I went to a "Tell" tonight. Basically it's about 15 friends (maybe half of whom I knew personally, but who all knew Norman and Sharon, our hosts), al getting together and telling stories, either readings from stpries that are particularly meaningful to them, unpublished works written by them, a relative, or another acquaintance, or stories told in true storytelling fashion.

The whole thing was really low key, meaningful, and fun. The night before a different group of friends had a game night, a weekly ting we've started where we try to introduce a new game each week (this week was Chez Geek). Here's where I get weird about using people's personal names. About 20% of the readers here are people I actually know personally, and the rest have no idea who I'm talking about when I mention these people, but what the heck, proper names are no more confusing than simple pronouns would be. Anyhow, Dawn and Bates couldn't make it out (Dawn is running a fever, the latest in the string of the afflicted that includes Emily, Karen, Ammy and Sherman), but Emily, Ammy, Rick, and Sherman and I all had a fun time, baking cookies, eating dinner, and playing games.

What the two activities both have in common is that they're both opportunities for social circles to mingle (with open invites ("if you're invited, then you can invite people, etc.")) and to share new ideas and games. Just the kind of thing I like to get out of the house and spend time with real people. I'll probably organize a tell of my own in the next month or two. they're great fun and I'm intent on recording the next one, in mp3 if not digital video. I'd love to be able to share some moments from tonight.

have a great three-day weekend! I'll probably check in again tomorrow (read: today) anyhow, but if I don't have a great Presidents' Day (observed)!