On days like these, the most authentic restaurants don’t care about cultural appropriation. Not that I attempted to dress or act like anything else that who I was: a hungry person who also drinks.
My Mango Margarita
We stood outside with the rest of the customers who waited for tables. The restaurant had placed all of us on a digital wait list that allowed everyone to monitor their place in line and lapsed waiting time. Not only was it entertaining to watch us move up the list, but the app eliminated the need to wait in an actual line.
My Sister’s Mango-Dragonfruit Margarita
Instead, we all clustered outside on the sidewalk, which ran the length of the shopping center. As engaged as I was reading on my phone, monitoring the digital queue, talking with my sister and low-key people watching, I’ll confess that I was hyper-vigilant for anyone ready to blow people away for whatever hate-filled reason.
The Shots Dude
Another day in the mass shooting epidemic in the US. I can’t stop living because of possible threats, but when guns are far more protected than people, I cannot help but develop some paranoia, especially when I’m in a huge crowd of people of color.
A Shy Guy?
Happy to announce that the only thing that was killed were the libations. Note to self: I can no longer drink a tall margarita!
Of Course Not!
I saved the shot for the next day. No need to waste good alcohol on pushing me further into inebriation. I appreciated the shot more by waiting the next day. That’s the middle age logic coming through.
Dessert
As a matter of fact, since I believe in leftovers, I enjoyed the other half of my Mexican dinner prior to attending “Jelly’s Last Jam,” which was the start of another culturally-filled evening.
Holiday Yard Display
The cost of all three of our tickets would have been the cost of one ticket back in Austin. There’s no culture jumping out at you here in Fayetteville, but once the surface is scratched, it’s a less expensive endeavor. That savings will come in handy for funding my own projects.