September 06, 2005

stomping divots and busting chops

“So, I guess that means dinner is a no.”

I was lying across the bed, toes curled on the dormer windowsill, hair still wet from the shower when the phone rang. Unwilling to sit up in order to answer, I fanned my arms out until my fingertips made contact with my cell phone. Lazy, I know. I was reveling in my vacation stupor. It was late Sunday afternoon when Wes called and I was sunburned, well-fed and miles away from New York City. And I had an armory of stories from my last minute New England getaway. There was a sunny cliff walk, big, family style dinners, futbol and even a picnic polo match.

“Polo? Are you trying to out-snob me?”
“I think it would be impossible to out-snob a European. But nonetheless, it was pretty intense.”

Polo was not quite the highbrow affair I’d have thought. Not that there weren’t a handful of people in silly lobster embroidered outfits, but for the most part, the US v England match was about beer cooked onions and bratwurst, candied apples and one amusingly drunk commentator from across the pond.

Then there was stomping the divots. What could be more far removed from my everyday life than stomping divots at a polo match? It was all very Pretty Woman. I couldn’t have been more thrilled, though secretly, I wished I’d worn a fancy hat and something with Swiss dots.

I heard the slap of bare feet on the floor outside and a knock at the door.

“Get up! We’re going fishing in like, five minutes.”

I promised to catch-and-release and said goodbye, grabbed my flip-flops and a sweater and joined Stephanie, Phil and the others downstairs for some sunset fishing. A dozen of us spent the evening spinning yarns and swapping playful insults. Nothing goes so well with night fishing as busting chops. When we returned a few hours later, we’d caught nothing but mosquito bites, seaweed and the sunset. It was absolutely perfect.

The trip had been unplanned and I’d almost declined the invitation. I hadn’t packed. Who would feed the Sir Hal? The excuses could have been endless. But on Sunday night, when dinner had wrapped up and we were scrunched onto the living room sofa attacking the crossword puzzle (eight heads are better than one), I was so glad I’d not made them.


Thanks to Ari for some last minute pet sitting. All photos by Stephanie and Phil. No fish were harmed during the making of this post (except for the ones we used for bait but I had nothing to do with that).

Posted by This Fish at September 6, 2005 07:43 AM
Comments

Here's something I've always wondered about polo: Did they name the sport after the cologne?

Also this: Does the sport smell anything like the cologne?

Since you're a complete stranger, I say with some odd sense of highly abstract sincerity: I'm glad you had a good time. I think, after all, that having a good time is - well - good.

Have a nice day. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: scott at September 6, 2005 11:49 AM

No, silly. Polo was named after the SHIRTS.

Posted by: Fish at September 6, 2005 11:52 AM

I'm jealous, but I hope you had a lovely time.

Posted by: Ashleigh at September 6, 2005 12:13 PM

A much more eventful weekend than mine. I too am a bit green with envy. I am not sure what Polo smells like but the view of the sea and beach and the lighthouse look good. ;)

Posted by: Brian at September 6, 2005 12:44 PM

Ah, you're making me homesick for my friends.

Posted by: Anna at September 6, 2005 01:54 PM

"Fish and the Lighthouse" has always been my favorite Monet.

Or is it Manet? I can never tell.

Posted by: G at September 6, 2005 03:41 PM

sounds like a great time. nice photos.

Posted by: amanda at September 6, 2005 04:30 PM

Just when I thought things were going fairly okay in my life there you go with your cute stories: beach, sun, boats, new england in general....glad you had what seems like a fabulous weekend! Beautiful photos.

Posted by: Jillian at September 6, 2005 05:16 PM

Bloggers hang out in real life? My world has been turned upside down!

Glad you had fun. Also glad you didn't do that Arsenio "woh woh woh" thing like Julia did at her polo match. ;)

Posted by: kris at September 6, 2005 07:06 PM

looks beautiful ... isn't it just the best that spontaneous holidays often turn out to be the most memorable?

Posted by: Miss Lisa at September 6, 2005 10:49 PM

Great weekend with quite an array of activities. Thanks for sharing! Glad to know there are girls like me who are pretty in pink and comfortable with fish guts.

Posted by: Arctic Teacher at September 7, 2005 03:49 AM

Fishes do need cycles...
The cycles need the fish too na?!

Posted by: Dr. Prahalathan KK at September 7, 2005 08:24 AM

Yeah looks like you had a great time. Nice pics.

Posted by: Dating Blog at September 7, 2005 09:27 AM

I love how last minute trips and outings often are the best, as there was no built up expectation for any particular outcome. glad you had a great weekend.

Posted by: rg at September 7, 2005 02:39 PM

should've known that you and stephanie klein knew each other, two great bloggers...

Posted by: kristi at September 7, 2005 02:52 PM

LOL, it's funny when we really don't want to do something and figure it's going to be OH-SO-BORING, we actually have a wonderful time. Happens all the time for me. Love your blog...may I link to it?

Posted by: Dorothy at September 9, 2005 10:11 AM

"Should've known that you and Stephanie Klein knew each other..."

Yeah - SHOULD have known. Both self-absorbed elitist bitches with nothing better to do than write about themselves.

And it's NO surprise that "All Photos" were supplied by Stephanie (oh, and her fuck du jour, Phil)....who would promote her and take pictures of her "casually laughing while tossing red hair in the wind" if she didn't force her camera on everyone.

I'm sure you've heard it said before: Birds of a feather flock together.

Posted by: Kelsi at September 10, 2005 02:06 AM

My, Kelsi.... How venomous. There must be a story here somewhere. Why waste your energy and churn your insides with so much hate?

Posted by: astroiguana at September 12, 2005 02:21 PM