August 11th, 12th, and 13th marks the 7th anniversary of the big Texas Brokie meet-up, that we called the BBM Backyard BBQ. I still can't believe it all happened seven years ago on these dates.
I had wondered if there would be a big "Brokie bash" as I called it to myself. I had been a member to various forums, so I was an 'old hand' of meeting strangers on the 'net. It didn't take long for smaller gatherings to take place, I attended a few of these small ones in NYC.
Then the day came when discussions began about a big gathering for "all" of us to meet. Of course, 'all' of us meeting would be pretty much impossible, but discussion had started. Finally, the dates were picked, and the location (Linda's backyard) was in place. I remember when I contacted her about it. I said:
"Texas in August......110 degrees? You can put me down as a 'yes' but don't be disappointed if there isn't a big turn out." I had NO idea how big it would actually get. We ended up with Brokies from all across the US, Italy, UK, Netherlands, Finland, Australia....it just amazed me all these people were saying "Yes".
The night before the gathering, I was so excited I didn't sleep well, I got up early, showered, ate, and put on the TV. My flight was scheduled for the day before (10th) to leave here at 9:00 and land in San Antonio at noon. News stories were starting about a bombing attempt in the UK, the terrorist trying to smuggle it on board in his shoe. My neighbor, who was also traveling, offered to give me a lift to the airport early. I grabbed my bags with no hesitation and ran.
I was able to check in no problem, but everyone who was traveling that day rushed to the airport as well, and security was overwhelmed. My bags made my flight, but I didn't. I was re-booked to connecting flights, and that got cancelled. I was re-booked again and the first flight took off. Once there, TSA decided to do a random bag check on this flight, and I landed in Houston an hour late, missed my connecting flight. I was re-booked to a flight from Houston to San Antonio, landing at midnight. By that point, I had either been in the air or in airports from 6am to midnight the same day.
I stumbled off the plane, and went to find my bags, which arrived at noon. I grabbed the bag and suddenly there is a tap on my shoulder, and I hear "Hello Faithful Friend". I turn and see Jackie (Painted Shoes) standing there, and she receives a hug from a very tired traveler.
A quick drive to the hotel, and I fall asleep immediately. After breakfast I head over to Linda's place to do what I can to help with set-up and to meet everyone.
I could go on and on about everything that went on that weekend. The food, the drinks, the dancing, the laughing, the Marcarena, watching the movie in Linda's living room, pictures, getting smooshed in the face with squirty cream, a bracelet as a gift from a Brokie, Jimmy's ceramic set that I was given, tossing a cow to Sal, hugs to everyone, people wanting to hold Tootsie, Linda and the stick, key lime pies, the accents, and so so so much more.
The good-byes were heart-wrenching. I remember when it was time for me to go, and as I walked around, I was sobbing as I was saying good-bye.
There is a saying that "ignorance is bliss" and while I don't mean to imply that we were ignorant, but we were definitely in a state of bliss, and that led us to put each other (and ourselves) on pedestals, and we really idealized each other. We were the ones who "got it" and it was perfect.
We weren't prepared for what came after, when the bliss wore off and we were smacked in the face by reality, and that reality was that while we were connected by this movie and our reaction to it, there were many other aspects to our lives that made us very different. There were disagreements, political issues, and basic beliefs that pushed some of us apart while the movie pulled us together.
There are some people who I no longer speak to, either by my choice, or theirs. There are others who simply just disappeared, which is not uncommon when it comes to the internet.
There are also those that we lost....not all attendees of the BBQ, but Brokies nonetheless.... Painted Shoes, Osprey, Rodney, Kitty Hawk, LoneLeeB3 & Shasta, and others who are, as the song from the Meet Me On The Mountain CD says, "Glory Bound", gone, but not forgotten.
Those who I'm not in touch with, I do miss, and it is my greatest hope that life has been kind to them. Facebook has helped me reconnect with some of them.
The BBM Backyard BBQ started my traveling, it was one of the 15 states I had been to since seeing the movie, and I've also been to 5 countries.
I've since been to numerous gatherings, and I've learned things at all of them, and grown as a person.
Brokeback Mountain woke me up, and the BBQ set me off on a path that has been a true roller-coaster of friendships, relationships, excitement, disappointment, laughter, tears, and most of all, and most importantly, love.
Topic: Cellar Scribblings (Read 9018710 times)