They Say It's Your Birthday....

You'd think I'd be having a good time, but instead, my birthday was less than pleasant. Well, to begin with anyway. After fighting a stomach bug for a couple of days, I gained enough strength to try and "celebrate". After not eating for 3 days, the hunger was catching up with me and I was ready to try and eat.

Since I wasn't feeling 100%, and it was the weekend before my actual birthday (my birthday is March 8th), you would think I would try something "light". Who, me? Friday night, the boy had bought opening night tickets to see Alice In Wonderland in 3D Imax. We tried to change the ticket times, but we would have had to go up there, pick up the tickets and then return them. It was a mess, and I was feeling okay enough to try and get some food and go watch the movie. I had been cooped up in the house for over 2 days, so I was ready to get out.

We decided to grab a bite to eat beforehand. My stomach was yelling at me that it wanted food, and I was craving some mexican. Bad choice, I know. The initial plan was Red Lobster, but the line was out the door and I knew I couldn't handle seafood. But I could handle Mexican?? I know, crazy right... So we went to Poblano's Grill. The line was long, so we sat at the bartop since it was open seating. I started with a water. The chips and queso were ok. A little salsa didn't hurt too bad either on my queso-salsa-butter-tortilla. Being brave, I ordered some cheese enchiladas thinking it wouldn't be too bad. Wrong. They were covered in chili. So I was able to take a couple of bites before the stomach started getting angry. Bum deal. I asked for a to-go box and that was the end of that.

After dinner, we headed to the movie. I browsed the mall for a bit while we waited. The movie started at 9:30 pm. We decided to get there a little early (we learned the hard way with Avatar 3D). We got in line at 8:30pm and it was wrapped around the long hallway already. We waited and waited and finally they let the doors open and herded us in like cattle. We did get good seats though-- 3/4 of the way up in the middle, just like I like it.

The movie was really good. Was it the best movie I had seen? Nah, not really. But I like Johnny Depp's movies and I loved the digital effects. Even though it was rated PG, there was no way I would take Zoie to it. It had quite a bit of violence in it, especially when she took off the jaborwalkey's head. Not good. But overall, I give it a B+. It might have been better if A. Our 3D glasses didn't look like they were from the early 90's and took over our entire faces, B. I was feeling better and my stomach wasn't hating me the entire time, and C. If it wasn't so gosh darn late and I wasn't yawning the entire time. :)

Saturday I woke up, and we headed over to mom and dad's. Zoie had stayed there the past couple of nights while I was pukey, so I was excited to see her. That night, we decided to go celebrate my birthday and mom's as well (hers is the 9th, the day after mine. I joke with her that she got a GREAT present for her birthday--me!). Mom, Dad, Me, Z, Stephen, Brittany (my sister) and Josh (her bf) all went to eat. We decided to keep it close and simple, so we chose Johnny Carino's. Again, bad decision.

I typically would be happy about this choice, however after this experience, I hate to say it but I will never go back.

We walked in and there was no wait (should have been a red flag throw up right here, especially on a Saturday night at 6 pm). The escorted us to a nice table in the back corner by the cozy fire place. Then we waited, and waited, and waited. For over 15 minutes we waited JUST for him to take our drink order.

We didn't require much--waters, a couple of teas and a coke. Finally the waiter came to take our order. My sister mentioned it was our birthdays, and so he said to be sure and leave room for dessert. He left to put in our order. And then, we waited. (*Insert Jeopardy music here*). After 20 minutes, we asked a nearby hostess if we could get our drinks. She said it was probably taking him so long because they only had 2 fountains. Excuse? Yes.

After another 5 minutes, we finally received our drinks and the waiter took our order. Then, we waited. (Are you seeing the pattern here?) After 30 minutes of hunger, they brought our our food, and didn't even give me what I had ordered. I sent it back to the kitchen. TWO HOURS later, I was still without dinner, everyone else was finished eating, drinks were empty and I had cancelled my order. We hadn't heard from the waiter since he took our order.

The manager was finally spotted. Josh waved his hand and beckoned him to the table. Without remorse, he brought a pitcher of water, to-go boxes, and the ticket. He didn't ask us what the problem was, or how the meal was. He just filled our drinks and to-go boxes at the table, and left. So we were left paying a full price ticket for a half-decent meal and time well wasted. And all I ate was a crummy little salad, a couple of bites of bread, and NO DESSERT. Bummer.

So as we were leaving, Josh so graciously helped himself to the mints. The whole bowl. It was quite amusing and put a small smile on my face after a really stinky birthday dinner. Maybe next time...