This day began like any other. The alarm clock that sounds a lot like a 16-month-old went off around 8:30AM, an unusual treat to sleep in so late (so thoughtful, Lucy!). A little breakfast, some coffee and the three of us were set to take on the day, face-to-face, mono-e-mono. Much like the Amazing Race, Lucy's first challenge was a wagon ride over to see Nana, who was back from a quick retreat to St. Thomas. Papa Hagen's business took the two of them there for an industry conference. Certainly matters of security and security systems are best discussed on a Caribbean island over conch fritters and banana daiquiris. (Not really one to speak; I was just visiting the Magic Kingdom for a conference--it's not the Lesser Antilles but it is the happiest place on earth!) After a successful trip to the next neighborhood over, Lucy had passed her challenge and was ready for an afternoon nap to prepare for the most difficult portion of her race. Lucy: One; October 30: Zero.
For Emily and I the challenges didn't start until later in the day, so while Lucy regained her strength, we lazed about and conserved our energy. Having made the schedule ourselves, we knew we had to prepare for an appointment at Fusion Life Spa and then dinner at 112 Eatery downtown. The kind of cream-puff schedule you arrange when looking for an easy win. We were set and almost took the opponent for granted.
Lucy's awake so we dropped her off at Mae-Mae and Papa Hopkins' house where she'd finish her race. Perhaps a bit coddled, she easily glided to the finish line after dinner, some play time, and a bath. Final score--Lucy: 4; October 30: Zero.
After dropping Lucy off, Emily and I were off to Fusion. No problem, we left the spa with an easy 1-0 lead. From there we headed back home. While Emily changed I took Joey out for a brief stroll and then worked over a glass of wine. Confidence was percolating so we headed downtown for what was to be the final stretch.
We had to fight through a rough patch of traffic getting into downtown--it took us about 15 minutes to get from 4th and Washington to turning the corner on 1st Avenue. Not terrible but hardly anything worth claiming as a victory. We managed to maintain our 1-point edge when we pulled up to a vacant street spot on 1st Avenue. Taking advantage of the opportunity we PARALLEL PARKED next to the curb (this will be important later), filled the meter with quarters and walked off to the restaurant.
Dinner was wonderful. Appetizers of scallops and a couple oysters followed by one of the best cheeseburgers in town and a plate of tagliatelle with fois gras meatballs, both accompanied with cauliflower fritters. There is no way we were leaving this point on the table and we certainly succeeded by a margin much larger than what the Yanks/Phillies game tonight: Throw in the choice parking spot and it's Us: 3; October 30:0.
It was a great evening, as far as evenings go; and as far as evenings go, it went--to pieces. Let's just say that our choice parking spot eventually led us to the Minneapolis Impound Lot, hosted by only the best and the brightest. This is the fun part--now 1st Avenue is a two-way street. The city decided to further restrict traffic by adding a bike lane that actually runs along the curb. In 99.9% of cities the world-over, this lane is reserved for parked cars using the meters. Instead, Minneapolis wishes the cars to park a decent 30 feet from the curb where just to feed the meter one must risk life and limb crossing a lane reserved for the most reckless and entitled group of travelers--bikers. Had I parked my car in the appropriate spot, I would have simply left it in the middle of traffic, not to mention all the other cars on the block, between which I parallel parked just to get into this spot.
Ah, sigh, not satisfied that the City has messed with our night enough the impound lot wouldn't let us take our car home because new license plates had been issued and I needed to present the proper plates before the State would let them release our car!
Anyway, to put a cap on a post that could ramble on way too much longer, the official scoring for the night was Us: 1; October 30:0. Despite all that, we had a relaxing trip to the spa and a great meal and of course not to mention that we marked Emily's survival of five years of being married to me!
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