Emergency Meeting

-
Happy Hour is a strictly American concept. I don't normally attend anymore, but a couple of my buddies and I have decided that when we get too down about losing Jeff (the gang-leader of many of our meetings) we can call an emergency meeting at one of the watering holes. Yesterday, I set the ball in motion. Here's the conversation through the magic of text-messaging.

Me: Meeting? 3PM?
Chris: I'm ready now (it was a few minutes after 9 AM).
Me: Gather the troops.

Five hours later.

Me: We on?
Chris: We should have perfect attendance.

Started it with Jamesons and a Heiney Light. Got a call from Kathy about an hour in.

Kathy: Where are you?
Me: Emergency meeting.
Kathy: I hear Mike in the background.
Me: Yep, he's in attendance.

Five hours later than that, Kathy and I were the center of attention at a party where college-aged kids were gathered. We were tossing ping-pong balls at a stack of cups filled with beer. We were being ridiculed as being old.

Believe it or not, I gave a little back - and my wife who was seemingly raised in a bar - couldn't miss the cup in game 1 - I took over after that and game after game we sent the kids packing - whipping five straight sets of them as they laughed at the old man and his wife. I made fun of their music, their dress, and the fact that I was already a rehab candidate before most of them were born.

On the way home, we listened to Bruce, and I sang along - the emergency meeting had worked.

Until this AM that is - youth is wasted on the young.

Comments

John said…
Sorry I missed it
12 July, 2009
Jeff R said…
I may not be able to send a text, but I still can receive one. Please send me an application to get on the emergency meeting call list.
13 July, 2009
Larry L said…
I wish I was there, I toss ping pong balls at cups a little better than my wife.
14 July, 2009
Carrie Lynn Fazzolari said…
Just had a tourney at my house last week. Wish I lived close enough to be on the emergency meeting list - I'd have called it tonight!
14 July, 2009
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more