15 months later 2 NORMAL DAYS!
By GreatMartin
@GreatMartin (23671)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
May 29, 2021 1:56pm CST
As a creature of habit, for 20 years of Thursdays, I would go to The Dollar Tree, CVS, Winn-Dixie, and, sometimes if I needed things, also Office Depot and Home Depot topping it all off with a late lunch at Big Louie's, Quarterdeck or Cafe Vico!
On Fridays, it was an early movie, usually at The Gateway Theatre, and then Subways or Arbys for a 'snack'. Also about 16 times a year we went to either the Adrienne Arsht Theatre in Miami or the Broward Performing Arts Center on Tuesdays to see touring Broadway shows which abruptly stopped in March 2020 as did dinners at many different places before the shows!
Then the epidemic came!!! ARGH!! No movie theatres, no touring Broadway shows for 15 months and no restaurants, old or new for about 13 months.
About 2 months ago, and a vaccine, we started to tiptoe back into restaurants for lunch, generally going to those we were familiar with, knew would be following the rules, such as the new 17th Street Quarterdeck, IHOP, Arbey's, Big Louie's and after our second vaccine started to try new ones like the Brazilian steakhouse Rio Minas.
Then the good news came--The AMC and Regal chains were reopening but the best news of all was The Gateway Theatre, under new owners, was opening up!
NORMAL came back this week!! Did the old routine of shopping on Thursday and WENT FOR LUNCH at Big Louie's and yesterday, Friday, WENT TO THE REOPENED GATEWAY THEATRE TO SEE A MOVIE ON THE BIG SCREEN AND THEN A SNACK AT SUBWAYS! Okay so it wasn't a good movie but next week it will be official when "In The Heights" opens up--a show I loved when the Broadway touring company appeared here and the coming attraction trailers really have me excited!! (Ironically, I will be using the gift certificate I got on my 21st Leap Year birthday, Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the Nabu American Fusion Buffet restaurant--which didn't survive the epidemic!)
Now just waiting for the touring Broadway shows to return to Miami and Broward and my life will be normal plus I can start looking for a new, good restaurant to plan my 22nd Leap Year birthday on Thursday, February 29, 2024!
17 people like this
16 responses
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
So am I and I was glad to see so many people still wearing masks!!
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
I feel like a kid doing something naughty!!
4 people like this
@kaylachan (71942)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 May 21
Well it's good to be active again.
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
It's a whole new world out there!!
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (49721)
• Mojave, California
29 May 21
Nice, glad you got to do what you love to do again and I am seeing restaurants all over looking for workers. I guess they having a hard time getting their establishments fully operational again with staff.
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
A lot of businesses are having a hard time finding workers--many reasons for that but I think it will change very soon!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69136)
• United States
30 May 21
The return to normal hit me today when I asked for sweetener for my tea and the server said, "It's on the table." Say WHAT???????
Welcome back to normal!!!!
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
It is crazy when normal seems abnormal!!
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
29 May 21
Well, things have really opened up in Florida, I know. Glad you're having a good time.
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
Still being careful as it has opened too fast here !!
3 people like this
@much2say (56184)
• Los Angeles, California
30 May 21
@GreatMartin I do think we have to go with our gut feelings . . . we will be wearing masks here no matter what they say. You be safe out there!!
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
@much2say I am all for wearing masks!!
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
Didn't wear our masks in the movie theatre as there were only 4 of us altogether but did---as many did--in the other places!!
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
I always start planning 2-3 years early--invite people coming from all over--lots of arrangements have to be made plus I am an optimist!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472121)
• Switzerland
31 May 21
@GreatMartin I can very well understand, we have all enough to be confined in our homes.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
It was just a good feeling doing what I used to do!
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (44433)
• Wapello, Iowa
29 May 21
2024 is going to be great! You'll be 22 and Glorious Leader Donny will be back in power!
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
No he won't but one of his puppets might be!!
2 people like this
@xander6464 (44433)
• Wapello, Iowa
30 May 21
@GreatMartin You are so negative! No wonder you never get invited to Mar-A-Lago.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80884)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 May 21
I hope those touring Broadway shows return soon and then you can enjoy life again,
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
31 May 21
They are coming in October I believe!!!
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
I am all for wearing masks year round!!
1 person likes this
@LotusEyes (2711)
• India
29 May 21
That's great. Your birthday is on leap year. This means that every four years you celebrate a special day
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
That's me and I ONLY celebrate it every 4 years!
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23671)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 May 21
They just announced the first touring shows coming--can't wait!
1 person likes this
