Nowhere in the Torah does it say, "Thou shalt not have a little fun."

And I did have a little fun last night, in honor of MelRo's birthday. I know she was was stressed about the planning aspects, but I think it was a fabulous spontaneous grill out with lots of people who adore her and wanted to help celebrate. Besides, the initial lack of grilling tools made for more entertainment -- nothing like sticking a small plastic fork into an open flame and then flinging a meat patty onto the ground to get a round of laughs from partygoers. Of course, I'm absolutely exhausted today since we were up late and I had a steady amount of drink. Mostly vodka before and after the outdoors portion of the event and a cider during the actual picnic.

I also feel I've finally cracked into the mystery of her friends group occasionally know as the Hyde Park Posse despite none of them actually living in Hyde Park anymore. Now even the least social of the group all say hello to me, ask me how I'm doing, and give me a firm handshake on their way out the door -- and most of the others will actually ask specifics about my life and remember what I do for a living. I'd like to say my charming personality has won them over, but it's probably more likely my persistence that did the trick. And none of them are bad eggs at all, just operating in a different world than I, which was evident last night in the discussions about men painting their toenails and women showing their breasts while breastfeeding. But mostly I was thoroughly amused during the evening and found the entire event most enjoyable, despite my obvious exhaustion.

( I'm cutting the text since I'm changing the subject )