Dan Antion

What Are Friends For – #1LinerWeds

I’m still winding my way through the pictures I took in San Antonio. This might be the last week (yes, there’s a hint in that statement) for dedicated San Antonio posts, but you never can tell. Anyway, one of the fun things at the AIIM Conference is one evening when we all get together and eat, drink and socialize. It’s a time for a big bunch of geeks to let their hair down, as it were.

Our party was at A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) a short walk from our hotel. Several of us walked over together, and the partying started as soon as we arrived (thanks to a nearby Margarita booth).

As we were walking in, a young woman came up and smacked us all with something that left us covered in large pieces of glitter. It was fun, but one guy in our group, we’ll call him Bob, got smacked twice. Then, about ten steps later, Bob got smacked again. We didn’t even see the person who did it, but Bob was beginning to look like a human party favor. A few steps later, the glitter-pixi came up, smacked us all with glitter from behind and draped a Mexican looking blanket over Bob. It looked good on him. We all laughed and headed for the next Margarita booth.

As we moved through the venue, we stopped for Fajitas and Margaritas at every booth offering them. There were lines, but there was conversation and stories being told, and we were all having a wonderful time.

Eventually, we moved inside a large building, where a band was playing. There was a booth where you could have silly pictures taken, more food and the tables where we could help assemble the bags for the Conference charity – Girls Inc. I mentioned that in a WATW post.

Well into the evening, at least an hour and a half after we arrived, a policeman came up to Bob and asked him about the blanket hanging over his shoulder. We hadn’t noticed, but it was actually one of the table cloths. Bob explained how he came to be wearing the tablecloth, but the officer didn’t seem to be impressed. Bob offered to put it on one of the tables, but the officer suggested that he would take it. He lifted the tablecloth off Bob’s shoulder and started to step away. That’s when an idea struck several of us at the same time:

“Officer! Could you put it back on his shoulder, so we can get a picture of you taking it off?”

None of our first photo attempts worked out well (bad lighting and margaritas) so we asked him if he could try one more time. The officer didn’t appear happy, but indulged us one more photo-op.

From that minute forward, it was my intention to share the photo along with this story. But, since our friend is a young man, and since photos on the Internet take on a life of their own, and can be easily taken out of context for less than humorous reasons, I decided to crop my friend out of the image. If he wants to share it, he can – his wife asked for a copy.

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner, I’d encourage you to join in on the fun. You can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.

The gallery is pictures I took on the way to and during the party. On the way home, I was encouraged to take some door photos. You might see those tomorrow. You can click on any photo to start a slide show. The last five images show what happens when people who may have been drinking, discover that their picture is being taken.

Given food and drink, our group would have been happy to have the celebration here.
Of course, I couldn’t pass by without a picture.
Heading over to the venue, we crossed the River Walk.
It was all down hill from here.
This must be the place.
A great night for a celebration.
I thought I had a video of these women.
This organization has been making these things for decades.
The band is setting up.
Seriously good – I have no idea what they are – I had several.
Girls Inc – Bill of Rights
I forget what these bad boys are called, but oh are they good. There’s fruit inside.
That is not our friend, and the officer did not remove his tablecloth. I suspect the two officers at the gate did when he tried to leave.
There aren’t many dancers in this group.
“C’mon officer, make it look good for the camera.”
“I know these people…”
“Wait, are you taking our picture?”
“Oh no, Get that camera away from me.”
“Come on, we have to make it look good.”
“BooYah!”

79 comments

  1. It looks like you can take pretty decent pictures even with a few Margaritas under your belt – good for you! I get kick out of the pictures where you have no idea what you’re eating.

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    • Thanks Judy. I told him: “you know this is going on my blog” and he actually gave me the one-liner, but I couldn’t do it. I could just imagine all the ways this could end up being a bad thing for him. It was all in fun, but the cop was serious.

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  3. Looks like a fun night. God I miss that food. Empanadas. They are called empanandas. Pastry with stuffing. Sometimes savory, sometimes sweet. I don’t think anyone could have ‘glittered me’ thrice! Lol

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  4. This is a very fun post, Dan. I love watching geeks have fun. Actually, I love watching anyone have fun with song, dance, food and adult refreshment. I’m wondering how you all felt the next day, if the conference was a little…blurry…

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  7. Dan, I’ve never heard of the glitter thing… Somehow it seems to have steered the group to the intended restaurant though. Too funny. This is a wonderful Wednesday post.
    In Albuquerque they had sopapillas that looked a lot like that, but they weren’t stuffed with anything (delicious though). A lot of restaurants placed a basket of them on the table when you arrived. If there was stuffing, I’m guessing empanadas. I’d love either for breakfast right now, but I guess I’m stuck with my yogurt. ;o) Hugs!

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    • I’m stuck with the classic “meeting buffet” which is just not good on so many levels.

      I’m glad you enjoyed this. I hope the chuckles carry you through for a least a little while.

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      • I don’t have a meeting until tomorrow and not a terribly long one, so I won’t complain. The challenge will be behaving myself — the sub-director who keeps telling me to “pretty it up” when I’m supposed to edit, format, and rewrite-for-clarity and readability his stuff will be there… and I’ve “had it up to here.” (eye roll) Sigh… Still better than an all day meeting though! :o)

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  9. This was a riot! The last five photos: too funny. I can picture them looking at the photos the next day. ‘Drunk? We weren’t drinking We knew you were taking our picture, so……’

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  10. Lol! Looks like everyone was having a good time, with or without glitter and a tablecloth!! Your friend sounds like a really good sport. And you’re a really good and wise friend to not post his picture.

    Those ‘thingys’ stuffed with fruit sound like the equivalent of our apple turnovers. Geez, now I want one!

    Great collection of photos. Fun post. Happy Hump Day!
    🔹 Ginger 🔹

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    • Several commenters have said they are empanadas- I’ll take their word for it. All I know is, they were delightful.

      I didn’t want him to end up having to explain that photo in the future. Thanks for supporting that decision.

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  11. Glitter. Huh. And here I thought only women liked glitter. Sounds like your and your friends had a blast. Everyone needs to let their hair down every now and then. Hope you had the aspirin ready for the morning. (wink) LOVED the gallery, Dan!

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    • Thanks Amy. We all showed up for the morning keynote, so the suffering wasn’t too bad. These events are so much fun. Safe environment (everybody walks) and lots of folks to watch your back.

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  12. I have attended events at La Villita and they are a lot of fun. I think your photos looked great. I love the officer taking back the tablecloth. So typical. I remember a guy in our party making fun of an officer on a bicycle (which is what most Riverwalk duty officers ride) He stopped laughing when three more showed up and one asked, “Who is going to jail tonight?”

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  14. Hi Dan – looks like fun was had by all … I am surprised the officer was happy to have his photo taken – but quite understand about your ‘youngster’ by comparison to many … seems sensible. Happy pictures to see … cheers Hilary

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  23. I suppose the officer was doing a good job at staying stoic. That’s why I’d have a hard time being a cop. At least he let you take pictures of him. I bet he got some glitter on him. Being a glitter fairy, now that’s something I’d enjoy. :)

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    • We did have a great time. I’m surprised we all made it to the opening keynote the next morning.

      The cop was pretty nice. My friend said “I’m just glad you guys didn’t ask him to take me”

      I could go for an order of any of the food I had on that trip. Especially the breakfast tacos.

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  25. That looks like a great time was had by all — with the possible exception of the officer in question. Poor guy. I party with writers and science fictioneers, and WE don’t have as much fun as YOU guys do! lol!

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  26. I’ve attended a few conference events that provided as much fun for me as you and your friends seemed to be having, but not nearly enough. You are a friend, indeed, Dan.

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  27. Mmmargaritas! Ooh, summer is a fine time for margaritas!
    Glitter bombs? Moo’s been sparkled many more times than the rest. I think it’s because she’s small and cute and people don’t fear her vengeance. Wonder why with Bob?
    That looks like a fun time, because I do believe margaritas make even the dullest things fun, but you had a great venue and a playful crowd and good weather — Win, win, win! :D

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  29. The glitter would have done me in…can’t stand glitter…ugh…my wife and I have a running joke about Birthday Cards with glitter and that the glitter from the card will be with the receiver for months no matter how often you shower. The stuff has a life of it’s own…so starting your celebration with all of that glitter being showered on everyone…probably not enough Margaritas to eliminate that issue for me. ….Good move not to post the pic of Bob…probably would take on a life of it’s own. Other than the glitter showers looks like fun and looks like a good time was had by all! Love San Antonio!!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks Kirt. I wasn’t fond of having the stuff showered on me. It was larger than glitter, but I was still picking it off my clothes back at the hotel, and I’m sure I brought some home. My friend was covered!

      But, we all had a great time!

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  30. Looks like the city of San Antonio takes partying seriously. It’s funny since everyone I know talks of how busy and lively (sometimes too lively) San Antonio is, while it was quiet each time I went :)
    The baked goods you like are called empanadas. They can be filled with chicken, beef, cheese or veggies such as spinach, but also with strawberries or any other fruit. They can also be called pastelillos. They are pretty darn good, no? I also love churros!

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    • They were very good. I didn’t know they could be filled with meat. Now I’m thinking I could live on them 🙂

      We were there one week before Fiesta so they were gearing up for the big party. I guess we were the warm-up act.

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