Of Christmas Brunches and Other Surprises

To finish up the "Ida weekend," where we essentially spent some good time with the Muffin since she's moving back to Norway, a bunch of us met up at Garage Restaurant for Brunch and mimosas.

I didn't think the breakfast was that good, to be honest. I wouldn't return there for the food. The mimosas were great, though, and I had a great many of them.

After we went to Stonewall Inn for some pool and more drinks. We got a little carried away, and ended up spending most of the afternoon there instead of at the movies as we had originally planned. A good time was had by all, though. The crowd at the Stonewall (at least on a Sunday afternoon) is friendly and mellow, which sometimes is all one wants.

I stumbled my way into the subway and eventually to Mi Cariños', where I proceeded to fall asleep for an hour or two before we went to have some crepes with Pam and Laura. I have tried savory crepes before, but nothing had prepared me for the awesomeness that is Crepes with Nutella. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures for you.

What I do have pictures of, is of my early Christmas present. Nervous because I've been talking about buying one for myself, Mi Cariño decided to give me my gift early. I won't keep you in suspense: It's a Kindle!

It couldn't be awesomer. It's a touch kindle, wifi with ads - which means that when I put it to sleep, I get an ad from Amazon. I don't mind the ads at all, since they only appear when I'm not reading and at the bottom of the main page when I'm searching for the book I'm going to read next.

Best present ever. I've named her Santana. I'm already in love.

Day Trips

So: Ida, Steph, and I finally were able to find a day when we were all free and so we piled on Steph's car and drove to Norwalk, CT for some friends time. It was just like old times, but it also wasn't - we've grown in the past four years, changed... I think however, that the core of who we are as people remains the same and thus... the Aquarium!

But before that there was brunch at Chocopologie, and at brunch they were delicious mimosas. Alas, I deleted all of my pictures of this day except for one.

I followed that with a Croque Monsieur, even though I was afraid of what the eggs would taste like, with their country potatoes. The whole thing was pretty tasty, but I don't think I would try that plate again. Not because it wasn't good, but it just didn't leave me day dreaming of it.

After spending some good time just chatting, we made our way to the Aquarium and in a last minute decision (and because we'd had a late start) we decided to actually bypass the aquatic animals to see animals on the IMAX screen - especifically "Born to be Wild," the movie.

It was adorable! Awesome! Fun and sweet, and completely awe inducing. I don't have enough big and good words to say. My only complaint is that it was too short - I wanted more! It was great to watch it on an IMAX screen where it was all nice and purty and SO big.

After, however, we couldn't just call it quits and so we headed back to Chocopologie (although pool was considered) for dessert. We began it with some chocolatinies. And just in case that wasn't enough chocolate we shared some chocolate fondue

It was all just too much chocolate for me, so I took it easy. Can't say that I'm worshipping at the altar of Chocolatinies, but it was a good new flavor to taste!

We finished the wonderful day by having some italian, and playing the board game "Broadway Star!" - Spoiler: I didn't do too badly, so maybe there's hope for me and Broadway.

A Sunday with Mi Cariño

Sunday was a blast: low key but fun. We began by lazying about in bed, reading and what not before heading for brunch to Cafe Triskell. I had scrambled eggs with bacon, sausages, salad and red onions.

I did not really like it. I put as much stuff as I could in them eggs to stem the yuck feeling I knew I was going to get from them, but c'est la vie. Brunch took some time so it was well in the afternoon by the time we set out to do some shopping. Or mi Cariño shopped while I tried to not be a pain in the bum. Eventually, however, we made it to the city, where we watched "Circumstances."

The filmmakers described the movie as taboo busting, and that it was. Two young girls in Iran, best friends, lovers. One comes from an affluent family, is used to the little freedoms money can buy. The other is used to pain and oppression - her parents were professors, killed by the regime. The story really begins when Brother (I can't remember his name) comes to town, ostensibly after spending time in rehab. In an attempt to get his life together he repudiates what was once important (music, friends, drugs) and tries to become a better Muslim. Unfortunately, for him this means getting in cahoots with the Morality Police. This doesn't help his sister and friends at all though - soon enough Brother reports them to the Morality Police, and has no qualms with the fact that they'll check to see if his sister is a virgin. Several new things are found about the Brother, and Friend and Sister go through the hardest part of the film. There is no real happy ending, as these kinds of movies rarely will, but it was tough for us to watch. I think you have to be in the right set of mind to watch this film. We were glad we supported it, although we left the movie theater already thinking about what happy lesbian movie we'd watch once arrived back at her place. 


Before that though, we stopped at Patsy's to have some pizza and salad. I'd never been. It's a chain, I believe, but it doesn't feel like one. 

Before heading back to Astoria we stopped by Dylan's Candy Shop to look at the candy, but didn't get any. We finished the day by (partly in my case) watching "Saving Face," which is a happy ending, actually fun and loving romantic lesbian story.