District 2 Bar and Grille & Gay Bars

They are the joy and bane of my existence. On one hand I always have an amazing time at both locations. On the other hand they leave me single, broke, but still happy.

District 2 is across the street from my house, full of people I love, and they know how I like my condiments. It’s my Cheers. I walk in and people know my name. If I have one too many, I stumble home. Chris (my favorite bartender) can judge by the look on my face whether it is going to be a Miller Lite Day, Cabernet Day, or if he should go ahead and pour me a shot of Whiskey. The people are incredible…The Robs, Kenny, Dave, or the occasional visit from Matt or Gary…they always put a smile on my face. HOWEVER, I obviously haven’t met a fella (well a long term fella) there yet and because it’s neighborhood bar, I don’t think the chances of me finding a man are good. What’s that saying, you can’t do the same thing and expect different results?? Something like that.

Then there is my home away from home…J.R.’s.  While these Sunday Fundays are spent with $3 Sky Vodka, Britney Spears playing on the TV’s, and GORGEOUS MEN with beautiful bodies (who are joined by their boyfriends). Of course I find a lot of men that get along GREAT with…but I also know we wont be running off into the sunset anytime soon.

Between the cab rides to J.R.’s and the food and wine at D2 (Hello DELICIOUS Pretzel Sticks) I think I dropped a letter in my name the minute I moved into my neighborhood…the “O” Brooke became broke.  I’m pretty sure I pay the utility bill every month at District 2 and may or may not have paid off one or two of the TVs at J.R.’s.  

To both places I say “You’re Welcome.” And “Thank You!” It’s you’re fault I’m single and broke, but you’re also the reason my life is fabulous.

TODAY…I celebrate!

28 1/2 years on this Earth and I still haven’t been to jail, gotten pregnant (AMEN!), or made so much of a fool of myself that I have a ridiculous nickname. Not bad, right?

So, like I said before, FOR THAT…I celebrate.

I’m treating myself to a trip to the dentist (trying to make it seem like a positive even though I am in NO WAY looking forward to the appointment), massage and facial, work out (why the work out? That’s not a way to celebrate! Well my friends, my metabolism has slowed down in my old age so it’s necessary…especially after you read the next step in the celebration) , AND ROSA MEXICANA for Chips & Salsa & GUAC! OH I LOVE GUAC!

I’m not the only person celebrating this week! I also have to give a shout out to some of my favs that have had a Birthday in the past few days or one coming up!

My sister Ashley (she’s 21 now!), my Grandpa,  Joe Quinn, Justin Timberlake, Murray Peel, and My Mom!

I have been lucky enough to find 2 places that bring me this joy.

1. Disneyland

2. The Arthur Ravenal Jr. Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina

I have been unfortunate enough to fall in love and find peace with 2 locations that are hundreds of miles away…with that being said I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH to be able to access them daily via modern technology.

Yesterday I met Cinderella in Fantasyland, ride the carousel & Dumbo, and have a fight with the Abominable Snowman at the Matterhorn, all while in my condo, Thanks to the X-Box Kinect Disneyland Adventures Game. IT WAS MAGICAL!

And this morning I was feeling a little homesick, missing the charm of Charleston & my gorgeous boyfriend (aka The bridge…we’re offical on Facebook. Not kidding. Check it out), so I went to YouTube and pulled up one of my favorite music videos, Darius Rucker “Come Back Song”. I cant thank Darius (a Charleston Native) enough for making this video and allowing me to revisit some of my favorite places in the city.

I know it’s not the real thing…but it’s something…and that’s good enough for me.

Click here to view the embedded video.

*Sidenote- because I literally copied and pasted from emails to my friends, I didn’t spell check , use correct punctuation, or re read before I sent. Every English teacher I’ve ever had is weeping right now.
Brooke Ryan
Jan 17 (2 days ago)
to Allison, Brian
I just wanted to let you guys know…I’m working on it.
 
I will have a full blown PLAN by close of business tomorrow (YEP IM TAKING THIS SERIOUS…then again I’m not really sure when my business technically closes because Id ont have an official event planning business but that’s neither here nor there!)
–

Allison
Jan 17 (2 days ago)
to me, Brian
Funny, I was going to text you today and ask you where we were drinking this weekend. But felt a little premature. Hahah
I’m in.  I’m free. I’m “working” from home on Friday so good to go!!

Sent from my iPhone
–

Brian
Jan 17 (2 days ago)
to Allison, me
I can’t wait.
Let’s show DC how to have fun.
–

Brooke Ryan
Jan 18 (1 day ago)
to Brian, Allison

The Super Fun Weekend Agenda
 
 
Here are some general ideas…I’m open to suggestions/voting on which we like best. I know we were originally felt like Sat night was the answer…but Check continue to scroll down and see the other options I found too…we can always do the earlier ones and then SEE if we are up for the Sat Night Shenanigans.
 
SUPER SATURDAY NIGHT
630- And So It Begins…
Meet at my house so we can all catch a cab at the same location. Pre Party Cocktails and apps. 
 
730/8ish- Game On Bitches
 
Rocket Bar (7th Street) http://rocketbardc.com/rates.html
They’ve got shuffleboard, darts, board games, etc.
 
OR
 
Lucky Strike (7th Street) http://www.bowlluckystrike.com/bowl/
Bowling, Beer, and (like Rocket Bar) located in the heart of Gallery Place
 
1030ish- Ridin Dirrty
 
This is the Cab Ride to our next location 
 
11ish- Dancin Till The World Ends! (had to get a Britney reference in there somewhere)
 
District (Adams Morgan) http://www.districtadamsmorgan.com/
Just look at the website…yep this could be a good one! I feel like this is the place we can do shots, make out with random strangers (we will never see again) on the dance floor, and As Lil Jon and the East Side Boys said, “Get Low”.
 
I looked up a few others but didn’t really love any of them.  
 
Super Saturday…Daytime Edition
 
1K Beer Walk
January 21, 2012 at 2:00 pm- 1:00 am
Location:  Crystal City Shops
Admission:  $35-$40
–

Allison
Jan 18 (1 day ago)
to me, Brian
This all sounds amazing.  I’m up for whatever.  If I HAVE to vote, I vote for the 1k beer walk.  That sounds like it could be pretty fun and different.  I’ve driven thru Crystal City a few times, and the bars look fun. 
–

Brian
Jan 18 (22 hours ago)
to me, Allison
Haha that agenda is hilarious. Gotta say I’m partial to the liquor/partying timeline.

Walking down the street and drinking beer sounds more like a random Tuesday (I may be an alcoholic).
–
Brooke Ryan
Jan 19 (5 minutes ago)
to Brian, Allison

Im liking the Sat night plans too!
 
Al…looks  like we’re heading to Forever 21 to buy a slutty (i swear im) 21 outfit! I’m thinking it should be something that makes us look cold…but as we all know…ITS NEVER WINTER IN HOOCHIE-VILLE!
 
Brian…get your best one liners ready and come up with a really good name of a shot, make up the ingredients, and then proceed to tell everyone its the best shot ever that you had one the last time you were in Charleston(or wherever) and make them believe its a real one. The conversation would go like this
 
Random scantily clad 21yr old at the bar- Hey your cute.
Brian- Hey Im Brian you are too.
RSC21YOAB(thats her new abbreviation)-Let’s do a shot?
Brian-youre going home with me tonight
RSC21YOAB-WHAT? (like shes shocked but she know she is going)
Brian- NO (insert fake laugh here) thats the name of the shot “Youre going home with me tonight”
RSC21YOAB-Oh your so funny (insert annoying drunk girl laugh here) whats in it?
Brian proceeds to give her the description, they take the shot, and the next morning she wakes up in your bed, and you both have a great story to tell. BUT YOURS IS BETTER BECAUSE SHE THINKS ITS A REAL SHOT! BUT WE KNOW =)
 
After writing that scenereo I realized, I have entirely too much time and my creativity is being wasted on this night. That is all.

See you saturday at 630…bring whoever.
–
 
LOOK OUT WEEKEND BECAUSE HERE WE COME!

I purchased some new items at Ikea (LOVE THAT PLACE) yesterday to spruce up my 450 square feet.

I have been eating off TV trays, in my bed (which ended up making me purchase more sheets this year because I spilled ketchup on them), and on my floor…I decided it was time to be a grown up and GET A TABLE!

As we all know, you can’t walk into Ikea and just walk out with a table and chairs. I ended up with a table, chairs, fake flowers, flower pot, dish scrubber, heart shaped ice cube tray, umbrella (yea they have umbrellas), and a ROOM DIVIDER (because of the lack of closet space I have rolling racks in my condo and shoe racks…it’s basically an open closet).

The table was first. NAILED IT! Well technically I screwed it, but I figuratively NAILED IT on the first shot. Didn’t have any left over screws or pieces. I was so excited! MOVE OVER BOB VILA!

Then I started on the Divider…piece of cake! Right?

WRONG.

As you can see…I put two of the sheets/material BEHIND the bar and one in FRONT!

UGHHHH and I needed the sheets to be in front. Doesn’t seem like that big of a deal but I practically stripped the nail while I was screwing it in.

I made it work BUT I’ve come to the conclusion that next time I’m hiring someone to come over and put it together.

*Sidenote- The words used for building things sound very sexual…nailed it, screwed it, stripped it…and by the end I was saying F*** It!

I purchased my new Magic Wand Salt & Pepper shakers last weekend at Francesca’s in Bethesda and seasoning my food has never been more enjoyable!

If you happen to walk down Wisconsin Ave and hear Bippity Boppity Boo coming from a condo building, I’m not trying to turn a pumpkin into a carriage, I’m just adding a little flavor to my green beans.

Here’s the link to buy them http://www.perpetualkid.com/salt-magic-shakers.aspx

Let’s take a trip to October 2006…

I was with my girlfriend Emily at the Paris Hotel Bar in Las Vegas. We we’re sipping on cocktails and gossiping about what the night had in store for us! Little did I know, this was the beginning of one of the greatest love/lust/like/whatever you want to call it stories of my life. While sitting at the bar we were approached by some older gentleman (older is being polite, they had to be in their 80’s, no joke). They asked us to sit at their table and chat. They were harmless…and bought our drinks…so we did! I noticed a ridiculously good looking guy sitting at the table next to us. We made eye contact…and continued to…The old men left and I got up to go to the bathroom. Upon return, Emily was talking to the dreamboat. *Looks like I wasn’t the one he was interested in…no biggie there were plenty of men in Sin City* That’s when he said to Emily (but loud enough for me to hear), “Will you tell your friend I’m in love with her?” That was it. I was hooked. I’m not sure if I believe in love at first sight but he challenged my doubt. We talked for a bit but he had to leave to meet his friends at MGM Grand and we had our plans. He got my number but I didn’t really think I’d hear from him…we were in Vegas…He called, we met up, but best of all, we kept in touch.

Fast Forward to New Years Eve.

Lover and I decided to meet in Vegas.

Sidenote: I will be referring to him as “Lover” instead of his real name because he has a girlfriend, and not that she knows about me or would ever happen upon this blog…BUT it’s a just in case sort of thing. I wouldn’t want to read about my boyfriends ex fling and their moment…and that’s what we called each other.

I was already planning on being there with my cousin and he was a 5 hour drive away. It was an easy meeting place.

I knew I wouldn’t be seeing him until right before the clock struck midnight. My Aunt got my Cousin, John, and I tickets to a New Years Eve Party at Paris. I was excited about the party but knew I was going to split before the ball dropped so I could have my New Year kiss.

The party was…well…it was…nice. I know I sound ungrateful but I was 22 and everyone there was WAY older, it was a sit down dinner with a “party band” (aka YMCA and Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) and definitely meant for couples…not singles. We finished our dinner, had a few drinks, busted out the best version of the Macarena we could, and LEFT! I was on a mission…find Lover!
Vegas New Years is a lot like New York New Years. The strip is crazy…it’s always crazy but this is crazier than normal! You can’t step into a casino unless you are staying at the hotel, have a ticket to one of the parties in the hotel, or you sneak by security.  Not too mention, trying to walk from one hotel to another is pointless because people are packed in like sardines.

PROBLEM…Lover wasn’t staying with me. He was staying on the other end of the strip!

11:15 ish-I told him I was with John at the hotel bar (the one in the casino, not a separate bar. Yep, it was livelier in the hotel bar than the party) and to meet me there. He said he would do his best but he was stuck in the crowd. He really didn’t think he would make it on time.

John and I consumed beverages and wallowed in the fact that this would be the first New Year’s I didn’t have anyone to make out with. (ok… I was the only one whining)

11:45ish- Nothing. I tried calling…no answer. The reality was setting in.

11:57- I decide to walk away from the bar and all of the happy couples about to kiss and called my mom. She asked if Lover made it to Paris. (I was keeping her updated on the progress of the night via text.) Nope. He wasn’t there. I was just about to get into the “no kiss for midnight” story when I heard “Lover” through the crowd. I turned around. There he was *Be Still My Heart…I still get that tingly feeling when I think about that moment* We had a minute to spare. We ran to each other then ran outside. Right at midnight we kissed…next to the Eiffel Tower (ok so it was the Eiffel Tower in Vegas but damn it was amazing).

Normally I think New Years Eve is kind of overrated but not this one…this one was perfect.

Our love affair continued and all of our stories are like the ones out of movies (maybe I’ll share more on a later date) but this is real life…not the movies. He lived in one state, I lived in another. While we kept in touch and met for a few more Vegas adventures, we both ended up with other people, and ultimately moved on.

If one day we both ended up being single and in Vegas at the same time, would I be interested in rekindling the love affair we had? Absolutely…but if not, we’ll always have our New Years kiss next to the Eiffel Tower.

For the record, I hope for those every year. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

Here are my more realistic resolutions for 2012…

* Get more sleep…
* Embrace DC as MY city. I mean I live here…it’s time to start acting like it. I know it may be temporary (as most places have been) but it is my temporary HOME.
* Go to the dentist…it’s been a minute. I know that’s bad but it is what it is.
* Call my Mom everyday. I was bad about that one this year. Sorry Mama…I love you.

* Really this time… start writing the book I’ve always wanted to write.
* Send cards…ON TIME! Andre and Liezl your Christmas Cards are still sitting on my TV (they’ve been addressed for 2 weeks) #ChristmasInJanuar

Let’s see how many I can follow through with!

I’ve seen the infomercials, I was one of the first of my friends to own a Slanket (the original Snuggie), BUT haven’t ordered it. Yesterday, while at  Bed Bath & Beyond, I SAW IT! AND BONUS! It was on sale for $19.99. The FOREVER LAZY!

It’s everything I’ve ever wanted it to be and more. It keeps you warm, is functional, and VERY STYLISH I MIGHT ADD =)

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE…it comes with booties too!

I’m telling you…put this on your list for Santa!

The NEW Nicholas Sparks Movie is coming to a theater near you soon….AND (BONUS) it stars Zac Efron.

Few Thoughts On This Trailer:

1. ZAC EFRON IS SO GROWN. He sounds like a man, looks like a man, no more High School Musical for him!

2. Why don’t my make-out sessions happen like that? Thrown up against the wall, in a barn, with Zac Efron…

3. Nicholas Sparks really knows how to punch you in the ovaries. I wouldn’t say I’m the sappiest, most lovey dovey person out there but his movies make me want to fall in love in a way that only happens in movies.

4. ZAC EFRON IS SOOOO HOT!

I don’t normally like to brag about my drunken black out (or as I like to call them Time Traveling) experiences as I am 28 years old and not 21…but every once in a while I have one of those moments…and something happens from it that I just can’t help but share.

Wednesday night I went out with my neighbors/best pals/favorites and the guy I’ve been hanging out with/dating/whatevering (as I like to call it) in the neighborhood (of course)  *Sidenote: if you are looking for me and I don’t answer my cell, call District 2 Bar & Grille I am more than likely there.  After a few glasses of wine we decided to migrate to U Street for Costume Karaoke. This is where it went down hill…I’m not positive if there was a shot involved but I KNOW there was Schlitz and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Did it end there? NO SIR! We went to the Gay Bar down the street for a few more cocktails.

Finally (and  no I don’t remember this part) we hopped in a cab and headed back to the neighborhood.

Fast forward to the next morning…I wake up with a yearning for water and ibuprofen. I notice my fella sitting there…bright eyed and bushy tailed (slightly judging me). He then proceeds to say…

Him-Do you remember last night?

Me- Most of it…well some of it…

Him- Do you remember what you said?

*THIS IS NEVER A GOOD THING TO HEAR! Oh geez what did I say?*

Me- ummmm…no.

Him- Before you passed out you kept talking about the Britney Spears song playing…and how it was your LEAST favorite Britney Spears song.

Me- (giggling and slightly proud of the fact that even in my drunken state I still give Britney a shout out)

Him-  You also kept talking about wanting your slippers off.

Me- Really?

Him- you realize there was NO music on at all….and you weren’t wearing slippers!

Me- bahhahahahahahahahahah

I’m not sure if he was as amused as I was with the results of the evening but I’d like to take this moment to thank and/or blame Britney Spears, Pabst Blue Ribbon, the lack of dinner, and hot feet for my behavior!

And if you’re wondering what my least favorite Britney Spears song is….the answer is…I HAVE NO CLUE! I wish I could go back to myself in that state and ask. I love all Britney.