Bad Influences...

Like most all of us, my friends sort of get broken into categories:

1) The people we know and like, who we definitely stop to say hello to and might even schedule an occasional meal with, but these aren't necessarily folks we'd call upon if we ever needed something beyond a surface requirement. These are probably the bulk of the people we know.

2) The people who are a little closer to us. We've shared personal, deeper moments. We put significant time and care into preserving these relationships.

3) The people who we feel are our FAMILY. These are typically the closest of the close - usually the people who do not total more than 10 (if even that). These people know you (and get you)...you love them dearly and have got their backs - and they've got yours. Loyalty is implied and demonstrated. Mutually.

A couple days ago I was thrilled to get a visit from two of the people in my #3 category. My dear friends from Atlanta, Lee and Amy Amlicke.

Here is Amy and me taken at the rooftop pool of my condo complex:












Wooooooooooooooooo - it is windy!













One of the things that's always so meaningful about spending time with people (anyone) in my #3 category is the complete ease of the relationship; despite time or distance that has separated us, we can always resume right where we left off as if no time has lapsed. I love that.

It's always like that with Lee and Amy, and I even commented about it to them. At some point while we were driving around Boulder I said, "It totally doesn't feel like you guys are just visiting. It feels like you live here and called me to go hang out!" They agreed. Man, I just love that....

So - let me set the stage for you. I was really craving a burger. We all agreed that we'd go have one (1!!!) margarita for Happy Hour at one of my favorite places in Boulder, and then we'd head to dinner. Yup. Right.

Typical of us, the conversation(s) got deep, hilarious, philosophical, interesting and completely fantastic... we three were having such a great time - not to mention the bartender loved us (ok... he loved me!) - and time absolutely flew by.

What do I mean? Remember, we headed there for 1 drink.

Here I am at hour two (2):













And if you think this is bad (or good?) - we were just getting started.
The laughs and the tequila kept flowing...

How about hour four (4)!:













The bartender kept bringing us rounds... we were there for almost 5 hours getting I don't even know how many free drinks (I can work it when needed) - our total tab to include snacks was $44.00. (Lee, back me up on this!)
By the end, I completely outdrank both of them - not that this was my goal, mind you, but we all acknowledged my feat. Lee teased me the following day, "Not that you outdrinking a guy who is 230lbs is a GOOD thing. The next step in that situation is something called INTERVENTION!"
*laugh*..... funny....

Cheers to a hilarious night (who doesn't need more of those in their world?) with my dear friends... and it's good to know I am donating my organs when I die - I'll have a liver that's HUGE for someone to use.

:)