Event Blog

August 13th @ Randy's

The simple version goes: Thirteen, 11, everybody got lei’ed!

A little more detail: Thirteen guests, lucky number 11, everybody still got lei’ed!

No matter how you write it everybody got lei’ed last night at Randy’s!

Guests were greeted at the back deck with a welcome lei from Hawaii, Tiki torches burned away any mosquitoes, and a wonderful breeze meandered in to cool things off. The sun was setting as we gathered for good food and fun. Very lucky that things cooled off after two killer hot days this week.

After a little schmoozing and getting to know newer members better, we feasted on an al fresco dinner. I may not remember it all: grilled dawgs and fixin’s, deviled eggs, broccoli and onion salad, tomato and cucumber salad, spinach salad with walnuts, goat cheese and mandarins, potato salad, baked beans, pizza, fried green tomatoes (I know there was more) and cake, cake, and brownies. Wow!

Host Randy’s usual door prize lottery was a little different this time. Apparently your humble blogger got punked as the holder of lucky number 11. Making the mistake of leaving the table briefly, I got set up as the winner, of……………………………….

............................................................hula girl attire!!!

Oh, boy, did I look hot in grass skirt, another lei, and the best of all: my own sea shell bra! How did he know my size? And how come it is when something like this happens, all of a sudden everybody has a camera or camera phone?

The good news is that I did not get pulled over by the cops on the way home, so didn’t have to explain anything to anyone. What happens in dinner group stays in dinner group, right?

It was nice to see Todd and Burdette for their second event. Many thanks to Randy for his usual cheerful setting. The rest of us were Dave, Matt, Richard, Kenn, Ron, Cy, Henry, Bob, Blain and Vereen.

See you next time. Check the calendar, it’s at Matt’s.

P.S. Any photos of said event are published at photo owner's own risk! I know where you live!

March 12th @ Tarrant's Cafe:

Holy Cannoli, Batman! We did it again!

Another great evening at Tarrants. I must admit being a little apprehensive about returning so soon to the same spot. That often erases the magic of the first event. But, oh no, we were well taken care of, the food was wonderful (again) and we got to meet new people.

Tarrants was on point. Carter took excellent care of us, ebbing and flowing with our food and drinks just as needed. Don’t know where Igor was, but that didn’t matter because Russell—bonus!—was on the door as manager. Russell remembered my name even, making me feel very special, and Carter doted on it; so, I must say I was very flattered by all the pampering.

I paid less attention to what everybody had this time but heard no complaints. My Ahi appetizer was a delight. Jumbo shrimp baked with crab, cheese, and spinach was so rich I had to take half of it home. Breakfast was great!

Welcome to Burdette and Todd, our new fathers who joined us for the first time. Such a delight to meet you both. As happens at a long table the conversation switched often from two hemispheres to all-table. Just perfect. Ron, Tim, Bob, Chris, Randy, Matt, Dave and I rounded out the ten-top. Thanks to Tim for sharing a little uplifting economic news.

We missed those who couldn’t make it, and, of course, we were thinking about those convalescing. Hope to see you all at the next event. Check out the calendar.

My best to all the brethren,

February 12th @ Matt's Pot-luck:

Even though I managed to arrived a bit late, coming straight from work, it didn't take long to get into the mood at Matt's house for February's dinner get-together.

Pot-luck is really fun when we have a nice-sized group, and we were fortunate to have eleven attending. Is that the new magic number? We had eleven last time, too. It's always nice to meet someone new: thanks for coming, Chris.

And thank you, Matt for opening your home to the group. Rounding out the crowd were Randy, Dave, Cyrus, Henry, Bob, Blaine, Richard, Kenn and myself. I would have thought it the Chinese year of the chicken: there were fried and baked, plus pasta salad, pasta casserole, and roasted potatoes, followed by cookies, cupcakes, and brownies. Dark, dense, gooey, fudgey, naughty, naughty orgasmic brownies.

Randy and Bob had attended Richmond's Love-In earlier in the day, so had an update for us [see Bob's email covering the event, also.] Kenn shared a new book with us about growing up gay in America. A special moment of empathy reminded us of how much we mean to each other. As noted by one we really are an extended family united by who we are and what we wish the world to know about us. I dare say the Gay Fathers' Coalition demonstrated its best side last night.

My best to all the brethren, see you next time, I hope,

January 8th @ Tarrant's Cafe:

WOW! WOW! WOW!

As for any special event, it takes several things to fall into place to end up with "the perfect result." For me all those things happened last night at Tarrants; I don't think I've had a better time out with the brethren.

As the last one to arrive I had to hastily meet newbies while saying hello to old friends; figure out the menu; order something; and try to remember everyone's name. I ended up cheating by writing it all down on a place card.

So,

Very nice to meet Tim, Ron, Ryan, and John. Great to see you for the first time (for me, anyway.) Glad Bob, Kenn, Dave, Randy, Tony and Matt were there. Thanks to Russell and his assistant "Igor" for taking such good care of us. Russell was another of the perfections, I thought: attentive but not at all obtrusive; knowledgeable but not overbearing with information. I never heard Igor speak, but he kept glasses full and plates removed at all the right times.

My food was delicious! Anyone who tried my Seared Ahi appetizer knew it couldn't have been better. I had to skip salad, it looked so big. Randy said She-Crab soup was wonderful. My impression was that every single item was excellent and enjoyed by the one who ordered it. I call that Perfection!

Great place, great company, great food; who could ask for anything more?

Thanks to each and everyone who came.

September 11th @ Bob & Blain's Pot-luck:

Wow!

Bob and Blain did a bang-up job hosting last night's pot luck. Their place always looks great and is so comfortable to get comfortable in.

Eleven joined together for excellent food, good conversation, and a wonderful slide show of Provincetown, MA and B and B's heartwarming commitment ceremony. Way to go, guys; it was beautiful. Blain's pictures were so well done, it was like watching a documentary on the area and the associated festivities. Add their narration, and it was truly entertaining. I enjoyed myself immensely.

So, this is a thank-you to you two, and a note to all others to try to make it to the next one.