devarim

The event was a success. There were fifty-two people there, fifty-three counting Rabbi G (who stopped by to shmooze but didn't really partake and of course wasn't charged), comprising a nice mix of singles, young couples, and grown-ups. I'm not quite sure whether that's more or fewer than firty-five people, but it's a lot, and that's cool. Of course, we ran out of some things (OK, we ran out of everything except the mascarpone, which I'll find a recipe for, and the merlot and carbernet, which Jim, Julian and I managed to take care of without a problem). Had I known that nearly thirty non-RSVP people would show up, I would have bought a lot more of the sweet wines and the brie. It was also a little annoying that eight people who RSVP'd did not show in the end, meaning that eight non-RSVPers with plastic cups could have had real glasses. I can't be too annoyed, though; one of the couples that didn't show are good friends of ours, and we know the wife in that pair was feeling rather ill. The other half dozen no-shows deserve the same benefit of the doubt.

Many thanks are due to jabbett, who helped tremendously with set-up, and skabbett, who also helped (when we weren't yelling at her to study) and faithfully took names, made change, and distributed glasses and pamphlets throughout the evening. You two rock. Further gratitude to Jim, Ari B---r (not to be confused with Ari B.), Carol, Bonnie, and whoever else helped us with cleanup.

And Julian. My spectacular husband, who put up with my craziness all week (including the small bout of panic during the last hour or so of Shabbat); who ran from store to store Saturday evening to get last-minute items; who shloshed through snow, sleet, and slush to be at my side at the earliest possible moment; who did not falter at his post and valiantly wielded his corkscrew in the face of danger and empty bottles; who did not leave me in my hour of need (that would be about 11:30 PM until about 12:30 AM), and instead joined me, Cyndi (Lauper!), Meatloaf, Alphaville, and the Beastie Boys in our mission to purge the room of trash, wash and dry glasses and platters, pack up leftovers, return (most) items to their rightful places, and dance like fools by the light of the--

oh, right. No moon last night.

I love him anyway.