The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
A big Bravo Zulu to The Other Diane and her beautiful family for hosting the meet-up in Greenville last night. We had a great turnout at the very elegant Lazy Goat. I was the only local, all the others having traveled out of the hills, and from beyond. Caroline endured a long I-85 traffic jam from GA to reach us. Our celebrity guest was none other than contributor Dave Carter, who left his rig idling on the interstate long enough to tell some lies (well, I really mean “stories”).
We solved the debt crisis by the end of the main course: seafood paella, and hand-tossed pizza baked on the stone (yum!). Dave suddenly asked “you don’t mind if I record the conversation? … it might be good material for a pod-cast”. We all looked worried, since his Droid phone had apparently been recording for some time, Pelosi jokes and all. Two of us at the table are Esquires, and after a careful review of the fine print, we reluctantly gave our consent, in reliance upon the mercy of the Podcast Editors. We moved on to less stressful topics, like desert and the heavenly Baklava Sundae.
Later, I found myself in High Cotton for a second round with Dave, Matt Gilley, Casey Taylor and his lovely bride. Tales abounded of great ingestion adventures in far-away places -- Whiskey with Cobra Venom Sacks (Casey), and Live Octopus (Dave). “It is a delicacy”… sure, if you say so. What do the locals say as to why they ingest such things?
“It make you STRONG!”
Casey and Dave have now firmly established their “manly-man bona fides”.
The best line of the evening was from Casey, who recent sat through a weighty aptitude test, in furtherance of his career. A very difficult aptitude test. How hard was it Casey?
“As hard as Woodpecker Lips!”
[edit: I should add that Casey reportedly blew the top off such test. It was clear after only a few minutes of conversation that Casey is no slacker in the gray matter department.]
After another drink, a serious conversation broke out, relating to Louisiana wetlands preservation. Wise conservatives conserve resources, acting as good stewards, using but not wasting. Environmentalists meddle, preserving, while denying reasonable use of resources. The lines are fine, and hairs are carefully split.
Finally, Mrs. Taylor spotted outside our window, and pointed out for my enjoyment, two groups of young women passing by, obviously bachelorette parties. Following directly behind [I kid you not] was that 70’s icon, the Weinermobile. Dave started to panic, fearing a corresponding appearance of a certain former NY congressman; but after a complete search, the panic abated, and calm was restored.
It was a great evening. You are all welcome in Greenville anytime, here in the heart of the Tea-Party Nation.
P.S. Many of you may not be familiar with Greenville, SC. Bear with me for a moment for a Chamber of Commerce message: Greenville is a beautiful small city, situated in the Carolina piedmont, only a few minutes drive to the Southern Appalachians, and only a couple of hours more to Charleston and the coast. We are shaking off the old textile roots, and have developed a high-tech group of industries in Automotive, advanced materials, aviation, and healthcare. Our Downtown is a sterling example of urban redevelopment using public/private partnerships. We have a vibrant streetscape and nightlife, first rate performing arts center, active theatre scene, and one of the best minor league ball parks anywhere. Come see us!!
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May '10
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
Well said, Counselor. Among other high points, we were pleased to welcome two new Ricochet members. (The Force is strong here in the southlands.) Everyone take a moment to welcome Scott, who joined yesterday and threw in with our motley crew last night. I understand photographic proof of the shindig is on the way, too. Finally, I'll join Scott in the Chamber of Commerce message and remind everyone that, next door to Greenville, my hometown of Spartanburg also awaits you with open arms.
(And as for local bragging rights, Scott, I'll remind you that the BMW plant is in Spartanburg County!)
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
You went to High Cotton? Man, I'm jealous. I love that place.
I second Scott's Chamber of Commerce message: Greenville is a great town.
May '10
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
Rob, I thought you just hung out at the emergency rooms around here....
May '10
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
Ah man! I'm just bubbling over with jealousy right now. TOD (The Other Diane) was supposed to be meeting me this Summer. But apparently, driving hours upon hours was not something she and the fam-fam were willing to do. Boo. ;-) Yeah, yeah. I know, TOD, I have an invite to crash at your crash pad...
Isn't Dave a hoot? I wish I could have been there with you all listening in and enjoying the conversation. Ricochet folk are truly the cream of the crop! Can't wait to see the photos!
Edited on July 31, 2011 at 8:14pmMay '10
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
Photos now posted! Wish I had taken more.
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
THAT, sports fans, was a wonderful evening. It was an immense pleasure getting together with Ricochet people and enjoying a wide ranging and sometimes rollicking conversation. Serious discussion? We got it. Laughs? Plenty of that too. Good food? Absolutely. New friends? Without doubt.
The Other Diane did a superb job of organizing the evening, and Caroline, thank you for persevering through horrendous conditions on your drive to the event. And thank you for being our impromptu photographer.
And my personal thanks to Matt for beaming to and from my truck so I could attend the festivities. Greenville is truly a beautiful town.
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
Scott, I wasn't so worried after I realized that it was the bachelorettes who were following the Wienermobile, rather than the other way around. Great post, by the way, and welcome to Ricochet! Great to have you aboard.
Jul '11
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
I just edited the post to add:
with respect to said Woodpecker Lips test: Casey reportedly blew the top off such test. It was clear after only a few minutes of conversation that Casey is no slacker in the gray matter department.
Jun '10
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
Thank you, thank you, and thank you all for a wonderful weekend. Megan and I will be back to Greenville as often as we can.
Scott, we had brunch at Coffee Underground. Fantastic Bloody Mary's, and the pot roast omelet was perfection in egg form. Late lunch was at a new place, The Velo Fellow. I had a glass of Four Roses and a Highland Gaelic Ale to wash down my pimiento cheese (homemade, over tots = delicious) appetizer and lamb burger, while the Queen dined on Chicken, Potted and Pied. The decor is great, the staff is wonderfully crunchy but well-scrubbed, and the bar is extensive. I highly recommend it.
Jun '10
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
I must add: it was wonderful meeting all y'all in person! It's hard to fit that much whip-crack smart in one room, but we somehow managed not to set the alarms off. Thank you!
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
Evidently, you didn't notice that the place was surrounded by police, eh? It was a privilege meeting you, Casey, and the Queen as well.
Jun '10
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
Thank you very much, Dave. You as well.
There certainly were a lot of cops around! We've been going back and forth on whether it's a response to past rowdiness, or to stave off the potential rowdies. Good to see, either way.
Aug '11
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
And now, gentlemen, you will all have to behave, because the Queen has landed. Had a great time meeting y'all, and the fact that I stayed up way past my bedtime should not be overlooked.
Jun '10
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
I bagged another one for Ricochet!
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
Welcome aboard, Your Majesty!
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
"The Force runs strong in this one..."
Jun '10
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
It's the tattoos. She can't resist the bad boy.
Jul '11
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
I second all the comments....it was great to meet you all, and I'm proud to be a new member of this august body.
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
Welcome aboard, Rascalfair! It was a pleasure meeting you and Mrs. Rascal.
Mar '11
Re: The Lazy Goat, High Cotton, Weinermobile and Woodpecker Lips: A Report From The Greenville Meet-up
So sorry we missed it--a family "thing" came up so we weren't able to get down the mountain. Please plan another one soon--maybe a quarterly event? We'll be there next time!