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What’s good fam? Welcome back to Micah Monday here on postgradproblems.com. Last week, I committed to writing this piece on what I spent this weekend. I didn’t realize what a bear it would be. Wow. Daddy had a big weekend, and writing this is not giving me the therapeutic relief I was expecting. In fact, I feel a significant amount of anxiety digging through credit card statements and lyft receipts.
I also volunteered to pay for everything this weekend in an effort to more easily keep track of the total spend. So without further ado, here goes.
Friday
What I Spent:
-Wine at House Wine:
Glass of mediocre Rosé, $7
Glass of good Pinot Noir, $8
Total with tax and tip: $21
-Tapas & Gintonics from El Chipirón:
Aceitunas Y Tomate, $8
Gambas a la Plancha, $14
La Tejana, $14
El Vaquero, $13
Total with tax and tip: $65.04
-Bottle of 19 Crimes 2016 Red Wine from S Lamar Wine & Spirits, $14.06
-Leftover pizza, $0.
Friday total: $100.10
Ok. So, not a cheap start. As established in a previous Micah Monday, my girlfriend has moved to Texas and we now live together. This past weekend was in fact her first in Austin, and Friday marked the end of her first work week (nevermind the fact she only worked Thursday and Friday) as an Austinite. “I want to drink wine tonight,” she said. So, drink wine we did. House Wine is a personal favorite of mine. It’s a very small house that’s now a wine bar. Good concept. I once got drunk there and sang “Wild Horses” with a likely-frightened, professional musician. Anyways, we got there about 6:45, so our glasses were $2 off for Happy Hour. Nice. I had the Rosé. I’m a Rosé boi.
After a glass, we decided to hit up a place we hadn’t been to before. I recently read some nice things about a tapas bar on South Lamar named El Chipirón. They have an entire Gin and Tonic menu (then call them “Gintonics”) and the G&T is BooBoo’s preferred drink. We each had a Gintonic and split two tapas- a grilled shrimp dish and a marinated olive plate. They were fine. Nothing special. Dining room was also surprisingly empty for a Friday night. But, the drinks were complex and very good and the service was lovely. The $65 check price was a lot, especially considering that we didn’t eat enough for dinner. More on that to come.
From there we stopped by a liquor store and bought a bottle of wine. She recently took a trip to Napa with her Girlz, so she’s kinda a wine expert now. She tells me she’s heard a lot about this 19 Crimes brand, so we swooped it up and returned to the apartment.
As is my move-in tradition, I ate pizza on paper plates the first night in the new spot. We only ate half of the pizza and BooBoo individually wrapped each leftover slice in foil and froze them. This is a new culinary technique for me, and I must say, it was quite a revelation. Friday, we unwrapped the slices and reheated them in the oven. They were really good! Crispy, hot, and delicious. I’m all in on freezing excess pizza moving forward.
I only drank about half a glass of wine and then prepared for slumber. It was a lovely start to the weekend.
How I Saved:
We unknowingly hit House Wine during Happy Hour. The leftover pizza (doctored up with some freshly torn basil leaves) was good and, since it was already purchased a week prior, essentially free. I only had one glass of wine and one (1) cocktail, so I was able to safely and legally drive, thus saving by not ordering a rideshare.
Where I Should Have Saved:
The prices at El Chipirón are too high for a low-key evening. I’d be interested in going back for a special occasion, but this was too much of a splurge.
Saturday
What I Spent:
-Coffee at Radio
1 Cortado, 1 small iced coffee
Total with tax and tip: $9.75
-4 succulents from East Austin Succulents, $96
-Cinco de Mayo lunch at Cisco’s, $25
-Lyft to Rainey Street $23.52
-Drinks at Clive Bar $52.68
-Drinks at Alibi, $12
-Drinks at Stephen F. Austin Bar, $29
-Lyft Home, $15
-Dinner at Torchy’s Tacos, $28
Saturday total: $288.95
Ouch! Daddy really spent prolifically Saturday. I’m now regretting this article. Let’s get through it. Had to get some coffee on the way to the eastside. Radio is the best coffee shop in town, and it’s shockingly close to the new home. I’m a cortado boi all the way. No complaints so far.
From there we started our eastside Saturday tour. First stop, the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail. I normally visit the western side of the trail, but we wanted to check out the relatively new boardwalk extension and I wanted to snap some pics of her in the new DEAL CLOSERS ONLY hat.
After that, it was off to East Austin Succulents. Wow. This was everything I was looking for and much more. As loyal readers and listeners to our podcasts know, we’re big succ bois here at Grandex. This is the mecca for succs in Austin. Be warned however, the prices here are higher than giraffe pussy. But, we had a nice time and I got some fire Instagram stories off (@micahwiener).
We then stopped by Cisco’s for a little Cinco de Mayo celebration. It was litty! Big T-Shirt Matt had the place jumping on full tilt with a six piece mariachi band and margarita specials. Boy howdy, this was a lituation for sure. Matt was kind enough to join us for lunch. BooBoo had the Migas, and I had the Cisco’s Special. So good. I’ve often said Cisco’s would be included in my last meal on earth discussion, and it did not disappoint. Although I hadn’t planned to drink before noon, Matt was kind enough to buy us a round of margs. Tasty.
We returned home, set up the succs, took a nap, and prepared for the afternoon. We took a lyft to Rainey Street to meet up with our ad-sales guy (and longtime friend) Brad and his squad to watch the Kentucky Derby. My tab at Clive bar was high. I bought Brad and his gf a round and BooBoo and I each had two drinks. This is the first bar I’ve seen that has banned plastic straws due to environmental concerns. Unfortunately, I ordered a Paloma before I saw the signs declaring this policy. As everyone knows, a straw is essential with a Paloma, and it greatly diminished the experience.
Brad left to take a nap while the rest of his crew was too lit for us at that time. We walked down the street to Alibi and had a beer there while watching the end of the Boston-Philly game. What a finish!
From there we decided to check out the brand new Fairmont Hotel. It’s just down the street and I’d heard a lot about it. I would highly suggest checking it out. BECAUSE IT IS INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE. Wow. I’ve never seen such insane and garish design choices. Wow is all I can say. It’s a Goddamn nightmare. We went to all seven floors open to the public and couldn’t believe what we saw. Imagine the trashiest elements of a bad Vegas hotel all mashed together into one place. Words and pictures don’t do it justice. I read it was the most expensive hotel ever built in Texas. It’s a wow. It was fun.
This weekend was the Old Pecan Street Festival, so we walked down Dirty Sixth Street and took some of it in. It was also awful. Moonbounces in the middle of the street surrounded by homeless people, funnel cake stands, and vomit. Terrible. The weather was perfect tho, so we walked down to Congress Avenue and had a drink at our favorite bar, Stephen F’s at the Intercontinental Hotel. A Mexican Martini (ironically, neither Mexican nor martini) and golden hour made for some good photos and an enjoyable time. You already knew it was Derby Day, so of course I rocked the white seersucker. Stuntin’.
We lyfted back to the apartment, and it was a magical ride. Our driver had a legit Irish accent and gave us free water bottles. I tipped him. It was glorious. We then walked to the closet restaurant, Torchy’s Tacos. Let me be very clear, Torchy’s is not a favorite of mine. The tortillas are store-bought, the tacos are too large, and everything is covered with an obscene amount of cheese. And yes, we ate Mexican food twice Saturday. That being said, I had a Green Chile Pork taco that was OK and a Migas taco (add bacon) that was quite good. She had a chicken fajita taco and another one I can’t recall. We split some queso too. I have to admit, it’s good there.
How I Saved:
Hmmm… We did get free entertainment and a little exercise (my iPhone tells me we walked more than six miles Saturday) at the trail and while exploring the Fairmont. Big T-Shirt Matt came through at Cisco’s.
Where I Should Have Saved:
Although the weather was amazing and the drink was good, I would have been fine skipping the expensive cocktails at the Stephen F. And it goes without saying that there are probably more affordable succulents available outside of a hipster-boutique succulent farm. But it was obviously time to get on the succ train, and I expected to spend some money decorating the new place, so it’s kinda a wash. Also, I had salad fixings at the house. A homemade meal would have been good for my wallet and my belly, especially considering it’s Big Salad SZN.
Sunday
What I Spent:
-Lyft to Perla’s, $14
-1 small coldbrew, 1 small drip coffee, 1 large iced cofee, 1 Migas taco from Jo’s, $13.75
-2 entires to the Perla’s Crawfish Boil, $86
-Lyft home, $15
-Groceries from H-E-B, $90.68
Sunday total: $215.43
Sunday was dope af. It was the 9th Annual Perla’s Crawfish Boil. And it was super litty. Perla’s is one of Austin’s best and boujee-est restaurants. Once a year they throw a stupid-lit crawfish boil. Tickets are $43, but they include all-you-can-eat boil (including mudbugs, sausage, shrimp, corn, mushrooms, and potatoes) as well as all-you-can-drink beers. It’s a real “see and be seen” kinda event, so you know I’m down to stunt. The boil started at 11, so we got there at 9:30 to make sure we would get a table. Our friends in co-workers Phil and Ad were already there, so we waiting with them. In exchange for holding it down, I offered to buy coffees for Phil and The Rattlesnake. Ad refused, but Phil asked for a small drip. I was happy to oblige. We walked to Jo’s, waited in line, and emerged with some mediocre coffee and a single Migas taco, which the gf and I split. Good to get a little base. I care a lot about the fans, so you know I had to run a twitter poll to help me get this ‘gram off.
About to walk into the perlas crawfish boil. 100% gonna get a gram off today.
Need caption help. Thx.
— 🍌 Micah Wiener (@ProducerMicah) May 6, 2018
In a bit of a surprising decision, “Crustacean Nation” won a close vote over “Boil SZN.” I went with it. Check the Rowdy Gentleman Hawaiian too. Littay indeed.
We ate the boil and had a few beers. There was a killer band, and the whole patio was truly lit. We left around 2, just around the time our crew started to switch to the Louisiana-themed frozen drinks. A waitress tried to entice me into ordering a “purple.” I asked what was in it. She said, “vodka, whiskey, and grape kool-aid.” Nah fam, I’m not trying to get all Bourbon Street on these hoes on a Sunday. GTFO. It was Booboo’s first boil of any kind, and she had a wonderful time. She was most amazed by the amount of food consumed by our CEO, Madison Wickham. He a savage for that. For real.
We lyfted home, and quickly fell into a slumber, taking an obscenely long nap. We awoke and did laundry. Before the Sunday Scaries hit, we made a trip to the H-E-B on Congress and Oltorf. In full disclosure many people I know don’t care for this H-E-B, but I love it. It’s wild, the aisles are too narrow, no one is respectful of personal space, and there is always at least one scary homeless guy hounding you throughout your trip. We stocked up for the week and got some pantry essentials we were lacking. I think it was a pretty good trip, but feel free to roast my choices in the comments.
How I Saved:
Although the sticker price for the party was, on face value, a little high, it was certainly worth it. We each had three or four (free) beers, but steered clear of the expensive and dangerous themed cocktails. Probably the thing I am most proud of this weekend.
Where I Should Have Saved:
I think we did ok. You know I had to do it to them at the boil, so no regrets there. In a perfect world I’d make and drink my own cold brew, but we’re still getting settled, you know? You see the H-E-B receipt, LMK in the comments what I splurged on.
Total for the weekend: $604.48
Ouch..
Respond
Where you should’ve saved: PREMIUM bananas? Absolutely no need for that type of fruitless spending.
I see what you did there and I find it appeeling
Going to need you to limit your use of the term “daddy” to once per article please
And possibly Booboo to zero
You watch your mouth little Lady. Booboo is a goddamn treasure.
Micah, where does the nickname BooBoo come from?
“Aceitunas Y Tomate, $8”
….do you mean to tell me you paid $8 for tomato and olives…fam. no.
I’m not sure what it is but your writing style kills me. You have a way with words man.
$43 per ticket for all you can eat crawfish and beer is a pretty good deal.
I believe this to be the greatest Micah Monday yet.
Finally a version of this article that resembles my (terrible but fun) spending habits.
Read the entire thing in your voice Micah, ILY!
#succsquad