Tootsie on Tour: Fort Lauderdale, FL

**Disclaimer: The content of this post reflects my own personal views, opinions, and experiences.
This post does NOT express the views or opinions of my employer.**

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The venue: Broward Center for the Performing Arts


(stock photos)

Covid Tests to Date: 41

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TL;DR: TikTok:

TikTok by @tromboneontour

On Monday we had straightforward, drama-free travel to Fort Lauderdale!

We arrived around 3pm. It's a nice hotel to be in for two weeks! Clean and comfortable room (see TikTok)

I've even got a balcony!


I did my usual grocery run. There's a Winn-Dixie directly across from the hotel and I got most of my groceries there, but there's also a Fresh Market a few blocks down where I went for a few special things like "Lucy" apples, which have a red flesh instead of white; some strawberry vanilla seltzer; a forbidden + Jasmine rice blend; chicken potstickers; vanilla flax milk. I love trying new foods!

I also got dinner from Vale, a nearby healthy/clean food store. I didn't take a picture because my takeaway bowl got shaken up among my groceries, but it was delicious, sweet potato noodles with broccoli, grilled chicken, and curry sauce! I hope to visit again.

Back at the hotel I went exploring and found the very fancy rooftop pool.

(photo courtesy weddingwire)

I joined Bobby (bass) and Taurus (drums) on one of the lounge chairs up there, and we enjoyed the cool breeze and chatted about this and that. It was nice.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday I woke up to a slight breeze and clouds, which always means rainy weather in Florida.
After breakfast I decided to walk the 30 minutes to get my local bread before any big storms hit.

The bakery/cafe is Gran Forno, and they make beautiful rustic loaves fresh every day.
I'd had my heart set on their "specialty" raising fennel bread, but turns out you've got to order that in advance, so got myself a whole wheat boule instead. There was so much delicious stuff in here: all kinds of pies and cookies and desserts, most of them Italian, and quiches and big caprese and chicken pesto sandwiches on house-made focaccia. I mean we're here for two weeks, I'm GOING to come back and get a sandwich at some point!

But for now, the crusty wheat bread still warm from the oven, and a tangerine tart because it was just so beautiful.


The bread tastes rather mild to me, probably because I've become used to breads that are sourdough-based or baked with flavorful grains like rye or barley. This is plain wheat, probably just flour/water/salt/yeast, and although the flavor is not very intense the texture is phenomenal and I'm all about it for sandwiches and soups or just by itself.


I cut the tart into quarters so I can enjoy it throughout the week :)
It's delicious, especially the caramelized fruit on top!
My only criticism would be that the custard was not very creamy, it was kind of "eggy". But still, freaking delicious!


Please note that I'm not over here trying to be picky about these beautiful foods.
I simply like to be honest and convey any impressions that I have without filters.
If something is mind-blowing or uniquely different then I'll say so; if it's normal, I'll say that too :)

( Read more... )

Writing Prompts 2022:

12/10: Do you often make impulsive purchases?
A: More now than I used to. In the past I used to "treat myself" once a month or so to something that was definitely outside my budget, that I just WANTED right then and there. Lately I feel like I'm doing it more often, and for stuff I don't necessarily "need", like articulated slugs from TikTok or a fancy bar soap from Whole Foods or a graphic T that in the moment I feel I can't live without. Part of it is, lately no matter what I do I can't seem to save money, I'm always breaking even, so why bother. And the other part is, my dad's death has reawakened the urge to enjoy things in the moment, and that often means buying the thing, because money is just money.

12/11: Would you rather lose the ability to read, or the ability to speak?
A: SPEAK, 100%. Good grief, you can still communicate without speaking! Being unable to read is a massively greater handicap than being unable to speak!!

12/12: What do you think are three things that are pretty great or interesting about you?
A: Everyone has great things about them, even someone like me :)
1 - The incredible variety of jobs I've held. Across the US, on boats, on trains, in hotels, on each coast. Doing everything from cleaning kennels to calculating financial aid to running movie projectors to mopping floors and performing in front of thousands. Not many people can both say they've been a custodian, and also been kissed on the cheek by a billionaire, but that's me.
2 - I've likely got a significant chunk of Ainu DNA. From what I understand this is rare even in Japan.
3 - My eyes have a really large limbal ring. Everyone has limbal rings, just some are more visible than others. It makes my eyes look pretty, and I find it interesting because none of my relatives have/had big ones, so I consider it kind of unique to me.

12/13: What makes you suspicious of other people?
A: Everything, but especially offers of friendship and offers of unsolicited favors or gifts. I've been hurt way too many times. If someone wants to be my friend, it means they want something from me, or to use me for something and then throw me away. If someone buys me something, they want something in return. If someone invites me somewhere, it's to have a prop to make themselves look better, not because they actually want my company. I feel this way because these things have happened. A LOT. One time someone held a door for me and expected payment for it. Being left alone, while it's hard, is way better than being used.

12/14: What social stigma does society need to get over?
A: All of them, social stigmas are just plain bad. But on a personal pet peeve level, the NUMBER ONE stigma that NEEDS to be dropped imo is pressuring people to get married and have children. It needs to f*cking STOP. The same people who complain that Millennials ruin everything, or that people have no manners or no work ethic, are the SAME people who pressure and push terrible people into having terrible children, who grow up to be terrible adults! YOU are the reason we have so many bad people in the world!! STOP demanding that irresponsible, poverty-stricken, and unprepared people continue breeding!! STOP demanding that people forge a life-bond after hardly knowing each other!! YOUR unfounded social demands are making the world a worse place for everyone!

12/15: Do you like to be the center of attention?
A: NO.

12/16: What is your favorite number? Why?
A: I like 17, and I don't know why. Possibly because I've read Steven Brust books, and that number figures prominently in his writing. Or possibly because several good things in my life happened on the 17th.