Friday night I went over to the Boys’ house, Tony and Damon, with Grachie and had an incredible meal and great wine. Those boys sure know how to do a guest up right. Tony made ravioli, one stuffed with eggplant (not my favorite), and the other stuffed with some kind of meat. Whatever it was it was both were slammin’. The lobster alfredo sauce topped it off. He then garnished the plate with shrimp kabobs and sliced tomatoes. We drank wine and chatted. The thing I love about the boys is their hospitality, but when they get tired and the night is over you know when to say your goodbye. Once Tony starts yawning I figure you’ve got about 15 mins to get your drink finished, get your coat, give them a quick hug and hit the door. Most would think that it is rude but I’ve kind of grown accustomed to this behavior. Hell, after getting up so early all week I know exactly where they are coming from. The funny thing was I had other plans anyway so this was perfect. My really good friend Andy was visiting from Portland and I was off to spend the rest of the evening with he and Tricia. Andy was in town to see his middle son participate in some sort of military commencement ceremony in San Diego and decided to stay in LA for the rest of the weekend. Andy is one of my most favorite friends to hang with. One of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, and we just click. The thing I love most about him are the conversations we have. They’re always interesting and he always has a great perspective on life and his friendships. Andy, Tricia and I sat up until the wee hours trying to make sense of our lives, and everyone around us. You would’ve thought we had been commissioned to solve the problems of the world. I guess that’s what a few, very heavy on the few cocktails of vodka and cran-raspberry will do to ya. I had to stay the night and ended up leaving in the morning.
Saturday was to be a big day/night and it didn’t disappoint. I had turned 39 on Wednesday and tonight a small group of friends were taking me out to celebrate. We were to meet at Casey’s Irish Pub downtown at 7pm. I get there at about 7:15 and of course I was the first to arrive for my own damn party. Actually it was ok; you just don’t want to be the first one there. I settled up to the bar and ordered a pint of Boddingtons (if you’ve never had this beer run don’t walk to your favorite bar and try this one, you can thank me later) and tuned into the USC/Stanford game. What a complete ass kickin’ Stanford received by the way. Anyway, the bar is owned by a friend of Grachie’s and it’s really cool. Has kind of a NYC feel to it. It’s below street level with a great patio and the inside is amazing. Dark wood carved into pillars and coves with a long bar and plenty of flat screens in which to watch the games. And to top it off there were some very hot guys in there as well. All of them straight no doubt but still hot, and if I had to be there alone I figured I could check out the eye candy for awhile while trying to act like I was really watching the game.
So Grachie is the first to arrive and she saddles up next to me at the bar, and then LB (new BFF) shows up. Grachie of course wants to move a little closer to where the action is since I had been sitting down towards the end of the bar. I try to explain that the seats were filled when I got there but I don’t think she was buying it. So we pick up our glasses and move down a little. Grachie ends up sitting next to a hottie named Charlie and in no time at all they are chattin’ it up like crazy. Steph shows up and brings me a bottle of my new favorite wine Le Crema which is a pinot, and if you haven’t tried this I suggest you also run not walk and pick up a bottle. Meredy and Fritz are next followed by Tricia, Andy, and Zsuzsa, and Tom a short while later. Mer and Fritz bought me an amazing deep fryer for by famous fried chicken which I’m very excited about. Looks like I might have to bust it out this weekend for a little trial run. We are drinking up a storm and acting like crazy fools. Mer is recognized in the bathroom by some Bachelorette fan while she is in the stall, and Steph ends up trying to organize some sort of pay for used toilette tissue. Grachie’s new beau Charlie has now joined our table and everyone is thinking he is someone she met online, when in fact she’s just met him a short time ago while bellied up to the bar. They’ve exchanged phone numbers so we’ll see what happens with ol’ Charlie. The rest of the night consisted of Fritz meeting some new friends at the bar and doing way too many shots.
After we left the bar we tried to go eat at the suggestion of Grachie, at some dining car place just west of downtown. We get there, valet park, get seated, look at the menu, talk amongst ourselves, and decide to get up and walk. Why you ask? Maybe because the cheapest steak in the house was $40, and being drunk and hungry does not a $40 steak make. Grachie had been to this place before but doesn’t think she was paying so she had no idea about the prices. We laughed and probably were a little embarrassed but I look at it this way, unless I go back to that restaurant I’ll never see those people again. And if I do, so the fuck what, I wasn’t in the mood to shell out $75 for the munchies. My QP with C did me just fine. That’s quarter pounder with cheese for those that are wondering. Whipped through that drive thru around the corner from my house and enjoyed my burger in the comforts of my own home.
Got up Sunday morning and headed to the Tonglisle’s for a little mini chili cook off. Evidently there had been a little smack talkin’ about my chili being better than yours. So JT, JG, and Brit decided to whip it up and let a small group of judges make the call. To be honest they were all really good. Not that I was surprised after all the smack but I was actually quite impressed with all of them. They all had their own flavor and secret ingredients. We hung out for awhile and then I headed over to Fritz and Mer’s to visit and have taco night. The tacos were great, and it gave me another chance to hang with Andy before he left the next day. Tricia and Zsuzsa were also there. Basically we just chilled, watched football, and ate tacos. Good time had by all.
Thanks Andy, Grachie, Tricia, Meredy, Fritz, Zsuzsa, Steph, and LB for helping my have a wonderful Birthday!!! I love you guys!
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