Free From AOD!

My second AOD (Alcohol/Other Drug) free weekend was really cool except for Saturday’s slip up. I was with my friend, Crofton, who likes to have a cocktail on days ending with the letter Y. We had dinner at Room Service in Chelsea. I was proud of myself for having water at dinner, but as soon as we went across to Gym Bar, I joined him in a vodka tonic. And because nothing goes with vodka like nicotine, I had a cigarette too.


Epic FAIL!!!

I know… priests indulge more than that, but for me it’s really a giant leap into a new way of partying. Over the past few months I began to notice that most of the people around me were under, looking to get under or coming out from under the influence and, while it used to be fun, it had become boring and annoying. I made a conscious decision to do some different things.


Last weekend (the first AOD Free) was not extremely eventful. On Saturday I met up with Mo for brunch at a Park Slope bistro, after which we wandered over to a stoop sale. It wasn’t really the best day for being outdoors so we went back to my place to nap. I had been given comp tickets for the play Thurgood, which I’d already seen with Marcus, but the tickets were free, so I was going again. Unfortunately, we slept too late and missed the curtain, but it was cool because my sister and good hag were in town. They came over and kicked ass in an all-night Spades game. They drank and even partook of the Chronic. Me… I was straight edge!



Sunday was more of the same. We had breakfast at a Mexican diner near my neighborhood, but instead of stoop sales, we did yard sales in Victorian Flatbush. Brooklyn never ceases to amaze me in its diversity. One minute you’re walking through the hood, clutching your purse and picking out potential muggers. The next minute, you turn a corner and find yourself in a beautiful, suburban, tree-lined enclave, where they’re watching you.








The week was really good. On Tuesday I had dinner at a spot in Sunset Park called, Rico’s Tacos. It was so good I plan to feature it in the Fat Girl Snack Series. On Thursday I took flowers to my late Aunt Frankie and got to see where we dropped her off, since I was just a bit hysterical at the burial. I didn't even realize how beautiful a cemetery it was, because I was exhausted and probably a little under the influence of something. I learned from experience that a tranquilizer can take the edge off funerals. I'm glad I finally dragged myself back out there. I felt a tremendous sense of peace when I left this time, without any help from valium.

Later that evening, I missed the opportunity to see Ailey at BAM, but at the last minute, I got comps for Lalah Hathaway at B.B. Kings. She was absolutely phenomenal! I’m sad I had to see her alone and waste a ticket, but no one was answering phones. I absolutely have to put a date or two on stand by. I was able to wrangle V.I.P. passes for her concert in Philly. I’m taking Crofton, but he doesn’t know it yet. I made sure to have her new CD in hand when I left the club. It’s one of my best purchases in years.


I’d anticipated this past weekend being quiet because I didn’t make any plans. I was going to listen to the new CD and cook for my triple g, Denise Tracy on Saturday. On Friday, I was invited to an advance screening of Hancock. Will Smith is truly an action hero. I’m going back to see it again when it opens for real.
On Saturday I got up and threw together a pound cake and seasoned some chicken to fry. Even after it got to be 95 degrees, I was still committed to cooking until that bitch called to say she’d been up all night and couldn’t possibly come to dinner. I politely turned the cake out to cool, put everything else in the fridge and met up with Crofton in Chelsea. After dinner and a cocktail we saw Sex and the City. Well, he saw it. I slept because I’d already seen it opening night.

Sunday was the most fun. I went on the Victorian Flatbush House Tour. There is amazing architecture to be found within walking distance of my humble abode. It also turned out to be a great networking opportunity. I met an amazing artist, who was doing sketches at each house and a writer, who invited me to a retreat on Martha’s Vineyard next month. It was one of my more productive weekends in a long time. I’m looking forward to this coming weekend with clarity.