August 15, 2011

Whenever I get my oil changed or my car inspected, I steel myself for the standard phrase: "Ms. McQuire?  Can you come out on the floor, we need to show you something."  There is always a filter that needs replacing, tread that has worn too thin, or some other likely ridiculous service my car simply must have.  Unless they tell me my car will blow up in some form or fashion, I usually politely decline to allow them to take a vacuum to my wallet.  Today, for the first time in nine years of taking my car to get serviced, I did not hear this phrase or any variation of it.  In fact, Brutus received a wonderful compliment from the fine folk at Midas, who told me everything looked fantastic and he was "a fine, really nice truck."  I'm curious if they put the smiley face on my service reminder sticker because they knew how happy I was not to hear the dreaded phrase or because Brutus makes them smile.  I'll put my money on both.  

August 14, 2011

As a big fan of brunch, I like to scope out brunch spots I've never been before.  I've been to Moonshine for dinner, but had yet to try their brunch buffet.  I'm not the biggest advocate of buffets, as they're difficult to execute:  the bread goes a bit stale, the eggs can get dry, and plenty of people have picked through the food before you have.  This being said, Moonshine still had me hooked, although more so for their breakfast cocktail menu than for the brunch menu, but I digress.  While the food was unique, the real draw of the meal was the company.  We met up with Camie, my grandmother's best friend who I say I've "inherited."  We've become very close over the past two years or so; she helps me feel as if I'm still connected to my grandma, while also being a wonderful source of support in my life.  I'm so lucky to call her my friend. 

August 13, 2011

Despite the lack of rain this summer, it was decided a float on the Comal River was in order, followed by a quick trip to Gruene, Texas.  After a late start, we spent a few hours meandering down the surprisingly quick-floating and relatively high-watered Comal.  The beer was cold and the people watching was spectacular.  After building up an appetite under the sun, we made our way to Gruene for dinner at the Gristmill.  The Gristmill is a huge restaurant, with a capacity of somewhere around 1,000 people.  With live music, beer-margaritas, and delicious queso, it was a great end to a quintessential summer day.  

August 12, 2011

A very bittersweet day.  On the one hand, it was my last day of work at a place I've really loved working; on the other hand, it was my last day of work at a place I've really disliked working.  The preceding week has been a countdown to this last day of work, focusing on the latter experience rather than the former, thinking "this is it, I'm almost out of here."  To celebrate the good experience, and the end of a terrible one, I was ridiculously spoiled with some delicious drinks and good times this evening.  A light dinner at Blue Dahlia, followed by mojitos at Dogwood, and ping-pong playing and hula-hoop spectating at Lustre Pearl made for a perfect Friday evening.  It was a fantastic way to end the work summer and begin my week and a half of relaxation summer.