What a fine day!  I've been lamenting for a while now that I have not been able regularly to assemble a good group of smart people to talk about interesting things, a group like the old group in college.  And I do use the word assemble, because I've found that it's very difficult simply to "find" such a group already in existence.  Even Objectivist social groups -- of which there are few -- have their limitations in this regard.  Most people have a handful of close friends, I suppose, who serve in this capacity.  I want the same thing, but more of those close friends involved, and a little more structure.  The old 308 Voice editorial gatherings at Ebbets Field every Friday are indicative.  Very little editorial policy was discussed at those meetings, and there was always a far greater turnout than there was editorial staff.  That was the product of an effort to ensure regular meetings in a social setting among a bright group of people at a fun bar and grill. Some editorial work got done, yes -- discussions were often about political and philosophical issues -- but there was an additional purpose other than the stated purpose.   The whole thing was fun and successful.

Today I took a number of steps in resurrecting such an endeavor.  First, I got together with Hanah for lunch.  It was the first real "meeting" after a number of emails, icq messages, and website visits.  Impression:  this is an incredibly bright, thoughtful person I want to count as a friend, and could probably chat with for hours (and likely shall) at a time.  My regret for the evening:  not inviting her to be a part of what took place later, although it would have been short notice.  I did try to give her a ring in her office in the afternoon -- but there was no answer and no voicemail box!  Get your voicemail fixed Hanah!  :)

The second activity involved a bunch of us getting together at the West Alabama Icehouse for beer and conversation (is the West Alabama to be the new Ebbet's?).  Hallmark's friend and grad school buddy Chris Harmon, an expert in terrorism, was in town to lecture to Hallmark's American Foreign Policy class.  Hallmark wanted him to see the "Best of Houston" so to speak, two of those bests involving the West Alabama Icehouse and then mexican food at the always wonderfully charming Spanish Village.  I invited along several of my friends, Hallmark invited a couple of his brighter students, and the gathering was much of what I had hoped for.  Indeed, after heading to Spanish Village for dinner we went to Cafe Artiste -- a coffeeshop in Montrose with a great atmosphere -- for late night coffee and more good conversation, aside from a couple of trolls who managed to get invited along as a courtesy (mistake on my part -- I should know always carefully to control these things in terms of who can come; otherwise things have a capacity to get boring -- using Andrew's definition of boring!) because one person would have departed otherwise.  I also became enamored with what I consider a stunning piece of art that was for sale at the coffeeshop.  Its colors are altogether stark -- almost an assault on the senses -- but I think it's an amazing work of romantic realism.  Sadly for me (but maybe a good sign for local esthetic culture?), the piece of art may be sold.  I need to call Cafe Artiste and find out for sure, because I WANT that piece of art!

In all, a fine day!  I met some new people that I want to spend more time with, and got to see people I already knew and want to spend time with.  Now I must endeavor to make this a regular occurrence. 

Saturday:  off to San Antonio for a whirlwind tour of the Alamo, which Harmon has never seen!

Copyright (c) 2000, Kevin L. Whited