Friday, April 29, 2005

Friday's Fluffy Omlet

From Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Which keys do you have on your key chain?
So weird. I was looking at my keychain tonight. I have a key to the family home that's to be sold this summer. I also have an old key to my previous TV station. I have a key to the new apt. and a key to my locker at the gym. Oh, and I have the key to my Gretta Jetta.

Soup
What is the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?
I've long been spontaneous. Hair cuts are usually spontaneous in my book. Perhaps that's an indication I'm not as spontaneous as I'd like to think.

Salad
Who is the best cook in your family?
Hands down, my mom. But I think I'm a close second (thanks to a mastry of all the ol' family favorites, and a few of my own). To this day I call my mom asking for recipes or technique tricks.

Main Course
If you were to write a "how-to" book, what would the title be?
It's Really Not As Bad As You Think: How to Find Contentment In The Ups And Downs Of Life

Dessert
Name a recent fad you've tried.
I just got one of those girly, flipped-out choppy hairstyles the hip kids are wearing these days. I also got a bit of a funky dye job, strands of platium and strands that are darker than my hair color... kind of a caramel color. I guess that's caving in to the trends, right?

Thursday, April 28, 2005

And They're At The Post...

There's something about the Kentucky Derby that makes me feel like I've taken a trip back in time.

Maybe it's the mint juleps, the natty hats and the long standing tradition of horseracing.

I just picked up my own hat yesterday. Actually, I gave in to impulse (a frequent problem) and two: a pink "mad hatter" straw number with a big, pink straw bow on the front.

The second one has a much wider brim, perhaps you'd call it a portrait hat, with a mesh ribbon and some faux, cream colored flowers on the side. This one would be perfect for getting dressed to the nines while doing yard work.

But alas, I have no yard to work in.

Anyway, back to the Derby.

I added to my collection yesterday, picking up this year's official Derby julep glass and gearing up to pour over the frontrunners, who will hit the dirt at Churchill in just over a week.

***update*** For all you lawyer types, there's one horse called "Closing Argument."

I'm hit or miss when betting on the ponies. Sometimes I do well ($130 on a trifecta), but most of the time I write off my bets at Keeneland (Lexington's classy track) as my annual charity donation.

Oh, and did I mention I make a mean Derby Pie?

The kitchen is now taking orders...

Are They Really?

"It's the story everybody's talking about."

Are they, really?

Who is EVERYBODY?

And why do I get pushed into buying something, doing something, thinking something because "they" say I should.

Who the hell are "they"?

Are "they" on that mythical mountain with the officials and the authorities?

We conclude this professional rant brought to you by everybody.

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Who Said Blondes Are Dumb?

On the schedule today:

A long anticipated highlight job (and haircut.)
A long deserved nap.
A long, labored, homecooked dinner for a friend (Stuffed chicken breasts, mashed potatoes and steamed green beans. Homemade brownies and vanilla ice cream for dessert.)

Upon reflection, I guess I should fit in a long, hard workout in there, too.

Monday, April 25, 2005

The Baby and a Touch of Grey

I have yet another baby to fawn over.

Oh, how I cannot WAIT to meet little Logan. He's the brand, spankin' new son of my friend the GOP Big Wig. For months I have been anxious for this little boy's arrival. I've watched his mommy's tummy grow, I've crocheted blankets for him and knitted cute, fuzzy, little cream-colored hats (complete with a darling, little pom pom). I've felt his mommy's tummy one night when little Logan was moving around inside (quite the wiggle worm!).

Needless to say, I've been really anxious for Logan to arrive.

And arrive, he has!

As a person who has to live vicariously through my friends where birthing and raising children are concerned (at least for now), I am so excited to meet this little boy.

Logan's arrival reminded me about my current vocation in life; single and sometimes loving it. Truth be told, I am really ready to find my soul mate and settle down with a house full of kids. Time keeps on slipping away into the future, and I'm being left behind as a singleton.

Single? yes. Getting any younger? Nope.

I was reminded of that little nugget yesterday morning by the second gray hair I've spotted in my 28 year old life.

Gray hair? Even though I highlight my hair?

Gosh, I'm due for a highlight job.

To think, I'm getting gray hairs, and I don't even have kids yet.

Friday, April 22, 2005

Late Night Morsel

From Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Name something that helps you fall asleep.
Funny considering I'm having some wacko sleep trouble. I've got Simply Sleep, melatonin and valerian all at my disposal (those last two are natural. Natural what, I don't know, but they can be found in your nearest vitamin aisle) and any combination works, albeit for a limited period of time. Still haven't been able to get to that horizontal mecca of eight hours of sleep. Thank god for Makers Mark and illegal sedatives.

Soup
Who brings out the best in you?
Hmm, I've never really considered that. I would say my fam-damily, but they're all so talkative that I kind of clam up around them. I am actually quite the talker, which can sometimes be a problem. All in all, I would have to say my Honorary Big Sis brings out the best in me. She is very forgiving, which is a good thing because I've got a gregarious personality that can be hard to swallow for those anal, type A people (painting with a broad brush here). Honorary Big Sis also draws out in me a desire to be a bit more thoughtful and grown up.

Salad
What do you like to do on a rainy day?
The possibilities are endless. Not so much a shopping fan on rainy days because everybody and their mother hits the malls at the faint whisper of bad weather. I am more inclined to go see a movie, lay in bed all day long and rent movies, read books and eat decadent take-out. Another possibility would be to check out a museum or spend some hard core quality time in a coffee shop or book store.

Main Course
Complete this sentence: In our home, we never have enough...
Milk. This is from the perspective that "our home" is my family home. I used to drink milk like it was going out of style, and my mother would get so pissed off. Never understood that. I guess she wanted me to save some for the rest of the brethren. Funny, because now I'm so glad I gorged myself on milk: I've never broken a bone and I'm ready for that senior smackdown with Osteoporosis. Bring it on, bitch.

Dessert
Which shoe do you put on first?
The left one. I'm left handed and so I do pretty much everything left oriented. Well, except when I swing a golf club or baseball bat. Other than that, it's south paw all the way.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Childhood Fears

What scares you? Is it the same thing that rattled your cage when you are little?

This thought erupted in my mind the other night when I absentmindedly walked across a city grate.

As a rule, I do not walk across those sidewalk grids that show the darkness beneath the city streets. I don't exactly know why, all I know is I have been terrified of these grates ever since I was a little girl. To this day, my more mature 28 year old self will hopscotch or zig-zag my way to a path of least resistance, avoiding those revealing little panels that loosely cover the veins and bones of a vibrant city.

Forget the Seven Year Itch, I have no desire to reenact this classic Monroe scene. My childhood fears, however, have no problem with the classic number from Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend. Bonus points if real ice is involved.

I am also terrified by heights. I do well in airplanes and on the top of skyscrapers (thumbs up to Cincinnati's version of the Empire State Building: Carew Tower) but forget it where ladders and bridges are concerned. I once was doing a repelling course and freaked out at the top of a 60 foot wall. I was minutes away from needing a rescue. Luckily I pulled myself together and made it to the ladder, which was I was far more comfortable descending than I actually was the mock rock wall.

And here's a weird one for you: I am scared by "the country." It has something to do with being in a remote, isolated place with a sparse population and few commercial outlets. I don't know if I'm afraid I'll someday lose out on a limitless supply of Brie cheese or some other big store grocery find, whatever the case, I am terrified of spending too much time in a place that appears to be "in the middle of nowhere." I can do daytrips and maybe even weekend visits as long as the company keeps me occupied. Otherwise, you probably won't find me me more than 20 miles away from a Starbucks franchise. Gotta love that venti non-fat vanilla latte.

I don't know why these fears persist through my adult years, but they're definitely something I want to work on. I have tentative plans this summer to go skydiving with a friend... I'll be sure to wear a Depends on that one.

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Morning Meme

I am running on two hours sleep, two cups of coffee and a can of Cherry Coke. My creativity is at a premium, as I used what little I could scrounge up on my show this morning.

So, I found the following questions on a meme:

1. Do You Wear Your Seatbelt In The Car?:
2. Got Any Tattoo's?:
3. Done Anything Ilegal?:
4. Had Sex In A Public Place?:
5. Stay Up Past Midnight On A Regular Basis?:

1- Every time. Without fail. It's just too stupid a way to die.
2- Nope. Can't make that kind of commitment to body art. I do have a tongue ring I rarely wear, and my masochistic tendencies allow me to force the ring through my practically healed tongue whenever whimsy strikes me.
3-Yep. And I'm looking for a nice frame to put my mugshot in. It was one of the best lessons I've ever learned.
4-Um. I plead The Fifth on this one.
5-I work the Graveyard Shift, so what do you think?

Monday, April 18, 2005

Three Cheers for Marshall Mathers

Hurrah from one bully's victim to another:

A judge says it's okay for Eminem to get back at an old grade-school bully.

Ah yes, justice is served.

Friday, April 15, 2005

Swing Baby, Swing

I'm getting ready to go watch the Reds.

The newsroom social clique has officially taken me in, and on the evening's agenda is a night of taking in the Cincinnati Reds. I'm sure we'll fit in a bit of bar hopping afterwards (seeing as I've got to soak up the new nightlife scene and all).
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Other random notes:

My cable gets installed today. Oh, glorious Food Channel and MTV, how I've missed you!

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I think I'm going to buy one of those big ass exercise balls to use as my seat for my new computer desk.

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By the way, did I mention I went on a shopping spree at Tiffany last week? I bought the most beautiful silver necklace to commemorate my new job and my new life. My friend Wilhelm says it's not in the budget, but oh well. You know me and throwing caution to the wind!

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Hey, here's a question for you to sip on. When the five o'clock whistle blows, lots of folks head out for a beer, a glass of wine, something to help them unwind after their long day at the saltmines.

What's a girl to do when she gets off work at 8:30 AM?

My Honorary Big Sis says it's quite alright for me to have a glass of wine when I get home because that's my end of the day. And besides, it's 5:00 PM somewhere, right?

What do you think?

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I started back up at the gym yesterday. Gold's has a great facility just down from my street, much like the one I left in Lexington. I got my membership transferred and signed up for the obligatory locker. Looking forward to working out like a mean bitch in a new state.

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Thinking about getting the Franz Ferdinand CD. I am in love with that Take Me Out song. Just downloaded the ringer version to my phone.

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I brought in some scones to work today. It seems my cooking skills is luring in some new friends. They were chocolate chip, and dried fruit with nuts, BTW.

Next up: some kind of breakfast casserole.

Oh Wow

It's only after the fact that I realize the magnitude of the previous post.

It's amazing what you stumble upon while tripping on the World Wide Web.

I really don't know what to say, so I'll think about it. Check back later and you might learn more of the story.

Have You Ever Wondered...

Who reads your blog? What if a long, lost friend found your internet diary? What if it was an ex-boyfriend? What if it was someone you had a huge crush on years ago?

Don't mean to get all Dave Matthews on you, but it was something I started wondering yesterday. I was checking my Stat Counter and noticed some IP addresses with some interesting origins. Still don't know who the mystery person is, but it's fun to wonder.

If someone from your past saw your blog, what would they think about you? Have you changed much? Would they be shocked by what you write about? Would they read the whole thing top to bottom looking for a shred of a mention of themselves?

I think most people from my past would be surprised to read my blog. I have done remarkably well in life considering a few adverse situations. I've also stuck by a childhood dream to work in tee-vee. I think some people would be interested to read I've turned out a bit more girly than I used to be. I was never one to worry about getting my clothes dirty while climbing trees or hunting in the backyard creek for good ol' Ohio fossils.

I was kind of weirded out after all this thinking yesterday when I got an email today from a former co-worker. He had stumbled across my blog looking for some info on a Lexington restaurant and had run across my little mental playground. It wasn't his IP address that had sent my brain swirling yesterday, but our little virtual run-in was timely proof that someone from my past could easily stumble into my sandbox.

If you think you know me, feel free to say hello.

If you think you don't know me, but want to, feel free to say hello, too!

Cheers,
Kate

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Thank God for UB40

That "Red, Red Wine" song is priceless.

There are just some tunes in this world that have a way of completely turning around a disposition, and in my case, that song is one of them.

I hear those lines about the sweet nectar of the Gods, and it sends me back to 5th grade. No, I wasn't boozing it up before Brownies, rather, that song was quite popular on the school dance circuit. I remember the older girls (the ones in Junior High) sitting on the back of the bus singing away like an impromptu chorus.

I always thought they were bad, dirty girls for singing a song about something they couldn't even enjoy. What did I know? I was the kind of girl who didn't stay out playing past the shining of the street lights, the kind of girl who didn't snoop through her parents drawers because she was worried she'd get caught. Okay, so I did a little bit of that, but nothing to get noticed. I remember this one time, rooting around in my mom's underwear drawer. Oh but wait, that's a story for another day.

Red, red wine.

That tune reminds me of hitting the roller rink with my little friends for someone's birthday, all gussied up in my rainbow shirt and Jordache jeans, toting along some Rainbow Brite or My Little Pony present. The disco ball would be twirling overhead as we made our way around the wooden rink in our brown leather, standard issue skates with the fluorescent orange wheels turning below. The day was never complete until we had made our way to the Snack Shack for a cherry Icee.

Red, red wine.

I had a glass of some great merlot last night. Yellow Tail, I think it was a 2003 but I could be wrong. At 7 bucks a bottle it's a safe try, and I personally am a fan of the Yellow Tail brand, with it's surprisingly good wines at surprisingly low prices.

Now, their version of Falling In Love With You? That's more of a Pina Colada song, and it's one of my favorite tunes, too.

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Loving Life On The Graveyard Shift

2:00 am
Evening intake thus far:
1- can, Diet Dr. Pepper
1- Chef Salad, from "Wheel of Death" in work breakroom
1- 3 Musketeers Bar
1- cup o' coffee, Hazelnut, extra powdered cream crap and sugar

It takes a bit to get me going in the morning (or is it night?)

It's 2 oclock in the morning and I'm trying to write some news, unfortunately a hint of exhaustion is doing a number on my concentration. As I write about teachers pleading guilty to sexual battery and road projects that are going to cost millions of dollars, my mind is fighting off twirly, sunshiny phases and other sparkly imagery. I'd much rather write about how the sounds of a rushing river are nature's applause than about how citizens in Clermont County can meet with FEMA to find out if they're going to be flooded out.

Oh wait. The scanner's squacking.

Just a shooting in Over The Rhine. Happens every night. The scene's still hot.

Well, that's some new nooz to put in.

My desk TV is on Growing Up Gotti...

7:24 am
Running on two pieces of coffee cake

Here's a random thought: What's up with giving a 9 year old a cell phone?
They have these things they're selling just for kids. They're called Fireflys and the buzz and light up when in use. They can be programmed to only send and recieve calls from specific numbers (like Mom and Dad).

I don't know. I didn't even get a cell phone until I was 23. I'm trying to think if I even had a Walkman when I was 9.

I think the weatherman's mad at me today because I cut his time. Oh well, how was I supposed to know the reporter was going to go long?

Hmm. Thinking about something fun to do tonight. The Cincinnati Art Museum is always good, and the admission is free. Then again, it's Singles Night at the Hyde Park Kroger.

I'm sure there are plenty of men cruising for melons.

Monday, April 11, 2005

Mega-Gigga-Wha?

Brace yourselves, because I'm gearing up to join the 90's:

I'm buying a computer.

It's been a long time coming, something I'm really looking forward to to help me keep up with the bloggin'. Trouble is, I'm not too sure what to buy.

I'm kinda sold on the Dell deals (Dude, you gotta get a Dell) that they always have in the Sunday paper junk, I just don't really know how much computer I really need.

I think I want a Pentium 4 instead of that Celeron thing. And I definitely want a burner (so I can burn all those illegal downloads). Other than that, I'm pretty much clueless. Dell has been giving away flatscreens, so I think I may go for one of those.

Anyway, y'all are the ones who know so much, so please give me some advice.

Basically, I want to burn CDs, be able to watch DVDs, surf the internet, and maybe use a webcam to show dirty things, like the yucky pile of dishes in my kitchen (now where was your mind going with that one?)

Morning Muffin

from Friday's Feast

Appetizer - What is a symbol that inspires you?
The Celtic Cross. It represents two things I'm proud of: my faith and my Irish heritage.

Soup - Name something (either serious or funny) that has happened in your life that you would consider a miracle.
God's unending love. He has given me so many gifts and opportunities to learn from my mistakes and make things right.

Salad - How do you handle criticism?
It's a tough pill to swallow, but if it is going to make me better, then I'm all for it.

Main Course - Complete this sentence: I feel alone when...
I experience extreme emotion (moments of celebration, times of trial) all by myself.

Dessert - Name one TV show you wouldn't want to be caught dead watching.
Jerry Springer

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Nurse Ratchet and My Moving Man

I am settling in quite well into my new pad. I am really falling in love with it's old charm, though it's lack of outlets is a bit frustrating to say the least.

I officially moved in last Saturday and have been sifting through all my junk ever since. I completely forgot I had a picnic set and a feather boa (I'm almost certain I never used the two together).

The day was with the usual stresses of moving Did I pack everything? Where did I pack my W2s? but God threw a few monkey wrenches my way involving my ghetto car and 15 minute missing purse (which had my new apt. key and the credit card I needed to pay my moving men).

On the plus side, I scored a free, beautiful desk from my Honorary Big Sis and her husband and a couch/loveseat set from my GOP Big Wig friend. I had to pay off the movers 100 bucks in cash to make the stop to pick up the couch and loveseat, which totally sucked, but at least my new employer is reimbursing me for the move.

My movers were fast and strong. All told, they moved me out in about 2 and a half hours and it probably took about two hours for them to move me back in. Upon signing the bill, the head mover guy (about 29, tall and lots of muscle) slipped a piece of paper in my hand and said, "That's for when you come back to Lexington."

I smiled and said okay, not knowing what I was agreeing to. It was a note with his phone number.

Yeah, riiiight.

My car started acting up as soon as I made it to Cincinnati. Well, I should say, it STOPPED acting up. I couldn't get the engine to turn both before I left Lexington and once I arrived across the river. A friend was kind enough to jump me before I left Kentucky, and since I successfully made the 80 mile trip I deduced it wasn't my alternator.

A friend of mine and I sought out, and after three trips to Auto Zone I learned A) How to use jumper cables B) How to use a ratchet set and C) How to remove/install a car battery.

Don't tell the ladies at the nail salon, they might banish me from Girlyhood forever.

Seriously, the friend who was helping me is a 28 year old man. It killed me that he had to read his car manual to see how to jump a car. Even I knew that one (red to red to red...)

He and I stood there in front of my engine with the new ratchet set, figuring out how it worked when he practically threw up his hands in frustration. I told him Move over, I'm gonna be the surgeon and you're gonna be the nurse. Just get the tools I need ready and we'll be all good.

I really got a kick out of the fact he had no idea what he was doing.

Anyway, the car is working now, and I am having a blast exploring Cincinnati in my off time.
Yesterday I sat at a park for a couple hours. It's on a cliff right above a small airport, and I got a good look at several dozen planes taking off and landing.

Life is pretty good right now, and I'm kind of holding my breath.

Friday, April 01, 2005

God Bless John Paul II

What an amazing man. An ambassador for peace and Christianity, the first non-Italian pope. The world will be at a loss with the imminent passing of Pope John Paul II.

No doubt, The Pope knew God was fun.

You can check up on the Pontiff's conditions and all other Papal news here, you can also get connected to The Vatican's official website (kind of slow right now because of high traffic) or send JPII an email at john_paul_ii@vatican.va

Bye, Bye, Bye (Bluegrass)

Plus, a shout out to my favorite Lexington restaurants

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From inside the UK Library
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I'm keeping my chin up

Well, this is it. Today's my last night living in Lexington. I'm kind of melancholy about the whole thing. Leaving the place that taught me to drink hard, how to be sober and then how to drink responsibly. The place that showed me I could live my life being the girl all the fraternity guys and later preppie business men wanted me to be, but instead nurtured me into thinking being myself was damn good enough.

Lexington has been chock full of growth for me, and for that I'll be eternally grateful. I've met friends that fit every category of that fabled email (reasons, seasons or a lifetime) as well as a whole bunch of people that showed me how -not- to be.

And who knew a sleepy (especially after last call was extended to 2:30 am) little town could be SO MUCH FUN? Not just in the late night liquid buffet lifestyle of my college years (okay, and a few of those after school) but in the Wow. I'm content to sit in this coffee house all by my lonesome and read some Poe sense. The past few years have blessed me with a broadening of interests, including:

- Tinkering around the Farmer's Market
- Walking around Lexington's older, cobblestoned streets and admiring the architecture
- Taking afternoon drives in the glorious sun on little roads that weave in and out of the patchwork of horsefarms in the Bluegrass
- Spending afternoons holed up in my kitchen with my apron on slaving over my latest impulse
- Discovering God's love and the faith bubbling beneath my surface
- Lacing on the ol' tennis shoes and taking a turn or two around the path at the Arboretum
- Passionately seeking out local dining establishments to enjoy the culinary talents of independent restauranteurs

This includes the social givens that come with living in Lexington, like Keeneland, UK Basketball and the fun nightlife (and a passion for good bourbon). Yes, that last one is a social given in Lexington (especially about the bourbon).

I am going to miss fair Lexington, but I know the way back from Cincinnati by heart, so I shouldn't have too much trouble finding my way to the doorsteps of my good friends or across the threshold of my favorite haunts.
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In honor of all the places I've stopped at while eating my way across town, here's a list of The Best Restaurants in town according to me. Should you be visiting Lexington sometime soon, be sure to check these spots out:

Atomic Cafe The best patio in town and excellent Caribbean food. Good Island drinks too and steel drum bands regularly in the summer. The place to see and be seen.

Ramsey's My favorite restaurant of all. It's casual, it's homegrown and a lot of it's dishes are heart attacks on a plate, but I love it! Stop by between 4 and 7 for 2-for-1 drinks and make sure you try the Kentucky Hot Brown, the zucchini burger or any of the special side dishes. (And save room for Missy's Pies... especially Mayday Pie).

The Sal's/Malone's/Oscar's/Harry's dynasty The first two have great steaks (and are good date places). Sal's is more like a NYC steakhouse with Italian influences. Great polenta. The other two are good watering holes, with an older crowd at Oscar's - a piano/oyster bar kind of place, and Harry's more of the yuppie on the prowl kind of crowd and a high class sports theme. Think granite table tops, horse prints and plasma everywhere.

Portofino Candlelight. Wine. Graceful Italian food. The embodiment of romance.

Nagasaki What can be more fun than rounding up your ten best friends and getting a private room with rice paper walls? Sitting on the floor and eating with your shoes off has never been cooler. My recent experiences with cold sake have upped this spot on my list. Great sushi, and get one of their salads with the Wasabe dressing.

Joe Bologna's Lexington's first smoke-free restaurant. It's all about pizza here (and grinders, and lasagna, and pasta, and sandwiches and salads). Make sure you get a breadstick more like a bread loaf with garlic and olive oil.

De Sha's The food isn't on the cutting edge, but the view of Triangle Park (at the heart of downtown), what with it's twinkling white lights in the trees, make up for it. In the historic Victorian Square, De Sha's portions are substantial and the food is full of comfort.

Dudley's White tablecloth service with servers who know how to pronounce all those fancy words like confit and soufle. Okay so those words aren't hard to pronounce, and it wouldn't be hard for you to get used to the likes of Dudley's. Always sophisticated, always "grown up", this tops my list of special occasion restaurants.

Cheapside One of my favorite weekend drinking spots. Don't overlook it's menu though, great Duck Enchilada, Barbecue Chicken Pizza and Black Bean Chili. Monday night is Martini Monday with $3 single serving drinks. The rest of the time they come with a cute lil' side car. The patio is always chock full of the pretty people, even in the early Spring and late Fall (when the outdoor heaters are fired up at full throttle).

Truth be told, Lexington has a lot of other great restaurants I've never been to. I've heard Annabelle's is good, same with le Deauville and Bellini's. They're all new and I'm more of an old school kind of gal. The Homestead is supposed to be "fancy down-home" and A' La Lucie was voted one of the best date restaurants (read: fancy-romantic-white tablecloth-he's gonna pop the question) in the country.

I guess I still have a few things to look forward to next time I make my way down south on I-75.