Weekend Reflections

 


This past weekend was another "Fest" weekend. (reference:  https://bfthsboringblog.blogspot.com/2023/04/whos-fool.html, https://bfthsboringblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/thoughts-from-endemic-fest.html.)  The weekend stirred up a lot of different emotions (especially as this was the first weekend that I have not gone to see my father since the end of 2022).  Frustration, anger and sadness were more prevalent than in previous years, but I don't want to focus on that.  (Nor do I want to talk about how exhausting the weekend is...and not in a good way.)  I want to focus on two moments of joy. 

Number one was both planned and spontaneous.  How can that be?  Well, my husband (who runs the video room) was showing a set of Badfinger videos on Saturday afternoon.  (I hope you don't have to Google Badfinger, but if you must do it now and then listen to some of their music.)  One of the guests at the fest was Joey Molland.  (If you had to Google before, you shouldn't have to now.)  Hubby let Joey know that he was showing these videos, which had been restored.  Joey came by the room and sat down with my husband (and the other lucky people who were in the room to watch.)  It was wonderful.  There were maybe a dozen people who were in the room at the time (myself included) and they can proudly say that they watched Badfinger with the only living member of the band.  (I doubt if anyone else could say that.)  I did not get to talk to Joey, but he seemed to be having a blast and I know it's something my husband will never forget.  (The photo below is of the two of them...not a great photo, but you get the idea)

The second was the brunch that I host on the last day of the fest prior to official opening time.  Although there was one little "blip" on the fun, we had a "crasher" who claimed someone I had invited had invited him.  Now IF this is true, that person did not tell me.  (Don't invite people to my party without telling me.  Actually don't invite people to my party period.  It's my party and I'll invite who I want!)  Furthermore, this person didn't know me or even try to.  Instead he grabbed some food and drink (alcoholic, although I believe this person is underage) and only stayed for a few minutes. Rude, right?

However, as I said, that was just one little blip.  This potluck gathering (you don't have to bring much, but you SHOULD bring something) is a chance to really spend time with friends, many of whom I only get to see during this one time a year.  While the fest is open, it's hard to spend time together, as some of us are working while others are attending official events.  This is the one time (and it is brief) to sit down a talk.  As well as eat and drink!  I'm happy to say that this year the guest list expanded, as new friends were made and some old friends were able to find the time to come down (even if it was only for a short amount of time.)  For the first time, the party ran "over"...as the fest doors opened and we needed to clear the room for "official business."  But that just shows that everyone was having such a good time that they didn't want to leave.

This group of special friends are truly loving and kind.  Since this was not an official event, when hubby and I came in to set up, we passed by a member of the security staff who had been manning his post all night.  Though he claimed it was an easy job, I don't think it really is.  So I offered him coffee and you would have thought that I had offered him a million dollars.  Other guests made sure he had something to eat (and some of the homemade baked goods were INCREDIBLE) and that his coffee cup was refilled.  This is why I am friends with each member of this group; because they look out for others and they know how to be kind. (I hope I can include myself in that as well.  While I don't always succeed, I TRY to be kind.)

Personally, the real joy was in being present with my friends.  I have been under a lot of stress recently (some of which I have written about, but the majority of it now) and to be able to just BE for an hour or so was a wonderful gift.  Thank you friends, for just being.  You lifted me up without even knowing it.  That is a true gift of friendship.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We Have Taken America Back

Image
Back to a time when all men (and women) are not created equal.  Where women's healthcare is determined by men's laws and not by medical professionals. Where education tells only the "winning" side of the story and truth does not matter.  Where banning and burning books is a social event.  Where people who are "different" than those in power can be mocked, shunned and hurt with no real consequences. Where lies are acceptable and integrity is  just a word on a page We have moved into a time where rage is the rage.  Where hate is not just normal, but accepted and even cheered. Where leaders can ask to have their "enemies" killed and no one will bat an eye.  Where it's "funny" to see someone struggle.  Where felony is applauded. Where compassion is not shown and caring for others is looked down upon. We have taken America back to a time of pain and suffering for many.  Back to when the "haves" can have and the have nots don'...
Read more

It's Not About Starbucks (or is it)?

Image
  About a block and a half from my home in a major intersection.  At the southeast corner (which is nearest to me), is an empty building.  Back in 1995 it was a Bank of NY (I remember this because they didn't shovel/de-ice their parking lot well and my husband fell and broke his ankle one Monday morning.  I recall this clearly because we were not yet married and it was the first day of a new job for me.  I had gotten on the bus to work and he was catching a later one; only he never got there.  Instead he ended up laying on the ground until an employee came to open up the bank.  Then he had them call an ambulance AND my mother who took control of the situation until I arrived home that night blissfully unaware of what had happened that day.)  It eventually became a Chase Bank; the second one in my small little town.  It eventually closed.  I'm not sure when but it's been empty for quite a long time.  (I do know that it was open in 20...
Read more

As Is

Image
  Today I want to discuss what I think it is a relatively simple concept, but may be difficult for some, even an attorney who might have once, over a decade ago won a  prestigious award  for young lawyers .  That term is "AS IS." As you may know, I volunteer in a thrift shop.  Everything we sell, from all the donations we receive, is "as is."  The items are not brand new.  They are not perfect.  That doesn't mean they aren't any good or worth something. They are sold "as is."  Buyers should go in knowing that. (After all you are shopping in a thrift shop!)  In some cases, particularly when we are offering higher end products, we will actually write on the price tag, "as is." Such is the case of two designer purses that I purchased from there this summer.  (I'm a purse-aholic!  Don't look in my closet.)  They were reasonably priced (especially when you consider the name brand), but each had an "as is" clearly marked o...
Read more