Saturday Boringday?

The life of a single girl isn’t always as glamorous as it seems. Saturday was one of those days. A trip to Target, a venture to the suburbs to meet a friend for a beer, moping (and by moping, I mean eating Baked Doritos, drinking Diet Coke and writing blog posts) about on my porch due to the lack of a social life here – ah, the mundane boring things that married people do!

But then, sometimes the life of a single girl IS as glamorous as it seems!!

A call out to my assistant, pleading for girly time lifted my mood immediately. She had mentioned earlier in the day that she had made a verbal commitment for the evening (which depressed me immediately because I was being a negative nancy). Turns out, the verbal commitment was with a couple co-workers at a super cute restaurant with a fabulous patio.

She had told me a week or so prior about the exclusive “Veuve” parties thrown by one of our co-workers. I didn’t know him that well, but when someone says Veuve, I say how high? I agreed immediately and inquired about the dress code. Fancy schmancy, of course. And what better dress to wear than my new dress straight out of Sex and the City 2?! I of course wanted to wear my new shoes, but the pedicure I treated myself to the day prior dictated open toed shoes. Not wanting to change my yellow purse out for the black one, I settled on these, in blue snakeskin. Yum.

We met at my place and cabbed it here, an ULTRA cute restaurant in the Marigny that used to house servants on an old plantation. The history in this city is amazing. We sat in the little courtyard, sipping champagne, the sounds of water fountains dancing in our ears. While I wasn’t particularly hungry, the crab cake was toying with me, until I saw the macadamia nut cheesecake on the menu. Dessert for dinner? Sold.

After a while, we packed up and into the “bus”, and headed off to the house party. I assumed this would be a most extravagant event, with tons of fabulous people, and amazing appetizers. I was a bit disappointed it was just the four of us, only because the utter hotness I was radiating was completely and utterly wasted with three girls, one husband and the first member of my NOLA gaytourage. Once I got past that though, it was super fun. The house was pure southern charm – his partner is an artist and basically painted the whole house. It was stunning!

We made it through three bottles of Veuve before we cracked the absinthe….in fairness, I only had a sip, but it was much better than I remember it. Maybe it was in the presentation (traditionally with a spoon and flaming sugar vs. out of a bottle in Ireland), maybe it was the company (fabulous colleagues), but it was delightful – the anise danced all over my tongue and down my throat, warming everything as it made its way to its resting spot.

It was one of the best evenings I’ve had since I’ve been here – so thanks to all involved. I really appreciate and can’t wait for the next time.

Apartment Hunting....

Well, I looked at my first apartment over lunch today. A 1 bedroom in the Quarter. Just shy of $800, including all utilities, a block off of Bourbon Street. While I don't know that this is the best idea ever, considering my social (re: partying) ways, I've never been much of a tourist, and cannot fathom spending another minute on Bourbon Street. I will to appease my friends, if and when they visit, but other than that, I will avoid at all costs. I may be a bit of a party girl (understatement of the decade?), but Bourbon Street just doesn't appeal to me. (I need an abbreviation for Bourbon Street....B.S. is just not going to work.)

It certainly wasn't the nicest apartment I've ever seen, but it would afford me the ability to sell my car, and walk or bike to work. It's a ten or so minute walk. However, I feel that the "touristy-ness" of the area might drive me a little crazy. There's a cute little courtyard in the back, where I could bask in the sun and read, and considering the location, it's surprisingly quiet. The one thing that's holding me back is the lack of laundry options. There are no machines in the complex, and no hookups even if I wanted to buy something. I'm willing to relax a lot of standards (see the Miller Lite I was drinking earlier in the week), but I just don't think I can bring myself to use a laundromat.

I'm looking at a place in Mid-City this evening. It's further away than I'd like to be ideally, but it's only a couple of blocks from the Canal street car and I can use that to get to work. It looks like a really cute house, so hopefully it'll be nice. I'm also looking at a place on St. Charles on Saturday morning - a SUPER cute building with lots of options for apartments. The only issue with this is that they're all studio apartments. I really feel like I'm past the point in my life where a studio is an acceptable living environment, but like I said, I'm into the relaxing of standards lately. Standards, not morals, mind you.

I'll use most of the rest of the day Saturday to drive around and hopefully find something. Our bartender suggested the Marigny district; not a lot of public transportation options, but certainly a bikeable distance. Though I'm not sure how badly I'll want to be biking with 100% humidity through most of August and September.

I've baffled quite a few of my colleagues with my disdain for driving to work, especially considering we get free parking. I don't know....I just don't care to drive for the most part. I've put less than 20K miles on my car in the last three years, and I really don't see the point. It's not a lazy thing, or a green thing, it's just a thing. One of many that make me a weird circus freak. Albeit one with pretty great legs.

One last thing. The local hotel bar has what is quite possibly the best Cuban sandwich on the planet. Last night we put bacon in it. Was. Amazing. Next quest? Wrapping it in bacon and somehow creating a Monte Cristo-like Cuban. I hope they name it after me. It is now my life goal to have a sandwich named after me. Ah, the little things in life.