Maple + Spicy, The Hunger Games, Good Bourbon, and Pole-Dancing

Lately has been busy. Overwhelming. Beautiful. Kind of cold-sick-ish. Learning to drink coffee without sugar (AND LIKING IT). But busy.

And, because I have some work to do but can’t bear the thought of back-burning an honest-to-blog post again, and because we all like Top 10 lists (right?), I give you, dear reader, the Top 10 Things I Think You Should Know (or You Might Be Interested in Knowing) About What I’ve Been Doing Lately.

{1} I went to Boulder for a [work] week.

Jam-packed with friends, family, and clients, but glorious to be able to pack up my work and take it with me. Delicious to try new restaurants and meet crave-worthy maple-sriracha chicken wings at The Pinyon. Delightful to be able to pop back into The Bitter Bar not one, not two, but three whole nights in a row, to check out their new lounge set-up and try some new drinks. Like the Maple Old-Fashioned ((ri)1 rye whiskey, cayenne-pepper infused maple syrup, angostura bitters).

I also might’ve popped into The Med more than once. And ordered the Bistecca (steak, cheve, salsa verde) both times.

{2} I’ve discovered that I have a new tastebud, specifically designed to go apeshit over all maple + some spicy thing combinations.

Did you notice that my new favorite wings are maple-sriracha? And that the Old-Fashioned was infused with cayenne-peppered maple syrup? Oh, you did?

Try it. You’re welcome.

{3} I’ve had the first color/shading appointment for my tattoo.

I only had enough money time for an hour’s worth of sitting still, so right now the grapes and a sweet pea is colored in and they’re gorgeous. I promise I’ll post pictures once this round has healed up, but for now, here’s the photo I posted to Instagram yesterday (my username is doniree, if you want to follow along).

{4} I have upcoming travel plans! Lots of them!

Oh, that’s not news? Ok. Well, I’m spending three weeks in April in Minnesota, four days in Vegas, four days in Chicago, and then Memorial Day weekend in Bend watching The Shins, Blind Pilot, and The Head and the Heart play at an outdoor amphitheater and spending the nights in a big rental house with a big crew of fun-lovers. See also: between April 1 and May 31, I’ll be home a whopping total of three weeks. Yikes. I’d better get organized.

{5} I’m going out a lot more.

ON WEEKENDS (not weeknights!). Just as I’d planned. Just as the good lord intended. And I’m finding great craft cocktail bars, where I might spend $12 on a drink, but I’ll only need one or two because it’s pretty much straight [good] bourbon or pretty much straight [good] vodka with some bitters and a splash of Cava thrown in for good measure. Local favorites lately include my old friend, The Teardrop Lounge and some new favorites including Central and The Rum Club (shout out to Natalia for both recent introductions!).

{6} I’m spending my weeknights being a lot more chill. As planned!

Catching up with girlfriends, watching 30 Rock with BoyfriendMan and making time for writing and reading. Maybe it’s because it’s winter and rainy more often and not 70 and sunny like Portland summers tend to be. And maybe this whole thing will get scrapped when it’s 4pm and there are patios and wine calling my name, not when my sweatpants are getting jealous every time I even look at my dresses and jeans, ever just the hint of a thought of leaving the house. In this weather.

I’m totally exaggerating the weather. It’s not bad. It’s just not summer. You get it. I’m just drinking less, ok? And I’m drinking BETTER. I’m too old to drink bad wine. Or worse! Bad whiskey.

:::shudders:::

{7} I’ve read the first book of the Hunger Games…

… and half of the second. I’ve recently heard it compared to Twilight, since it falls into the Very Addictive Fantasy-ish Young Adult, genre, but I mean, other than all that? It’s not. I mean, I loved me some vampire stories (understatement), but I have to admit: Katniss would kick Bella’s ass across all four books. I’d share my theories as to why I think so, but I don’t believe in spoilers.

She’s just a stronger female lead, ok?

{8} I’m developing really awesome products with bloggers, specifically, in mind.

I’m working on the development and upcoming launch of TWO sets of year-long, weekly writing prompts, specifically geared towards bloggers (because you’re mah people!). The first launches on Sunday, the second on Wednesday. You can get details (and get in on the pre-launch special price) here. Wish me luck!

{9} I can do a reverse knee-hook spin, perch/sit for a short period of time, and climb halfway up a really tall pole.

Not gracefully — yet, but three weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed you if you’d told me I’d be doing those this soon. I am so much stronger in three weeks than I ever thought I could be. Pole-dancing has been an amazingly fun and strength-building and personal cheerleader-becoming workout.

{10} Enough about me. Your turn! I’d love to know what you’re up to.

What’s the best thing you’ve seen, read, or learned this week? What are you especially grateful for? Or just, straight up – whatcha doing this weekend?

Do share.

Tagged as: Boulder, bourbon, Chicago, Colorado, do interesting shit, katniss everdeen, Minnesota, pole dancing, tattoo progress, the hunger games, Travel, Vegas, whiskey