"What day is it?" That's a question you're bound to hear from me on a three-day weekend.
A combination of too much PBR and an extended weekend that only happens a handful of times each year for the hardworking young professional?
Whatever the case may be, there's no doubt that everyone's days begin to run together.
This weekend was no different. It started out around 4:45 p.m. on Friday. I went to Heist Brewery for a couple beers on the patio. I'm not a huge fan of their food, but this time I tried the crab dip and I can't say I was disappointed.
After Heist, I thought it would be a wise idea to stop by Hot Taco to meet up with some friends. It was supposed to be an early night so I could be productive the following morning before soaking up some sun at the pool.
The next thing I know, it's close to 11 p.m. and I'm headed to a co-worker's for a nightcap.
An hour or so later, I received an invite to go camping the following night. I'd missed out on the camping trip in Virginia the year prior, so there was no way I was turning down the invitation. The only problem? We were leaving around 9:30 a.m. the following morning and I remember seeing 4 a.m. before passing out on my co-worker's couch.
That's why I was dry heaving into a pint glass heading home at 7 a.m. in the morning. This ride to Virginia was going to be a doozy.
I packed an overnight bag for my first camping trip and hopped in my ride to VA. To my surprise, the trip wasn't as brutal as I thought it would be, and getting there took only a couple hours.
Unbeknownst to me, my friends have been taking this trip yearly for the better part of a decade, and after piling onto a cot earlier than I thought I would and listening to the sound of rain splash (inside and outside) of the tent, I guess I can see why. The scenic views, beautiful farmland, quaint farmhouse (with electricity) and nostalgia for unshared memories of those who'd attended in previous years.
Oh, and did I mention there were seven kegs?
The next morning around 8 a.m. I woke up to the sound of rustling as folks started to pack and clean up.
The last thing I remembered from the night before was trying to decide whether or not I could rally for another drink while staring into the dark of the tent. That's when someone started yakking outside and realized I didn't want to be that person.
As we piled back in the car to head back to the Q.C., I was thankful for three things: the chance to improve my beer pong game, the fact that I wasn't hungover and that this black chick survived her first camping trip.
After returning to Charlotte, I set out to find something to do. Like I said, a long weekend is too good a thing to waste.
A co-worker had given me tickets to Kehlani at The Fillmore later on that night, but that was hours away. I texted my friend who was going with me to the concert and she was already pregaming at NoDa Company Store. I was surprised to find an above-ground pool filled with buns and guns when I walked in.
As it happened, they were having a luau and pool party in honor of Memorial Day. How fun?!
If you've never been to this quaint little venue situated behind Smelly Cat Coffeehouse & Roastery, stop what you're doing and go now! A bottle shop featuring local brews, sangria, unique art and a spacious patio, NoDa Company Store is sure to be one of your favorite places to hangout.
I'm hoping they'll plan another pool party before the summer is over.
After a couple drinks there, I could already feel Kehlani slipping through our fingers. I looked at my co-worker and asked if we should go.
The next thing I know, it's almost 1 a.m., I'm arguing in a parking lot and I realize we never even set our sights on AvidXchange Music Factory. Oh well, the tickets were free.
The conclusion of a busy weekend ended on a rooftop complete with pool, sun and friends. Not too shabby for an unplanned four day weekend, right?
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