My Second Visit to Charlotte

On a recovery Sunday at 2 pm on March 26, I was pinged on IM by one of my practice directors. Due to an emergency at one of our current engagements they needed me in Charlotte for a few days (Monday - Wednesday). That being said, I booked a plane ticket and hotel and jumped on the 5:30 pm flight bound for Charlotte.

After landing, I got cleaned up and headed back to my old stomping ground, Morehead Street Tavern where I met up with Charlie and Chris to catch up over some dinner and drinks before heading into the client site the next morning.



Below is a photo of the client site (see blue arrow) from my hotel room.



On the day I was scheduled to leave, I ended up open-ending my return ticket and checking back into the Westin Charlotte. I should've known better but I only packed for four days. All I can say about that is hotel laundering service can be a wonderful thing. I ended up staying for the next nine days. Fortunately I did get to bip home for the weekend before heading back up on Sunday to stay until Wednesday. This time I actually did make my flight! I was really hoping to be able to go out the weekend I was in Charlotte, but we were up working until 4:30 am and 2:00 am on Friday and Saturday night, respectively. Also, in the fifteen days I was here we pulled two all-nighters (well...one ended around 5:30 am, but the sun was up before I went to bed so that counts, dammit) along with other miscellaneous long days.

On Tuesday, my last night (this time) in Charlotte, Charlie, Chris, Cesar, and I started the evening around 7:45 pm. We had dinner at Tavern on the Tracks. From there we went to Attic Bar and Brick & Barrel before ending up at Phil's Deli.



The bartenders at Phil's are definitely attractive! Phil's was packed (considering a Tuesday night) and we closed it down leaving sometime just before 2:30 am. Scott and Drew joined us around midnight for more beers, cocktails, and shots.



I was hoping to stop by and say goodbye to Tracy at Morehead Street Tavern but we just didn't get to. Until next time, then...

April Pint Nights at the Ginger Man

Pint Nights are every Tuesday starting at 4 pm. If you buy the beer of the day you get to keep the logo glass.

April 4th - Belhaven glasses
April 11th - Anchor glasses
April 18th - Breckenridge 471 IPA glasses
April 25th - Maredsous glasses

20th Borden Uptown Run & Trolley Walk

On a beautiful, sunny 41-degree day in March, I competed in the 5-Mile Uptown Run. The day only reiterated that this is indeed the best run I have ever taken part in--better than the Dallas Turkey Trot, Keep Austin Weird 5K, Capitol 10K, and many, many others.

Live entertainment was provided by Lacy Jade, who sang one of the most amazing renditions of the National Anthem--no frills, no added crap, just pure, unadulterated and heartwarming.

After locating the beer tent, I wandered about until I bumped into some of my running girls.



The race started at 8:15 am. According to my Polar HRM, I finished in a PR 43:50 finishing with the following mile times: 8:32, 8:40, 9:22 (estimated), 9:22 (estimated), and finishing with a 7:52. How did I feel? I felt great for the first 500 yards or so, then I started to feel a bit nauseous. I had to take two water stops over the course of the event. In between miles 1 and 2, I did stop for about 15-20 seconds to chat with my friends Kristian and Quince, who were doing the 5K Trolley Walk.

After the race, I regrouped with the girls, stretched a bit, and then headed to the beer tent to enjoy some nice, cold cups of Michelob Ultra. I quickly snagged two full cups and camped out. Kristian and Quince showed up a few minutes later followed by Eric and Ivan. There was also a special guest appearance by Emylie and Zorah.



We headed down to the race course to watch the elite runners compete in the Minyard Invitational 8K road race for $10K.



I was dropped off at my car around 11:30 am. Realizing I was in absolutely no condition to drive, I walked back to the grounds to enjoy more beer and see who else I could bump into. I ran into Jim and his girlfriend, a competitor in the elite race. I met some of their friends and chatted the time away. At one point, Lacy Jade came over after finishing her set and enjoyed a beer with us.

Clearly some of the spectators had a bit more fun than I did...FYI...



Anyway, my friend Brandon came over and gave me a lift and we went to go get something to eat at Dream Café. Afterwards, he dropped me of at home so I could pass out in peace.

Again the day was absolutely fantastic. The weather, the music, the crowd, the beer, everything!!!

Looking forward to next year!!!