The Belly of the Beast

 Quite the day... last night we had a family poker party -- which was quite fun, as we haven't gotten together in a while.  I made a seven-layer jello as my dish to share, which meant that I had a big fun Friday night, sitting around and reading and such while waiting for the layers to set.  Actually, it was fine -- I got to bed early and got some reading done.  Of course, the downside of family fun time was that I missed the Duke-UNC game!  I monitored it on the phone (the family was amused, as I seldom do that) but it was not the same.  At least they did win, and the Lord (and I) was pleased.

Today I went to Mass and thankfully the Blessing of the Throats was done; for a bunch of reasons, I didn't go to Mass Friday and get it done (namely cold and health, also I had some work to do!).  I think it came from downtown, honestly, and while I know some parishes did a communal one, we had an individual one... which was fine, though in this day of COVID, I was a bit surprised.   Then it was off to the food pantry to take some canned goods there.  I did notice that we have a large number of Keurig pods; boxes and boxes.  We never give them away, of course, because our clients don't have them; someone brought one in for the volunteers as no one likes to see a pot of coffee wasted, but...anyways, I made myself one and then hopped on the Opportunity Corridor to the People's Socialist Republic of Cleveland Heights.  

Today was the day I was to meet the SVDP Conference at All Saints parish, and since I was there, I figured I would attend Mass at St. Ann's as well.  Funny; the year I lived in Tremont, I never went there...hell, everywhere I have lived in town I could have walked to Mass somewhere but... Anyways, it's nice-ish; much more sparse than the Shrine, and attendance was about Polish Mass... I noted I had the only pickup truck in the lot, and while Mass was Mass (thank God!), I skipped the Fair Trade coffee stand, though I did wonder what their Pro-Life meeting would entail.  I availed myself of coffee and donuts (one can never have too much coffee) and then it was off to the meeting... which went quite well!  I started with my usual line about not being the Downtown Nazi (everyone laughed) and they talked with me about their ministries.  I stayed late to talk with them about issues facing our conferences/area...as I often say, while I am young for the Order (I rather enjoy this aspect of the gig), I have been around a while, and some of the internal politics and such...well, I remember every detail.

Anyways, then it was down Coventry to Mayfield and to Little Italy.  I was in the area so I decided to hit a place on the restaurant list, and I chose...Guarino's.  It was... ok.  I mean, I liked the food.  I went with the veal saltimboccha (never had it!) and it was fairly good; veal easy to cut, sauce was decent.  The side of pasta was quite good, and I liked the sauce.  I vacillated between the cannoli and the salted caramel cheesecake for dessert; went with cannoli and they were delicious if a bit small. Service though... I dined by myself, and at first they barely found a table for me, then it was ten minutes to get a server to arrive, and she was...not very attentive.  I realize I wasn't going to pile up the tips, but...  odd.

Then it was down the hill.  Driving through the East Side made me realize how little I missed it, and I was palpably relieved to cross the river again.  People really do drive like shit there, parking was awkward (I found a space on a side street, but the whole neck of the woods is sketch), and I rather like being in areas where you don't have to lock your car.  I didn't rush home, as I had to buy a mailbox.  Somehow, my door came off and I suspect I have not been getting any (mail!).  Oi.  First world problems.  Then, when I got home, my screwdriver was too large (of course) so I decided to walk off lunch and hike to the hardware store.  With the proper toolage, I (for now) have a regulation mailbox and an inflated sense of achievement.

The rest of the night...drank some tea with honey (still raspy!).  Caught up on some email.  Read a bit.  Typed up some notes and some after-action items for the week.  Planning to hit the hay soon, but I think we all know what that means...