Well Worth The Wait

It’s that time of year again. Yeah, you guessed it, The Barleywine Fest at The Parkway. Now I know I haven’t much written about The Parkway on this blog, but don’t let that deceive you. I have a great love for that place. Some of the most treasured people in my life work there and for the past few years some great memories have been made there. It is, for many reasons, my 3rd place.

They are a wonderful source of great events throughout the year. Barelywine is my personal favorite. Not only is it an opportunity to try beverages that you normally wouldn’t, but it’s also a good excuse to get pants-shitting drunk. If you reserve only a few times a year to drink like there’s no tomorrow, let this be one of them.

This isn’t for the faint of heart. Usually after only a couple you can start to understand (and appreciate) why they only serve these bad boys in 6 ounce glasses (formerly 8 oz, but I think the change is for the better). They encourage you to buy 5-7 at a time so you can compare and contrast. Awesome.

As usual, they will also be having a little roast out on the patio with a little piggy on the grill as well as some other meaty favorites for all you carnivores. This is usually the point when I start to really get excided about the impending summer weather.

This year I’m excited to not only take part in the tasting, but I’ll also be working there that evening. Look for the sassy one taking your empties and telling you to go to the bar if you want to order anything (good luck). It tends to get pretty busy that day so I would recommend bringing your most patient attitude.

And because I would be an idiot if I didn’t say so: Remember to use good judgment that night. If possible, walking is your best bet, but if not cabs are always available.

Resurrected!

I suppose it seems fitting with Easter at our backs. The secret ingredient that I’m lacking is time. It’s tough enough working two jobs, but two service industry jobs (as many of you know) makes it nye impossible to muster up enough energy and/or time for anything outside of work. I usually joke with my customers (although mostly true) that my social life is my work. I interact with people, I’m out of the house, I’m showered (most of the time) and wearing pants (always).

Most of you know that I was forced back into this industry after not so politely being laid off (twice!) from my last. I fought it, kicking and screaming, but nevertheless here we are again. I forgot what ass-kicking, back-breaking, patience-testing work this can be, but I’ll be damned if I don’t find myself falling in love with it all over again.

I was reading The Weekly Volcano recently while at work, mainly an article about what a hit the restaurant industry is taking as of late. Our economy, going to shit and all, is taking it out on the places we love the most. I’m still young enough (naïve enough?) to believe that something like this hardly affects my day-to-day life, or at least I thought I was.

This is me being affected by it. Day to freaking day.

To make a long story short, people, don’t forget the places you enjoy eating, drinking and shooting the shit at the most. We didn’t forget about you. In fact, chances are we are longing for the days when you used to send your food back 8 times because we didn’t have the correct salt to pepper ratio or that one time you had too many PBR Tall Boys and thought it would be a great idea to take your shirt off and dance around the bar. Yes, you, That Guy- we want you back with all your sloppy drunk, manner lacking, 32 cent tip leaving glory. We promise we won’t judge you as much as we used to.