Week 19: Wining, dining and a blast from the past

Total weight lost: 16 lbs

I’ve been in Washington for just over a week now, and I’m pleased to say that all heck did not break loose just because I am on vacation.  Yes, I’ve been enjoying the occasional BBQ, the frequent meal out, and I’ve raided the goodie cupboard more times than I would like to admit, but happily the scale has not shown any ill effects from my choices thus far.

I spent the first part of this week cleaning out my childhood room.  It’s a task I’ve been meaning to accomplish for ages, and I figured what better time than when I’ll be staying in the room next door for an entire month.  I found a lot of treasures and a lot of junk.  I discovered my pre-historic gameboy in like-new condition, safely nestled in its uber-cool fanny pack case (Yes, I tried it on.  And yes, I took a picture).  I found my first camera, ‘le click,’ with a half-used roll of film in it, which I intend to complete and have developed.  I re-read a diary entitled, “My Darkest Secrets,” where the first thing I wrote was, “I got a 3.95 GPA last quarter.”  I kid you not.  My GPA was apparently my darkest secret, followed by:  “There is a boy at school that I think I like” and “Today we started PE at school”.

Back when overalls were cool...ish

I also finally got rid of a lot of the clothes I had stashed away and forgotten about.  I tried on my old prom dresses (they fit!), and I made myself give away my last remaining pair of overalls.  I know they’ve been out of style since the 90s, but they are just so darn comfortable.  I thought about keeping them for old time’s sake, but I knew the temptation would be too great.  Sure, I may start by limiting myself to donning them strictly as lounge-wear, but it would only be a matter of time before they would make their way back into my wardrobe full time.  I just can’t risk another embarrassing raid by the fashion police.

In other news, last night I had the pleasure of hanging out in Seattle with a couple of good friends.  I had forgotten how much I love the city:  the view of the water and the space needle from I-5, the ‘rain’ that never really gets you very wet but can wreak havoc on carefully curled hair, the place where the famous pink toe truck used to reside.  And now, I can add a new item to my long list of things I love about Seattle:  El Gaucho. 

It’s supposedly a very well known steakhouse, though I had never heard of it until last night.  I have it on good authority that Bill Gates takes his guests there (which may explain why I have not heard of it—Bill and I run with slightly different crowds).  Anyway, as we approached the restaurant, I saw a man standing outside the door behind a podium, just like they do at fancy clubs in the movies.  I assumed his purpose was to kindly decline admittance to those who were not cool enough to enter, and I had a fleeting moment of panic (perhaps brought on by my recent trip down memory lane) that he wasn’t going to open the door.  Fortunately, I had left my overalls at home, and he just politely held the door as we all trooped in.

The flaming Bananas Foster

The inside was amazing: black-leather covered doors led to a dining room and bar that epitomized ‘classy’.  Elegant black booths sat empty but beautifully set, and the pristine bar was stocked with bottles of what I can only assume were the most expensive liquors.  We were not there for the alcohol (though the cocktails were exceptional).  We were there for dessert.

The waitresses (yes, we had more than one), brought us menus and placed our napkins on our laps.  I ordered the Chocolate Bourbon cake, while my partners in crime requested a house specialty, Bananas Foster.  Both were indescribably delicious.  Yes, I shared my chocolate cake like the polite girl that I am.  Well, I shared two bites.  After that, I was perfectly content to finish off every last candied pecan all by myself.  It was the kind of dessert that’s worth falling off the diet wagon for.  Heck, I’d take a running jump off the diet wagon for that particular cake.  And that’s not all.  At El Gaucho, I was even escorted to the ladies’ room by one of the well-dressed waiters.  Oddly awesome, right?

Here’s to being back in the Pacific Northwest, if only for a month.  I’ve missed it!