out of the house.), made incredible time, an hour and a half, found the hotel after some difficulty, hidden in plain sight (it's those damn one way streets!). The Courtyard is actually nicer, I think, than the proper Marriot, and it's in this old City Hall Annex building, so it is all beautiful and opulant, gorgeous architecture, built in 1926, and while not having the charm of The Newton in New York, it was still lovely. Checked in the room, made reservations for Cuba Libre. Took a taxi, had a fabulous meal. Ordered our favourites plus some new appetizers. Nick ordered cerviche, which came out on a plate of dry ice, steaming and bubbling relentlessly. It was quite a spectacle. I got a black bean soup, which was good. It was really quite magical driving up Broad Street, entering the city, the music seeming to accompany the scene perfectly, the City Hall looming above us, all the lights cutting through the darkness. If it had been snowing yet, it would have been amazing. Had our Cuban coffee, got wired, Nick got his Cuban sandwich and I got my Caesar salad with chickpeas and red peppers, the meal was amazing. They sat us upstairs for the first time, and, consequently, we had good service for the first time. Complimented the waitress and got a $10 off coupon good till the end of the month (hope we can get up there to use it.). After dinner, we weaved our way through the salsa dancing downstairs, out into the freezing cold and down to Eulogy. It was stiflingly packed, spent a good deal of time initally pressed into a bannister trying not to spill my Lambic. Yes, they had the Kasteel Rouge on tap, and oh, it was delicious!! I know that beer is fattening, but we were on holiday, and it is, in fact, the only beer that I like or ever drink, so it remained the only thing that I felt bad about ingesting up to that point. I had two, was very similar to champagne drunk. Nick finally got his 120 minute IPA from Dogfish Head, something like 19.5%, and then a couple of 10%'s. Randomly got to talking at the bar, once we were able to get seats, to a guy and come to find out, we had met him the first time we ever came in there in May, before The Kills show. He remembered us more than I remembered him, but he recalled that we were looking for Johnny Brenda's to see a show later that night. What a small world. That sort of thing usually only happens in Baltimore!! Stayed there till last call, then took a taxi back to the hotel, where rather a bit of fun ensued. Hit South Street on Saturday, which was pretty much dead. A lot of shops were closed, a combination of the winter season and the economy. The streets were nearly deserted, too, since it was cold and the students are not yet back from the winter break. Found some cd's at Repo Records--- got a World Inferno cd!! Addicted To Bad Ideas (amazing), and Nick got Glasvegas (Scottish and awesome). Went in one shop while Nick smoked outside, then when I came out, he wasn't there. I called him and he said he'd be right out and wouldn't tell me where he was, then suddenly he appeared with roses. It was very unexpected and sweet, and it took me till we got in line for cheesesteaks to get my bearings. This was where my diet went out the window, but it had been years since I'd had a cheesesteak at all and longer still since I had had one in Philly. It was really good, if messy, but no fat or gristle, which is rare. Walked around a little bit more, but there really wasn't anything to see, so we went back to the hotel to read and watch television till The Raven's game came on. I took a nap, actually. The whole first quarter, things were not going well, then I remembered that I brought my Flacco shirt that Rob got me for Christmas, so I put that on and I swear to God, the next minute we scored a touchdown. It was a tense game, and I have never seen Nick so stressed and pacing. We did win though, right in time for us to leave for our reservations at Amada. This was a tapas place that we had been wanting to try. It was pretty good. My favourite dish was definately the crab stuffed red peppers. Also got a lima and fava bean dish, which would have been awesome if the beans were cooked more thoroughly, but it was still good. Nick got a couple of dishes which totally did not appeal to me, ham croquettes, those sweetbreads, but he also ordered flatbread with cheese and short rib, which was very good. I ate some of his calamari, although it was not breaded, so kind of eh. Broke down and got dessert, although we did split one instead of each getting one. Chocolate hazelnut with hazelnut ice cream. Really fabulous. We took a taxi to South Street afterwards, and as we were walking to Tattoo Mom's, heard a voice call out, "Go back to Baltimore!" It was Jarrod from the Ottobar, who now rents Vic's old apartment up there. We drank the whole night at Tattoo Mom's with him. We learned that in the back room of the top floor you can still smoke there, it was so wonderful, like the old days. We totally overdid it though, both getting completely drunk, but it was lovely because we took a taxi back to the hotel. Wish we could have slept longer. Had to be out of the hotel by noon and we both felt like shit. Because of that, we headed straight back to Baltimore, but we made even better time, an hour and twenty minutes, and then atleast we had the whole of Sunday to just take it easy. It was a very lazy day, which was nice. After Nick went home, I took naps, then got to hang out with Carmin some. Feel so bad that her and Allen just don't get to see eachother enough, their work schedules are always conflicting. Atleast he was able to come over yesterday and she made dinner. Nick came down and we went to Club Charles. Discussed the weekend and upcoming shows (I have no idea how I am going to pay for all of this, but there are so many good shows coming up, how can one pass it up? Not sure how much Gaslight or Frightened Rabbit are.), the football game this weekend (really want to try to bring something nice to Chris' parents'.). Rob met us for a while. He and Angel have broken up, or whatever you want to call it. Ottobar tonight. Will be glad to see Nick later.

I Lit A Fire

Dinner with Mom and Carmin was a really good time yesterday. Got pretty tipsey since it took such a long time for our food to come--- if we hadn't been talking and drinking, we would have been pissed, but as it stood, while we made comments as to what was taking so long, we weren't preoccupied by it. Had a grilled chicken Caesar salad (dressing on the side) and two vodka and diets. The Falcon's Nest had Maryland crab yesterday which proved to be very delicious. So that was it for me. Have lost three pounds since last week, been eating all vegetables and fruit since Sunday (either soup, or raw vegetables with hummus, and apples.), no bread (although there were croutons in the salad yesterday), no starches other than if there have been potatoes in the soups. Leaving work at 4 today to get a jump start (have to get some provisions for the trip at Target, fold my laundry from the dryer, pack, and wash my hair.). After dinner with my Mom and Carmin, Nick came down and we went to The Wind-up. Very quiet, dead, early evening there, but it was awesome, like our own private bar, and hanging out with Holly is always fun. Had some nice Tom Waits discussions, found out that one of Holly's friends who was there used to work with Dainty at Port Discovery (which is so weird, because out of the blue, Dainty called Carmin yesterday and they went for coffee.), Nick and I telling eachother lost cigarette in the car stories (there was a new installment in Tales of the Ridiculous yesterday involving a loose piece of lit tobacco that fell into my paper-laden purse, whilst driving.), discussing David Lynch and Sunny. It was fun. We left at 1, which was alright. Listened to The Gaslight Anthem driving home. They are playing somewhere in Philly (headlining!) in March. Totally down for that. Would like to see The Pogues for St. Patrick's Day, but that's probably not financially possible, unfortunately. Anyways, will be glad to get out of here and get on the road.

It is so miserable out today. The rain started yesterday, was supposed to turn to ice, luckily hasn't, but is still pouring steadily today. Mom dropped me off since I took my car to the Shell for an oil change. I wouldn't have been so pressed to get it done right now if it weren't for going to Philly this weekend. Went to Club Charles Monday night. Saw Shay for a bit and compared New Year's stories. That Twilight Sad EP came in the mail so we listened to that on the drive to and from. It's really fucking good--- I would love to see those guys if they ever come around here. Nick was surprised that I ordered it and that I got one for him, that made me happy. Got to the Falcon's Nest just as they ran out of chicken enchilata soup. I was so mad, but the vegetarian vegetable (or "redundant soup" as Nick calls it.) left over from Monday was good. Sticking so far with my diet, or reformed eating habits, so to speak. Have had soup for lunch both days, then carrots and hummus for dinner, along with an apple both days, and yesterday I also had a can of butter beans. But all vegetables and fruit, no bread, no carbs. So hopefully that helps. Went to The Ottobar last night for Twofer. I think that the rain and all kept a lot of people away. Never got packed, even with a show going on downstairs. Did see some faces--- Rob, Victor, Kristy, Kyle, and later Chris Jerkass and Will. We had fun, there were Smiths singalongs, but I tell ye, I am so tired of them playing the same fucking songs every week. They need to switch it up some. There is certainly no lack of excellent songs to choose from. Anyways, we were talking about the weekend, the kids at the school (yesterday there were several cluster fucks and catastrophes), it was a good time. Kept making me blush, which is no easy feat, but he has been known to do a lot of things that are no easy feat for me. Getting my car after work and going to sleep (this is good sleeping weather, or as my grandmother would say, "Good weather for ducks.") till Top Chef (new episode finally). Will be glad to se Nick tomorrow and get closer to the weekend.

Back to work, and all of the Christmas related days-off, leaving early will be a thing of the past. Weekend was lovely, but too short, as is often the case. Friday night, Nick and I went to Club Charles. Met Rob there, Angel eventually turned up, but that's another story. I seriously have to keep my opinions to myself. It's not worth bringing it up or seeming like the puritanical type. Anyways, it was a lot of fun, Jeremy was working, so I got two fabulous white Russians, Nick had his Pernod and seltzer and several Yinglings. Club Charles got packed, but it wasn't unbearable. Went home, put a fine finish to the evening, slept in till after 2. Yes, that was more than twelve hours of sleep, and it was awesome!! I was glad to get to actually sleep next to Nick after all of that time of not staying over and when we did, sleeping on separate sofas. We went to Five Guys for lunch. I hate to do fast food, but that was a compromise, since I've vetoed it so often, and Five Guys is really the best if you're going to break down and have fast food. Went to D.C. to see Gogol Bordello with his parents for his dad's B-day. It was so awesome. It was really incredible. Didn't get back till 1, didn't leave his parents' till close to 2, slept till 11, started the day in style, got ready to go to Chris' parents' to watch The Ravens' game. That was fun. I never liked sports or saw the point of them, but I can see now that there is a wonderful communal feeling that comes with it, similar, I guess to music, so while I still would not by any means say that I am an afficianado, I do enjoy it now and see its purposes. After that, we went back to Nick's and hung out there for a bit, then I brought him back to my house to get his clothes and car. I watched some Mystery Science Theatre with Carmin and Allen. Carmin and I watched the new Rock Of Love!! Oh, it gets so much worse!!. It was so nice to finally get to hang out with Carmin, and she was in good spirits. Hopefully this week we can go to dinner with my Mom. Trying to stick to cutting down this week. Will be glad to see Nick later and go to Club Charles.

"Damn, It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta."

So This Is The New Year. Tuesday, after a rather lovely start to the evening, went to Salt for dinner. It was an impromptu decision, good meal, but I do wish that I had made better choices and avoided the immediate aftermath. Basically, without realising it, I ate nothing but starch and was in extreme discomfort for a good part of the evening. Started with a corn and lobster chowder full of Yukon Gold potatoes, Nick got a Kobe beef slider with foie gras (which is goose liver--- how gross is that!), then for my meal, I ordered two more of the starters, the duck fat french fries (which we split) and what was described as salt cod fish cakes, but ended up being more like potato croquettes with fish mixed in the potatoes. Nick got a wonderful pork shank on top of mashed sweet potatoes with a red pepper sofrito sauce on top of the pork. It was so tender, it fell right off of the bone and he never picked up the knife. I had some of that, would definately choose that next time. While I never ate any bread (I hate to think what would have happened if I had) and we didn't get dessert (a minor victory there), as soon as we were done eating, I began to feel like I was going to explode and was struck with one of those "Black Dahlia" things I used to get fairly often--- that is to say where I felt like I was being sawed in half. It eventually went away, and Nick was terribly nice about my being miserable for a bit, which I appreciate. It was a weird crowd at The Ottobar that night. People I'd never seen, and an air of desperation, as well. I think it stemmed from the whole New Year's thing, everyone wanted to have somebody to spend it with, but seriously, the weirdos were out. In fact, we kept watching these two guys that didn't seem to know that Creepy Paul held it down for lurking there that night, and I imagined a wild west style showdown happening at some point to determine creepy guy monopoly on the bar. Rob and Lori, and then Vic, Kyle, Steph and Kristy all came, and I am really glad that everybody was talking and hanging out without me being like a go-between or glue. Had a really good time. Was suposed to only have a half a day on New Year's Eve, but ended up not getting out till close to 3. Went to dinner with my parents, which went well, I was very thankful. Nick's parents' flight got delayed till yesterday, so we had to stay at his instead. Had fantastic crabcakes for dinner, two vodka and diets, and an Irish coffee, then to The Wind-up for another Die T.V. before going to Chris' arriving right at midnight, planned on going back to Station North, The Wind-up specifically, but stayed at Chris and Beth's till 3:30. Lori's mad, I think, because we never made it to see her, and there was a back and forth of "come to Club Charles, come to The Wind-up" thing, then when we were going to go back, she had gone home, so we stayed where we were. Hopefully she gets over it. Drank champagne, and by the time we left, felt completely fine, and still have an unopened bottle at home now for a later date. Slept till close to one, Nick's parents got back from Florida (it will be so nice this weekend, as much as I love doggies, to not have to feed and walk said creatures on either front). Went home, slept again till 8:30, got up and went to The Wind-up. They were playing Chinatown (would like to see it in its entirety) and then another one called Northfork, which seemed kind of weird. Nick had to go in for a few hours today, lucky, I think I'm here all day, even though there are only patients till lunchtime. Wish I had sen Carmin on New Year's Eve, I mean, I did, but not to go out with. This was the first time in I think nine years that we did not spend it together. They didn't have money to go out, went to Darla's for dinner, then over Rob and Melanie's (of course). Still really bothers me that she finds it impossible to say no to them, when it's so easy and automatic to say it to me. I miss her, want to see her today. Will be glad to get out of here and start the weekend and see Nick.