It's a choice and it's a lifestyle but MY GOODNESS it's not a hate crime...thank you very much Mr. Thane.

Jenae and I, basking in the glory of a job well done after having confirmed our final spontaneous trip of the New Year, burst through the hotel-like revolving doors of Saturn Grill. Like a little leap frog, I'm rather jumpy when it comes to spinning doors. Knowing this, Jenae, being the nearest and most dearest thing to my heart, is always pushing me to brand new heights and took the liberty of testing my phobic reflexes by jumping into the revolving blades with me. We escaped by the skins of our teeth - Starving.

Jenae: Oh look! Here they are!!

Cue new friend.

Thane, meet the Memphis girls. Memphis girls, Thane.

Scrappy haired and donning a pair of stylishly thick black framed glasses (the mystery of Rx vs faux is pending...), Jenae and new friend Thane locked eyes.

Thane: What's there?!

Jenae redirected her attention, and was again just mere inches away from the dessert display, breathing a heavy cloud of oxidized salivation at the chocolate cannoli's that play dead in their to-go box caskets.

Jenae in her most friendly of Colorado tones greeted Thane and excused her own excitement, declaring this was her first time to visit and the canoli's are actually what tempted her to try this joint in the first place.

We exchanged some polite conversation with our new friend while we perused over the menu, Jenae asking what was great, not so great and what Thane recommended. The pastel pink card stock paper caught my eye "SPECIALS" occupied the title and below was a list of some great sounding grub. Yes please, I'll take two.

Ashley: OHHHH, Tomato Basil Lentil Soup, YUMMO?

Thane: Vegetable Beef Stew is better. Just sayin'.

Ashley: (under her breath) I'm a VEGETARIAN.

You would have thought I kicked a puppy in the face or something. Thane looked at me with near disbelief as if to say 'and just when I thought I had made two new friends...one turns out to be a bad apple.'



Ashley: Well ya don't have to hate me for it!

Thane (through a series of gasps, slurps and gawking noises): I mean, I don't HATE you. I just, I don't know. I'm a carnivore, if it doesn't have meat you can bet I DON'T eat it.

Feeling shame for my non meat-eating lifestyle, Jenae and I placed our orders and yes - we sprung for the cannoli per Thane's suggestion (chocolate of course). Hell, why not - we were high on life and everyone was so DAMN AGREEABLE. She got the grilled portabella sandwich and I got the tomato mozzarella salad. Both sans meat. We ate, we laughed, we discussed lightly what our resolutions would be for the upcoming year all and finished full and satisfied both in appetite and conversation. Almost. We were missing one thing. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. The cannoli. Jenae went inside inquiring about the disappearance of our savory treat and Thane was shocked. Memphis girls, he said I was wondering where you went! I'll get that cannoli right out to ya. We waited, and waited...no cannoli. No carb loading, sugar coma inducing, meringue filled pastry treat - no big deal. We're pretty easy going gals. We strolled back up to our new friend, he was appalled. Got the cannoli to go, threw up a rock and roll hand motion and yelled "Wait." [pause for dramatic affect] Before we were able to walk away, he tossed an amazingly delectable Red Velvet cupcake our way. We parted ways with Thane - his final words being "Because THAT is ridiculous." Our eyes lit up. The bonds of friendship had just been solidified. We'll be back Thane, just you wait!

I felt I had been given a reprieve for my veg head lifestyle and nothing could stand in my way. On our way out, Jenae leading us through the revolving doors into a world of potential adventure I felt invincible - I jumped right on in the same slot with her. Minor scare of amputation, as I did get my right side caught, but hey...if ya don't jump in at least once in awhile, strike a friendly conversation with a stranger every chance you get or jump in the car for a 10 hour road trip to anywhere you never know what gummy bear window puppet show you might miss.

"A stranger is a friend you just haven't met yet."