Warning to All Bloggers

If I find out that you're having a party when I'm in your vicinity, I WILL show up. Don't believe me? Ask fellow blogger Larry Jones at www.revision99.com, and his wife, Barb.


Ok, I didn't out-and-out crash it, I did have a shout-out: food and music at his place on Sunday. Be There or Be Square! I just don't think he believed I'd actually show up, with an entourage of 2.

We hit Larry's street around 8 on Sunday night. The fun had started 6 hours before, and all we had to do by the time we arrived was follow the music. How many backyard band parties can there be; this has to be the place! Yippeee!

It was just lovely from the get-go. The minute we stepped in, Larry's friends pulled up chairs for us, not even knowing who we were. I noted Larry singing his heart out on stage, and asked his friend to point me to Barb. I thought I should at least notify the owners of the house that we were infiltrating.

Before I go on, I'd like you to mull this over for just a second: How many women do you know, who, when their husbands might suggest that a strange far away girl who reads his blog—"uh, honey, can she come to the party too?"—wouldn't end up putting a cast-iron skillet across said husband's skull? Clunk!

I took a scientific poll of one married female friend. I asked her, "If Mike told you that some chick he reads on the net was coming over for brats..." That's about as far as I got before she excused herself to clunk Mike on the head just for good measure. 100% of the woman I polled said "I don't freakin' think so."

But here's the thing. When I introduced myself to Barb, she HUGGED me. And she pointed out who was who on the stage, and told me where to find beverages, and said sweet things about how exciting it all was that we were there.

(Still trying to figure out that night-time action shot.
Next time, will the band please stand still?)

And Larry (Hi, Lar!) was equally warm, and said "hey, hi" over the microphone, and when he got a break ushered us in the house to talk and give me chocolate cake—a crumb of which I found stuck to my neck when I got home, how embarrassing. I hope they thought it was a beauty mark.

But the Larry got back to the music, and we had a few beers and danced to Johnny B. Goode, and sang along with many more, before we took our leave around 11.

Look how much fun we're having!

Larry & Barb's Big Bash was a major highlight on my trip to LA. Meeting and making new friends along with a little song and dance; does it get any better than that? Everyone was so welcoming that I found it difficult to remember that I haven't known them all for years.

Well, they're stuck with me now, officially on the Christmas card list, and fishing for an invitation to next year's party.

Larry and Barb:

Thank you. You have a standing invitation to Champaign, Illinois. If I'm not having a party that weekend, well...I am now!

Mmmmmmwah!