Hi, all, it’s been quite the busy year here at Chez Random Oenophile. I may have mentioned that I’m now writing fiction in addition to my full-time job as a psychologist, and I got to add the role of publisher in March when Samhain Publishing, who had published seven out of the ten novels and novellas I had out at that time, closed. So, I’ve been scrambling to get them back out, which has meant a lot more work than I originally anticipated. The good news is that I’m in the home stretch with just two novels and a novella to go. If you’re interested in following my progress there, you can visit my author site.
Meanwhile, I have a lot of content to catch up on here, so I’m going to do what I can, and I’m going to pursue interviews with interesting industry people for you. Our first stop is to go back in time to last weekend, when Hubby and I went to downtown Atlanta for DragonCon.
For those of you who don’t know, DragonCon is the largest pop culture conference in the Southeast, and while it is science fiction and fantasy-focused, it covers a lot more. For example, a few years ago they had panels on Downton Abbey. It’s held in downtown Atlanta across five hotels and a couple of buildings in the AmericasMart complex. So yes, I got my steps. I tend to bounce around between the Urban Fantasy, Alt History, and Writer’s tracks.
Thursday started with a mad dash down the hill to get our badges before the registration area closed. Yes, we jogged all the way. Yes, I’m really glad it was all downhill. To reward ourselves, we went to the Sundial, the restaurant and bar on top of the Westin. It was not rotating, but we still enjoyed the view. I got a glass of the sparkling rosé. Hubby got a mixed drink, which was more mixer than alcohol. So there’s your first tip – stick to wine and beer a
t the Sundial.
Hubby and I have our favorite restaurants that we revisit year after year, but this year we decided to do something different for lunch on Friday and go to Truva, a Turkish restaurant right near the Sheraton. It was quite good, and since I ended up being late to meet him, Hubby got the meze plate, which included babaghanoush, tabbouleh, and stuffed grape leaves. 
No alcohol at that point, though. That waited for the evening, when I joined Hubby for dinner so he could watch soccer at Meehan’s. I drank a Magner’s.
Saturday’s lunch was at the food court. I confess – I’ve been all about the sesame chicken lately. Then we went to Pacific Rim Bistro for dinner. Of all the places in the area, this and White Oak Kitchen are probably my two favorites. Hubby and I sat at the bar at Pacific Rim and ordered sushi, which is always super good and fresh there.
I’d been drinking cocktails previously at Red Phone Booth, so that’s what I stuck with, some sort of blood orange thing. It was okay.
The other food highlight of the weekend was at the aforementioned White Oak Kitchen, where Hubby and I went for brunch. I got the chicken and waffles, which I can never resist. I think my Belgian side likes the combination of salty, crunchy, and sweet. There was also a mimosa involved.
I’m keeping this brief because the power is blinking. Yes, I’m writing this during Hurricane Irma’s visit to Atlanta.
I’ve heard a lot of complaints that there’s not much going on in downtown Atlanta, but I disagree. As you can see, fun and a good meal are there to be had if you look. Cheers!