Last night, I did something I had not done in years.

I willingly attended the local Beer Fest. Things have definitely changed since the last time I went there.
For one thing, if you order more than two mugs of beer, you get a free carton to carry them in. I thought this was something that should have been invented and used ten years ago ( when I attended my first Beer Fest without my folks )

Another thing that’s changed is the number of hillbillies that attend. Last night, I did not see as many drunkards. Maybe it was because I didn’t mingle that much too. Granted, there was one couple of drunkards that stood out. They were really old, say around 50, and looked really poor. I noticed them because they were right next to me at one point, and because the woman’s face was all black and blue. In spite of her not being able to blink, the two seemed quite in love, in their own special way.

Another thing that’s changed is the reason for my being there. I used to go for the music. Over the years, both I and the music have changed. A lot. So it’s only natural that music alone could not bring me there anymore. No. This year, it was for the people. Beautiful, troubled, open and humane people.
So, thank you Ovi, Raka, Tomata plus one, Richie, Tudor, Bloodie, Rob the blogless and Bloo — nice to finally meet you, by the way.

A special thanks goes out to Owen, his wife and father in law, who joined us in a couple of Irish drinking songs, and spoke really proper English to me.

We’ll be doing this again tonight, so join us if you will. We’ll be the loud, happy bunch.