The Oceanaire Seafood Room - Restaurant Review/Recommend

With only ten locations across the nation, after having their service and their food, I can understand why they pride themselves on their food. Although, I have not personally had the food and service at their location in Dallas, TX (in the Galleria Mall) my uncle has and that same uncle was in attendance with me and my immediate family at the Washington, DC location. Locations & Menus | Oceanaire restaurants in the US (theoceanaire.com) 

I do know that the Galleria location in Dallas did get a facelift and my uncle states that their food was delicious however, hearing the praise my uncle gave to the seafood plates and the restaurant overall in Washington - well I had to write about it. It's not that the Dallas location doesn't have good service and food, my uncles claims that the better flavors in food have probably something to do with the fact that the Washington location is closest to the west coast - where some delicious seafood spots in the nation are located to begin with. Penn Quarter - Washington, D.C. | Hours + Location | The Oceanaire | Fine dining seafood restaurant in the US (image below from google search of Washington DC location) 

The DC location inside had both a cozy and yet a contemporary feel-it wasn't cold like some other contemporary interiors settings are. The establishment itself was very clean and the restrooms were well maintained. A few creaks to the flooring but I honestly don't know how long this location has been there, so I would say either poor install or perhaps the ground the establishment is at has moved. Their staff were all well reversed in the menu items, the hostesses were sweet and caring especially with my kids in tow. I know it may not seem like it or perhaps this restaurant doesn't advertise it (then again my kids are always well educated/behaved in restaurants compared to almost ALL other kids) but they were extremely family friendly to our needs that evening for dinner...I wasn't able to take pictures of everything that was ordered - I know probably not the best thing to say while I'm writing a recommendation but I'm sorry I was more focused on enjoying the experience and the food than worrying about pictures at that moment ;-) But what I did take pictures of are labeled below (image directly below this text is from google search, from a Facebook link)

We started with their fully loaded and large Seafood Tower (image above) which was both deliciously fresh and the seafood was very fresh and satisfying. I also had one of their Ceasar Salads as a side and then ordered their special they had for the evening. Finishing my meal with a deliciously crafted gluten free chocolate dessert.

So, if you happen to make a stop at one of their locations let me know or perhaps comment so others can get the feedback. 

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Remembering those in the Armed Forces - General

I'm writing this post Veterans Day so since I didn't write anything for that day nor the two previous military associated holidays, figured why not encompass them all in this one. Memorial Day comes first in the year on May 29th, then the Armed Forces Day being on June 24th, and the more recent holiday being Veterans Day on November 11th.

So, what's the main difference between them all you might ask? Well from all the definitions out there this is the only way I can explain it; Veterans Day is special in our commemoration of those who dedicated their lives in serving in the Armed Forces. Whether it's those who retired and/or were honorably discharged whereas Memorial Day is honoring all the lives lost because of their service in the Armed Forces (no matter their cause of death). With Armed Forces Day commemorating all the lives in the Armed Forces that are actively and currently giving their lives to serve in the Armed Forces.

I've always admired the military branches and the special organizations that are within each branch, but I think I felt more emotionally empathetic towards those who serve when my family and I went to Washington DC and walked through some of the war memorials...

Even with the hordes of people walking through these military park areas and memorials, it's astonishingly eerie and peacefully quiet. Almost like a reverence people have as you come upon the specific areas. I'm not kidding you it was so-well for lack of a way to describe it so you understand-spell bounding while also sad. It's almost as if babies in their strollers also knew walking through! I know I personally teared up the moment was going through my photos taken and I noticed that my daughter's reflection was on the beautifully designed memorial wall with the names engraved in the wall. Because of their sacrifice at keeping the fight somewhere else, new lives (even the dumb, entitled, and egotistical asses that don't contribute back to a better world) like mine and that of my kids can enjoy the "freedom" we have compared to other nations. 

"The greatest sacrifice is when you sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of someone else."

So, here's a big thank you to all who currently served, who honorably served, and to those lives lost while in the Armed Forces fighting for a cause that us regular civilians perhaps don't fully comprehend or support.

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Staunton, Virginia - General

If you're looking for a quaint little town with some history and some good places to eat and attend with your family, then Staunton, VA is the place for you. The little city is surrounded by beautiful lands around allowing the drive there to be peaceful; there are two main entries into the city, and both don't have the same landscape as you're driving in. (image below not mine, from google)

The town has a cute little train station that has the AMTRAK and other trains touring through. I haven't taken one of the day or weekend trips but it's definitely on my list of things to do, on top of the cross country one that starts in Staunton and goes across near California. 

The town itself has pretty architectural pieces, buildings, churches, as well as some delicious home cooking restaurants that are not your normal chain meals. Venturing into three so far and they have not disappointed! So, keep an eye out for those posts. (image below not mine, from google)

The city has easy access from highway 81 and should be on your list of stops to partake in on the east coast side. I know that my family and I have been enjoying and are continuing to explore the quaint little town...

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman

All Souls Day - Religious/General

For those of you who don't know, I AM a practicing Catholic. For all you haters on the Catholic faith, this post isn't for you and as I am respectful of all other Christian denominations (especially after dating so many outside of the Catholic Church) I kindly ask that you. respect my beliefs as I've done for all others. 

Now onto to what this post is about...You see we recently had two important celebrations this past week. All Saints Day and All Souls Day and for those of you who don't know, yes there is a difference between the two holidays. I love how simply the jesuit website puts it 

(https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/resources-by-theme/all-saints-all-souls#:~:text=All%20Saints%27%20Day%20is%20celebrated,have%20passed%20within%20the%20faith.): "All Saints Day is celebrated to remember all saints and martyrs during Christian history, followed by All Souls Day to commemorate those who have passed on within the faith."

All Souls Day is a holy day set aside for honoring the dead. The day is primarily celebrated in the Catholic Church, but it is also celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church and a few other denominations of Christianity. The Anglican church is the largest protestant church to celebrate the holy day. Most protestant denominations do not recognize the holiday and disagree with the theology behind it. According to Catholic belief, the soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places. The first is heaven, where a person who dies in a state of perfect grace and communion with God goes. The second is hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin are naturally condemned by their choice. The intermediate option is purgatory, which is thought to be where most people, free of mortal sin, but still in a state of lesser (venial) sin, must go. https://www.catholic.org/saints/allsouls/

This is all not to be confused or associated with Dia de los metros aka The Day of the Dead, something I think Americans have re-created into academia and the Disney movie Coco that this "holiday" originated in Mexico, something that is inaccurate - well at least somewhat. You see there are certain states in Mexico that have and celebrate this holiday but it's not something that's technically "Mexican made" so to say. Other Latin American cultures not just Mexican celebrate this holiday as well. I have a theory but considering that there are many "historians" or those who educate themselves on cultures and traditions, they could argue or refute my personal theory...but lets be frank, the fact is unless you submerge yourself into the culture and have lived it and breathed it for years or more importantly been exposed to the oldest of towns in Mexico you really won't get the facts behind which states in Mexico started celebrating the Day of the Dead, because believe me the family I still have in Mexico and even family friends from my parents that have had generations upon generations living in Mexico DO NOT celebrate nor have they ever understood how people claimed to to state that the Day of the Dead originated in Mexico.

Guess this is something I'm going to want to look into and find out more about...but hey don't take my word for it and do some digging of your own ;) 

For all my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - hope you had a fun Halloween, a serene Saints Day, and a memorable All Souls Day.

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Thunderstorms - General

How many of you are afraid of thunderstorms? Now how many of you love thunderstorms? I don't know about you but there's something mesmerizing when the storm clouds roll in and form, the colors begin to change, cloud forms begin to take shape and some of them massive beyond the view of the eye...then there's the overall temperature changes, the wind levels, perhaps the shadowing of the day or the deep darkening of the already night sky. There's just so many things to be fascinated over when it comes to thunderstorms. Honestly how can anyone NOT enjoy them?...

Guess I'm one of those idiots or weirdos that love the thunderstorms. Everywhere I've ever lived I've been fortunate and had the luxury to make sure there is a nice enough patio, balcony, terrace, or outdoor sitting area that I can enjoy the storms as they roll in or even better, to watch as the storms eyes is on top of my location...either way, outside is where I prefer to be when it comes to thunderstorms. No I'm not crazy saying I'm some sort of storm chaser BUT I do thoroughly enjoy trying to capture the lighting flashes as they occur. Over the years I've managed to take decent ones on my iPhones with very few on my good camera, lets face it my iPhone is more easily accessible and my professional Canon Camera is HEAVY and bulky as f*** to carry around all the time. For example the image below is from an older iPhone model just as I was lowering the back seat window. I remember it so vividly! The lightning struck really close to my location and as this was at the feeder road overpass intersection above where Highway 635 and the NTTA intersect in Dallas, that nice incline provided me a good angle for this surprise shot I didn't think I could manage to capture.

The image below is from the terrace of the house my family and I used to live in (pre having my kids). That house was pretty awesome because the terrace allowed one to have a full 360 view so no matter which direction the storm was coming from at that house one would always be able to see it forming, growing, and in which direction it was coming from and especially if it was just passing through in a neighboring city around us. The picture was taken from yet again another iPhone but definitely a newer version than iPhone used in the image above.

This last image on this post, was also taken from an iPhone and it was while traveling southbound on highway 75. I remember this storm was traveling south so driving into work was a fascinating drive because as you're facing south into the Dallas area, the north sky was pitch black and continuing to darken. 

Actually, I not only enjoy watching a storm pass by but have no problem/issue driving in a storm, regardless of the type of storm. Over the years it doesn't matter what vehicle I'm in, I trust in my abilities and driving methods BECAUSE of the circumstances surrounding when and where I've driven. I will say though that I do try to at least be knowledgeable and trust the vehicle that I'm driving. Typically it's always mine, but if I'm ever driving someone's else's especially in a storm, its because I've driven it enough or I'm aware of that make and model to trust the capacity in the storm-regardless of the dumbass drivers around me. Perfect example would be my driving in 2018 through the hurricane storm that was already inland on the east coast of the nation. Granted the magnitude of the force and storm itself was nothing compared to when it touched the coast but my goodness I've been in and through some serious storms, but THAT one truly takes the cake on testing my driving instincts, muscles, and mental focus.

So you got it! I'm the unique weirdo who loves storms so much to be driving in them (cautiously), watch them pass by, or even take pictures of them. Although as exciting and as interesting as everything I've explained is to me...the best part I think for storms is when you're lying in bed as they pass by. The pitter patter or even when the storm is roaring outside, truly is soothing and a different level of appreciation. If you're married/have a significant other/living with someone having sex during a storm is another level of heightened senses and body reaction too I might add...if you haven't tried it-DO IT! Then again "making love" with the right person that you love is always supposed to be phenomenal - so add on a storm and explosiveness! 😋 just saying...

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Jessie Ware - General

I know I wrote about another music artist recently, a Mr Matt Nathanson. Even though he's wonderful this gal takes my heart and body when it comes to her music and rhythm! Ironically too, both these artists my sister found sine they weren't mainstream music artists, so she exposed me to a few of their songs. Jessie Ware I was enlightened by her music around early 2013, so it was pretty cool that my sister had found also a down to earth venue where Jessie Ware would be performing. To say that there was no seats anywhere for you to enjoy the concert, should explain it all...she was doing well working on expanding her name and music so the venue wasn't some known establishment and though in Dallas, not in the best of areas.

Jessie Ware is one artist I almost have all her sings on my playlist and her music can be both soothing and calming where others are upbeat and just a feel good song. She is another rare artist where she sounds in person like her albums. She's not a very theatrical artist when it comes to performing her music but you still won't be disappointed. 

These are three of my favorite songs from her song history:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u03f5Wnwff0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLIESvLSDKA&list=OLAK5uy_kwnL5gCyQ6OLq9k7QgozgaLiwa6OHflaA&index=5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAMM8JVbr8g

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Matt Nathanson - General

I was going through some digital photo albums and came across something that was both memorable and something I haven't been to again in a while. For anyone who knows me, aside from my kids there are exactly five other things that I can not live without! One of them is music!

I don't know about you but music isn't just a source of entertainment, I feel that depending on life circumstances it can give you an out of body experience or even sometimes is the only way you or someone can express through a specific song how they're feeling. For example, heart break or feeling lonesome I'm sure many of you have that go to song on a playlist or that comes on the radio and just allows you the feeling of expression. Or maybe you're going through some struggles in a romantic relationship, the right love song can sometimes mend the emotions or a guy can end up dedicating a song that reminds him of that special someone. Regardless of the reason or life circumstance, music gives way to emotions.

So this post is about Matt Nathanson. I must admit that I haven't seen or come across any of his new stuff (should he have anything out there) but I always remember fondly the "Come Get Higher" album he released years ago! Definitely before even my kids were a thought probably! I remember it well...It was at the House of Blues in the Downtown Dallas area. A venue big enough for events and music concerts but small enough that you don't get annoyed and can actually have good seats while enjoying a performance. As a performer, Matt is one of the rare artists who actually sounds in person like he does in his albums, so his performance overall on his music was wonderful to hear! I wasn't disappointed. 

Matt as a performer in general, I was thoroughly surprised when he allowed for a meet and greet after his show. He's super down to earth and was very sweet in person. Didn't once come off as a douche or cocky and was even nice enough to carry conversations with those he met. You could see his bodyguard close by but it was some sort of deterrent or Matt himself didn't seem phased by it and carried himself comfortably so that anyone around was also as ease. My sister and I ended up getting his autograph and our pictures taken. It was fun.

Here is just one of the songs I love the most from him...enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHx4BlF6V2o

Sincerely,

A Distant Woman