I Suck At The Sea Dog Brew Pub

My Saturday began with a little visit from our financial planner. The funny thing is, our financial planner is not really a financial planner per se. Our financial planner (Daniel) is our life insurance representative. And as luck would have it, part of the representative's duties is financial planning.

Anyway, Daniel didn't really tell Karen and I anything new. I knew, as well as Karen, that our future outlook for retirement as well as our baby daughter's (Briana) possible college funding needed some improvements. Sure, Briana is still only six months old, but it's never too early to plan for her education. After all, by the time she is ready for college, the cost of tuition is probably going to be insane.

Plus, it's always good to have contingency plans in the event something unexpected does happen. And if there is something that the passing of my son (Braden) has taught me, it's that life is very unpredictable. You would think that having been laid off twice in my lifetime would have taught me that. Sadly, I'm a slow learner.

Needless to say, Daniel was great at suggesting possible solutions for Karen and I. The funniest part of our meeting was finding out that if Karen were to pass away, I'd have a surplus of funds to raise Briana on my own. I got a kick out of that projected outcome because Karen would still need help should I pass away.

All in all, the financial planning meeting was good. In my case, it was definitely worth the time.

Later that day, I was invited to go out for dinner at the Sea Dog Brew Pub located in Hull. Now, I suck at the Sea Dog Brew Pub. I have never been there. Apparently, Maine's famous brewery decided to open shop in Hull.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who sucks at the Sea Dog Brew Pub because everyone got lost trying to find the place in Hull. Joining us for dinner were my friends (Hot Amy, Jen, and Andrea) and Hot Amy's fiance (Mark). Karen and I assumed the restaurant would be near the beach. We were quite mistaken as the pub was located on the third floor of a building way in Hull and way away from Nantasket beach.

It was good to see everyone. I haven't seen Jen and Hot Amy in quite some time. In fact, I don't think I've ventured out that much since Briana was born. Karen has gone out a lot more than I have. I guess that has added to my feelings of being in a rut.

Nevertheless, it was a good time. The food at the Sea Dog Brew Pub was delicious. Granted, I had a simple mushroom and swiss burger, but it was good. (And sure, I may have had some of Andrea's meal as well... and Karen's too... I was hungry...) Andrea, Jen and I also had ordered the samples of beer at the Sea Dog. Our waitperson told us that it was the first time she had a table that ordered so many samples. I think of the samples, my favorite was the blueberry. Jen had a spiced pumpkin which was pretty good as well. (Jen was kind enough to share.)

All in all, it was a good dinner... at a non-circular table. Andrea apparently will be a home owner soon enough; and Hot Amy and Mark seem excited about their upcoming trip to Australia. Interestingly enough, I think Briana enjoyed the dinner too. She received a lot of attention from random strangers.

One random woman approached us and asked how old Briana was because it was the first time that this particular woman had gone out since having a five month old baby. Seeing Briana had reminded her of her own baby. It was very bizarre to be approached by so many people saying how cute Briana was. I'm glad Briana doesn't understand English yet because I wouldn't want all these compliments to go to her head.

Anyway, it was definitely nice to go out on Saturday.