PARTAY!!!!!!!

The Rogues Speaks:

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If you think that is me up there, sailing along over the Gulf of Mexico, well, think again! I prefer to get my thrills on dry land, thank you very much! And believe me, I do! I love a good party, with all my friends, so this is just a lead-in into my week:

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The Guild had a great cocktail party on Thursday night at Michelangelo's, a wonderful Italian restaurant not too far from our neck of the woods. We haven't all been together since last winter, so it was fun to see my artist friends.

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My BFA and I needed to prime the pump beforehand, so on Tuesday afternoon, we met at Amarsi for drinks and some of their divine stuffed mushrooms. Of course, Thomas was our waiter, ready to serve and spoil us as usual! We had a nice table in the corner, away from the eavesdroppers. Thomas stood guard in case anyone tried to join in our animated and fascinating conversation. Of course I can't tell you what transpired, because it is supposed to be all hush-hush. I'm sure you know just how quiet we were!!

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We were really pumped up at Michelangelo's, which was packed when we arrived. Give me a glass of wine, and a couple of minutes, and I can get into full party mode. There is no telling what might come out of my mouth, as the wife of one of the officers found out. I can't believe that I told her her husband pinched my ass at the meetings. Hope she knows that I was just kidding! That was after the FIRST glass of wine. Too bad I didn't stop there! But noooo--I had yet another, which I think affects my hearing, because when the MC called for the founding members to come up to the mic, I thought they said FAMILY members, and I kept trying to drag Rod along with me. My hearing deficit is becoming well-known, so everyone started laughing and yelling "FOUNDING!"

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My BFA and I used to know every single member by name. I think she still does, but after serving on the board for so many years, I decided to take a break and sit in the audience for a while. Oh, wait! I just remembered that there are some people that she gets confused about! One year, when I was yet again the nominating committee, I nominated a very good member for secretary. I asked my BFA to ask her if she would serve. Only she asked the wrong person. I was horrified! She had asked a person who was known for being a bit flighty, and there were no take-backs! The two sort of looked alike, so it was an honest mistake, I guess. At any rate, the person accepted and was thrilled. I, not so much! That turned out to be the only year that we had no minutes to speak of, and very few board meetings, as well. It was not our finest hour.

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That year is long behind us, and this year we have a stellar board! They are so good and so efficient that, except for Holidazzle, I can be the spectator I have always wanted to be. Those people give great party, let me tell you! For a mere $5 a head, we had all the wine we could drink, and delicious appetizers. I ate enough that I wasn't hungry for dinner, and it's a good thing, because after two glasses of wine, God only knows what would have come out of the skillet!

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There is great comfort in being with like-minded people. They become a touchstone when life gets a little rough, and the muses play hide-and-seek for months at a time. They are like my blogging friends. Whenever I need to be mentally stimulated, all I have to do is click on a favorite blog. Then I can laugh my ass off, or quietly contemplate what a friend has written about life.

It restores me, and uplifts me. Now, don't get the big head, o.k? I don't think of all of you as someone out of Psalm 100, or anything like a religious experience! I just think you are so nice, and supportive, and SMART! I'm glad we found each other.