Spoiler Alert: This is NOT my book announcement. In fact, the last time I tried to write a book, I was 10. (For those wondering how it ended ... it was about cheerleaders and it ended in a trash can. Which is where it belonged).
But the conversation reminded me (yet again) that I don’t write for fun anymore. I write a lot for work. But personally? I can’t even keep up a planner, let alone a journal or a book.
I can’t even keep up with Sir Sebastian’s desire to make out pandemic cards.
So I’m trying again ... and figured I’d start with something fun and easy.
With that in mind, I’m bringing back Friday Favorites ... My hodgepodge collection of what’s making me smile this week.
Loving ...
In the world where I didn’t expect to truly see much of Colorado Springs this summer ... ok, let’s be real ... I don’t see much of Colorado Springs during any summer ...
But trapped in our Covid America, I went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for the first time in longer than I care to admit. In June, the ability to participate in something outside that wasn’t hiking had a fair bit of appeal and zoo tickets were the summer’s hot item in town.
So I spent a Sunday afternoon hanging with the giraffes ... and elephants ... and wallabies ... and penguins.
And then somehow the magic of a friend on the Gram convinced me that if I bought a membership, I could go hang with the giraffes before work and have a cup of coffee (a beverage I don’t drink) and decompress.
And so I plunked down the loot.
I’ve now been twice more by myself, plus another trip with friends and, though I still don’t drink coffee, an early morning visit to feed the giraffes might be the best way to Covid destress yet.
Eating ...
Let’s be real ... if there’s gonna be a food category, there’s gonna be carbs and Ristorante di Sopra does them quite well.
During the pandemic, Sopra decided to do a rebrand and, poof, slap a bunch of extra letters before your name and it’s like a whole new world!
For those who haven’t been, Sopra was historically Italian tapas.
Then the world got got Covid and Chef Franco got a fancy pasta machine from Italy.
Which means that Sopra meets my pandemic eating requirements ... outdoors, lots of carbs, wine and bonus points for pasta.
And, while we did order, um, three appetizers for three people (meatballs, pancetta and burrata plate and crostini with ricotta for those keeping track) ... it was the entrees that stole the show.
And sorry, not sorry, that we killed the entrees so fast that there’s no pix.
But here goes ...
The cacio e pepe was solid. This isn’t Restaurant X, it didn’t come in a parm bowl. I’m not sure my toes curled. But it was pretty damn good. Butter, cheese, noodles and pepper with homemade bucatini. Definitely not Weight Watchers approved. But you’ll die happy.
Next up: Pappardelle All Aragosta. Pasta life lesson: If somebody tells you about they make noodles in-house, always get pappardelle. It’s thick and yummy and that’s where the actual difference between “made by hand” and “emptied out of a box” comes out. Aragosta isn’t Italian for lobster. I am not a lobster fan, but I’m near to tell you ... doesn’t matter. Also, the East Coaster at the table deemed the lobster to be legit, cause, ya know ... you cant take my word for such things.
And finally mushroom and Gorgonzola risotto. Again with the disclaimers ... I rarely order risotto. And I hate mushrooms. Neither matters because it’s damn good. My only caution is that it’s HEAVY. I’m not sure I could eat a whole entree and we know I don’t say that often.
After allllllll of that ... we had no interest in dessert. But our new bestie, Chef Franco, had other plans and he sent out the full set of desserts. Wouldn’t say the desserts were my favorite part of the meal, but we also didn’t leave a bite behind soooooo ...
Also, we pretty much took up residency at the table (I know I know!), but we tipped well and the last hour and a half is Franco’s fault as he came to say hello, stayed for a while and then we all got to have some teaching moments, let’s say. The man’s got stories and, well, ya know ... we had to at least try and come close to matching the entertainment.
Food was amazing. Staff was awesome. There’s a patio in a pandemic. Do you need to know anything else?
Watching ...
House.
Yeah, House. There’s 5,000 newly released shows every other day and yet ... I’m bingeing House.
Is it because I think my favorite medical curmudgeon is going to fix Covid?
No.
Though he could probably do a better job than we’re currently doing.
It’s because I ❤️ a good medical drama and the characters are both fabulous and absurd.
Also my mother once told me that I’m the female House.
If you’ve seen the show ... this isn’t exactly meant as a compliment.
Listening To ...
30 for 30: Heavy Medals
I feel like I should clarify up front ... This isn’t a seven episode series about Nassar. He’s referenced. You can’t not reference him when doing hours of coverage on the history of the Karolyis.
But this is the story of how the weird and successful and tragic dynasty that was Bela and Marta’s impact on the world of gymnastics came to be ... from their days coaching in Romania to how they defected to the United States on a gymnastics tour to Mary Lou, Kerri, Simone and everybody in between (including a great episode with the rivalry between Bela and Steve Nuno at the 92 Games if you’re into being gymnastics nerdy).
There’s a few notable names who won’t talk ... and never will (ahem Nadia, Mary Lou, Kim ...) But the heavy hitter list is long ... Plus ESPN ponied up allllll the dollars for access to lots and lots of Games audio — both calling the action and interviews after.
If you follow gymnastics, you’re aware of the Ranch and the carnage left behind in the pursuit of all of those medals.
But the history of how everything got to that point ... and what the Karolyis were like in Romania ... with interviews of gymnasts from each generation ... that’s what makes the podcast worth the listen.
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