Happy Crickle Day!

Do you like made up holidays? Do you like inappropriate touching and gift giving? Awkward traditions? Well, we have something miraculous to tell you! Some friends of the blog recently clued us in to the word "crickle", a word that they invented as a hybrid of the words "creepy" and "tickle". Seriously, its on urban dictionary, so its totally valid and real. And, the first annual Crickle Day happens to be today, May 21st! We're told that this holiday should be celebrated by giving inappropriate gifts to your friends (box of latex gloves?), or maybe an outing at the Gold Club for a little bit o' holiday sleaze. Happy Crickle Day to one and all!

Lunching in Woodbury

Ohhh Woodbury. You are slowly becoming my favorite CT town, and today may have just sealed the deal. With 2 hours to kill betwixt work appts, I wandered Route 6 in search of some entertainment. I headed for one of my fav indie natural food stores, New Morning, but instead pulled into the Good News Cafe to investigate. I hesitated in my car for a few, until the Meat Without Feet truck pulled up, and decided that was a sign to go in.


I've been driving by this place for months, but the timing was just never right until now. The sign is a little confusing, partially why I hadn't ventured in yet. I mean, can I get a cup of coffee to go or what?

I kind of expected to walk into Tisane when I opened the door, and I wasn't too far off. The walls are covered in artwork - paintings, photos, a mural in the bar, some weird sculptures hanging from the ceiling; and there is a case housing some Bridgewater chocolates and other baked items.

I sat at the bar, ogled some guy's martini, and perused the menu. A bit pricey, so I got the vegetarian-soup-of-the-day and some oysters. (I know. Weird.)


The soup was some kind of kale, chickpea concoction that far exceeded my expectations of a veg soup. The oysters were.. yknow.. oysters. I chatted up one of the "regulars" sitting next to me who shared his abundant knowledge of the restaurant, the owner, and other sights to see in CT. Apparently this restaurant is often written up as the best restaurant in CT and is visited by celebs on route to their summer homes. (Swoon? Whatever.) The owner, Carole Peck, has been featured on Martha Stewart several times and just opened another restaurant literally across the parking lot, Zeeburger. Apparently it's the cat's pajamas. (Maybe I would have known any of this if I ever read other blogs?) Coincidentally, we love cheeseburgers this week, and can't wait to check that out. Bob, our new friend at the bar, explained how he helped shape the new burger place with his suggestions of putting syrup in the milkshakes, and cooking the burgers by request, not just guessing. He also suggested Heinz ketchup, but doesnt think Carole will go for it. She makes everything from scratch, no artificial-anything allowed.

Here is Bob's coconut cake. He insisted that it be included:


Well, I still had 45 minutes to kill, so I went for round 2 - an iced cappuccino and a chocolate-peanut butter cookie.


Everything was just delightful. I would definitely come back, however, Zeeburger is next on my Woodbury agenda. Who knew there were amazing restaurants just sitting there on route 6 all this time? Not only is the food amazing, but the staff were friendly and willing to talk Bob and I through our lunches. The bartender, Michael, was both charming and informative. He told me about the Bethel Cinema, which used to be a porn theatre but now plays indie films. And some hiking trails nearby at something called Steep Rock. Looks like we have our work cut out for us in the-middle-of-nowhere, CT. Stay tuned.

CT Oddities

This exists:

Abbott Tech, Danbury

From New Britain with Love

Crazy kids.


Stanley Park, New Britian, CT

Hookers for Hole in the Wall

Friday, November 19: The Not-So-Snooty Beer, Wine & Cheese Tasting Adventure @ the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks

The Scenics have a history of endorsing Hooker Brewery (which we hope they'll acknowledge one day in form of promotional beer when we need it). We've enjoyed their semi-monthly Friday night tasting events, and pushed their beers on our exciting semi-famous friends. So this benefit for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (Saint Paul Newman's camp for very sick kids) sounds like an unusually meaningful way to enjoy your Hookers - and much more (wine, cheese, munchies, dessert, coffee). Also "self-satisfaction," probably.

Having worked at camps for kids sick and well (including the cancer camp, Rising Sun), this Scenic can attest to the value of the experience and organizations like Hole in the Wall. And while we're being unusually wholesome and generous around here, this Adventure will cap off a day of family-friendly events at the museum, which might be totally worth checking out if you've never been or, say, have a "family." Are multiple partners "family"? Is two "multiple"?

A Funny Thing Happened... (Laughter Yoga)

Last night I attended the Laughter Club (and potluck dinner) at ArtSpace Hartford. So-called "laughter yoga" is an international sensation that has had some pretty prominent press lately. In case you missed it, Laughter Clubs get together for structured laughing sessions and the punchline is... there is no joke. In fact, talking is kept to a minimum, except for some explanation of the "exercises." Hartford's lady of laughter, Laura Le, took us through a series of movements and breathing exercises - we hopped on one foot and laughed our asses off, high-fived while cracking up, played "Ho Ho Ha" (a "Duck Duck Goose" variant).


The group was small and included some incredulous first-timers. So it was fun to watch people squirm, striving to overcome self-consciousness for the sake of being good sports and - who knows - maybe reaping some mental health benefits. Whether or not we all become laughter regulars, I think just trying it once is a worthwhile exercise in breaking ice, expanding comfort zones and letting go of inhibitions. We all got our first giggle of the evening over having to sign a liability waiver on the way in.


Admittedly, I did get feel a little light-headed a couple of moments from all that strenuous romping and laughing.

I must say, I was a natural (Laura said I totally made her laugh). I credit my past history as a camp counselor. It's not that hard for me to embrace being publicly silly or have child-like fun. When I found myself at the lead of a laughter conga line, I just channeled Joan from Mad Men. And when we reeled in the most hilarious fish ever, I thought of River Monsters dreamboat Jeremy Wade.

This group is free and meets Tuesday evenings at ArtSpace Hartford at 5:45. The more the merrier, I'm sure.

Read more about Laughter Yoga. Or watch John Cleese explore the phenomenon on the BBC:

This Pirate Festival thing: it exists

Saturday, June 12: Captain Kidd's Treasure Hunt/Pirate Festival @ Downtown Milford


Today at one of our gigs, a coworker happened to mention how excited she was about "Pirate Day" this Saturday in Milford. Aaarrr, what say ye? Pirate Day? Apparently Charles Island off the coast of scenic Milford is one of several reputed possible sites of Captain Kidd's legendary buried booty, and this is excuse enough to celebrate with a day of pirate-related silliness, including a scavenger hunt, pirate comedy (hopefully all "aaarrrrr" jokes, that shit never gets old), and contests for talking like a pirate, salty dogging (huh?), and looking like Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean (we'll just be over there shopping for new boyfriends... and girlfriends, presumably this is a gender-inclusive competition). There will also be entertainment whose pirate connections are nebulous at best - live bands, belly dancers, fife and drum music.

This is as good an occasion as any to strap on our peg legs and get out there... LOL - "strap on." JK, we're not even amputees. Here, enjoy "Pirate King" Kevin Kline (love him!):