Monday, August 07, 2006

Redondo Beach Bash

Today is Orrick's oldest son's 21st birthday. I can't be at the celebration because I have rehearsal tonight, but I've sent along a copy of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for him to enjoy, figuring that he is now old enough for a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster (the effects of which are "like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick") and the sordid tales of the triple-breasted whore of Eroticon Six.

Birthdays are in the air this week (early November nights must be cold!), as Orrick's mother attended a surprise party for a friend of hers yesterday and Orrick and I went to LA for a barbeque on Saturday, which was his friend Dave's birthday.



Now, the barbeque wasn't Dave's gig... well, it was... except... it wasn't. I mean, it wasn't a birthday barbeque, it just happened that the host was having a barbeque on his birthday and, since the host was the drummer for his band, he was playing it. And so was Orrick. The Pike Bishops provided the entertainment for Wes' annual shindig at his home in Redondo Beach.

In the afternoon, the caterers kept visitors full of tortilla strips and Rotel dip while the chicken, ribs, and tri-tip simmered for evening consumption.


In the hours before sundown, folks were shuttled to and from the beach. As there was plenty of time before the band would play, Orrick took me down for a look.

After setting up the equipment and the camera, it was time for food. The ribs and chicken were properly slathered in tasty BBQ sauce and served with potato salad, cole slaw, pinto beans, and cornbread. Yes, Wes and his wife are from Texas (as if the Rotel dip wasn't a clue). Yee-haw, that's some good eatin'! Sorry, there's no picture here. I was too busy chowing down.

Next, the band would play. Usually, The Pikesters play original stuff, but for the barbeque, they added a neighborhood vocalist and all-around fun guy (Will) to the line-up and played a mix of originals and covers. It was a good set.


In no time and in true beer-and-a-band fashion, the natives became rowdy. If there are two words that separate the one-too-many crowd from the I'm-here-to-get-s**t-faced crowd, those two words are "keg stand." If you don't know what that is, don't feel bad -- I didn't either (if you do know: tsk tsk!) Imagine someone heels-over-head on top of a keg in a handstand position being held upright by "helpers" who are simultaneously aiming the keg's spigot into the beer-thlete's mouth. Quite a sight. To protect the far from innocent, I won't post pictures.

After much imbibing, a gaggle of giggly girls rushed the stage with Lambada-esque moves and top-lifting antics, and still... Orrick had eyes only for me.

Awwww! Come on, now. Ain't that sweet?!?

It was a long drive back to San Diego after the gig, but we were all sated and happy. Orrick took the wheel while Dave and I nodded off on the ride home. In the end, I think Dave had a pretty good day.

Now the weekend is over and we're all back to our work-a-day/rehearse-a-day lives. There are stories there, too. For another time.

3 comments:

Kate said...

Wish I could have been there.

Joseph Nobles said...

Yay!!!! The pictures here and in the lower blog are fantastic.

You look gorgeous and happy.

jake said...

I would like to add that my wife turned 24 in February.

Not that her age is in any way relavent. Just that your little brother is married to someone who is only 3 years older to someone who could be your stepson. Not that that matters.