What are you doing this Friday?

Typically, on Fridays in the winter, I take the kids swimming at Lapham Pool. We see neighbors and friends there, so it feels social, in a mid-life married-with-kids kinda way. The girls put on their pjs for the walk home and then we eat pizza.

I fantasize about the comfort of routine, like others in my generation imagine having a bar where everyone knows your name. But really, routine takes deliberate effort for me; it's easier for me to be swept up in the exciting winds of the new and unknown.

These were my thoughts today as I was walking to meet a friend at Johnson Public House on East Johnson Street. What is the comfortable balance between adventure and routine, between new discoveries and contentedness, between exploration and the regular route home?

I adore this friend of mine. She is on the road 6 months of the year, and then lives among a nomadic and adventurous tribe in Bali the other six months. When we are together, I glean some of the bombastic inspiration that her life easily feeds her, a variety my life does not provide.

When I opened my laptop, waiting was an email with a link to someone else similarly musing about "rootedness." She writes that a busy schedule "makes ritual, and its less glamorous cousin, routine, very difficult."

What if I called our weekly swim a ritual? That does make it sound quite a bit more interesting.

A sign at JPH promises a party this Friday to celebrate the end of East Johnson Street construction. Outside, there is 'wet concrete' tape and orange barrels. It does not feel like a party zone. But I'm excited for the tension, and eager to break routine to check out the work of the newly forged Capital East Business Association.

Highlights of the Jam On Johnson, "a family (and pet!) friendly street-wide end of construction celebration featuring in-store experiences, complimentary tastings and shopping specials at 118 locally loved businesses!"

• JOHNSON PUBLIC HOUSE 908 E Johnson

"You can't have a Jam On Johnson without Johnson Street Public House and owners Kyle and Gwen Johnson, it's like this event was made for them! Stop in, say hi, and warm up with a Kin-Kin coffee tasting, the Johnson's new small batch label that they debuted this fall after beginning to roast their own beans. And in the sprit of street construction, there will be a lego building contest for the kids (which we're told will go faster than this summer's construction craziness)."

• SOPHIA'S at 831 E Johnson

"When was the last time you were at Sophia's on a Friday night? Probably never, eh? This east-side brunch staple has a rad reputation for dishing out delicious fare Saturday and Sunday mornings, and now's your opportunity to be a part of history when they open their doors Friday night for a delectable cheesecake and coffee tasting."

• WILKE CHIROPRACTIC at 824 E Johnson

"Holiday season have you stressed? Take a load off and relax. East Johnson Street will soon be home to Sun Prairie's Salvatore's Tomato Pies, and here's your chance to sample some 'za before owner Patrick DePula's Madison location gets up and running. Pat will be pairing pizza samples with beer from 6-8pm as you get to learn about the benefits of working out your chiropractic kinks from owner Steve Wilke."

• JUNEBERRY STUDIO & MARKETPLACE 702 E Johnson

"New to the neighborhood, this artist studio, workshop space and retail space showcasing products from a range of local artists is already making a name for itself as one crafty corner store. Join them for a felting class during which you'll make a felted ball to attach to a wine cork that you can place in your favorite red or white, or give as a gift. Guest artist Alison Wheeler will be on hand showcasing her ceramics, and they'll have an assortment of appetizers to keep you satiated and a sommelier-lead wine tasting of fall varietals to keep you hydrated while you get your craft on."

Hope to see you Friday (between 4-8PM). Then we can get back to the pool, where everyone knows our names.