Benefits, birthdays, and booze

Saturday, I went to a benefit filled with all the food you could imagine; canapés, appetizers, entrees, desserts as far as the eye could see. There were lovely things to wash it down; appletinis, cosmos, beer, wine, cola, and funky colored drinks I could only image about. There was gambling, big screens, fashion shows, weird stilt walking entertainers, DJs, live music, and of course live and silent auctions and raffles. I mean it is a benefit after all. Evidently the economy has affected more people more than I think. In previous years, people have fought over items. Literally tried to hide the sheets and become very protective of their bidding sticker. Well, I wish someone had told me that!

Ah, the trouble one little sticker can get me into these days. I had promised some people that I would bid on something, so my first 20 minutes there, I slap my sticker down on the sheet. Well, THREE HOURS later, it was still the highest bid! Damn it! It is not something I would have ever spent my money on, it is not tangible, and I never thought I would win. But, I did. Now it is mine. Oh well, it is tax deductable, and it will be nice to see the people that benefit from it enjoy it.

Sadly, I did not win the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a Ranger game of my pick, or the tickets to the Red Sox/Yankees series (every game!), or the 8 rounds of golf at Pinehurst, or the first class trip to the Ryder Cup. Next year.

Off to Bridge’s birthday party!! This is a whole other beast. She decided to throw her party at quite possibly the shadiest place known to man. For anyone that does not believe America to be a melting pot needs to go to this place. There were all kinds! Some I could never explain, and question whether or not I want to. To top it off, that liquid encouragement gets all the odd ones to do karaoke. So strange, yet so fun! All the while I am thinking how crazy it is that I have gone from this high-falutin’ auction to this honky-tonk/booty droppin’/serenade in a matter of 15-minutes.

Every bit of it was a blast. It was also great to hang out with my buddy Scott. He needed a night out and happens to fit in great at both auctions and shady bars. Maybe next year we can do it on a weekend other than day light savings!