Some things really ARE priceless

OK, so not to get all Zen or anything, but the last few weeks have really made me realize how f**king lucky I am. I have a really fun family, amazing friends, and a cool husband who plays in one of the area's most kick-ass bands. I don't have much to complain about. For that I am thankful.

This past weekend was totally killer. One of my oldest and best pals, Stinkbait (don't ask), came from across the state for my brother's Scotch tasting soiree. This yearly event is always a blast, and even though I never remember most of the attendees' names from year to year, their faces are always familiar and the handshakes are just as genuine. It really is a nice group o' folks.

Some amazing Scotch was consumed this year (as always), and the food was fantastic. Duck, grilled steaks, salmon, salads, fresh fruit and cheeses... and don't forget the haggis. What kind of Scotsmen (and woman!) would we be without a taste o' tha haggis!? This year's haggis was pretty tasty. Not as oatmeal-y as in years past.

Anyway, Stinkbait and I had a blast at the tasting, and despite our inebriated states, good judgment prevailed and we declined the late-afternoon invitation to go sledding at my brother Itchy's house. (as it turns out, EVERYone who DID go sledding suffered some kind of injury, so I'm REALLY glad we didn't go!!)

In preparation for a second night of rockin-out with the Pranxter boys (Friday night we had a great time as well), we opted for a brief post-scotch-pre-bar nap. Went down HAARRRRRRDDDDDDDDD. It took a 1/4 stick of dynamite to pry Stinkbait from his bed, and it was at least a good hour, if not two, after he was vertical for him to actually WAKE UP and realize where he was. Damn, that's a good nap.

Lurlene and Jolinda (M and M) came down with their cousins and the six of us partied like idiots all night long. Well, some of us more so than others. I think Stinkbait and I were fairly judicious in our application of spirits and/or malted beverages, so by the end of the night were fairing better than our younger counterparts.

Regardless, it was great to have Stinkbait there, as I really respect his musical opinion, and was glad he had a chance to see the new Pranxter lineup. They were kickin' some butt and takin' names last weekend, and all was right with the world.

This coming weekend brings more of the same... a fun cocktail party on Friday night at my pal Deb's house with all the other crazies in attendance, and will head from there to the Pranxter gig. Saturday is our "supper club" gang get-together. We're having "Indian Night" (that's Indian with a dot, not Indian with a tomahawk). I'm attempting to make, for the first time, the very traditional dish "aloo gobi". (btw, if you have the "Bend it Like Beckham" DVD, watch the featurette of the director making this dish with her mother and aunt- a RIOT). This gathering, too, will be followed by a trip out to the Pranxter gig.

I wish Stinkbait and Ladonna lived closer than a couple hour drive. I wish their young-un was older and didn't require so much parental supervision. I wish we all had a gajillion dollars so none of us had to work and we could just hang out together all the time. Damn.

But, for now, anyway, I'll just have to be thankful for the fun times we DO get to spend together. I look forward to the next event, and in the meantime I'll just be thankful that I have long-standing great friends that are such an important part of my life. Until next time, ROCK ON!!!!!!!!