Ice Cream Worth Waiting For

I'm not usually one to be out and about on a Saturday night (mostly because it's my Tuesday), but I had the opportunity to be so last night; to bring my evening to an end I stopped over at Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream in Wallingford (on 45th between Woodlawn and Densmore). The line was out the door. I believe it took nearly 40 minutes from the time of arriving to the time of departing. But it was well worth the wait.

I've seen this place always stuffed to the rafters with people no matter what day of the week it is. They pride themselves on good service and amazing ice cream. Some of their unusual, yet delectable, flavors include: Maple Walnut, Balsamic Strawberry, Honey Lavender, Mandarin Chocolate Sorbet, Thai Iced Tea, and of course, Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla Bean. The one that I had my heart set on was Vivace Coffee. Vivace Brix is usually where I spend a few hours of my time every Thursday, so I had to know what my favorite coffee in ice cream form would taste like. It was absolutely delicious. The best part of it was that the coffee grounds were in the ice cream as well. However, considering I've been avoiding caffeine lately, this may not have been the best decision at near 11 o'clock at night. As such, I give this establishment my seal of approval.

Photo from slog.thestranger.com.

Canada On A Thursday Night

A story: It was a cold night on January 14, 2005. Three young college students decided on going out for dinner. Where would they go? What food was their bellies aching for? Alas, they wanted Chinese food (which was actually American Chinese food). But that is neither here nor there. Jon knew a supposedly good restaurant: Moon Temple on 45th in Wallingford.

They traveled by car; it was a 1986 Toyota Tercel hatchback. Parking was easy to find, and they sat down to eat. The food was satisfying. Time came to pay. "I'll get this one. You guys just buy the drinks next time." "But we're not old enough to drink just yet." "We're old enough to drink in Canada." Silence ensues. A flurry of ponderous thoughts emerge from within all three. "Should...should we?" It's agreed; we three get back in the car, drive to our places of residence to obtain our passports, and head north through the harsh cold to beautiful British Columbia.

The time is near midnight by the time we arrive at the border. We suffer the wrath of border patrol questioning and subsequent lecturing. We are in! We continue north-northwest to downtown Vancouver. We find parking. One of us propositions a prostitute for a photograph and is vehemently denied. We find an Irish pub. (See photo). We toast to our first drink in a bar. We've accomplished what we set out to do. "Last call!" Oh no. Time to find another bar. No luck. We walk up and down the deserted streets holding out for an open bar. One of us pees in a back alley. We find a restaurant that is open until 4am. Jackpot!

We order a few rounds. The other two go make out, briefly, on the way to the bathroom. We sober up. We make it back to the car, shivering cold. We have high hopes that we'll make it back in time for classes and work. A long, tiresome drive is what we accept as reality. Driving, fell asleep a few times. Not good at all. We survive. We return to our living quarters. We sleep for the rest of the day, foregoing any school and/or work responsibilities. Not bad for a Thursday night.