Three Floyd's

We arrived 20 minutes before open and the line was already about 25 people long outside. Unfortunately, they were not doing tours for whatever reason. So it turned into a beer and food trip, not that there's anything wrong with that. The decor was very left of center. Loud metal music, skeletons, and tattoos, which isn't necessarily my thing but I still felt welcome. Plus on the shelves was some old school WWE merchandise, always a plus in my book. The music wasn't ear-splitting, but still loud enough where we had to raise our voices to have a conversation.

I'd never been to the brewery and I'd only had Gumballhead before, so I tried a couple of new ones. First, I ordered the Alpha King, their flagship beer. It had a caramel overtone to it and a citrus hoppiness on the end. It's a very solid beer that would pair well with a good burger or some fried chicken. Second, the Zombie Dust is another one of their most popular selections. Like the Alpha King, this is also a Pale Ale. It's not quite as bitter and went down really easily. I would easily buy a case of this beer. Finally, I tried one of their specialty brews, called Perched Atop the Denim Throne. Just the description alone convinced me I had to try it.

"This American Amber IPA was brewed as a tribute to our favorite fallen heroes in the squared circle. Gone too soon are: "The American Dream", Mr. Perfect, The Ultimate Warrior, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Andre the Giant, Macho Man, Miss Elizabeth, Ravishing Rick Rude, Owen Hart, The Von Erichs, Paul Bearer and the Junkyard Dog."

Even though I'm not a real big IPA fan, this was incredibly drinkable. It had a robust flavor with a full crisp finish. I sampled a Moloko, which is a milk stout, and I never ever drink stouts. But the one that I tried didn't taste overwhelming or heavy. It was just a deep, bold satisfying beer, that tasted like it had been roasted. Would be very satisfying in the winter.

And then there's the food. Wow, that food. I am so impressed with how much planning they put into it. The presentations are nice, the combinations are creative, and the flavors are wonderful. The chicken wings were brined and smoked. They were then covered in a spicy BBQ coffee rub and served with refreshing pickled watermelon cubes. The spice was great and the wings were juicy. We also got the bacon and porter caramel corn. they pop the corn in duck fat and add in chopped house-cured bacon. Need I say more? And the cheese curds may have been the best I've ever had. They were huge, dipped in a tempura batter and deep fried. They were topped with a kimchi aioli and then served with julienne red peppers and green onions on top for a pop of color. Amazing.

I asked for my steak sandwich to be cooked medium rare and it was cooked right on the money. It had grilled onions, arugula, dijon mustard, chihuahua cheese, and was served on a baguette. It was really good and the arugula added a different flavor that what you'd normally get in a steak sandwich. And don't skip the fries. The are definitely fresh cut, topped with garlic and salt, and sprinkled with parmesan shavings. And that parmesan is incredibly robust, it ain't from a can. It tastes like it was just grated. And the beignets were an incredible dessert. Hot and soft pillows of fried dough. The chocolate sauce is totally unnecessary, but try it if you must.

This is a tremendous place and I plan to visit the brewery a few times every year. It's that good.

No control

So here was the plan for Saturday. Get up, run, go to work, then meet up with my friends in Wheaton and head into the city for dinner at Shake Shack and then to Navy Pier for fireworks.

I got to work at ten and it's important to note that the last couple of weekend lunch shifts have been dead. I have been leaving at 2 pm or 2:30 most of the time. My hope was to leave by 4:30, which would give me enough time to home, change, and drive thirty minutes to Wheaton. So I checked the schedule for the day and my heart sank. The third server was not scheduled to come in until 4:30 and then three more were coming in at five. Previously, the third server would come in at two or three in the afternoon. So I knew it was trouble.

The lunch shift wasn't dead, but it certainly wasn't busy. I had maybe five or six tables until 3 pm. But I just knew around 4, someone would come in and I'd stay late. Sure enough, I got a table at 3:15 and then another right before 4 pm. On the second one, I knew At the end, I left the building around 5:30. I was not going to hold anyone up, so I texted them to go ahead without me.

As I reflect on what feels like a wasted day, I realize something. America is only the land of the free if you have the money to buy the freedom. When you don't have the money, you pretty much to give in to authority just to get by. It's sad, but it's reality.

Five hits

It's one of those evenings when I feel like knocking out a few bullet points, because I really don't know what else to do right now. I'm not feeling incredibly articulate, so here's what will be.

1) I want this job at COD to work. It's to the point that I'm desperate. I just get the feeling that as a part-timer, I'm incredibly dispensable and they are looking for any excuse to throw me out. It may just be my paranoia. But it feels like every mistake gets blown up. I feel like I'm on borrowed time there.

2) At the restaurant I work at, I'm convinced the manager in charge of schedules has a learning disability. How many times must I explain that I have no interest in working Sunday mornings anymore?

3) How did I lose my COD ID card? I have no desire to pay ten bucks for a replacement, but I'm running out of options if I can't find the stupid thing.

4) Penrose in Geneva makes pretty good beer, but I've had better.

5) I'm totally slacking on my training. I went to the gym Monday through Wednesday and have done zero since, aside from dog walks. Time to get back on the wagon on Monday.