I knew last night was gonna be good when, while doing shoulders at the gym, I felt a sharp nudge in my back… only to turn and see noneother than The Heartbreaker… walking by with his Trainer. He smiled, I said “oh, hey” in a good-to-see-you-but-not-that-good way, and continued my workout. We both remained focused on our workouts and I didn’t even try to look for him until I was leaving. He was on the treadmill as I continued past him on my way out the door. Maybe it was testosterone, self-confidence from knowing my muscles were bulging, or just the fact that I’m almost over him… but I left feeling good.

The Tall Friend picked me up shortly after 8, and was well-prepared with a list of bars to tackle. This night would be good.

The Doublewide
With its wood-panel walls, hideous artwork, patio tables-made-of-tires, and roof-mounted faux tornado, this trailer-themed hangout was a welcome change to the strip. We sat on garage sale-like furniture, sipping our drinks and taking in the sights. When warmer weather arrives, the patio at this place is just begging to be revisited. I finished my first Redbull and vodka, and we were off again…

Bar of Soap
Just around the block was Bar of Soap, a Laundromat-bar. While Tall Friend ordered the drinks, I perused the premises… igniting with joy when I discovered this behind some washing machines. A few games and a sore arm later, I triumphed in victory. Finishing our drinks, I hid my half-full Redbull in my sock as we proceeded to the next stop.

Minc
Usually a pretentious, predominantly gay hang-out, you could almost hear the cliché, reality-show ‘record scratch’ when we walked in. Apparently, Thursday night is straight, African-American night. We opted to try again another night… maybe when we weren’t feeling quite as sore-thumbish.

Gilley’s
The last straight stop of the evening, we arrived at Gilley’s… a warehouse-sized Country/Western bar. Huge. Huge, I say. After watching some mechanical bull riding, guessing at the cuteness level of the cowboy-hatted on-stage performer (the stage seemingly a football field’s length away), and downing yet another drink, we were ready to gayize the evening, and head to the strip.

JR’s
By this time, it was probably 11, which is a nice time to be at JR’s on a Thursday. In the upstairs bar, just as we were concluding a conversation about the recent Dallas attractiveness drought, we were broadsided by a monsoon of sexy. From all sides. Out of nowhere. One hotter-than-hail fella (that was a stretch, yeah) caught my eye.

Sexy McNumbers
EXACTLY what I like. This short, stocky, buzzed-headed, masculine guy took a break from his hot friends and made eye contact with me. Then again. With a smile. A brief conversation and a phone number exchange left me re-energized for the rest of the evening. He’s probably 5’4”, 155 lbs, sexy eyes, cute grin. He’s a student in finance, recently departed from a three-year relationship, and 26 years old. Hee hee. Giddy little school girl, I am.

The Round Up
Why the Tall, non-country-enjoying Friend suggests The Round Up as our next visit, I don’t know. He hates it. He always hates it. I requested and happily sang along to three songs, and then we left quickly.

The nameless “B” bars…
The last stop on our liver-pickling tour (for those of you STILL reading) took us to some of the seedier hangouts… nothing eventful happened here, but it was a nice close to the evening. I was dropped off shortly thereafter, waking feeling like hell… as only a night drinking with the Tall Friend can do. : )

Last night was a much needed kick out of this as-of-late rut. An outstanding start to an event-filled weekend. I have 3 parties, a circus and a hottie to attend to.

Maybe Texas isn’t so bad. : )