Hurry-up-a-cane

I bought a lot of water today. And cookies with colored chocolate pieces in them. And a flashlight. Come on, Gustav, I'm ready for ya.

Actually, no. I am not mentally prepared for this hurricane in any way at all. I am from New York. We have the occasional ice storm or blizzard. We get snowed in, and some branches fall, but as long as you stay inside, you're pretty much good to go. A hurricane . . . is scary. Lots of wind and rain and gray skies and the potential for danger all around. My roommate and I talked to the apartment manager ladies today and apparently, during Hurricane Ivan, a lot of people (who are still alive and well) stayed in their apartments here. Minimal damage to the apartments. I think I'll be safe. Think positive.

In other news ... whoa ... If you are ever in Pensacola... please visit this place. It is full of craziness. As long as you don't mind running into "those girls" it's a great place to hang out. You know those girls, the ones who dress up to go out and think that a little makeup and a pair of heels makes them irresistibly hot... those delusional young women...

First story about McGuire's... there was a girl who turned 21 yesterday and was out with her friends celebrating. She had this huge posterboard sign "21 things to do when turning 21" and it was a list of stupid crap like "get 21 kisses on the cheek from a stranger" and "next a guy who hits on you." I was there with 8 guys and 1 other girl so naturally, birthday girl decided to see if any of the guys I was with were up to helping her fulfill her mission. She said that they could help her complete her list, as long as they didn't hit on her. Are you serious?!?! You can't wear a sign proclaiming open season on yourself and expect the sweaty masses to stay away from you. You can't wear a sign that is code for "I am a slut" and then guard your virtue like the holy grail of sexuality. One thing I can't stand about some of my gender. Put a little more value on your body... it's worth more than 3 beers and a handful of compliments.

Second story about McGuire's... I drank an "Irish Wake," bought for me by a friend who wanted to welcome me properly to Pensacola. I had never heard of this little slice of heaven before last night. Served in a rather large mason jar... about 7 liquors, citrus, two cherries and a big-ass straw. We left the bar about midnight and while I wasn't completely wasted, I did lean a bit heavy on Ryan's shoulder. And I drunk-dialed my husband. Which he wasn't happy about at the time, but now that it's the day after, he agrees it was pretty funny.

Third story about McGuire's... there is a guy there, middle-aged, with a guitar, singing cover songs of Bruce Springsteen, etc, etc, and Irish ballads. This is awesome. Kind of like Kitty Hoynes in Syracuse only a lot more... I don't know, down home. I mean, sometimes the guy with the guitar sings dirty Irish songs.

Before all the McGuire's madness, we had a great dinner at the Fish House. They also have an oyster bar (Atlas) that I'll have to go to sometime. I had an AMAZING dinner. AWESOME scallop appetizer. Great fried oysters. BUT the crowning glory? The best thing? The side dishes, fried okra and corn fritters. Holy cow were those good. I would go back for the side dishes alone. Seafood is kind of a dime a dozen in this town, but that restaurant truly has the golden touch with all things fried. As a side note, I first heard of the Fish House on Bizarre Foods (which you should watch, by the way, it's awesome). See this article, waaay on the bottom, for more info on that. No, I didn't eat bizarre things, but it was delicious just the same.