4/6/2001

Last night was great. I didn’t care for the ending, but I have no complaints otherwise.

In short, we played frisbee and tossed (and punted) a football around while the meat cooked. Then we started eating, kinda in shifts (you know how it can be with grilled food – cooking cycles and all). Later, someone played guitar and several sang, most of us just listened and chatted. We did not go golfing. Finally, a lingering few helped clean up. It was suggested that we watch “The Princess Bride”, which I was enthusiastic for, but most of the others who expressed an interest simply left, so in the end, so did I.

Jim Halloran – giant among men. I haven’t seen him in years! He showed up with his girlfriend, and just made the evening! Jim is the kinda guy who is wonderfully himself. I have many memories of him and his family from my early youth through junior high. Then, he popped in and out over the years. Now it would seem, he is back in town. How wonderful!! It was really good to see him again, and see he is doing well!

To show the kind of guy he is: they showed up, but did not bring meat. I had an excess of chicken which I offered. His girlfriend accepted, but Jim needed steak – so they left to go to the store. When they got back, Jim told me that he had bought me a steak! – to thank me for the chicken. What a delima; of course he could not have known I gave up red meat for lent! Still, the man bought me an expensive steak because I shared my cheep chicken! I just thought that was sweet! Very generous!

My Area51 friend spent the first half-hour I was there catching me up on the X-Files. I thought that was a sweet gesture too, especially given the difficulty of continuing a long story line with the constant interruptions of new guests and food prep. I wish I knew how to show her my gratitude besides a sideways hug and thank you.

I had a good time playing. But, I mostly played by myself. I did play catch/frisbee – that was nice, even though I am inept when I first try (I assimilate most sports like I assimilate everything else – but the assimilation process is most pitiful! And, in a small group setting like this, we never play long enough for me to finish the process! Argh! *sigh, shrug, smile*). But, I ran Chet’s dog around the yard several times, and even climbed a tree.

(more after lunch…)