Helen and I spent a quiet evening in our neighborhood. We ate a delicious dinner at Memphis Taproom — short ribs on a seafood grits bed — and I had a flight of Gift of the Magi, Port Santa’s Little Helper, and Nøgne Ø‘s God Jul. The beer was amazing as well. Our second New Year’s Eve dinner was just as great as our first.
We can’t say enough how much we love that place and the people who work there. It’s like an extension of our living room and kitchen. It’s our Cheers. We get great service, great food, and great beer. It’s hard to believe it’s been open less than two years. It feels like it’s been there forever.
We spent the rest of the evening at home, watching movies, drinking beer, waiting for Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest to count down to the New Year. It’s a minor miracle that Helen and I were able to stay awake to see the ball drop. Charlie’s usually waking us by 4:30 in the morning!
The start of 2010 was much more comfortable than where we found ourselves on Y2K. As Helen and I sat on the couch, watching television, I couldn’t help but think how lost we were last year after we boarded the R5 in the wrong direction, jumped off at Wayne Junction, and found ourselves stranded there until Helen’s aunt and uncle picked us up. We didn’t even have cellphones back then!
To add insult to injury, we ended up there after going to see G. Love at the Electric Factory. No further comment necessary.
As we start 2010, we’re thankful for our friends and family who’ve been there for us all along. We feel very lucky in these trying times. Here’s to a great 2010 and the decade ahead!