Epic as expected

by Duf Anything and Everything

Yesterday during the day things were slower paced than Tuesday where I had three meet ups with friends in addition to an extended pickleball session. I did get out in the afternoon to ride my OneWheel around the path at Grings Mill.  The gravel trail along the water was a blast to ride, I absolutely loved it.  I also got to see the volleyball courts I used to play on 20+ years ago as well as get a brief workout in on their outdoor exercise stations.  I had a great time in the crisp but not cold weather.

I got back and cleaned up for my trip down to Lancaster to meet up with my longtime friend Troy. I communicate with Troy regularly but had not seen him in person for at least 7 years, possibly longer.  This was not just a regular visit, I also was going to be participating in the podcast Troy hosts for his fantasy football league.

I got there around five.  I got to finally meet Troy’s girlfriend Jess in person.  I could sense immediately she was a good person and was comfortable talking to her immediately.  The other two co-hosts showed up 20-30 minutes later.  It was funny, they had no idea I was going to be there.

For two decades plus I have been involved with this league but only in a comical way.  My communication was always electronic, so much so that some league owners thought I was a made up person that existed only in Troy’s mind.  I never met Mike and Jerry before but again, I almost felt like I already knew them from my interactions from afar.

So normally the podcast is an audio only production but I told Troy I would bring my laptop so we could livestream the broadcast as well.  I set up my computer in the corner of the room and let it capture the nearly two hours of silliness that followed.  Jess was sweet and ran alcohol to us as needed and there was a lot of need.  I am not quite sure how many alcoholic beverages I consumed but I think I hit double digits.  I thought the podcast went really well and was pretty funny, at least to those of us in the room.

After we wrapped up Jerry and Mike shoved off but I stuck around.  I had already mentioned to Troy the idea that if I drank a lot I could crash in his spare room which he was fine with.  Troy, Jess and I stayed up late just talking about a wide variety of subjects that flowed one into the other. By the time we went to bed it was midnight.  The evening had definitely lived up to my expectations and was a reminder of why I needed to get face to face with my friends more often.

I woke up in the morning feeling extremely dehydrated but not as hung over as I feared based on what I drank.  Jess made Troy and I coffee and breakfast. (did I mention she is a sweetheart) We sat around the dining room table and jumped right back into talking about things freely.  Part of me wished I had more time to hang but I had to get back to get ready to go our big get together this afternoon which supposedly will have something like 16 people.  If that number is accurate it will be the largest Thanksgiving group I have ever been a part of.

I’m expecting another good experience to pile on top of the sizeable amount I have already accumulated.  I hope anyone reading this has a great Thanksgiving where you get to share time with those you love and cherish.