A key dilemma
So, I needed to get a key cut today (no, don’t yawn…).
But could I bloody well find anywhere that in my ‘UK’ head might cut keys….? Nope.
I Googled all sorts of key-cutting combinations and I could not find a place in my vicinity.
And so I did a tweet-shout-out to my Columbia MD twitter followers and they came straight back to me with the response ‘a hardware store’ (the one literally at the end of my road, which was a bit annoying since I had driven round half of Columbia by then.)
Of course, what had I been thinking?! I should have been looking for a big store that sells manure, lawnmowers and Cicada spray (Kendalls), not a little high street store like the ones back in the UK that re-heel shoes, sell mis-matched plastic key fobs and those name labels that you can iron into your socks.
In America you go here to get your keys cut
In the UK you go to funny little cobbler shops with weird, freaky mannequins to get your keys cut
What I learned from today’s episode is this:
a) I have to start thinking ‘big’
b) I have to start thinking in American terms
c) I am a bit blonde sometimes
d) Twitter is ace in times of need
e) The local social networking community is also ace
My key is now cut, and no freaky mannequins were encountered š
A cheeky cocktail, if you please
I had a little invite to an opening of a new restaurant in Columbia today http://xitomate.com/, which was a super way to spend an afternoon.
(FYI, the Desperate Housewife would like many more of these invites so she can blog about them… š )
So I was there in my capacity as an official blogger (I qualify for that now). And I had a good old schmooze with quite a few new bloggers, some of whom I follow and some of whom are new to me. Contrary to popular belief, you see, blogggers are actually a very sociable bunch!
Not one to say no, I had a cheeky cocktail and some sumptuous Mexican food and a good natter. Oh yes, I can get used to this! It is still amusing to me when people tell me they love my accent / the way I talk š
There is much to be said for authentic Mexican food – non-chain USA restaurants do this very well. Xitomate felt very authentic, so much so that for a moment I could have been back on honeymoon in Mexico itself, apart from the fact the other half was nowhere to be seen…..
But all the time during the afternoon I was thinking, ‘Oh dear, this is a bit naughty,’ like I was skiving off work, and then I realised that I was at work! How marvellous!
Time for another cocktail then….!
My La Catrina margarita
ukdesperatehousewifeusa 
Nice to meet you today!
Glad to be of assistance! I totally wish I had grown up with a high street….
Loving the updates – glad to say you have not changed since school days in your effervescence and love for life.
And now I write for a living, Katie, so my dream has come true! š
We went to the hardware store to prepare three sets of house keys for the family renting our US home while we’re overseas. The cost for 12 keys, including certified post to mail the keys to the tenants? $27. We had one extra key cut by our local cobbler here in Vienna (no mannequins, though) and it cost USD40 equivalent. I miss the hardware stores.
It was like going in to a new world in Kendall’s! I like!
That looks like it might be a really nice Mexican restaurant. I do miss a good ones. Haven’t found a decent one here. Mostly Tex-Mex chains. Enjoy!
P.S. I forgot to add, I am a Yank living in England….
š yes, non-chain Mexican restaurants, you can’t beat them!
Hi Claire, I’m so glad you made it to the event at Xitomate. Great margaritas! Well, I want to let you know that I absolutely align with your desire for more invitations to such events. And I’d like your help to do so. If you know/meet/discover in your circles and travels any Howard County businesses that would like to get more bloggers writing about their businesses, I’d like to help organize that. I’d think the businesses would need to offer something special to the bloggers to create a draw of some sort. Keep your eyes and ears open. Party on!
Totally on it Jessie!
š
I’m waiting to hear how zumba turned out that night after the grand opening š
Not too bad – tho I felt full from all that delicious Mexican food!