Everything changes today. The peace and quiet of a tropical vacation will be kidnapped. Conner will be here in a few hours. He texted me yesterday informing me that he is bringing additional provisions which will all be consumed in short order. Hania wrote me on Face Book that she is also coming with her husband so that she can continue to serve as our designated walker.
I was with Conner in New Orleans two weeks ago and he got me lost on Bourbon Street. Then we lost one another and I have no idea how I woke up in my hotel room. I assume he woke up in his. We are relatively normal people when we are by ourselves but you put us together and it is this spontaneous combustion. Stuff just happens.
Jim Withers was with us in New Orleans and I saw him a few days later after he had been Conner and me.
“I’ve never laughed so hard in my life,” he told me. “Your friend is funny. You are funny with him! What happened?”
“I have no idea,” I answered. “It’s just me and Conner.”
In St. Martin we are known as “Team Mike.” Conner’s first name is Mike like mine and Ana named us that several years ago. We also have a third member of “Team Mike” named Jacob from Norway. Jacob lobbied very hard to become a member.
As strange as it may seem, not everyone is a fan of “Team Mike.” The people who actually run the resort grew upset that we had taken over the weekly wine and cheese manager’s cocktail party. Conner and I would show up with real wine glasses and work along side Carlos pouring wine.
“A man like you needs Rosé,” we would loudly announce.
This did not go over well.
The following week we were stripped of our wine glasses in front of everyone.
This also did not go over well with the members of “Team Mike.”
So we got our friend Kamira to make signs in English and French that Team Mike would be hosting its own wine and cheese party in the fitness center. This is when Jacob earned his strips by buying all of the wine and cheese and setting up a bar in the fitness center.
Carlos came over to my studio the day of the party and asked me what we were doing. I explained that we were having an alternative wine and cheese party in protest of the manager’s. He told me that we needed a permit.
So Conner got one from Chuck. Chuck’s been coming here longer than anyone and by virtue of spending over a quarter of a million dollars in that time, granted us “Le Permit.” We hung it in the fitness center and I happily informed Carlos that everything was taken care of. We even took a picture of “Le Permit” and posted it on the Internet.
About 60 people showed up. Jacob served as bartender generously serving everyone. Conner and I had an autograph table set up. Because this is a beach and laundry is scarce we used Sharpies to sign body parts. You can go to the official “Team Mike” Face Book page and check out the pictures for yourself.
So I’m getting ready. I’m not certain what is going to happen. I just know that it is.
Good Times!
