Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Although our second anniversary actually passed right before Otakon this year, The Gryphon and I didn't get a chance to celebrate until this past Sunday.

We had a crazy day, a crazy weekend, really, because we were trying to cram in as much work around the house as we could. Much of the day we spent going through the remaining boxes in the dining room, most of which were kitchen boxes for nonessential items.

We found numerous duplicates, so we started a box to donate to the Salvation Army. It didn't seem like it was such difficult work, but it was fairly exhausting.

Since we really didn't want to lock ourselves into a set time, we decided not to make reservations. If our first choice restaurant was too busy, we'd try somewhere else. We considered seeing a movie, but not much was playing we wanted to see. Plus, there was more to do at the house. We wanted to get things ready for the housewarming party, which will also honor my 35th birthday, to be held next weekend.

About dinner time, we got cleaned up and dressed up and drove into the city. The Gryphon wore the charcoal shirt he got from my sister's husband this past Christmas. It looked really sharp on him.

We decided to try The White Dog Cafe, which is listed on one restaurant guide as one of the more romantic restaurants in the city. It's located between Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania on Sansom Street. The restaurant was a nice little place, with all wood interiors and a homey sort of decor: blue checked tablecloths and artwork involving dogs. Much of the food and the ingredients come from organic farms.

The food was delicious. I had a fish and crab entree, along with two glasses of red wine from a local winery, called Snaggletooth Red. With my first glass, I proposed a toast to the best two years of my life. The Gryphon chimed in that it was the best of his, too.

Afterwards, we were having such a good time, and both a bit tipsy, that we decided to walk to the Cosi's near the University of Pennsylvania for iced lattes and some S'mores. It's really ingenious: they serve you a wooden tree on which is a little sterno burner, like a little grill. You're given one stick each and enough Graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate to make s'mores. Delish.

Of course, The Gryphon pointed out there was one thing that made this unlike the authentic s'mores experience at a campfire: portion control. You couldn't just keep going.

We had fun with our little campfire, drinking our lattes and chatting, people watching. At one point, a homeless woman came up to our table, which was kind of strange, because it was blocked off from the rest of the sidewalk with pipes and drape. While repeatedly hitting herself on the head, she asked if I had a dollar. I declined.

After she turned away, I said to The Gryphon, sotto voce, "Well, maybe if you can also rub your belly." It was wrong, I know. But sometimes things are funny because they're just wrong.

And sometimes things are just right. I really meant it when I proposed my toast. It's good to have someone in my life who's a full partner, somebody who's there for me, who's supportive, thoughtful, sweet, intelligent, funny, attractive. Basically, the whole package. And I give him support, too. We help each other. That's the way it's supposed to be.

And let me tell you, that's something to celebrate.

Copyright 2005 by Alyce Wilson

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