Helena Handbasket: October 2010

8407 Kitchen Bar

I had brunch with Adrian at 8407 Kitchen Bar today. The food and service were outstanding - I'd like to go back and give their dinner menu a try.

Compliments of the Chef - Cinnamon-sugar bites with fresh cream:

Mimosaaaahs:

Adrian's Mojito (check out the nostalgic rock candy garnish - I thought this was too cute):

My blueberry pancakes:

Adrian's steak, eggs, and cheese grits:

Monday nights feature 1/2 off bottled wines. Their selection was impressive.

This place is perfect for Happy Hour. They have two nicely-stocked bars.

Thanks for the pics, Adrian =)

Brunch rules,

Susan

In the Arms of the Angel

My heart is heavy once again. Today, we said goodbye to Luke, a close friend of Deanna's. Luke was killed by a hit-and-run driver. He was 18-years-young.

I learned a lot about Luke today. He was an only child. He was a friend to many. He had a passion for football and track. He loved to laugh. He was adored and respected by his teachers and peers. He had a mischievous side but at the end of the day, he was a good kid with a heart of gold. Luke loved living and being with his friends and loved ones. He was free-spirited, good-humored, and full of promise.

Luke was Deanna's first boyfriend. She went on her very first date with him. They went to the movies and became quite fond of each other. Despite not staying in a long-term relationship, Luke and Deanna remained friends over the years. They kept in touch and shared many mutual friends. Luke even wrote letters to Deanna when he lived away from home for a few months - in this day and age, when Twitter, Facebook, and text messaging are a teenager's first choice for communication, that said a lot to me about what type of person this young man was.

I watched in agony as Luke's parents said their final goodbyes to their only son. There wasn't a dry eye in the church. I held Deanna close as she quietly wept for her friend. Our hearts are aching right now. We will miss you Luke.

In memory of Luke Foster: 1992-2010

Dungeons and Tap Rooms

If given a choice, I'd rather have glass of red wine; however, I crave a cold beer every now and then. I met up with Adrian and Nicole on Monday to check out Brickskeller in DuPont. According to Brickskeller, they are "the world's first beer bar." Whatevs. It's a dismal spot, smells like decay, and has a ladies room that rivals most haunted houses; you can read more about it here.

I followed Adrian's lead and tried a beer on tap: "Bell's Hell Hath No Fury" which is a 7.7% abv Belgian dark abbey double style (whatever that means). It was rich and smooth - much better than Guinness. I liked it and would order it again.

I also sampled a Brazilian beer called Xingu. I had no idea it was going to look exactly like my first beer. The taste was ehhhh - drinkable, not nearly as good as the first.

I don't recommend this place but if you do go, check out whatever they have on tap. Don't waste your time getting excited over the extensive bottle list with beer from every country around the world - chances are, they are all out of your top choices.

Cheers,

Susan

Stop...Taper Time

Tapering has begun for Marine Corps Marathon. All that means is you dial-down the mileage and get lots of R&R before race day. Mentally, I'm prepared to tackle another 26.2 miles. We'll see how the physical aspect goes on October 31.

I'm dedicating this year's 26.2 to my friend Tracy. She will be running with me in spirit and I will finish especially for her.

Running is cheaper than therapy,

Susan

Sunset

Today, we said our final goodbyes to Tracy. I haven't cried this much in ages - it was so unbearably hard to watch her family, friends, and especially her inconsolable 12-year-old daughter struggle through the emotional ceremony. Tracy's mother's pain and anguish cut me to the core; when I got home, I hugged Deanna tightly. I don't know what I would do if I lost my one and only child.

I met Tracy through some of my close friends many years ago. I didn't see her often but when I did, she always had a huge smile on her face and would yell "Hey Susan!!!" She was forever cheerful, upbeat, friendly, and was someone you wanted to hang around with because she lit up the room and lifted everyone's spirits. Tracy was always telling hilarious stories - you were either laughing at or with her. She was hysterical! Her voice was sugary and sing-songy - what I wouldn't give to hear her boisterous laugh just once more...

This is the last picture I took of Tracy about a year ago (she's the one licking her fingers, LOL) - it is how I want to remember my silly, kind-hearted friend. We were partying it up in Georgetown and headed over to Johnny Rockets for some burgers and fries. After we overdosed on Cosmo's, those burgers were the best we'd ever had. What an awesome night that was.

Goodbye Tracy. We miss you. We love you. We will keep your memory alive as long as the sun rises and sets. We will look after your daughter and mother - they will not go through this alone.

In memory of Terasa "Tracy" Evans: 1979-2010

For Tracy: Forever Young

See you on the other side T. You will be missed.

Love,

Susan

Movies Worth Watching: Let Me In (Let the Right One In)

Let me start by saying that both are amazing movies.

Let the Right One In (Sweedish version) seemed more stylized and had less gore than Let Me In (American); however, the American homage had me on the edge of my seat with superior suspense-building via dismal music and impressive special-effects. Let Me In stayed true to the original story and gave me a deeper understanding of the relationships and circumstances of the pre-adolescent social outcast and his mysterious vampire girlfriend. There are a few interesting deviations from the original film but nothing is lost in translation - the story is compelling and mesmerizing. The final scenes for each movie were riveting and gave me the chills - sometimes, less is more.

"I've been 12 for a very long time..."

Susan