brunch failures, politics, chocolate, graphic novel, free stuff, masks
This morning, I visited my parents, but only briefly because the next thing on the agenda was an appointment for "T". ("J" had things to do, and stayed home.) I brought T's set of Captain Underpants in case he got bored of grown-up conversation at brunch.
Next on the agenda was brunch, for the first time in months, mostly to discuss film festival plans. I brought T because dropping him off at home would have been a big detour. I read the wrong e-mail about the location, and went to Mirch Masala, which was the wrong restaurant. I was confused. The restaurant's host was confused.
When I mentioned the need to figure out where the rest of the brunch group was, the host pointed out a few chairs by the door, either spares or a waiting space for delivery drivers or customers waiting for tables.
I sent "W" a text message asking for the location. He replied fairly quickly, Life on Mars. It's a short walk, and parking on Capitol Hill is typically bad news - though I had found a spot directly across from the first restaurant. T and I walked.
It was nice to see everyone, but unfortunately, the brunch group's server told us that the restaurant was for ages 21 and older because it was officially a bar.
What? We're there for food, no one at the table is ordering alcohol, and we're certainly not going to try to order booze for an eight-year-old boy. But rules are rules.
Digression: WTF, Iowa?
Rules are different in some states. Iowa just made it legal for 16-year-old kids to serve alcohol, as long as they don't drink on the job.
"Iowa bill to loosen some child labor laws heads to governor's desk" - Katarina Sostaric, Iowa Public Radio, May 3.
(The bill has not yet been signed, but the Republican governor says that she, "supports youth employment", according to What you need to know about 2023 legislative session: Bills that passed, died, and Iowa’s newest laws" - Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch, May 5.)
Present at the brunch table were W "C", "N", "J", and "B". It had been a long time since B had seen T, and B said that he could barely recognize T. W suggested a restaurant next door that has good hot chocolate. I said that it was nice to see everyone (except "M", who doesn't routinely attend brunch any more), however briefly. Then we left.
The chocolate restaurant, Rey Amargo, had a bunch of kinds of hot chocolate. The server suggested the sweetest for T, and I ordered the darkest. (They also refilled my tea mug with hot water; I had my own bags of lapsang souchong.) The hot chocolates were delicious, even though mine used almond milk, which generally doesn't taste as good. (T and I traded sips.)
On the walk back to the car, we stopped by the Egyptian to pick up film festival catalogs.
We also visited Phoenix Comics and Games. I asked an employee for a suggestion of something suitable for a Captain Underpants fan. He didn't have a direct recommendation, but pointed out a graphic novel suitable for the same age group, Amulet. I trusted his judgment and bought it. (I read the prologue, and it was pretty dark, but T said that it wasn't too scary for him.)
Bonus: when we checked out, the guy gave T a packet of Magic the Gathering cards, on the house.
Further praise for Phoenix: they recommend masks for all customers, have complimentary masks at the check-out counter, and still require masks for people in the game table section in the back.
We walked the rest of the way back to the car, where I tried in vain to recharge my phone, and headed home.
I didn't work on the art project today. Too much else to do, including nap time.
Visits: visited parents visited briefly, T appointment, Mirch Masala briefly, Life on Mars briefly, Rey Amargo chocolate, Egyptian theater briefly, Phoenix Comics and Games.