Send in the Clouds

It was cloudy once again and it had rained overnight. The idea of getting more than two days of sunshine in a row has been next to impossible so far this July. Moreover, strong storms with hail and lightning were forecasted for the day and as of 8am the next batch of storms loomed just to our west. The winds were kicking up, too. Ykraps and I avoided much of the rain, but it came down shortly after our return. So much for getting our wet tents in the sun to dry out. They’ve been setting in the garage since Wednesday. While Mindy slept, I made dinner reservations at Mitchell’s at Polaris. She asked if we could do a real date tonight. I sent her an email invitation via the online reservation system. Cool system. I also checked the Rave movie theatre in the Polaris area to see if Bruno was playing and if then the show times hoping it would coincide with our dinner date. It did. The movie started at 4:50pm (1hr 21 min run time), and dinner at 7pm just around the corner. Perfect. I left for my run around 10am. I got caught in a couple brief showers but no lightning. Mindy got up sometime after my run was completed. She wouldn’t be doing her yoga today. Not enough time to prepare and get there. We did very little all morning and early afternoon. It was a lazy, rainy day to be sure. Around 3pm I got shower and dressed for our date. I asked Mindy to do the same immediately after. She didn’t realize that we needed to leave the house by 4pm. She suggested that I walk Ykraps before we left so he wouldn’t be left holding it until 9pm. Good plan. The only problem was that it was still raining. I used an umbrella to protect my lovely hairdo. :) We took I-270 around to I-71N then exited on Gemini Pl, the 2nd Polaris exit. That took less time than I budgeted. We found the movie theatre quickly and were inside with our tickets ($7 each) by 4:25pm. Mindy bought a large popcorn and soda for us to share. She had them smoother the popcorn in wet butter – later learned that was a mistake. Our theatre was number 16 of 18. This would be the first movie that we’ve seen together in a couple of years. In fact, I can’t recall the last time we movied together. We sat through a series of theatre commercials and then movie previews. They emphasized the use of new digital projectors. I could see the quality difference. Time to watch Bruno! Wow! The movie was far more over the top than I expected, and definitely more graphic. I won’t spoil it for any of you, but will say that it’s not a movie you’d take your kids to, or for that matter, your mother. But if you liked Borat I’m certain that you’ll appreciate this one. There are some incredibly funny parts. But if you happen to be a phobe, you probably won’t be able to endure it. Mindy seemed to get a kick out of it. I did. We got back to our car at right about 6:30pm, perfect timing for our 7pm dinner reservations just around the corner at Mtichell’s. We were shown to our table right away. Our waiter/server was Scott, a long time employee of Cameron and now Mitchell’s. He was very adept at making one feel important. He emphasized that we could pretty much have anything we wanted, even if it wasn’t seen on the menu. He implored us to simply ask. Mindy started with a glass of wine. I started with a CBC Pale Ale. We ordered our appetizers and entrées soon after – a bowl of lobster bisque and calamari served as appetizers. We each ordered their $33 special which included salad, 7 ounce filet, a side, and dessert. We both upgraded the simple filet to be ‘Oscar’d (that was $7 each). The food was all very good, but honestly, not as good as it was when Cameron owned – no offense. My complaints: the lettuce in my salad was slightly limp; the bisque barely luke- warm, and my filet, just decent. Mindy said her filet was excellent. Also, Scott brought me a second beer even after I declined the offer. That was between courses which I assumed was on the house. It wasn’t. Again, I‘m not complaining but instead sharing the honest truth. The overall service (attention and professionalism) was impeccable as always. They packed up our leftovers, including the second dessert we couldn’t eat, for take home. We headed for home. We must’ve arrived home near 9pm or just before. We quickly made drinks and then walked down to the neighbors, Kenny & Chrissy’s. Mike & Julie were over, still there after Jake’s birthday party earlier in the day. We had a blast hanging with our neighbors. Always do. Kenny and I firmed up our golf plans. He agreed to drive. We planned to depart at 7:50am. Mike & Julie disappeared intot he house around 10-1030pm. We hung out for another half hour or so then headed home ourselves. I didn’t want to be dragging come 6am, my self-imposed Sunday rise time.