Chocolates and wine pairs tasting

Valentine's Wine Tasting Featuring Cameron's Chocolates after my self defense class. The rule of thumb: the dryer the wine, the darker/oily the chocolate to pair with. For example, the coconut chocolate goes with dry rose champagne from France of $75 a bottle — at The Wine Outlet.

Cameron’s Chocolates is a store in which people with Autism or other disabilities can work. For more information on Cameron's, please go to: http://every1canwork.com/about/

 or watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfwhNNOytzI

Watched a silent Shakespeare "Much Ado About Nothing"

Watched a modernized Shakespeare "Much Ado About Nothing". I always liked this group's plays with rich body language, colorfully and creative customs and sets to powerfully express the plots without dialogs. However, I was disappointed by the plots and music this time — at Synetic Theater.

Winter hike with Crampons

Hiked 14 miles with 3000 ft gains covering Mary's Rock - Pinnacles with crampons on most of the time. Two hikers slipped into the river at the beginning of the hike, but changed socks and moved on
— at Shenandoah National Park.

An intriguing play "Last of the Whyos"

Watched an experimental play " Last of the Whyos" about Eddie Farrell, king of the Whyos gang in 1880s New York, who slipped through time and landed on the beach at Coney Island one hundred years in the future. Pulled into a sideshow world, he confronted his future self. The dreamy scenes reminded me of the movie "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" about a good guy Eddie tried to save a little girl at Coney Island theme park, rather trying to kill the same girl after 100 yrs like in the play.

The good Eddie was killed and sent to heaven, where he encounters five people who significantly impacted him while he was alive.

Movie: Gone Girl

Watched another 2015 Oscar nominated thriller film for 2.5 hr like it's surprising story and realized that marriage and victimhood are probably inseparable for both parties. I ate dinner this time at Arlington Draft House and Theater.

Watched the last 1.5 hours of Boyhood

Rushed to the theater after my self defense class and watched 1.5 hrs of this 2015 Oscar nominated movie about seizing moments of life, especially the last scene. Wish I knew there is a Big Bend State Park when I hiked in the National Park. I need to visit Austin sometime. By the way, the ticket only costs $2 on Monday and Tuesday nights  watching Boyhood at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse.

Super Bowl Party

Had my 1st super bowl party at my fellow hiker and neighbor's house having snacks with Indian sauces, Chinese food and trader joe's dessert—  in Vienna, Virginia.

Religion is much closer to life nowaday

Had my 2nd alternative new-agey Sunday church service with The Surge, the most entertaining one in my life. The pastor dressed like a standup comedian, tied the sermon with the movie Guardians of the Galaxy, and showed at least three movie clips. His points: we all need the sense of belonging, and will die for the greater good as necessary. I liked the breakfast too.— at The State Theatre.

I cannot help but to compare the church service with Pharrell Williams' song "HAPPY" who used songs to express his religious views: "On paper I'm a Christian, but really I'm a Universalist."

A play about choosing career vs. family

Watched a 3-hr play/comedy "Rapture, Blister, Burn" One female classmate built a career as a rock-star academic while the other built a home with a husband and children, and both are unfulfilled in opposite ways and each woman wants the other’s life. Didn't we have the same struggle making the choices?!
— at Round House Theatre.

Bourbon tasting

I learned the history of bourbon of Maker’s Mark® and tasted 4 kinds of bourbon including Maker’s 46®, Knob Greek, and 3 kinds of bourbon cocktails, also received nice souvenirs dipped in a red wax pot. Somehow the maker in KY has a barrel for me since 2008 — at Magruder's DC.

Healthy Cooking demonstration

Attended a Cooking demonstration and sampling party by Chef Jonathan Bardzik, and tasted some healthy and delightful vegetarian dishes
— at Halstead Square - Dunn Loring Metro.