Why isn't the third cocktail kicking in? Where's Cotton when you need him? How is that boy anyway?

Just got back from seeing the Drive-By Truckers. I'm making a drink and toasting to you T. If you want to grab drinks one night next week, its certainly a possibility. I'm old and lame though so I need a couple of days notice because day of, I'll usually think staying in is a better idea.

I like the way you think, Bill. I tell ya, there were many days that I would make up excuses to stay at work late so I could go elsewhere after. Now, I look forward to going home, changing into my jammies and chilling. I've become a huge fan of the DVR feature on my television.

Drinks next week? You got it! I pass by a pub every day on my way to/from work on Sunset called "Ye ..."...shit, I forgot the name. Something about coaches and horses. Anyway, I Yelp'd 'em and found out it's a dive bar with a great jukebox, mismatched chairs, has a full selection of booze and only accepts cash. As soon as I read "dive bar", the place had my name all over it. But I'm game for meeting for drinks anywhere. I'm sure there are a few places we could walk to near Chez G.

PS -- I am my own worst bartender tonight.

ok...think i know the place you are thinking of. Monday isn't best for me but I can probably do any night including monday as long as I plan for it. I am my own best bartender, working on a Tequila Sunrise made with fresh squeezed orange juice. Almost through a 25+ lb bag of oranges I bought at the farmers market with not one orange used as food.

Hey lady, glad to see you, regardless of the motivation.

Truth.

Welcome back, and drunk posts are a CMJ/Obner staple, so thanks for carrying on the tradition!

I agree on the one-sided friendship sentiment, but you also have to think that those people are wrapped up in their own worlds just as you are in your own. It does take work to maintain relationships, so your no-call contest is counter productive if you truly value these people. My $.02 anyway.

On the Obner news front: So um, FT is getting a divorce. Don't know if you caught that one.

Speaking as someone who would always fail such a test, I think it's a mistake to impose your own definition of friendship onto others. Some people just aren't the "reaching out" type, but that doesn't mean they're not happy to hear from you nor appreciative of your existence.

Also, welcome back. We all would've PM'd you, but we're not that type.

I had indeed noticed your absence and am glad you've "come home" T. Listen to some tunes, drink some (more) drinks... you fall right back into rhythm.

Yup, I've tried that experiment before. Same results. People are funny like that. But it's good to see you back around these parts. Obner is like riding a bike, if doesn't take long to get back in rhythm around here.

missed ya round here, t

Tania, I have missed you for sure! I knew about your work stuff (I think we've chatted about that before), and I'm sorry to hear your assistant's mom lost the battle. And yes, of course I remember Uruapan (Tania ordered for me in Spanish; she's my SoCal mama). I'm sorry to hear it's not what it used to be. I hate when that happens. As for Cotton, isn't he immersed in finals and whatnot? I think I read something to that effect on his blog.

As for friends and reaching out, I understand what you mean. Sometimes I think when friends don't exactly know what sort of nasty seas you're navigating, it's hard to expect them to reach out. Have you told anyone (aside from us here) that depression settled in? Sometimes, hell most of the time, people are clueless, and need to be told what's up. Sad, but true. I know that you are loved and cherished among your friends there (and here), so don't ever doubt that!

I will be toasting you tonight (gonna miss your smiling face). I've got some travel plans coming up soon but don't think I haven't considered getting down your way again as I have other friends in the area. Besides, with it being so cheap to fly there, why not? (and I have a cheapie buddy pass so I could bring a friend along!) If I do end up down there later in the year, of course, I would LOVE to hang out with you. I'd MAKE you leave work early! And likewise, you are ALWAYS welcome to stay at the "country house" (as my friend Jeff calls it) with me, Bean and Loon. I'd love to introduce you to Portland, especially now that the weather is getting nicer.

Hey T, i didn't notice you weren't around, but i feel like the board has slowed down alot. I don't check it every day, especially during the work week, and it seems that most people post from work and have fulfilling weekends away from the internet when I'm more free to peruse in between chores (and Deena always works Saturdays).

Hang in there, and maybe try and get an acl ticket or something, we've got a guest room for you if you want. You and Dana can share it if you both need to get away and come to ACL or SXSW.

In other obner news, i just figured out recently that Chase has a daughter, if that tells you how out of the loop i am.

You kids are too cool for school!

With respect to my experiment...trust me, I always give up at the end and call. They're like sisters / brothers to me. Hell, even my own blood sister won't call me -- it's always me who has to call her. It just gets tiring, y'know? Moving on...

Bill, Monday is not good for me. I'm spending half the day down in Hawthorne with a client. But could do Tuesday -- just thought of a place, how about Lola's? It's on Fairfax between Santa Monica and Melrose. They make excellent martinis and happy hour ends at 7:30p.

And what's this about FT getting a divorce? Are you serious?! That piece of news was truly unexpected!! Bob...que paso? Man o' man...*shaking head*

Phil, the thought of ACL has crossed my mind. But with my assistant leaving (did I mention she has resigned and moving to Houston for an old HS boyfriend at the end of the month? Yeah...that was yet another blow.), I am uncertain as to what my job will look like in a few months time. Thank you for the very kind offer -- I would love to see you and Deena...and Chad...and Cory....

1. I certainly noticed you weren't posting. You are an important element of the Obner mix.
2. The very fact that Obner still exists, even with fewer and fewer posts, less music, is curious. I think it's lasted past the Facebook paradigm attack; why and if it continues is mysterious, and just from a social anthropologist's perspective I check in to see what it is (and to talk unreasonably enthusiastically about UCLA and Laker sports news.)
3. Part of this social boarding experiment includes seeing boarders age; kids, home early, entropy. Being (with Tentoze) the senior around here... don't give up folks, rust never sleeps, keep checking that nu moosic it'll give you that intense sense of being alive! iIt still works! Like Pete T said... back when Rock was our Faith and Concerts were our Church. Or as Bruuuuuuce said, "I can't give you life everlasting, but I can give ... you ... life ... RIGHT NOW!!"
4. Friends. Sometimes you have to choose between right and being happy. I can't change my friends. I can only change me. My resenting them changes me in a way that makes me unhappy. My side of the street/ I clean. Their side of the street? Not my job, it's diret is not my issue, not my ability to impact.
5. Tania rocks.

Also, since you let work consume your life, they may feel you are too busy with that to maintain the friendship.
You have been missed around here.

There have been a few regulars not posting and it's been a blow, but Tania's is certainly one of the biggest.

Hi, T! Really glad to see a thread started by you. I should have stayed up and continued my gin spree last night instead of passing out early like a damned newb.

I'm one of those people who don't call friends enough, but I also think I'm the one who is doing more to keep in touch. It's a weird balance and as whoever said it above everyone is too caught up in their own worlds lately. That, and my friend pool seems to have dropped off dramatically and seems that way for a lot of people lately.

You've got a place in Vermont, too, if you get to New England.

yeah, agree with this. thankfully my friends understand my m.o.

good to hear from you Tania.

I'll chime and cop to missing the drunken Friday or Saturday night threads. Everybody drinking and bsing...

I work so damned much it's insane. And when I finally do get a chance to get to Atlanta to see people, both Derris and Bloor are out of town this weekend.

Glad to see you back around. Don't be a stranger.

PS -- VICTORY!! One of the friends called just a few minuntes ago - we're having a late sushi lunch. I 'spose I should shower.

Absolutely on all counts, cheers T!