out with friends

Finding a night where 6 or 7 people are all available is not easy.

That's why Brooke is not present, and also why we are celebrating my birthday a week or so after the fact. But really, having an excuse to go out with a great group of friends is nice whatever the date and whatever the reason.

This time we go local. I recommend an UES retaurant I've never been to, Quality Eats. As it turns out, it's a nice choice.

Shari, Janice, me, Zelia, Ronda, Pam

While all the food is good, it's an unappetizing-sounding dish that is increditble: the grilled nueske's bacon with peanut butter and jalaeno jelly. I have no idea how so many diverse and unlikely ingredients can taste so good.

Like many of our get-togethers, it is not devoid of some drama. But all is resolved by the end of the night, as it always is.

This small group of friends, originally bound by our same-aged sons, has been together for probably over ten years now. And my guess (and hope) is that we all stay spirited, passionate and vocal in our beliefs and opinions — and that all our many birthdays to come are celebrated together.