Liquid Lounge: Perfecting the Science of a Good Party - Hartford, Conn.

Yes, you may have finally found an excuse
to wear that cape of yours in public.

Let's be clear: Geeks rock. And, they know how to get their freak on.

Particularly at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, Conn.

I am fairly confident that you'd be hard-pressed to find another venue that offers live music, drinks, karaoke, and dancing (... wait for it), along with roving magicians, interactive science exhibits, and superheroes who provide massages and one-on-one coaching in yoga - all in one place at the same time.

Welcome to Liquid Lounge, a four-story party that periodically descends upon downtown Hartford, each time with a different (awesome) theme.

Today's Stefcations Highlights:

• What You'll Find: The most fun you've ever had in a science museum. It's a 21+ party, complete with four floors of music, drinks, games, and more.
• Where You'll Find it: The Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, Conn.
• When to Go: Stay tuned to the Science Center's Facebook page to find out! This event returns every few months. 
• What It'll Cost: A mere $15! ($12 in advance) Bring some cash for drinks. Note: This event is shockingly popular. You've been warned.

Yes, the event is held at a science museum.

But no, this does not mean you are relegated to observing the exhibits quietly and dutifully.

3 Eggs-cellent Omelets in Central CT

Reflecting on the awesomeness of diners.

Bleary-eyed and ravenous, you have awoken on a fine weekend morning to discover your fridge devoid of groceries. What to do?

If you're in the vicinity of central Connecticut and a fan of omelets, then you, my friend, are in luck.

I'm here to share my three favorite picks for some of the most reliably tasty omelet-makers around.

I Ain't Afraid of No Ghosts - Hartford, Conn.

Should the spirit move you ...

OK, that's not quite true.

Ghost stories creep me out. Horror movies have been known to prevent me from getting a good night's sleep for days at a time. I would certainly not hesitate to characterize myself as a wuss. 

But curiosity can often get the better of me.

If you happen to be an aspiring ghost hunter or a believer in the paranormal - or perhaps just a harmless history buff, or a lover of literature like me, it's time to get yourself to the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Conn., which every so often invites brave souls to embark on nighttime ghost tours at the former home of famed author Samuel Clemens - otherwise known by his pen name, Mark Twain.

That's right, the house in which Mark Twain lived and wrote the classic Huckleberry Finn is reportedly very haunted. And even 120 years after he, his family, and his servants have moved away, the house's daily visitors, tour guides, and security guards continue to come across ghosts - seeing them, hearing them, and, yes, even feeling them.

Believe it or not, two of the people in our own tour group - including my husband - reported their own brief encounters with the dead.

Built in 1874 for just $45,000, this house was what
Twain apparently was known to describe as part medieval castle, part riverboat, and part cuckoo clock.

Today's Stefcations Highlights:

• What You'll Find: A haunted house. What could be intriguing?
• Where You'll Find it: The Mark Twain House, at 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Conn.
• When to Go: Graveyard Shift Ghost Tours will return for March 30, and for April 27 and 28. Tours take place at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m., and are by reservation only. Call 860-280-3130 to make a reservation. Tours regularly sell out.
• What It'll Cost: $20 for adults age 17 and up; $16 for members of the Mark Twain House; $13 for children 16 and under. (FYI, the ghost tours are not recommended for kids under 10 years old.)

Talks of the Town

Sound advice: Go see this movie.

I've mentioned before how cool some of my co-workers are. They are, in fact, the wise folks who urged me to start this blog in the first place.

Luckily, in addition to getting me through the workday, they have also proved to be fun outside of the office, during book clubs, happy hours, and game nights.

Most recently, a handful of us decided it would be cool to plan occasional trips together to movies, plays, museums, and other fun, arts-and-culture-type outings.

So we've created what we're now referring to as our very own Culture Club. (Mr. Burdique, you so get credit for the genius name.)

Today's Stefcations Highlights:

• What You'll Find: A cool movie theater and a fabulous pub to visit afterward.
• Where You'll Find it: The theater is at 330 New Park Avenue in Hartford, Conn.; the pub is at 1046 New Britain Avenue in West Hartford, Conn.
• When to Go: Check showtimes at Bow-Tie Cinemas here. Meanwhile, The Corner Pug offers lunch and dinner every day, including food till 11 PM Thursday and Saturday, and until midnight on Fridays.

For our first outing - this past weekend - six of us ventured out to Bow-Tie Cinemas in Hartford, Conn., to see The Artist, a French movie that's gotten a lot of hype - for good reason.

But take note: Although it's been nominated for an Oscar in 10 different categories (including Best Picture) and honored with a 97% rating from Rotten Tomatoes, The Artist has also reportedly been a major source of outrage for many moviegoers worldwide.

That's because it's 100 minutes worth of film without spoken dialogue.

Sweet Victory

Super Bowl? Super delicious.

It's Superbowl Sunday, and this means good things are afoot.

Given my indifference to football, it's an event I would otherwise not have reason to acknowledge - were it not for the festive parties, wealth of beer, and heart attack-inducing snacks.

That said, I felt I had to do my part and whip something up for the shindig we'll be attending tonight. Since the chilis, chicken wings, and dips had all been claimed by other guests, I figured a dessert might be a good way to go.

Enter cupcakes, one of the universe's greatest gifts to humankind. You just cannot go wrong with them.

You Say Potato, I Say Po-Tot-o - Colchester, Conn.

As fun to eat as it looks.

Who doesn't love tater tots, I ask you?

If you adore indulging in your fair share of carbs as much as I do, be sure to stop by Cafe on Main some night soon. Located right on the green in Colchester, Conn., Cafe on Main offers one of the friendliest, laid-back neighborhood hangouts around.

Here, nearly every glorious item on the menu - from Philly steak grinders to steamed hamburgers to the aforementioned tots - costs a mere $6 apiece. And we're not talking about skimpy portions, either, my friends. Not to mention there's also a considerably long list of fun beer on tap from which to choose.

Luckily for me, I have a very wise friend named Heather who lives literally across the green from this cozy establishment and knew just whom might enjoy such affordable deliciousness: moi. So being the lovely gal she is - as well as one of my beer-drinking partners-in-crime from those long lost days of college - she cordially invited me and our fellow adventurer, Marisa, out on the town.

Today's Stefcations Highlights:

• What You'll Find: Inexpensive, comforting pub food - each item a mere $6 apiece - along with many flavorful beers on tap.
• Where You'll Find it: 20 Main Street, Colchester, Conn., adjacent to the town green.
• When to Go: Sunday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Kitchen's open till 11 p.m. everyday; Also, take note: Happy Hour runs M-F from 4-7 p.m. (allegedly with FREE pizza!)

My Pilgrimage to Fine Food, Wine, and More - Plymouth, Mass.

The Mayflower II, a replica of the 17th-century vessel that
brought those courageous pilgrims to this side of the pond,
adds to the picturesque Plymouth Bay.

A lifelong New Englander, I'm rather ashamed to admit that it was not until this past week that I made the trek to Plymouth, Mass., which, as it turns out, is one cute seaside town that has more to offer than its famed little granite rock.

Courtesy of my mother, who purchased a one-night stay at a local inn for my birthday (thanks, Mom!), my husband and I enjoyed a pleasant night away, checking out some of the historic sites, doing a bit of shopping, and spending a solid couple of hours tasting just about everything on the menu in a fabulous wine, tapas, and dessert bar.

Best of all, it was just two hours from our home base of Glastonbury, Conn.

Today's Stefcations Highlights:

• What You'll Find: A quaint seaside town perfect for a relaxing night or two away.
• Where You'll Find it: Plymouth, Mass. (Take note, The Wine Cellar - a fab wine, tapas, and dessert bar, can be found at 690 State Road in Plymouth. Visit their website for more info.)
• When to Go: Anytime! It looks like it'd be especially lovely in the summer, but we spent a night away in January, and it was still enjoyable. Note that some of the historic exhibits are open only seasonally.