The Southern Gentlemen

Okay I need to preface this post by saying that any guy that tells you he is a gentleman is definitely lying. Run. If he's so gentlemanly you will know by the way he is acting, he won't need to explain it to you. Not that I speak from personal expereince or anything.

So I went up to Chicago this past weekend (not for anything fun, mind you, I was going to an interview in the burbs) and I find that even though I have only been in Dallas a few months I'm already accustomed to the lovely fact that I never have to touch a door in public. Truly, some man is always tripping over himself to open the door for the ladies. Okay, fair enough, not ALWAYS, but often enough to where I have moved from finding it so super nice to it just being part of life in the South.

Well things are a wee bit different in Chicago. As I approached a door into a building, the male students walking in front of me opened it and let themselves in. This would probably not happen in Dallas, but whatever, maybe they didn't notice us girls behind them. I was prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt. It wasn't until I reached the door at the same time as a fellow interviewee (male). I stopped out of habit, and he proceeded to stare at me. Of course I stared right back at him, and had to ask "Um, are ya gonna get that?"

I found his inability to open that door so completely rude I was irritated for a good couple of minutes. That is until I realized that, had I come to Chicago from Kansas City, I would not have even expected him to get the door. I would have just reached for it myself and not worried about it. Girl power. The thing is though, I really enjoy never ever touching doors. So I choose to remain scandalized by how rude the men in the north of our lovely country. It may be cheesy and old fashioned, but southern guys, you keep opening those doors. Girls love it. It impresses us. We can't help but think, dang, how nice is this man opening the door for me. Those of us dating the self-proclaimed gentlemen will wonder, dang I wish my man opened doors for me. It's a win-win for you guys. And since you're big and strong its probably not too difficult for you either.

Also, here's a delicious pasta place to feed your Italian cravings. Parma. It's in Lewisville (where?) and is definitely a place to take a friend. Preferably of the opposite sex since they dim the lights when it gets late and the little candles on the tables light up the room. Cute. But for those of us that are wayyyy to busy for the silliness of eating out (and by busy I mean so tired you just want to veg on the couch and watch re-runs of Sex and the City) never fear! You can call ahead and take your food out the door with you. Just don't forget the extra rolls. Big, fluffy delicious rolls.

For Our Elegant Caste

Yesterday it began. INTERVIEWS!

Get stoked.

This is a good thing because:
1. I want to go to medical school
2. You have to get interveiws before you can actually go

So off to College Station Texas I went. Its just like Columbia, nothing for miles around and then all the sudden fun college town. Everyone there was remarkably friendly. Good times.

Of course the downside to all of this interviwing is my inability to be at work and also off galavanting all over the country. This is a problem because:
1. You only get paid if you are working (this seems fair)
2. You can only by flights to galavant if you have been paid

It's paradoxical, I realize. So naturally I was going to cut down on expenses. Until I found a really cute pair of boots that completed my life. But now seriously I'm cutting back. Except I'm going to an italian place for pastas with work friends. But after that. Seriously.

Oh an interesting fun Dallas fact: no one has any idea how to drive in the rain. Its as though it has never rained before and everyone is freaking out because they have never seen such a thing. It reminds me of this random sci fi short story I read in middle school (please don't ask me the name I have no idea). Anyways in this story there's this girl who moves to Venus (obviously impossible, she would be crushed by the pressure of the atmosphere, but that's not a hindrance when you are writing, you can just make stuff up) and there it doesn't rain. No explanation for that, it just doesn't. Except like every nine years or something. The the girl doesn't like it because she lived on Earth where it rained all the time and then the one day comes when it rains and she's locked in a closet because school kids are mean on Venus. Actually now that i think about it, on Venus it may have rained constantly and it was the one sunny day. Neither here nor there, the point is the people on Venus couildn't handle weather changes just like Texas drivers. Truly it does rain on occasion in Dallas, I do not believe this is a legitimate reason for the drive to work to double in time, 3 highways be completely blocked by accidents and Dallas New's Twitter to be exploding. God help everyone (me) when it ices or, heaven forbid, snows.

I mean I guess it makes sense, they all drive way fast and way aggressive, and when the road is all slippery-like that really tends to reduce your traction. But since they have, in fact, driven before I would expect they may have encountered a slick road or even hydroplaning previously. Its really unneccessary to have the fuzz on the highway making you slow down because there is *GASP* water on the road.

But maybe I just don't understand how that Audi handles in the rain, I do drive the world's most sure-footed (wheeled? tire-d?) vehicle. Inidentally, it has squeeky brakes, can anyone fix that for me?

People Get Ready

The Gingerman was as awesome as expected. It was pouring rain all day, but stopped in time for happy hour and free beers. They obliged my love of the snakebite and substituted some swanky raspberry (framboise?) beer for black currant because in the great state of Texas it is actually impossible to buy liquor. Anywhere. Basically the Gingerman is a spin off the Hereford Arms, only full of Texans. Its confusing but pleasant.

Gloria's on the other hand made for some awkwardly shouted convos (it was so loud you had to scream across the table) and some guido-watching. As a person with a naturally extremely loud voice the former worked out for me just fine, while the latter proved entertaining for all. Get the skinny margarita. Not because you are on a diet, just because it actually uses fresh-squeezed limes. Like Limewire.

In other news, the Margo eating out train is about to screech to a halt because of all the dollars being spent towards airfare for medical school interviews (WOOOO). So I guess I will have to come up with something entertaining to write about in the interim. I'm excited though, I get to see a few friends along the way so that plus planning my future = well-spent time.

A big shout out to Jen O'neil who kindly loaned her couch for me to sleep on as we move from one large house to a different larger house. Hopefully tonight I will be able to unpack and actually see my shoes. A girl can dream.

Oh yeah, and go Team Baylor.

You must've fallen from the sky.

Ok ok, I'm back on track. Places to eat! Dallas!
Definitely awkward: Fireside Pies. No it is not in and of itself awkward, in fact the pizza is delicious, I would recommend the one with meatballs. It would be awkward to eat there alone and here's why. All the pizzas are made for sharing. Don't be depressing and eat half a pizza alone, do what I did and grab some local friends (Jen!) or old pals that are driving through town (Sam!) and pizza pie it up. Delish.

Tomorrow I'm going to the Gingerman with as many Kappas are possibly available. Update to come.

Also, outside of the world of food I would just like to discuss very briefly a difficult topic. Driving in Texas. You see, at first I was consistently frustrated by other vehicles trying to destroy my mode of transport/ life blood Subaru. They would cut me off, wander through multiple lanes, not blink, speed, not blink and just generally try to make sure my car doesn't survive the year. Of course I found this horrifying. Don't those Audi drivers care if they drive into solid objects? (No.) But then I realized, after speaking to my roomie (an Audi owner), that its not about them trying to kill the Sube, its really just a declaration of freedom. Are there traffic laws in Texas? Yes. Does anyone follow them? No. So we can safely jump to the obvious truth that this means there are, in fact, no traffic laws. Truly, you can just drive where you want, how fast you want. Its all very freeing. When you aren't dodging Audis that is.

Also, go buy netflix or starz and watch Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth. And then call me.

I like it.

Have you noticed that recently music artists can't seem to top the charts without having someone featured on their songs?
Enrique for example would still be an awkward albight good-looking mediocre singer guy that we've all sort of heard of but hadn't worried about since he was on America's Next Top Model (livin large Enrique). But now that the amazing albight creepy Pitbull is featured on his new song its in the top ten. And did we ever really get over the way Enrique gazes out at us from behind the microphone.

Wow. I mean bailamos.

Similar for B.O.B. who is enjoying success with Haley Williams (Paramore) and Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) both of whom see unlikely to feature on a rap song, and yet it works so well.

And of course we've all been singing along to Katy Perry's new song. Don't lie boys, you love it and know it by heart. Granted Snoop is maybe not who I would have personally selected but he's a nice guy that has football camps for vulnerable children, so we'll give it to him.

Even freaking Eminem is back. Yeah you know that weird no-longer-wuite-as-blonde guy that had everyone's favorite song in 8th grade (we were all slim shadies). His violent new hit (#1) ironically features Rihanna. It's funny, you know, since she was in an abusive relationship.And yes. He still looks like a serial killer. Probably his mom thinks he's handsome. Maybe. I had a picture here, but it was too scary.

Oh and let's not forget who I believe made this trend work 3Oh!3, who have hits with Katy Perry and now Ke$ha. You know you love it. Minus the odd smaking sound.

So I guess I'm a fan. In fact there's only one or two songs that I think are not working. First, as catchy as you are Bruno Mars, no one cares that you want to be a billionaire "so freakin bad" middle school lyrics sung by an already very wealthy person. We're over it. Speaking of middle school Ursher and will.i.am failed at their duet attempt, but really it was doomed. Anyone that uses the word "boobies" to describe a women has already failed on multiple levels. Raise your hand ladies if you feel beautiful if a man references your "boobies." Anyone? Bueller? Anyone? No. That's what I thought. Perhaps Ursher would be better served by sticking to his usual feature artists. Like Little John. Instead of a man that uses the line "Like oh my god" in arguably his most popular song. YEAH.

So there ya go, my thoughts on all the recent tunes.

I know I know, write something about food. Pinkberry has yummy fro yo. And the Member's Lounge at the Four Seasons escapes comment. Because we can't go there.

Imagine Whirled Peace

I'm currently listening to some variety of throw-back Irish melodrama on Pandora. No that's not my station, it just happens to be playing on the station (which is incidentally one of my favorites, it's based on the band the Swell Season and if you don't know who they are, may I suggest the movie "Once" to clarify?). Now besides some variety of blaring fife/flute/bagpipes thing, this particiular combination of melodrama and melancholy always makes me imagine I'm somewhere far far away from my cheerful little grey cubicle in Dallas.

In the time it took me to write that inspired little paragraph the song changed to Alexi Murdoch. See I told you the station was good. Anyways, I shall reflect my recent day dream since I'm obivously too in the zone to have my head in the clouds now.

Close your eyes, we can go together.

First we're flying, soaring even over a bright turquoise ocean, the color of ocean that all the best oceans are. And we're approaching land so fast but it doesn't feel fast. It's not windy, our gliding is almost leisurely except for the feeling of anticipation that comes with our destination.

Now we have soared over the coast and the silky white beaches that were visible for only a moment have disappeared behind us. We're heading up a canyon now, into the moutains, but they aren't rocky snowy moutains, they are bright green with every kind of plant growing all over them. At impossible angles pine trees cling to the rocks next to incredible expanses of wild tropical flowers. A palm waves in the breeze below us but we don't notice because we are heading for the very top of the mountain, I guess with the intention of looking down.

As we make our landing on the top we can survey the whole area from above, and see the pearly beaches and sloping hills below our craggy green mountain. After turning to see every part of the island, we turn back out to stare off into the distance at that mesmerizing turquoise ocean, and just as we look everything shimmers into a white/yellow glow and all the suddden I'm back in my cubicle, and you are whereever it was that you were when the journey began.

That's what I did at work today.

Back on topic: may I recommend Society Bakery's cupcakes? Delicious. And Ellen Degeneres likes them. I suggested a Nutella one for fall, keep your eyes peeled Dallasonians.

Them's fightin wurds.

Dear Texas,

I enjoy your big bustling city of Dallas. I love to see horses everywhere I drive. I enjoy the plethora of Mexican food options for my tasting pleasure. But I have to say there is one thing that is not bigger in Texas. BBQ.

GASP! SACRELIDGE! I know, what a scandalous thing to say on a blog about eating in Texas. However, places that try to take the glory of Kansas City's barbeque are confused, sad little places to live.

Now I know what you're thinking. I'm a biased investigator since I'm a KC girl and love me some Smokebox BBQ. True. I would agree. So to put it to the test, this weekend Kristin Carringer's lovely family hosted us at their lake house near Corsicana, TX. Rob "The Skipper" Carringer smoked up some mighty fine ribs and brisket for our tasting pleasure and then the real competition began. We had 4 sauce options to determine for all eternity whether Texas or Kansas City bbq was superior.

Now lets just discuss how unfair this is to begin with, all of Texas v. the single city of KC? I wasn't worried. The first sauce was universally hated. The second was ok. The third, oh the third. How it sweetly lingered its tangy goodness in your mouth long after the delicious rib had been devoured. The fourth, I can't rememeber, the third was just so deliciously good.

And the big reveal? I'm sure you guessed it. Sauce three was provided by Kansas City's own Smokehouse BBQ.

So there ya go Texas. Ya win some, ya lose some. But next time, I wouldn't try to improve upon perfection. It can't be done.

Incidentally, the lake house is an excellent location for fine dining in Texas.

Love,
Margo