I don’t know a lot of things for certain, but I know that great food, plentiful wine, and good company will always rank highest on my list of needs. All three seem to be constants in my life, which is something that I am eternally grateful for, and while there’s nothing better than time spent with old friends, it’s always exciting to welcome in some new faces.

Last night after spending some time checking in with the MAD crew in the 5:30 and 6:30 classes, an old friend of Dar’s swung by the space after his first day in his new job…IN CHARLOTTESVILLE.  Her friend Robert has long worked in the financial industry, one that we both know (too) well, and recently made the choice to pick lifestyle and community over long commutes and even longer days in his old California stomping grounds.  And to that I say, welcome Robert, to the good life.

In the spirit of slowly inducting him into our Cville crew and showing him the best that Charlottesville has to offer (which is everything, of course) we beelined to The Local.

Mondays are 1/2 price wine night (on bottles $75 or less) so it was a win even before we stepped in the door.  We all shared a bottle of the Petit Verdot from Pollak Vineyards – another local choice – and I started with the local caramont goat cheese salad that I love.

Because I’m a creature of habit, and at that point I couldn’t even remember what I had for lunch, I had my typical tenderloin ‘special’ for my main meal (‘dry’, no mashed potatoes, and double veggies).  And I promise, despite the lack of butter and sauce, this steak was anything but dry.  So good, and probably the most perfect ‘medium’ steak I’ve had in recent memory.

 Just as anticipated, and in line with the food and wine exceeding expectations, the company was excellent and before we knew it hours had passed and the wine was getting low.  That’s the truest sign of a quality night, and the beginning of a very exciting chapter with this new member of our cast.  MAD crew get ready, he’ll be a part of your ranks very soon.

This week, so far, has been very good to me, and for that I’m so thankful.  The weather has turned, spring is here, and things are aligning even better than I could have planned.  It’s such a rare thing in life to have all things pointing positively forward with days unfolding with relative ease so I’m making a point to pause and enjoy it.  These days will pass, the calm will ebb and flow, and the march will always be up hill, I’m just choosing to be optimistic that the incline may be evening out ever so slightly.