My host asked me to help out at his "Open House" ...

[TahitiNut]

... and I accepted, along with a handful of others. He's got this very nice house and he's having this ongoing Open House for people in his community who share his civic values and egalitarian principles. He has pictures of some well-known people on the walls and has borne some expense in providing entertainment, food, and beverages for his guests. He's not rich, but the house is somewhat costly and it takes a lot of his time to maintain it. (Some folks have chipped in to help pay for the food and beverages.)

Some of his guests get into food fights ... and we help clean up the mess. Some of his guests get drunk and abusive ... so we help them to the door and into a cab. Some people arrive with spraycans of paint and we help keep them out so they don't ruin the furniture, deface the walls, and scare the children. It's not an easy job, but he trusts us to help out ... and we get to occasionally relax and just be guests too. We figure it's the least we can do if we want to see others have "Open Houses" and share the views and community-imrovement goals with which we agree -- when we're not teasing him in private.

What continues to surprise me is how some of the other guests complain about the free food, the pictures on the wall, the simple request that they wipe their feet on the welcome mat before coming in, the simple request that they use the bathroom rather than the closet or the potted plants, the simple request that they treat other guests with respect rather than insult their taste in clothes and hairstyles, the simple request that they not get drunk and disorderly or throw up on the rug, and the efforts of those of us (merely other guests helping out) to remind them of these requests.

I guess we must live in an incredibly abundant Universe if we can just throw away such a nice chance to mingle in clean surroundings and demean people like my host. Maybe we're spoiled. Maybe that's what it takes to make a world. :shrug:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. My how allegorical

I am so glad you help your friend. As one who appreciates your freind, I do try to help with the clean-up, I mean granted, I have certainly has some issues of my own but I do try to show your friend my support more than anything.

And of course you know I am available at various intervals to help you take the trash out :evilgrin:

Thanks

[TahitiNut]

3. Well, I must admit to not being fond of some of the food ...

... and making an occasional smart-ass remark about what someone wears, myself. :evilgrin:

By and large, however, I really enjoy the diversity of the folks who I've met in the various rooms during this Open House -- and most seem to enjoy one another's company. A lot of them are really helpful, too. (Sometimes this little jacket I wear when helping out gets a bit tight around the shoulders, too.) :D

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Yeah uniforms can be a drag and be a bit constraining

especially for someone like you, who with your arms are stretched out look just like the wing span of the most beautiful dove...but you DO wear the uniform well if it's any consolation.

And yeah...one time the quiche was cold and they got a little mad at me when I asked for it to be warmed up..but by and large, the fare is usually quite decent compared to the open house up the street by those "other" folks. ;-)

[Padraig18]

6. Drag?

Who does drag? :P

[terrya]

9. Drag? Only once for me...

It was NOT pretty. I'll leave it to the experts. :-)

[Padraig18]

10. LOL!

I'd look ridiculous in heels, being 6'3"! :P

[TahitiNut]

14. Even cold quiche beats no quiche ... it's the food that reminds me ...

... that I must not be a "real man" (whatever that means) since I love it so, especially in that all-too-plebian Lorraine style. I eschew shrooms. (Try saying that three-times-quickly after a couple of Guinness's.) Oh, that "Open House" on the other side of town only serves frozen foods ... all prepackaged and filled with preservatives and nitrates. It's not as nice a place, either, what with all those funny boots having worn out the carpet.

Oops! I see the quiche're all gone again. I'd better go fetch some more. (Right after I finish my Dove Bar and brush some crumbs off the couch here.)
:silly:

[DoveTurnedHawk]

2. Gee, I'm Not Really Sure What You're Getting At (eom)

DTH

[Padraig18]

5. I occasionally forget to wipe my feet.

And I have, on occasion, spilt some wine on the carpet, but I am VERY grateful that my host provides such a lovely home, excellent food and drink and such talented folks to help out.

[salin]

7. Beautifully expressed.

:thumbsup:

[trof]

8. I feel really stupid.

Didn't get it until I read a couple of replies.
Maybe it's time for a drink. That always smartens me up a little.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. Bottoms up, wise ass!

:D

[greatauntoftriplets]

11. Biting the hand that feeds you....

Thanks, TahitiNut.

[TahitiNut]

15. Or just nibbling on fingernails and ladyfingers?

:silly: Sure thing, GranTíaDeTríos.

[Karenina]

13. If you sprinkle

when you tinkle,
PLEASE be neat
and wipe the seat.

Tee-hee, giggle, giggle...

LOVE YOU TN!!! :loveya: :toast: :loveya: