It's about time I had something worth writing about.
My Wednesday started out so simply. Nick Stock and I were going to pick up applications from The Tides, and then go to the beach. That was it. So I pick up Nick, and as we're crossing the bridge, he turns to me and says, "Do you want to hear the list of things I forgot?"
Me: "What?"
"Deodorant. My wallet. A bathing suit. And a towel."
I open my mouth to say something, but only a sigh comes out. So we go to The Tides, and after a bit of confusion as to where to go, we pick up a couple of applications. Now we're beachside, but unable to actually go to the beach due to my companion's incompetence. So we do the only logical thing: go to Thomas's house.
I walk in without knocking, as per the norm, and go into Thomas's room and wake him up. I introduce him to Nick, and we sit around talking for a while. Finally we get hungry and decide to go to lunch. While Thomas showers, I win five dollars from Nick in poker (bringing the total amount of money he owes me to $25). Thomas finishes getting ready, and the three of us get in his car and go to Bono's. Nick, lacking money as always, has to call his mother, who has one of her employees drive to Bono's to bring Nick money.
After Bono's, we go to Erin's house, but she isn't there. So Thomas decides, hey, let's go to the Gardens mall. I'm not exactly thrilled by the idea, but I had nothing better to do, so I went along with it (not that I had a choice anyway). After a lengthy drive, we wander around the mall for a while, Thomas gets some clothes, Nick and I get some cookies and a cherry coke, and we get back in the car.
At this point, it's around 6. Nick and I are supposed to be meeting people for dinner at 7:30. We could've made it. Except for the fact that we went to Miami.
Yes, Miami. Thomas drove around Palm Beach for a while looking for something to do, but when he couldn't find anything, he was very disappointed. Reluctant to return to Vero without having had some sort of adventure, he declared we were going to Miami. I didn't think he was serious and said, "I don't think that's such a great idea." Nick, meanwhile, is in the front seat encouraging him.
And damned if he didn't drive to Miami. At first I resisted, but then I regrew my cojones and realized you only live once. And hell, we were in Miami. It was amazing. After a brief drive through the ghetto (we managed not to get capped), we found South Beach, and just drove around enjoying the sights. Everywhere you looked you saw BMW's, Mercedes, Lexi, Bentleys, even a Ferrari.
Finally, we realize, we're in freaking Miami. How often does this happen? We had to do something. So we decide to dine in fashion. We go to the China Grill, on Ocean Drive, in South Beach, Miami. This place was absolutely breathtaking. The ambience was perfect. So we get the car valet parked (you really have no choice), walk in and tell them we have reservations (Hall, party of 3!) and are led to a booth. Now, this is no ordinary booth. It's a table, with a couch on either side. Yes, we ate on couches. With PILLOWS!
But the food. Oh God, the food. We were started off with sparkling water, which was incredibly disgusting. But also very sophisticated, so we all drank it for fear of appearing low-class. Then we got our two appetizers: three of the best crab cakes I've ever eaten in my life, and Chinese short ribs that were so tender you could cut them with your spoon.
Then came the entrees. First came the barbecued salmon with Chinese mustard. Again, it was unbelievably tender, but it didn't get flaky like fish has a tendency to do. It was seasoned perfectly, and it practically melted in your mouth. Next was the sake-marinated chicken, which was the best chicken I've ever eaten - and I've eaten chicken prepared just about every possible way. Finally was the duck two-ways, which featured amazing roast duck in two different sauces. All this came with a side of the best fried rice I've ever eaten. The meal was orgasmic. Even better than sex, I dare say.
We descended from Cloud Nine, however, when the check came. Thomas had 185 dollars cash. I spent the last of my money at Bono's. And Nick didn't even have his damn wallet. The meal came out to $183.20. Which means we would be leaving the guy a $1.80 tip - approximately one percent.
Fortunately, Thomas found a $50 gift card, and fortunately, it was valid. So were able to leave him a $40 tip. Which brought the price of the meal up to $223.20. Then, as we were in line to get Thomas's car, we became aware that it cost $15 to get your keys back. We didn't have $15. Or any cash, for that matter. So we walked to an ATM and took out $20. We paid the valet the required $15, plus a two buck tip. So essentially, the three of us paid two hundred and forty dollars and twenty cents for our dinner. And it was worth. Every. Penny. It really was that good. And how often do you get to eat at a fancy restaurant in the heart of Miami?
So we get back in the car and get on I-95 heading north. After about 20 minutes, we realize something - we have no gas. And no gas money.
Thankfully, Thomas has a gas card - but it's only good at Chevron or Texaco. So we pass about eight exits having five gas stations, but none where we can use the card. Finally we find one, fill up, and get back on the road. Thomas told his mom we'd be back by 1:15 - we pulled into his driveway at 1:14.
And then some other stuff happened. But it was really all a let-down after that meal.
Me: "What?"
"Deodorant. My wallet. A bathing suit. And a towel."
I open my mouth to say something, but only a sigh comes out. So we go to The Tides, and after a bit of confusion as to where to go, we pick up a couple of applications. Now we're beachside, but unable to actually go to the beach due to my companion's incompetence. So we do the only logical thing: go to Thomas's house.
I walk in without knocking, as per the norm, and go into Thomas's room and wake him up. I introduce him to Nick, and we sit around talking for a while. Finally we get hungry and decide to go to lunch. While Thomas showers, I win five dollars from Nick in poker (bringing the total amount of money he owes me to $25). Thomas finishes getting ready, and the three of us get in his car and go to Bono's. Nick, lacking money as always, has to call his mother, who has one of her employees drive to Bono's to bring Nick money.
After Bono's, we go to Erin's house, but she isn't there. So Thomas decides, hey, let's go to the Gardens mall. I'm not exactly thrilled by the idea, but I had nothing better to do, so I went along with it (not that I had a choice anyway). After a lengthy drive, we wander around the mall for a while, Thomas gets some clothes, Nick and I get some cookies and a cherry coke, and we get back in the car.
At this point, it's around 6. Nick and I are supposed to be meeting people for dinner at 7:30. We could've made it. Except for the fact that we went to Miami.
Yes, Miami. Thomas drove around Palm Beach for a while looking for something to do, but when he couldn't find anything, he was very disappointed. Reluctant to return to Vero without having had some sort of adventure, he declared we were going to Miami. I didn't think he was serious and said, "I don't think that's such a great idea." Nick, meanwhile, is in the front seat encouraging him.
And damned if he didn't drive to Miami. At first I resisted, but then I regrew my cojones and realized you only live once. And hell, we were in Miami. It was amazing. After a brief drive through the ghetto (we managed not to get capped), we found South Beach, and just drove around enjoying the sights. Everywhere you looked you saw BMW's, Mercedes, Lexi, Bentleys, even a Ferrari.
Finally, we realize, we're in freaking Miami. How often does this happen? We had to do something. So we decide to dine in fashion. We go to the China Grill, on Ocean Drive, in South Beach, Miami. This place was absolutely breathtaking. The ambience was perfect. So we get the car valet parked (you really have no choice), walk in and tell them we have reservations (Hall, party of 3!) and are led to a booth. Now, this is no ordinary booth. It's a table, with a couch on either side. Yes, we ate on couches. With PILLOWS!
But the food. Oh God, the food. We were started off with sparkling water, which was incredibly disgusting. But also very sophisticated, so we all drank it for fear of appearing low-class. Then we got our two appetizers: three of the best crab cakes I've ever eaten in my life, and Chinese short ribs that were so tender you could cut them with your spoon.
Then came the entrees. First came the barbecued salmon with Chinese mustard. Again, it was unbelievably tender, but it didn't get flaky like fish has a tendency to do. It was seasoned perfectly, and it practically melted in your mouth. Next was the sake-marinated chicken, which was the best chicken I've ever eaten - and I've eaten chicken prepared just about every possible way. Finally was the duck two-ways, which featured amazing roast duck in two different sauces. All this came with a side of the best fried rice I've ever eaten. The meal was orgasmic. Even better than sex, I dare say.
We descended from Cloud Nine, however, when the check came. Thomas had 185 dollars cash. I spent the last of my money at Bono's. And Nick didn't even have his damn wallet. The meal came out to $183.20. Which means we would be leaving the guy a $1.80 tip - approximately one percent.
Fortunately, Thomas found a $50 gift card, and fortunately, it was valid. So were able to leave him a $40 tip. Which brought the price of the meal up to $223.20. Then, as we were in line to get Thomas's car, we became aware that it cost $15 to get your keys back. We didn't have $15. Or any cash, for that matter. So we walked to an ATM and took out $20. We paid the valet the required $15, plus a two buck tip. So essentially, the three of us paid two hundred and forty dollars and twenty cents for our dinner. And it was worth. Every. Penny. It really was that good. And how often do you get to eat at a fancy restaurant in the heart of Miami?
So we get back in the car and get on I-95 heading north. After about 20 minutes, we realize something - we have no gas. And no gas money.
Thankfully, Thomas has a gas card - but it's only good at Chevron or Texaco. So we pass about eight exits having five gas stations, but none where we can use the card. Finally we find one, fill up, and get back on the road. Thomas told his mom we'd be back by 1:15 - we pulled into his driveway at 1:14.
And then some other stuff happened. But it was really all a let-down after that meal.