Updates on life, the universe, and everything: Vol 1.

I have been on a mission to blog/find my voice again. I sometimes stare at the blank screen before me asking “How is this the same human who used to write out blog posts daily for nearly six years?” Ever since Tik-Tok/Insta reels came into existence, I have been pushing myself to become better at creating with video. Mostly, because I am %100 a slut for learning new things, as well as utilizing said knowledge to aide in running Tocororo’s socials.

Anyways, welcome to the start of monthly life update posts!

I started training as a bartender for Tocororo back in the early spring, and I have spent most of the summer having three day-time bartending shifts by myself. So far I have only broken two shot glasses, and two syrup bottles, created a box with drink recipe cards that has become my safety blanket, received one card from a possible cult-member, and have had several visits from many amazing friends.

Peaches, a very sweet florist-and former bartender-came in to use the bathroom and stayed for a beer. We chatted about being libras, family, and our mutual love for house plants. She told me that she would be back with her husband to visit again and to bring me a clipping to trade. I brought in a clipping of my giant-ass spider plant that has turned into the Hulk of spider plants, and Peaches was going to bring me a clipping of an inchplant.

Peaches came back to visit, with her husband, and a whole ass plant. Dave happened to be off that day but hanging out at Toco, so he got the chance to meet her. Anyways, she is having a Tiki/Luau themed birthday this year and invited us. I am stoked!

Speaking of new friends, Tocororo is located next to a giant meat-market that is open daily. One of the kids who works there had been sitting outside during one of my shifts, and asked if it were okay to hangout there to wait for his friend to get off work next door. I saw that there was a god damn puppy, so I demanded pets (I asked).

Meet Nash! And since he is the neighbor’s pup, he is basically our puppy too. I don’t make the rules.

Due to thinking that I had left my Nintendo Switch at work, I returned to Toco one evening, in my pajamas, to see if that were the case. Since I had already had Heimdall out, he paid his first visit to Toco!

Dave’s business partner Connor planned a surprise trip to Cedar Point a few weekends ago for his partner, so a few of us drove down to surprise them. It had been over a decade since I had been, there were so many new roller coasters! We absolutely spent too much money, did not get enough sleep, and rode as many coasters as possible.

I woke up completely aching/sore/grumpy the next day. I %100 can confirm that I am old as fuck. 10/10 would do it again.

Despite our little Toco crew being all friends, we never actually get that much time to hangout together outside of work. One, two, sometimes three of us are almost always working, so it was a nice fam trip.

Not sure why there were so many buzzballs included, but, a good time was had.

We also had our seventh Hot Mess Express camping trip! Every year, a group of us head out to Sterling, MI to spend a few days camping, a day kayaking on the Riffle River, and consuming a metric ton of Jell-O shots.

We even managed to take one group photo!…With half of the group missing.

Dave and I like to avoid taking the freeway home on local trips, so we stopped at Freakin’ Pickles, a cute little farmer’s market, an antique store, and a few gaming shops.

We also had the chance to attend the Mid-Michigan Enchanted Forest Festival this summer. It is located near Frankenmuth, MI and %100 adorable.

It’s much smaller than the Michigan Renaissance Festival that takes place in Holly each year, however, it is full of small artists, completely in the woods, and so god damn adorable. It felt magical, almost like the first time I had attended MIRF back in high school.

We also chose to continue our casual debauchery in downtown Frankenmuth for the evening.

I have rediscovered my love for Boba tea. An excellent decision.

I have been trying to capture Pippin with my new Sony camera. Not the best, but, my iPhone could never.

Also, he would like a worm. Pls&thx.

More nerd shit: We attended the Michigan Renaissance Festival Kick-off Party in Eastern Market, and held a subsequent after-party at Toco.

We also played a shitload of Magic the Gathering on the Hot Mess Express camping trip. Then proceeded to buy even more cards that we have zero current time to play with.

SOON.

Because my favorite hooman is a professional shopper, It is very difficult to purchase gifts for this adorable little shit. His birthday was this past Friday, so we celebrated all week long. I am working on a reel of all of the festivities, so stay tuned!

Coming up: we have an entire weekend at Mirf with friends, and new garb/characters to introduce! I am hoping to get in some photos, however, a proper photoshoot might have to happen after we return.

There will be a new fall/winter Toco menu, so I anticipate once again having ten million photos of burgers/drinks/tin fish on my phone, waiting to be edited.

Speaking of work and new things: there is a super amazing cool new thing happening that I am not able to share just yet. Hold onto your butts :)

Until next post!

📍Detroit, MI.

Sara Bellum