Tuesday, March 25, 2008

A grown-up Friday Night

One of the stories I keep meaning to share with you all is about my last night in New Orleans. The conference was over, I had walked through the French Quarter visiting little shops that were always closed during my early morning sprints to get to the conference on time. And yes, I acquired some adorable things. And had my complexion complemented in a used clothing store.

I do love New Orleans.

After resting up a bit, Ambassador and I went to his beau's home (he will now be known as The Beau). I was fixed a marvelous cocktail and got to see how beautifully the condo was decorated (so this is how grown-ups without children live). Then we walked a few short blocks to a lovely restaurant to meet up with friends of The Beau.

This is one of those pivotal meetings. Similar to the meeting of mothers, siblings or pets, this is the meeting that can bring fear into the hearts of lovers.

The meeting of the fag hags.

The Beau has a dear female friend (now known as the Supremely Cool One) he has known since the early days of college in the 1980's. I met Ambassador while we were both volunteering with the AIDS Quilt in 1992. The meeting of the dear, beloved gal pals is hopefully a wonderful occurrence. One of giggles, warmth and lots of teasing of those men who are gazing longingly into each others' eyes.

Meeting The Beau's friend was all that and more. She was just terrific. And so was her partner. He was awesome.

And!

[This is big so start a drum roll under your space key....]

The lovely, gracious and brave Painted Maypole walked into the middle of this to join us after a theatrical performance. She didn't know a soul, turned a corner to find 5 of us drinking and laughing, and plopped right down as if she belonged.

And she did.

She was funny, charming and everything you would think the author of a terrific blog like hers would be.

So the grown-ups started to peel away once we moved to a bar. First Ambassador and his Beau. Then an hour later the Supremely Cool One and her mate. Leaving me and Painted Maypole to talk next to a large picture window along a street until after 1:00 am.

A lovely grown-up night. Mixing old friends with new.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

now that sounds like a lovely night out. :)

and I love your comment on a properly decorated condo being how adults without kids live. *snicker*

Heather said...

Sounds wonderful. Rejuvenating.

Goofball said...

sounds great. So fun to find new friends that seem to fit right in!

Ambassador said...

Ooh, she is going to LOVE being named the Supremely Cool One - I am emailing her your link right now!

It was a lovely evening - I am still smiling at the memory of it. Good food, good friends, lively conversation..."He isn't just liberal...he's inclusive!"...good cocktails, great times...and loads of hugs, from new friends and not so new friends.

I miss you already...

*sigh*

Your Ambassador (and The Beau say Hello!)

Jen said...

Sounds like a perfect evening. I haven't had a grown-up night like that in a long, long while.

Jami said...

I am SO jealous! It's been, like, forever since I've been able to do grown-up-out-late-talking-drinking-talking.

soccer mom in denial said...

Jami,

You were invited. We were just the next state over.

Jami said...

You do know that "next state over" in Texas is NOT the same as "next state over" in Massachusetts, right? Here, it can be a 2-day drive. There, 2 hours.

Regardless, you have to know that if I could have made it, I would have been there!

Unknown said...

That is seriously awesome! I bet y'all were a blast to be around.

Any yous want to road trip to Colorado???

Anonymous said...

Sound like big fun, SMID!

Flower Child said...

It sounds so fun. I would love to do the same. And so glad that you were such an important introduction to be made. That's wonderful.

Alex Elliot said...

That sounds like so much fun!

painted maypole said...

aww shucks... Ya'll couldn't have made me feel any more at home if you'd given me some bunny slippers to wear.

and what is funny is that the day you posted this I was right back on that same street, walking by that restauant and bar, and hearing some fabulous music, and thinking of meeting you....

Jenn in Holland said...

What's not to love about meeting you, my dear?
What a great description of what had to be a stellar night of fun.
Sigh. Missed it this time. This ocean gets in the way of things at times...