i'm glad someone had a blissed out weekend

A wedding reception, a graduation party, and a birthday party occupied my entire weekend. I find myself yet again at the beginning of a week more tired than I was when I ended my last week.

It was a lovely wedding reception. The food was delicious-especially the squash with the unindentifiable spice--the wine was really good and the company was delightful. Despite Berghoef's best efforts, I was not shipped off to Gitmo nor did I even speak to the Congressman. In fact, I stopped someone else from dragging him out onto the patio for a throwdown with some voting and non-voting youth. Adding to the excitement of the evening was the news that a new teacher got her first job at one of the top 100 high schools in the country (that would be Black River High School right here in Holland, Michigan) and an introduction to the infamous Glick who gets cred for not only driving back to the other side of the state at 3:30am but also hunting up these pictures of Amy Irving and posting them brazenly on a MySpace account.

Saturday was spent alternatively sleeping and eating. I almost said nay to the festivities of Saturday night but was wisely ordered to make some good, strong coffee, take a shower and just enjoy the ride. I'm glad that I did. The drive really was lovely albeit confusing. The party had been in full swing for hours before our arrival so it was perfectly relaxing. The usual number of dogs and adorable children were present as were the usual number of just straight up cool grown-up people with interesting stories and laid-back attitudes. A keg of Founders, a warm fire, a calm lake, some fireworks (except for the seizure-inducing one), and a pontoon boat...I thought I had died and gone to a heaven designed just for me.

On the way into the Grandest of Rapids we checked in at the Reynolds Birthday Extravaganza which we were assured was still raging. Raging indeed! I cannot believe I was not a witness to A. Punches thrown B. Someone falling off a balcony C. A broken rib D. Officers of the law showing up to tell a bunch of drunken philosophers to shut up. Did I mention that there were all of 6 of us there at that time? By the time we were 4 it was getting fairly late-ish and the womenfolk were all kinds of sober. I do look forward to some falafel in the future.

On the drive home I allowed myself to acknowledge the full extent of my hunger and suggested a--wait for it--trip to Denny's. Woo-hoo. Not only have they completely re-done the Holland Denny's in an attractive fashion, the service was impeccable and the fries delicious. No regrets, baby. No regrets.

I'm looking forward to doing absolutely nothing Friday night. Please, I beg of you, don't call me and tell me you're going to be in town for the night and need a place to stay. Or even that you just want to grab a beer somewhere and catch up . Or that it won't be late. Or that you miss me. We didn't used to be nearly this social and despite the good times I have been enjoying I really need to recharge my mojo. Trust me: you won't be sorry.

Oh yeah and can anyone say BRILLIANT POLITICAL MOVE BY THE REPUBLICANS? Sorry but I think they win this one. They managed to make the Democrats looks weak on Iraq and yet will still get the much needed bump for the withdrawal. And just last week I wondered what the hell they were doing putting Iraq front and center. Mr. Rove: I bow before your evil, shrewd, brilliant ways.