R-E-L-I-E-F

How do you spell relief?  If you're old enough to remember the old commercial, you might think it's R-O-L-A-I-D-S.  Tonight I spelled it B-E-E-R and F-R-I-E-N-D-S. 

My day started as I pried myself out of bed.  I worked 11.5 hours yesterday, came home, relaxed for a few hours, and went to bed.  I was tired this morning at work and confided to a close colleague when asked how I was doing.  I responded, "On the verge of a nervous breakdown."  She said, "So what?  We all are!"  Ouch.  That made me feel worse...and like a whiner.

I had longstanding plans to meet some friends after work and, even though I felt guilty for leaving at 5 (9 hours after I started), I went anyway.  We originally planned to meet at a cool, new bar/restaurant serving over 60 beers.  Walking those few extra blocks in threatening rain seemed too much for them so we met closer to their work.  We landed...if you'll pardon the pun...at the Landmark at 34th and Market in Philadelphia.

The Landmark is a 3-restaurant chain, which I didn't know until about 5 minutes ago.  It's on the Drexel University Campus so is largely patronized by young people.  They have outdoor seating (on a very busy and loud corner) but the shaded seats were all taken.  Since it was pushing 90 degrees we decided to sit inside. 

There were 3 of us so we had three appetizers - wings, chicken fingers, and margherita flatbread.  Each was very good.  Both chicken varieties were moist and flavorful and the flatbread was crispy and fresh tasting.

I had two Magic Hat #9 beers.  I've seen Magic Hat (brewed in South Burlington, Vermont) around before but never tried it.  I really liked this "not quite pale ale," as the brewing company's website calls it.  (Warning:  The website - while funky and hip looking, is painfully clunky.)  It was light, crisp, and more golden than I expected - a nice, hot-day beer.

I feel much more relaxed tonight.  And, even though tomorrow is another challenging day on this project, at least tonight I can spell - and feel - R-E-L-I-E-F.