fbhjr

Julio’s, a liquor store near us, was having a mead tasting event today. So, we drove over so my wife could join

blue_micha, Brendan and Mike in tasting it.

Now I gave up drinking 26 years, 8 months and 16 days ago. Not because I didn’t like it.
So going into a big liquor store that gives out free samples is a bit of a challenge to me.
But, I sat at the table on the side and played with my iPad while others were trying the free samples.

I even turned down the free water under the idea that drinking anything there would be going the wrong direction.

After a bit others came to join me.

I guess some of the free samples were pretty potent and sitting was a good idea.

So, we had a very nice visit.

Then, upstairs to shop for some as gifts.

I won’t lie. It’s a bit tough to walk through there. So many things I’m sure I would enjoy. So many things I’m sure I am vastly better off not trying.

Then, we went to the Chinese restaurant across the parking lot.

blue_micha got an impressive bowl of soup.

I had some interesting shrimp.

This restaurant is one of 3 owned by the same family. One of the others is very close to where I work, so I go there a lot. The food at all 3 is very good.
But, today the service was less than stelar.
The waitress brought

perrin_o_ravnos tiger rolls from the sushi bar when he asked for pad thai. She dropped off chicken fingers that no one ordered, then took them away again. And, when filling up my water glass she was so sloppy about it that she poured a large puddle on my iPhone. (I have a good case. I’m glad of that.)

The whole thing seemed summed up in the fortune cookie Mike got:

Yep, that’s all it said.

I know, Saturday afternoon at 3 is not a big restaurant time. So, I’m sure that wasn’t their A team on the waitstaff. And the food was still very good.
But...

I do worry a bit about going to liquor stores and keeping my vows not to drink. It’s a bit too much like tweaking the nose of a demon that you’re not sure you can beat if they take a swing at you.
26 1/2 years is a long time. I’m a stubborn person. So far no worries.