Empanada Law

The stars of tonights show are my shiny new pumps, Black sequence round toe, metallic gold trim and bright red suede stiletto heal. Nothing and no one can compete with these show stoppas! So in pairing an outfit I choose a simple, short, black bubble hem dress. C and I start with a glass of wine, then hop into the car as AA pulls up. The three of us out to do....well damage as we put it.

Tonight is the soft opening for the new Lux Lounge which happens to be the old Avenue, a little on the shotty side of the Verizon center but we can't say no to big spot lights shining into the cold Nov night sky calling our names. As we approach attention is immediately cast in our direction, our black coats and fabulous footwear set the perfect tone. There is a line out front, we walk up to the side of the red carpet where velvet ropes begin. I stop and the ropes are opened without a word ::think I like this place:: Our IDs are checked as expected, but the unexpected greeting of metal detectors and purse search were a surprise. Once inside we're greeted with a nice renovation to hard wood floors, three bars and raised table seating, which seems to be the new thing to do, so once you buy a table you can look down on everyone ::seems fitting:: I take a quick inventory of the crowd, not great and clearly they are holding people outside to make a line because there were not enough people inside. Mistake often made by promoters....keep a line so people see that there's something going on, but while we waited for our drinks I watched multiple people leave seemingly from the lack of entertainment. Pack the place so everyone can get the party started, having fun equals buying more drinks, am I the only one who gets it?

We order basic mixed drinks, but as the bartender picks up Gin instead of Vodka I take note that she too is new. We round a slight corner to take further inventory of the crowd and the three of us are immediately noticed, once we remove our coats the looks really get thrown across the room. I love going out with a few good girlfriends, no competition, no envy....each of us have our own looks and likes, we're all out to enjoy the night. So the crowd is very reminiscent of the old Avenue crowd, please excuse the coming term 'ghetto urban'. But who knows this is just my observation, maybe the White one piece spandex pants suit came back for girls.

As I look around I realize our fun here is limited.....but C seems to be having fun flirting with the only group worth flirting with thus far, so we'll wait it out and see where it goes. Thirty minutes go by the music is easy to dance mix of the top 40 from the last three eras. The crowd has actually started to thin out, this soft opening is indeed that soft. There was nothing going on here tonight, frankly I don't think there will be for many nights to come.

With a collective sigh we move on, notice comes as we put out coats on and move across the dance floor. A sudden hand around my arm, a glance over my shoulder tells me it's the guys who's been eyeing my from across the room, apparently he's grown some balls :: a little late:: I keep walking not loosing a step with the others. Guys- please restore my faith and tell me you think that was as lame as I did, really?! You're gonna grab my arm as I'm clearly walking away, get out of my personal bubble and don't touch me.

The next scene is about to be a debacle like no other.

We're in the car and my next request destination is turned down so Muse will have to wait for another night. AA gets a call we need to make a quick appearance at Tattoo for the birthday girl of the night. Half way there C has to tinkle "really, really bad" so as we circle for parking really bad turns to can't wait and at a stop light she decides she'll go in ahead and we'll park the car. Down to two we continue on looking for parking, while waiting for what looks like a promising spot AA announces that she too has to tinkle, greeeat. Just then I get a call C can't get in their at capacity, the place next door has too long of a line and she can't walk any further. Dramatic? I know, I would call it one of her trade marks. We leave our spot to circle back and pick her up, she's found wondering through a cross-walk with the most bewilder look I've seen all night. "Get in the car! Let's find some parking then we'll worry about bathrooms. Wait, stop! C get out and use that porta potty on the median." With a cross look of disgust and shock she gages my seriousness, 'fine.' as she hops out into traffic ::you gotta go, you gotta go:: By this point I'm done with the K street area and I wonder why C hasn't called to give us her location, so I call her and then I hear her phone ring. So now we've got to circle around again to find her, lets hope she stayed close to the blue box. We turn the corner and there she is lookin' like a K street (high class) hooker. We're on our way and I make the executive decision that we're done with this area and we moving on to the next place that holds a promise of free drinks.

As we drive how could I forget AA is still holding, so we park at the first place close to the new destination Midtown, as we walk down the street the bouncer at Steve's Bar whom always seems to remember us, ask if we'd like to come in for a quick shot. Why not, my buzz is wearing thin, AA has to tinkle and C is cold.

Steve's Bar is in a suite of an office building, walk through standard lobby, hop in the elevator, pop out into the strangest crowd I've ever seen there. There are two parts to the club the front room has booths going around the perimeter, convenient for abuck sixty-leopard print tube top dress with bright red belt going into all sorts of bad places, to give lap dances. A large bar and the DJ booth. The back room has a smaller cash-only bar, couches, and padded seating cubes that make large bed like seating arrangements. We take our shot, dance to the song of the night and move on.

Back out into the cold are couple of shots have made us feel a little warmer. We get to Midtown and the bouncer from Current gives a disapproving look, I reassure him that we're just checking it out. Shocked again they are also patting down the guys and checking girls purses, brassly I ask if there was a gun incident or something we have to worry about, because I tend not to carry protection in my eight inch clutch. The girl just rolls her eyes and bands us, we get upstairs and are greeted by a few friends. Midtown was previously known as Play a couple of months ago, with a hard core renovation the space seems much larger. The tables have been moved away from the windows and pushed back towards the bar and again elevated. The once rustic wood paneled walls of Play are replaced with White acrylic everything, highlighted with blues. Where the DJ once spun, they've installed the component to complete any ones night Stripper Poles, especially for the guests.

Again a very urban crowd, which I don't mind as long as I'm not expected to dry hump some guy on the dance floor. Note to all that's not dancing. We finish are first round quick and C is on the floor apparently feelin' the groove. What's this? The first approach, a wall full of guys have been watching her I was wondering who would be first. Unfortunately he wasn't hot, not even cute, and at the end of the day he didn't meet the height requirement for C. As he mounts her from behind I give her the 'not cute' sign and she tries to move away. But this guy had a magnet in his crotch and moved right along with her, she gives me the 'ewww' look.....so I step in. What are you doing? Um, no this, all of this (with a motion towards her large boobs) is all mine. He gives me a more than confused look. 'What?' Yes, she mine so why don't you back the F off.

New intrigue is introduced, are these girls a bunch of lesbians? Yes! This is awesome. That thought is quickly put out when AA finds a nice boy to share a drink with and C finds a cute boy to dance with. That is after he asked if the body guard was okay with it. Many of you may be calling me a 'cockblock' right now, but I really think of it more as 'weeding'. Sometimes you just have get rid of some of he weeds to see the prettier plants, and that's all we play with.

Last call comes and the girls go to the bathroom because I'm not dealing with that mess again. I'm left with the coats, and of course everyone sees this as an opportunity. Why? If I haven't spoke to you all night or return you're creepy smiles, there's a large chance a conversation is not going to go any better. But a try comes none the less, 'Hey' Hi. 'Having a good night tonight' Uh huh. 'I've got a couple more sips left in this bottle' He pulls a champagne bottle from his jacket. 'You look like a Champagne kinda girl' Oh do I? Do I also look like a girl that would drink random drops of alcohol that have come from some sweaty guys arm pit? Because if that's the case then I am putting out the wrong vibe. Is it my dress? Maybe my shoes? No wait, it's none of those things.

So I must not be that kind of girl. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to stand over here now.

The girls are in disbelief of the story I tell them and we laugh our way outside. Once we step onto the side walk we're confronted with a mob of people. C asks what was going on, and AA explains the Emapanda Line, I chime in with the note that they are really not worth the wait. But some how I find myself in a short dress waiting in the cold, for an Empanada I don't want. We're talking and joking when C notices a man in a Sombrero trying to cut the line, outraged she alarms the whole line and trys to get a passing officer to take action. He walks away a little faster than his original pace. As I try to calm C and her increasingly loud cursing, the groups in front an behind start to find her amusing. This fuels the fire and there is no stopping or filtering anything that comes out of her mouth. When the guy behind me gets a little too close and steps on my shoes, she is to the rescue 'Step back asshole! Look at these shoes you can't step on these shoes. If they were my size I would have stolen them off her feet by now!' He laughs and backs up, out of no where is friend pipes up, with something about beautiful girls shouldn't be mean. When creepy hair-sniffer behind me starts to talk, C picks up on his accent 'Oooh, where are you from, you can stand by me, what's your name?' Just like that my body guard is down for the count, it was nice while it lasted. As observe the line I realize the Empanada stand has enlisted the help of a bouncer, so I inquire about the one-in one-out rule he has going when it's thirteen degrees out and there is room for three girls inside. The once thought bouncer, explains that he is actually the owner, so I explain to him that he should open a couple more stand and get a bouncer. AA adds that we're getting border line assaulted, every time the door opens the line pushes and everyone leans towards the front, at which my hair is routinely sniffed. After fighting off a few more people trying to cut we get into the 'inside' line and so do our new Peruvian friends. C and AA are amused with them while we wait in the line, I keep a close eye on the guy who has moved from trying to smell my hair to touching. C and I argue that she will not get four empanadas for her self and she can come back next time to try the other flavors. Then out of no where a big push, I turn and someone has rushed the door and gotten in past the owner. Cries of out range come from the line and when something smart is on the tip of my tongue I realize...I know this person. What are you doing here? He embarrasses me in happiness and shock, being a fashionista bi-sexual, he takes immediate notice of my shoes and is on his knees mock licking them. The owner asks him to get off the floor and he quickly thinks of a story that gets right to the owner. 'I'm only here to pay for them, they don't have any money, look at them.' With a glance to me I confirm the story. Do I feel bad that what we were against the whole time we waited in the line, just happened because of me? Nope. Our empanadas are free. After paying our fifty dollar tab, I walk behind he girls as mmmms and yummms fill the air over a spicy sauce AA has introduced to C. ::goodluck with that in the morning::

Each of us safely back in our cars with empanada in hand, we're on our ways home. I laugh thinking back to the end of the night and how much work it was to get here. It might have been a little hectic at time but worth the happiness that the empanadas brought them at the end of the night, I would do it all over again.

A loyal friend is worth loving, even when that love makes you lay down the law in the emapanada line.

As I near home, I get calls from C and AA both loving that damn hot sauce.

-n

Photo Taken at the WWII Memorial

Powder Sugar to Chocolate

Little did we know that tonight we witnessed Coach Jordan's last game. Wizards vs. Rockets good game, between the half hour wasted picking between the fried entree of the night and the luckily heavy pour of drinks we make it back to our box. Tonight I have an unusually large group, I like to travel is small packs ::keeps me under the radar:: We finish watching the game relatively sober, good game, I take that back great game. There were lots of great plays, and despite our record the Wizards weren't half bad. Unfortunately to a un-climatic end the Wizards lost the game.

With flurries floating about all night we pick a close place, after a cold walk we arrive at Zengo. We secure a table on the lower level and order drinks, before our first round arrives we're greeted with new additions to the group, much drunker additions ::the more the merrier:: I turn Baby C onto my drink of choice Zengo's version of a strawberry mojito the Yuza Fresa. We warm up with funny stories of how we all met, way back when. C and I realize we have to move our cars before the garage closes. So coats on we face the cutting wind and head to the garage, finding parking relatively easy we make a pitstop on the way back to the group.

Oya is the destination, trendy restaurant for the Penn Quarter area, the entrance is separated from the bar with a chain link curtain, multiple walls are lined with elegant fire places. The tables are wrapped in white leather then topped with a heavy lacquer to keep with the theme. The dining room is mostly white with clean lines. The bar follows suite wrapped in Red croc, lacquered and paired with Cow hide bar stools. Two lounges are off of the bar, never lacking a show, from guests lap dances to experimenting lesbians or should I say bisexuals. I think I've see it all here, bartenders over serving? Never.

Hugs and kisses exchanged we take a quick shot and we're back into the cold. C and I return to our group with a dramatic story of trying to find parking spaces, and the night continues. Another round more laughs, and a particular character comes to light... Shall I call her the 'twitch and slide' as the night continues she actually inspires a dance move that will be coming to a city near you soon.

Back to the nickname? Well the twitch comes with a nose rub and the slide comes along any smooth surface. I've never needed drugs for anything, definitely not to have a good time. But this was more than a good time, at forty-seven I think her time to stop and think has past with her latest bump and the left over on her cleavage explains that there is no going back. A sad thought for sure, but in this life, as I stand here watching and know I have to pick my battles this one, is not one of mine. Yes, I know buzz kill... It would be if she acted as pitiful as she really is but she doesn't she is a b*tch. So the jokes role in front of her, she'll never catch on after her recent trip to the bathroom. As she wipes her nose and explains her allergies to C, I stand behind to signal it's time to move and break from the group. 'twitch and slide' gives me a nasty look and any politeness I have is blown away with the powder sugar snowflakes outside. Now S has joined me behind and in the same terrible thought a dance move for the night is born... Pointer finger to close one nostril, followed with a slide of the shoulder and head in the same direction. Repeat with opposite hand, side and direction ::terrible I know, but you shouldn't be laughing then::

So the group splits into two and we make our way through the Penn Quarter and find ourselves at the ultimate date destination CoCo Sala, a restaurant and lounge devoted to chocolate. Warning I say the ultimate date, but this is a location for after dinner, do not bring a date here for dinner unless you want to pay $8 for one slider, want a plate of three, you do the math. But for all the guys who might not be a dinner deal closer, this location will give the extra time and booze needed. The menu boast of themed three course dessert selections, ultimate hot chocolate, chocolate cocktails, chocolate beer. The bar is modeled after a confection counter with marble keeping chocolate truffles cool and a glass top to display. The tv's all play too often looped video of chocolate images. The inside is draped with heavy reds, velvet, suede, silks and dark woods all adding to the chocolate ambiance taking over all of your senses. Once inside I'm greeted by a coat check that seems to be deadly confused with the ten dollar bill I've just given her for three coats and her job in general. Now I know why they left her with this job, she can't hurt herself here. C, baby C, and S order Coffee cocktails with what else but chocolate in attempt to warm up after our walk. L and I order real cocktails there are other ways to warm up. A normally chill crowed in the lounge area of Coco Sala was replaced tonight with a fortieth birthday celebration of drunken women in non-age appropriate skirts. Looks are exchange as we take the table next to them, cougars to kittens, they might know a few more tricks but we can learn them. I believe the saying is 'You can't teach and old....cat'

I feel the night winding down, it's been a long day. But the night is not complete until some terrible guys tries to hit on me, enter chubby-thirty something-had one too many-pumped up by a friend who wants to see him crash and burn. Earlier in the night I'm greeted by one of the cocktail waitresses from Oya and a couple of her friends. One in particular I remember, from the creepy look he's giving me ::mind sex:: He came to my birthday celebration last summer, and was later sighted asking friends from my party that he ran into around the city about me. Claiming I gave my number that night while being drunk, but he lost it and needed it again. I keep a tight group so alarms were set off and word got around the next girl he tried to get info about me from, gave him an earful about being a stalker.

Back to the moment, our group is tag-teamed, friend comes around to my side and creepster to the other side of the table by C. She is already laughing because she knows whats about to go down.

A whisper in my ear, 'you're such a gorgeous girl' uh huh 'you would make my friends night if you could just say hi to him' uh huh, who's your friend? 'Damon' hm ok,

hey Damon... your friend here tells me you want to meet me, and that's why you've come over to my table and interrupted my night with my friends. But what your friend doesn't know is that you've done this before, and we've already met.

A shocked look reaches his eyes and now his friend who is rendered speechless, as I hand him back his drink that he has placed much too close to me, I explain to him that his wannabe stalker friend has set him up.

On top of that fact, do I look like a girl who goes out to make some guys night?! No, not this night or this life. Take your drunk friend and get out of my sight before I stop being nice. Being nice is something reserved for a small, small group in my life. They leave and the table erupts into laughter to add to their walk of shame.

That's our cue to end the night and we make our way back to coat check where we find the coat check girl must not have been able to handle it and she has left every ones coats unattended. I climb into the booth retrieve our coats and we're on our way.

Someone once commented that I had a 'nasty' side, and I corrected them, all of my sides are nasty and I'm ok with that, stay on the safe end of the spectrum and you will be too.

-n

Picture of 7th Street in the Penn Quarter

Finding Creativity

You move through life, learning about yourself, your likes, dislikes, how you hate, how you love, even how you make love.

Your born and the first part of your life is shaped around the environment provided for you. Some get Super wholesome-filled with love, others Dis'fun'ctionally together with conditional love, maybe even the Non-existent family with voiceless love, the kind better felt but left unsaid.

After a few glasses of wine I find myself in an insightful conversation, the kind that is only brought up by those glasses of wine. How did you grow up? What kind of kid were you? How did that make you who you are?

make

With a childhood the big O would love to make a movie about, I start to think back...

What made me?

My first thought is ::nothing:: I made me, all the experiences I had in life are a part of me but who I am today. Well, I made that. With arguments from the group, your personality is of this, and you traits from that. Then a new sources chimes in, one of my more whispy friends jumps in. I call them whispy, because they live like the wind, breezing along. 'You grow and live to find yourself.'

find

Personally, I'm not looking for me I'm right here ::take me or leave me:: Yes, there was a time and point when I became comfortable with me and what I am but I don't think I needed to be found. No, I don't like this reasoning either. While I get my thoughts together to explain to the others, I'm reminded of a line I heard somewhere along the lines and kept close to my heart.

Life is not about finding yourself but creating who you want to be.

I created me.

I took everything I love about being a woman, being funny, being strong, loving, loyal, caring and put them together. This person has a can't be missed personality, intense, hilarious, crazy, sweet and sexy. I wouldn't have it any other way, through the losses and gains in my life, the comfort always comes from being me.

-n

Photo Taken from Theodore Roosevelt Island

Blue Light Attraction

The night is already late, I've been ready to go for hours, but still nothing to wear. Nothing but my new boots the key, and inspiration of the night. I'm not going out and wearing my boots; I'm going out for my boots ::warped? if you haven't gotten that yet please keep reading:: Black knee high stilettos, a boot that girls and guys alike can appreciate. A girl puts them on and she is transformed into a women, in control, confident, and......sexy. Every guys secret dream or maybe not so secret, even the strongest, most confident guys dreams of a girl that has it together and isn't afraid to show it.

::Enter My Boots:: They are the deathly blue light to any guy that might try and flutter by. Don't fight it come right over, 'Oh, whats that my boots? Oh, why thank you' ZAP another one bites the dust, stay out of my personal bubble with you're game throwing self.

Black is the color of the night, C takes to calling me Cat Women for the duration. I catch a glance of myself while walking down the street, the nickname seems to be quite fitting. But this part of the story has come about a little early... The night really starts with me waiting by myself until C and friend show up. A seemingly easy target, defenseless at the bar. Want to take a peek at my blue light? The first attempt a guy with two friends, note to all guys out there you can only hit on a girl if the group is equal numbers. Frankly I want no part of the freaky foursome you've been talking about all night.

::next please::

Old....I wasn't sure if he was lost, or really just a creepy man at the bar. Not my night he was as creepy as they come. But my first question, why me? In what place would the super hot girl at the bar want to talk with Cardiac Express unless he was flashing a Black card, even still not my type. A little small chat, don't want him to die in front of me from my direct disgust of his general presence. ZAP or would the term be CLEAR. I caught myself a little testy tonight, how about a martini remedy.

::next please::

Right on cue drunk young guy who's been here way to long, staring at me even longer. Suddenly he stand, apparently to make room for the sudden balls hes just grown. 'Come here ofter?' Yes girls that's right, I wasn't sure whether to laugh in his face or pull the string a little more to see how fast his ship would sink. 'Why, Yes I do. But I have to admit I've never seen you before.' 'I normally come with a group of friends.' 'Oh, is that so... How about you go find those friends, because I am not one of them.' ZAP three for three and only half way through my drink.

Lets get a few things straight I don't enjoy turning guys down, I feel bad about it most of the time. While I have a nice little mean streak, it's really not where I get my jollies. I feel that when I'm minding my own business in the Starbucks line and you feel the need to talk to me before the coffee hits my lips, then what ever wrath you are about to get you deserve.

C and company arrive just in time for a shot and move to the next spot. Current was new this summer to the Constitution Ave and 18th St crawl of clubs. Taking over for Dragonfly some of the owners from Fly decided to open another themed club. This one, you guessed is after water. The outside of the building is lit with Blue spotlights, the interior has definitely been upgraded since its former life but nothing too impressive. A small lower level bar, but the larger bar and DJ reside upstairs. There is an area for table service, but most of the upstairs is a dance floor. After our first round of drinks we find ourselves taking over the dance floor and attention of most who roam. A friend once said to me in almost a question, 'It's like you go to be seen.' My reply, I don't have to go out to be seen, but the day I walk into a room and don't turn heads, I'll know why other girls try so hard.

We exhaust ourselves, laughing and dancing. Coats on and buttoned up tight as we step into a bitter winter of fluttering snowflakes. The city so alive, some ending their nights, some just starting, all greatly influenced by the city and what it has to give.

Just watch out for that Blue Light.

-n

Photo Taken at the Lincoln Memorial

Mind Sex

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Take That x 3

We're laid out on the guests bed trying to get the energy to do something. How about one drink then a movie? or Start with a drink and some dinner, then go dance? I suggest, as C is in a close to comatose state next to me at this point shes all but drooling on the pillow. I know if we don't go out we'll be disappointed in the morning.

An hour later the debating on what to do is done, I turn the music up and we dance during getting wardrobe and makeup on. Quick shot and we're on our way ::destination still unknown:: We walk to a familiar spot, where we know friends will be, text in advance have guaranteed us a good crowd and once we're inside we find it was busy. Which is great for people watching, conveniently what we're in the mood for. We nestle in at the bar with two Organic Pomegranate Martinis, complete with Blueberry garnish ::going for the full anti-oxidant effect::

A couple moves in next to the right of us, dressed to the nines this is not their first stop. She's in love, the get a room kind, light kisses on the cheek here and there become a nibble on the ear, soon to be a suck on the neck. When they first arrive he's just as into her, but then he looks over his shoulder and gets a glance of me... The double take tells me he's looking for more than a glance. No polite smile is given from my side, normally the accidental eye contact is always greeted with a smile, but not when your with someone. One look fine, but don't have mind sex with me, while your women is dry humping your leg.

To our left are a couple of guys, commenting on how great it is to get out, 'It's been so long.' Followed by what are we getting into tonight, I don't know man I'm up for anything.

The conversation took a strange turn into how's your fiance? This only after the first couple of girls they tried to buy drinks turned them down. C and I look at each other, we're having our own conversation but are both listening to theirs, a quick laugh is exchanged. Guys can be such jerks, operative word can be not always are. I'm not a guys basher don't worry, actually quite the opposite I hate nothing more than to see a poor guy get taken advantage of ::unless he's really asking for it::

Our second round we switch it up, Tall White Russian for me, Vodka Tonic for C. After last weeks episode, light chiding was expected from the guys. We took it and gave just as bad. Out of nowhere a tap on the shoulder ::who the hell is in my personal bubble:: Instead of a pickup line, we received an invitation. Your friend, he points, wants to invite you out I'll be your driver, another point, but this time its in the direction of Excursion limo, but the the hitch. We're going to the Russia House. Oh, zing I felt that one right down my spine... 'Thanks, but we're not going to the Russia House tonight.' Laughs erupt from my friend, and he gets the evil eye from me across the room. Every ones a f*cking comedian, after a few laughs at my expense. I notice C has taken special interest in a particular Bartender, a surprising choice to me. But she takes it a step further to prove how hot she finds him,

'I would eat him up, I'd pull his pants off and say take that, take that, take that!'

The shock of the words hit me so fast I was cracking up, of course multiple people around heard her going on, including a fellow bartender. His puzzled look said he was scared yet intrigued all the same shot. Just then the 'Chosen' bartender comes to find out what the sudden laughter is all about. With a devilish need to rock the boat, I tell him C was expressing her feeling about your sexiness. With out skipping a beat he picks up a piece of Mango garnish and take the most seductive bite I've seen all night. Then C serves up her own punishment asking for a tour of his tattoos, most of which are not visible unless clothing is removed. Hot and bothered she decides she needs a break. Back to us and our plans to take over the world. Well maybe just Miami or NYC we can't quite decide where we want to go.

C takes her leave but only after making a close friend promise to walk me to my car. This place is like a second home, I could be content there alone or with fifty of my closest. I finish the night with a spicy glass of red and a chocolate croissant and smile to myself what a silly night, we could have stayed home and had the same fun, but at this moment I'm content with the choice.

The night will always be worth the tag line of the week, Take that x 3.

-n

Photo of the Washington Monument from the Lincoln

Girls In The City

More often than not you see a group, we'll call that four or more of girls out in the city and it's always the same thing "Woooo hooo! Shots! Where doin' it up!" But if you really listen to the message it's 'Yes, there are only girls in our group, but we wish there were guys and hopefully we'll get picked up tonight.'

When did this happen?!
When did the time of women going out to have a chill time end?

Of course there is always the group that is attempting to have a 'Girls Night' that is always spoiled by some guys who insist that this is what you're out for ::Paper bag please::

We started our night at Circa in Dupont, the crowed is always pretty good, good looking at least. Even mix of guys and girls which is always a plus, there is nothing worst than walking into a big ol' sausage fest for girls or guys. Circa, relatively new to the Dupont scene, has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. The bartenders are friendly, approachable and quick to remember a regular face. The restaurant itself not very large, but if you are lucky enough to snag a spot at the bar it is definitely worth it. Circa has a elaborate wine list with favorites such as Sparkling Shiraz and fun infused vodkas for their specialty cocktails. Large TVs adorn both main walls playing news, and sports during happy hour and correlating music videos later in the evening.

I'm greeted by one of the many favorite bartenders, this time instead of being late I arrive ahead of C he sees me and points to two seats in the middle of the bar ::my lucky night:: Another nice thing about a seat at the bar oppose to the middle table is the staff behind the bar doubles as a show. Hellos aside, everyone is interested in who I might be saving the seat for, their happy as long as its not a guy. I start with a Lattetini, might as well get my caffeine fix right away. To my left are a couple of guys kind of quite, my first thought is gay but who knows. If they are gay I'm immediately excited, maybe my search for a GBF is over?! To my right is a larger group of young people, they've been here for a while or maybe they're loud all the time who knows. C arrives after forty-five minutes of trying to park and one martini for me.

'Better catch up, it's no fun being tipsy alone.'

She starts with my normal trade mark of Sparkling Shiraz

::one try you're addicted::
and a specialty pizza, Chicken and Artichoke heart I believe. C, a vibrant and confident women takes the attention of the bar upon entrance and to my surprise the once assumed couple to my left takes notice as well. Who would have thought? Greetings are exchanged and possibly a shot, but let's not get hung up on details. We speak of DC vs. VA vs. MD, each claiming home town as our favorites. Out number by residence of the newly donned Blue state of VA wins the conversation. A surprisingly witty banter is exchanged, in which we all take part more or less. One of the guys could definitely be consider the 'quite' one, but that's not a problem the two of us speak enough for everyone. Our girls night plan was to start at Circa for a drink and move on, but as the lights are turned up and everyone is forced to shield their eyes we realize the night, at this location at least, is over.

So the logical next step, go home. ::never::

On my bright suggestion the group moves to another venue, a later night, much darker venue.

The Russia House, also in Dupont is the destination now. The guys go ahead of us, so we say our goodbyes. With lite objections from some, 'You're meeting up with those guys?'. The statement was really made with more surprise than anything, the normally unbreakable duo, meeting up? What was happening? We were bored, a boredom that doesn't come along all the time but when it does something better entertain us!

Our unlikely new friends are placed expectantly in a dark corner of the main floor bar. Russia House is a row house converted into a modern day Russian Mafia hang out. With a not to disappoint Vodka list and very authentic Russian staff, heavy dark drapes on the windows and heavy antique furniture to go with, you take a step back in time. This is also one of my favorite winter spots because all of the walls have fireplaces, cozy and dark what more could you want on a cold Dec night, oh yes the Vodka ::complete::

So my bold and beautiful C has picked quite guy, and boy has he risen to the occasion. By the time I order our drinks Starka on the rocks, his tongue has manged to get all the way down her throat. Guy number 1, looks to me 'Now I know why the waitress gave me such a weird look, we didn't order our Vodka straight.' Yup that's why, at the Russia house if you brave the Vodka list there is only one way to do it... We chat the night away, C is given a though oral check and I have had almost all the complements I can take on my favorite green stilettos.

Not keeping up with the others, my haze is not quite as thick and I see the need to end the night. C its late we should go, don't you think? When really I mean this guys is sooo boring lets find something different to play with. Panic reaches the guys faces, as we stand. We'll go too ::great:: As we step out of the Russia house we're met with a brisk fall night and somehow in that night C has decided to drop her new 'friend' off at his house. Which, of course leaves me to drop of friend number 1 at his house. You have never seen a better use of divide and conquer. As I use the whole walk to the car to convince her that his house is out of her way, she hops in her car and the famous last words of the night are...

'Don't worry I got this!'

My mind races for a way to stop this, but then the thought comes to me. She is a big girl and we were bored... Everyone deserves a pass. Luckily for me guy 1 lives a couple of blocks away and his sad attempt to find a reason that I should see his headboard don't have time to get worse. I stop the car oppose to parking it and say goodbye. One last attempt, 'I really enjoyed tonight, this was so much fun we should as least trade numbers.' Sure sounds great whats your number I will put it right in my phone, with all the other numbers that I don't plan on saving once you step out of my car. ::girls are so cruel:: Finally home, I call C to make sure her drop went as planned, of course not... 'What you're changing?! Changing into what?! He's there?!'. After that the drunken slurs were to much to sift through. I fall asleep...

Ugh, clock 9:30a no wait damn time change 8:30a must call C. I dial and hold my breath as I wait, she answers and the breath is let out into uncontrollable laughter. Are you alive?! A tandem question. I'm home and well behaved, what happened to you? I'll save the real grit and give the review. C took home 'quite guy' after lots of kissing they fell asleep, well she fell asleep. And it seems quite guy had a sweet streak, he got her a blanket, put a pillow under her head and tucked her in. Then left...well we don't really know what happened but he wasn't there.

We met later for lunch and the uncontrollable laughter continued, a night that well what can I say. Definitely blog worthy.

-n