Last night I went with some friends to potluck of the local CouchSurfing group (in my hometown of Salem, Oregon). CouchSurfing is (wiki)... The Salem subgroup is an eclectic mix of people from a wide assortment of backgrounds and philosophies.
There were several people there and a boatload of food. Among them were Patrick (Berry Boy), Sarah (Blueberry Girl), Ursula (no nickname yet), Laura Love (which she told me is her middle name not her last), Mark Powers (of powerspercussion.com), Melanie (Mel or MelMel or Mel Torme), Jennifer Hare, Jeffrey (of Silverton), Matt (Military Man or MattMatt), and my friend Ramon. Another gentleman whose name I can't recall
I was asking people if they happened to have nicknames I could use instead of their actual names. Most folks were cooperative and by the end of the evening had some sort of nickname, many “assigned” by me. I just prefer creative, fun, little nicknames rather than being so normal. Bush 43's terms of endearment for one of his closest advisors and friends — Turd Blossom (aka Karl Rove) — has always cracked me up.
As usual I ate too much, but it was mostly good, nutritious food. Patrick prepared some 'con pollo' dish, which apparently is his specialty. It was tasty, a bit spicy for me, but I like chicken, rice and mushrooms. Sarah, like me, brought a fruit salad except hers had pineapple, blackberries, blueberries, and apricots or peaches or something. It was deeelish. Laura made a lasagna-type thing, vegetarian I think, with spinach. It actually wasn't too bad, but a little bland. It needed something to punch it up, like cheese.
feminists versus chauvinists.
Ursula is a member of a consortium of leftist groups and organizations including Greenpeace. A window near her front door is covered with all sorts of stickers and membership cards. Several Wiccan books adorned her bookshelves in the kitchen.
There was a Great Value (the Wal-Mart house label) brand pasta sauce jar in the kitchen near the sink. Surprised, I asked Ursula if she shopped at Wal-Mart. True to form, she gave me an incredulous look and said, “No.” She then explained that Patrick and others had come early to cook their food. I was hoping that this girl brainwashed by radical leftism had held out on certain things such as Wal-Mart, out of common sense or just to save some money. Unfortunately this wasn't and isn't the case.
Massage
Laura... That woman likes to talk.
It was a great little party, and I had a good time. My jokes and general shtick went over fairly well, although there was at least one holdout, Ms. Hare. Of course, that isn't too shocking. It really is pretty much an accepted fact, even among the best performers and comedians. She would probably make a good schoolmarm or librarian. Once again, when I am totally unprepared and not thinking of providing some entertainment to the masses, it
If I don't at least make myself laugh, I will be so bored and ready to off myself on the back porch. My role for this evening was, because of the game we were playing, to play the loser. It is just os much fun making people laugh, myself included. I love cracking myself up.
AJH