St. Louis-- Day #3

The newly engaged couple's first outing was officially today at the St. Louis Zoo. Although it's beautiful weather at Fort Campbell this February, it is cold in St. Louis. Me being the genius I am, I didn't really bring anything warm to wear, so I was reduced to whatever warm items I had in the trunk of my car. Which means, all I had was Army stuff. Wearing Army stuff mixed with civilian clothes is a big no-no. Not only because it's a no-no, but because you look like a big douche. I had to be a big douche for survival reason. I wore my waffle top to stay warm. You wouldn't know it was Army issue unless you were in the Army. As a civilian, you'd think it was just an awful sweater.

 

Now significantly warmer, James and I were able to wander the zoo. Not only did I think it was cold, all the damn animals thought it was too cold as well. Almost every exhibit was empty because they were huddled in their indoor enclosures out of sight. What a bunch of assholes!

The only active animals we saw were a manically pacing bear:

And a stinky room full of penguins:

Maybe we'll go back to the St. Louis Zoo when the weather is more appealing to the animals. And hopefully I'll be dressed more fashionably and without a spattering of issued Army clothing on.

Surprise Dinner

On Friday night, James told me he had a special surprise for me for dinner. He took me on a magical ride through the most ghetto hood of St. Louis en route to dinner. I was a little concerned my surprise was going to be a drive by shooting.

We arrived at the Bissell Mansion. It took me approximately 1 minute upon entering the mansion before I figured out what the real surprise was-- he took me to murder mystery dinner theater. I've always wanted to do that! I kick so much ass at Clue. I was very very excited.

The theme to the show took place during prohibition. My part was a gal called Rita the Rat. She was a police informant and a gossip. James' part was a guy called Red Herring. He was a suspect in a previous murder and ran a fish flavored coffee business (gross, right!?).  Dinner was so much fun. The two professional actors that kept the story running and on track were funny and had a lot of working chemistry.

In act 4, just before we were all supposed to guess who the murderer was, one of the actors called Red Herring front and center. He was told he was suddenly a prime suspect. Then the actor called my role, Rita the Rat, forward and he asked me if Red Herring went to jail, would I stay with him? I shrugged, and said yes. And as I turned my attention back to Red Herring, he was down on one knee with a little velvet box in his hand.

Every one in at the dinner theater went nuts! And all I could do was cover my mouth and stand there! I was so shocked and happy-- and surprised. That was the real real surprise!

I said, yes, of course.

James really out did himself. I'm a really lucky girl to have such a creative and wonderful fiance. We're getting married!! :) XOXO

St. Louis-- Day #2

The Budweiser Brewery was on our list of things to do while we were visiting St. Louis. So we went ahead and knocked that out first. Unfortunately, getting to the brewery turned out to be quite the challenge, since unbeknown to us, St. Louis throws the 2nd biggest Mardi Gras in the country every year. Second only to the OG Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Duh.

Drunk people were everywhere, and it seemed like all roads leading to the brewery were closed. We snaked our way through downtown, with eyes on the brewery, just barely out of reach, for over 20 minutes.

The Budweiser tour was pretty cool. I remember going on it when I was a kid with my parents. And I actually remembered it quite vividly, amazingly enough. I think it was because of the horses. Or maybe it was a premonition for my love of beer as an adult.

At the end of the tour you get 2 free beers. Bonus!

And in case you were wondering, we didn't go party at the huge Mardi Gras festival. We had intentions to, but we heard from some folks that all the bars were closing around 9pm because there were too many wasted people on the streets. I bet the real Mardi Gras doesn't do that. Way to stay #2, St. Louis.

St. Louis-- Day #1

James and I went on a little vacation to St. Louis. Approximately 4 hours away, we decided to just get away for a long weekend.

I had made our hotel reservations in advance, and since the last time I was in St. Louis I was like 8, I didn't have a good feel for the area. I chose the Sheraton in a suburb. It was significantly cheaper. I figured James and I are pretty tough, so if we ended up in a crappy neighborhood, we'd be able to take care of ourselves.

Well, the suburb the hotel is in is Clayton, Missouri. Which happens to be the nicest, most ritzy suburb of St. Louis. Clearly, James and I looked like a couple of hobos when we checked in-- amplified with tattoos a blazin'.

It was later in the day when we checked in, so we set off on foot to find something to eat for dinner. We had found a restaurant online, but forgot what it was called while we were walking, so the first place we saw, we went in to. We should have known we were in the wrong spot when a valet opened the door for us and a maitre d seated us. Further more, the first question the waitress asked me was, "What kind of water would you like?" There is more than one type of water!?

James and I were not the right kind of customer for Morton's... clearly. But we stayed. We had wonderful (and EXPENSIVE) meal. But most importantly, James made Morton's his bitch by eating a 26oz porterhouse steak in a restaurant fit for celebrities in less than 15 minutes while wearing a beanie.

We walked to a pub down the road after dinner in search of a place that we fit in. We never really found that place, but there was a bar with beer on draft, so we settled for that. The place was full of men in suits, and ladies in pencil skirts. So formal for a so-called Irish Pub. We were drunk and merry. And had way more fun than those stuck up young private college folks.

Watch out, Clayton, Missouri. James and Jackie are here!

New Stuff Makes Me Happy

We bought a new couch with my Iowa income tax return. Material things shouldn't make me so happy, but they do. I'm honest-- so sue me!! Love the new couch! Thanks, Iowa! XOXO

February? For Reals?

Really? This is February? I wouldn't believe it for a second, except for the fact that I checked my iPhone and it really is the calendar month of February.

It's warmer at Fort Campbell than it is in San Diego today. It was so humid and warm that I had to run the air conditioner after I walked from the PX to my car. Either I am terribly out of shape and I couldn't hang on a 100 meter walk, or this weather is super warm and I'm still out of shape because it's effecting me so much.

I hope this isn't a precursor to this upcoming summer. Summer 2011 almost killed me with the heat and humidity. Summer 2012 just might get me...!