Where to begin where to begin?
I guess I should start at the start. It seems more convienient, and much easier than telling a story that has flashbacks, and mentions of a mysterious past spent in Barnes and Noble.
I got to Pasadena pretty early, I wanted to beat most of the traffic so I skipped out of work early. Killed some time at Barnes and Noble. (That is not hard to do, I can pick up a book and nobody will hear for me that evening, I had to be careful, I didn’t finish the book I found, and only read half of Adbusters.) I went over to the Bocca and saw Melin, Suep, Highlander and PUndit across the street. We were the first arrivals, so I went for a walk with those guys to see a short tour of Olde Towne Pasadena. When we got back we found out that the other parts of the group were waiting in the bar, after some asking around we found monster104,littlestar,tuerca8. These guys were very nice, I thought they were college students, then I found out they were 16 and 17. Poopah Chalupha came a little bit later and then Ruffian and DeathLLama then we went to our tables.
As usual, I was real nervous around the new folks, it always takes me two meetings to really talk to someone new. So, next time all you guys I met for the first time, bring ear muffs, I will be talking your ears off!
Oh my I was embarassed to get those cherries! But, also very happy. Then I was really really embarassed when I looked down and realized I had eating the whole glass full of cherries without offering any to the rest of the table. At that point I had to change seats and hide my crime. (Well that and the fact that I was starting to feel claustrophobic up against the wall.) Highlander and Sue were nice enough to let me change my position.
When I went to refill my glass of water I sat down next to Heloise. She was the exception to the rule, usually I can’t talk to the new ones, but I had no trouble at all making conversation with her, she listened to me babble on and on about Santa Barbara. She gets lots of credit for that. Plus, she was very pretty and had great clothing taste. And she learned an important rule, stickers and leather don’t mix.
Speaking of very pretty, Joanie, our bubbly waitress was pretty, she was funny and she knew how to serve a bunch of undecided peoples. Her best line of the night was when monster mentioned that the salmon wasn’t vegatarian friendly. “What you are hungry? There is still some garlic bread if you like.” Monster replies “Nah, I am not hungry”. She replies. “Well, that is good. Because, we really didn’t have any garlic bread left.”
After Heloise left I got to sit next to PCW and Fiona. They were both really pretty and really funny and a joy to sit next to. (Ok, I am gushing, I just went through four people mentioning how pretty they were. Everyone should now know that our whole table was pretty, there, that will save wear and tear on the t’s and y’s)… Peter was alot of fun, plus he aided me in my quest for more raviolis. I forget his screen name, but he needs to post more! One post isn’t going to cut it around here. I didn’t get to talk to Peter or Suo Na nearly enough.
As desert came Ursa Major and Cowboy Greg showed up. I got to talk to Greg for a little while when he got there, mentioning the new stressful job that is taking away from his posting time! How dare they! They make him a DBA and expect him not to post! No fair, indeed! We had a good time chatting about a few matters. When Ursa came I even got those two to be nostalgic about Los Angeles area TV. Children’s shows that included a Hobo that was played by a woman, but was supposed to be a man. Then monster came over and we started sharing some movie Lines. Get rid of that curfew for next time, Monster! And bring your brother. 
Speaking of desert. It was delicious. I had to eat an extra canoli, as I saw it floating away. Hey, I didn’t want them just to throw it out. A huge thank you goes out to Melin for giving us that meal! Everything happened so fast, I didn’t realize we got it for free. Smooches and hugs to ya!
Apparently my hair wasn’t quite as well kept as I thought. lol. More than one person complimented me on my just out of bed look.
As the night wore on it was just one roundtable left over with Melin, Ursa, Cowboy Greg, Pundit, Highlander, Suep, and me. We discussed everything under the sun. From Terroism to cheese in coffee.
I have to say it was another successful doper gathering. I had a wonderful time, and I look forward to the next one. Great job setting things up Ruffian! Lots of hugs and smooches your way, too. Also congrats on the bid for the house! We should have had some penis cheers to celebrate that fact.
Ok. Now that I have written a novel, I should go.
pat
PS:
Java was sorely missed. But, sometimes class calls and you don’t get to celebrate. The good news is, monster and I guilted her into promising to host her own dopefest once she gets out of school. Woohoo.
PPS:
Thinking about it, all of the MIA dopers were sorely missed. Johnny! Hope you are feeling better! Shayna! You better be there next time! Arnold! What being a moderator you can’t meet up with us lowly ones? Hope you guys can all make the next gathering. We will defnitley have to have one before Johnny makes his way up to the great NorthWest.
