Indulgences

I have so much to write about and so little time. I might break this up into four entries; I have very little time now, so it will be the weekend’s vibe. This was perhaps the most me weekend since the pandemic started. I saw three concerts, hugged some of my favorite people, and ate some of my favorite foods. The running theme was indulging myself. Friday’s dinner was poutine. Do I need to say anything more than that? It’s not a ribeye steak but there is more than one ticket to paradise. I followed that up by having a peanut butter omelet for brunch on Saturday. I can’t remember the last time I had that. Why? I should put that into my breakfast rotation. It makes me happy. Again, that’s the point of this entry, making myself happy.

Friday night was a musical doubleheader at the Owl Music Parlor Jean Rohe then James Shipp. Fans of Jean know James as Jean’s vibraphone player. He also makes his own totally different music. I’m not going to write about the music now. That’s what the future entries are about. I will write short ones about each. They may not be that short. This was the premier of Jean Rohe’s 74 Corridor. It takes me almost an hour and a half to get there but it was well worth the trip. James is well worth the trip. Long trips to hear music is the epitome of being me. I had the expected pleasure of seeing Stephanie and Jean’s mother Anne there. I had the unexpected pleasure of seeing Carolann and Bev. I got hugs from each of them. As an extra added bonus, I saw Skye for the first time since the plague started. I met new people too. Hi Andrew, friend of Jean. Liam was standing right behind me but we never got a chance to talk. Same goes for Taylor and Rachael. I’m going through the people because that’s part of the pleasure. I hear live music and knowing that I’m part of a community is reinforced.

On the ride home I crossed the Manhattan Bridge on the Q train. That view never gets old.

Today was not supposed to be exciting but Nick texted me to let me know that the Scooches were playing in Queens this afternoon. After my self-indulgent brunch of chocolate chip brioche French toast with sausage, I made the long trip to Forest Hills, my old stomping grounds. I felt nostalgic walking the neighborhood. It was an unusual show. Not only did the Scooches play but I got to see another side of Betina’s life She’s not just a great musician but also teaches musical theater to kids. I got to see them perform too. The place was packed with parents and other family members. I so wanted the people next to me to ask which one was mine so I could respond, “Betina and Nick!” Yes, I’m that silly. After the shows I got hugs from the aforementioned Betina and Nick so all was right with the world.

I needed to pick some things up shopping. I figured that I would go to the Aldi in Rego Park that I shopped at when I lived in Briarwood. I was surprised to find it would take me 28 minutes to get there by subway and 38 minutes by walking. I was going to walk when I decided to see how long a trip it was to Trader Joe’s. It was 26 minutes walking, so I went for that. As I was picturing the route I realized that when I walked down Metropolitan Ave I would pass Eddie’s Sweet Shop! That’s one of Heaven’s outlet stores on earth. It’s an old fashioned ice cream parlor out of an old movie. The décor is vintage but more importantly everything is made in the premises, the ice cream, the hot fudge, and the whipped cream. This is truly artisanal and thus unlike any other artisanal ice cream parlor. As you have deduced I had a hot fudge sundae. There was nothing fancy. The flavor was simply chocolate. The toppings just hot fudge and whipped cream. It was divine. My exercise walking did not burn as many calories as I ate. That’s OK. I ate dinner at Wendy’s.  I do that so rarely now that it counts as a treat. The nuggets with ghost pepper sauce were great.

The trip home by bus and subway was even longer than the trip to the concert but it was worth it. This was a self-indulgent weekend and I’m proud of that. We all need to do that sometimes. It’s only a vice if done to excess. I bet more of you need a weekend of indulgence than indulge yourself too much.

The one thing I accomplished this weekend was putting together another episode of Gord’s Gold. That’s being self-indulgent too. Now to put this to bed then put myself to bed.