Kestrachern

Our story picks up on Friday night, dinner at Bella Brava on the eve of Memorial Day 2009. I chose the four cheese pizza (quattro fromage) topped with an egg seasoned in truffle oil. Was very delicious and left me feeling quite full. That filled sensation changed into something more unpleasant, a sharp pain at the edge of my ribs just to the inside of my right nipple. When the pain did not subside after a few hours off to the hospital….. After x-ray, sonogram, and exploratory palpitations by the Dr. on duty nothing conclusive was found. Fortunately a cocktail of anti-acid, anti-histamine, and demerol won the battle over pain.

So with little sleep that night I made my way to Gulfport for the third Gulfport Goes Green street expo. The recent rain and threat of Saturday showers kept many vendors from setting up. Which was unfortunate for by 11:00 or so the sky cleared and Saturday would be come a most beautiful day. While I kept busy at the street faire Shelley and Sara soaked up the sun at Pass-A-Grille beach. We met up around 3:30PM for dinner at O’Maddy’s. (the start of a theme that weekend) I had some great news to share… a new restaurant opening in Gulfport offered me the position of full-time server! Excitement was high from the days events. My innards were still feeling slightly wonky so I took my time with the Rueben sandwich… Next stop was Chez Kitteh for some relaxing time. I sat on the couch and engaged in a series of cat naps as Shelley and Sarah grabbed leashed for Biscuit and Angus. The two felines had not been outside all week due to the weather and had cultivated a nice case of cabin fever. Pulling my bicycle out of MooseB8 I saw it had a flat.. so I hurried off to the bike shop hoping to catch them still open… alas it was not to be so… feeling a little defeated I took a little time to pout and fully wake up… hunger returned and Sara and I went out for smoothies and wraps while Shelley napped on the couch. After my second dinner I went over to the Independent (a local bar – probably the best local bar) to meet some of my future co-workers as they explored possible beer choices for the new eatery.

Sleeping in on Sunday till the point where the bike shop opened did wonders for my tired and recuperating body. I felt much better as I headed to drop my bike off for repairs… There is a love/hate relationship with the bike shop and I was very pleased that they would fix the tire that day. I gathered the recycling, took some pictures, and rummaged about the house till the call came in that the bike was ready! Even better there was no charge for the first flat for it was a new bike. I could not wait to go back and go for a ride. A short ride in the hot weather was all I could muster… I did not wish to stress out my body and make a return trip to the hospital that evening. Shelley and Sara were excited to return to the beach and the three of us headed off to frolic in the sun and surf. A few hours soak later our party of three grew by one as hunger joined our group. Each of us chose a dinner criteria: me – cuban sandwich, Shelley – key lime pie, Sara -margaritas and headed off on a bike ride for a restaurant. Cha-Cha Cocoanuts at the Pier satisfied all three of our pre-dinner requests and we were in a great vantage point to watch the storms build and die over Sarasota and the sun set into the Gulf. Looking to squeeze a little more out of the day we rode back to Chez Kitteh and made the short walk to enjoy Star Trek at the local theater. I saw Tribbles!!!!

Monday arrived with no concern of it being a holiday weekend. I was off to Gulfport too help launch some Kayaks then head over to the new restaurant for cleaning, raining and what all. The kayakers were a family of four (+ a boyfriend). It was great to see them getting outside and enjoying the day… everyone was in good shape and spurred thoughts of if it was nature or nurture that made them all so. O’Maddy’s came into the picture again as an impromptu lunch meeting spot for the boss to feed myself and the other server, Jillian, while outlining his vision of customer service. Thankfully that was the last bit I required by the restaurant for the day and I set off to retrieve the Kayaks and return them to storage. Abbey called and we swapped tales of recent life adventures as I took the kayaks home. Hanging up with her Shelley called, she and Sara had gone to Fort de Soto beach and were on their way back. Feeling hot, tired, and hungry they suggested I grab a table at O’Maddy’s for liquid refreshment and food. All of the short trips I made on my Gt Gutterball (still need a name) on Monday while listening to music confirmed that urban street fixed-gear riding is best to a soundtrack, in the same way that hooping is more fun to music. Ahh the pleasures of having earbuds not mangled by Angus (THANK YOU Shelley)
What better way to finish Memorial Day Weekend 2009 than with a trip to the Independent for one last beer. Back to Chez Kitteh was livened up with some lighting from a northern thunderstorm glowing in the clouds. And that was that.