Yesterday had a good day. After an early morning parent-teachers meeting regarding Tim (it could have gone worse) and several hours in my office, I hopped MetroNorth in the early evening to meet up with about 20 ex-rugby playing friends. I’d had two short rests, late in the morning and late in the afternoon.
The rendezvous was at Pete’s Tavern on Irving Place and 17th St. Really my first social engagement on my own since starting chemo. The place was mobbed (east side, Thursday evening at 7:30, kind of figures) with mostly “kids” in their late twenties, early thirties. My first thought was “A great place for someone with a weakened immune system to hang out.”
I felt fine the whole time. Three glasses of pinot noir, a large plate of pasta, and good cheer with guys I’d known a long time – some (Paul Flanagan and Bob Piazza) who were two years ahead of me at Fairfield, and another (Bill Connolly) who I got to know in 1973 after I’d graduated and started playing with Essex, the rugby club he co-founded.
It would be boring for most readers to mention the other “luminaries” there, but will give a thank you to Bill Deerin (excellent player! with many games for the Met Union All-Stars at flyhalf) for organizing the night.
So, we all missed Bill Buckley’s 80th birthday party at the Pierre, but I suspect we had a better time.
Leave a Reply