Have you figured this one out yet?

Well, GR has done it again.  He has once more stepped foot across the county-line.  And into Atlanta, no less.  And not only into Atlanta, but into a bar in Atlanta.  And not just any bar, but a tea bar.  You heard me people, I said a tea bar.  A bit dainty and pinkie-fingered for GR, you say?  Oh no, not for GR.  He even wore a blazer.

Uh huh.  GR is getting a little crazy.  And I will attempt to explain this phenomenon, but I must first give background information.

My friend and former co-worker, Valarie, has just cashed in on the “we wish you luck in your future endeavors” farewell handed to her by her former employer (my current employer) when she gave them the big kiss-off.  However, luck is really something that Valarie does not need wished upon her.  Because it’s typically just lurking around her waiting to rear it’s lucky little head.  In my nine or so years of working with her, she has won countless company prizes and football and basketball pools, had a couple of this close chances at being picked for not one, but two, reality television shows, and was even offered a business opportunity that transpired from a wildly popular daytime talk show (that she eventually turned down).  So, I’m thinking—maybe it’s not so much luck, but more like—the girl’s got charisma!

Okay, so you’re probably thinking, what does GR sipping tea have to do with any of this?  Lulu will explain.  The tea bar that we visited on Saturday evening is one of Valarie’s “future endeavors”—the MindSpace Tea Bar & Lounge.  GR and I attended the grand opening of the tea bar, which is located on North Highland Avenue in Atlanta…a real fancy-pants part of town.  The tea bar is actually right next door to Usher’s wine bar—The Grape—and across from some intimate, schmooze-y looking restaurant called Fritti that I so wanted to go to.  However, I refrained from mentioning it to GR.  After all, he agreed to put on his big-boy clothes and go to a tea bar all in the same night, and no further than that can I test the limits of his fashion and societal acumen.

Anyway, Valarie’s tea bar is a beautiful, Zen-like place (yes, there’s an outdoor Zen garden).  She sells over 80 types of imported teas, candles, tea pots, and whatnot.  She even hosts an open-mic night on Monday nights.  So, if you’re in the Inman Park area, go visit her!

Here’s a picture of Valarie and me having a spot of Shangri-La tea (my favorite!)…

And here’s the sign outside the tea bar so that you can locate the place…

And finally, here’s the entrance to the bar…(love the shade of green!)

Now back to GR for a moment.  You’re probably wondering how I coerced him into leaving the boundaries of his comfort zone once again—for a second weekend in a row.  In a blazer, no less.  I know, I know.  Y’all, I’m sorry to disappoint.  I have no crazy or exciting explanation.  I’d like to think that he just simply caved to my wit and charm.  However, it is a wit and charm that he does not understand, so I’m guessing that he just had a momentary lapse in “GR” judgment.  

So, shortly after I took the picture of GR drinking tea, he had this to say.

• GR:  I feel woozy.
• Me:  Maybe it’s those couple of beers you had before we left home.
• GR:  No.  It’s the tea.
• Me:  It’s not the tea.
• GR:  Didn’t you say they put herbs in the tea?
• Me:  It’s herbal tea.
• GR:  What kind of herbs did they use?  Special herbs?
• Me:  What do you mean—special herbs?  It’s herbal tea.
• GR:  I’m thinking there might be more than just regular herbs in there.
• Me:  <blank stare>
• GR:  I think they used…herbal essences.
• Me:  Uh hum.  Explain to me, because what?
• GR:  I’m just saying.  Herbal essences.
• Me:  You have no idea what you’re talking about.  Herbal Essences is a shampoo.
• GR:  Well, there’s some kind of herbs in there, because I feel woozy.  

So, Val, just so you know, GR caught a tea buzz from “herbal essences,” which I’m guessing explains why he hounded you to pick lottery numbers for him.  And don’t worry, oh Charismatic Lucky One, I will not allow him to use the numbers and will e-mail them to you as soon as I can find what he did with them.   

Thank you so very much for inviting us to your grand opening!

And finally, I leave you with this quote.

“Tea tempers the spirit and harmonizes the mind; dispels lassitude and relieves fatigue, awakens thought and prevents drowsiness.” –Lu Yu “the Sage of Tea”

And in GR’s case, makes you woozy.