Tom's Party at Diana's

     Tom is a new friend.  I joke that he has just become a doctor of movies but the official title goes a little something like this...

"I have a doctorate in Cultural Studies. My emphasis of study is Film and Television with a sub-specialization in new media technology and subculture."

I stole that from his Facebook page.

....anyway, he had a party to celebrate and we were invited.  We headed up to the Hudson Valley for a lovely afternoon at Diana's restaurant.  It was a room full of people honoring the hard work that he had done.  While studying he also wrote a book.  Overachievers are so annoying sometimes.  (I joke, Tom...I swear.  Sarcasm is a service I provide at no extra cost!)  As I sit here trying to remember if that exclamation point goes before or after the parenthesis I will continue in my story.  So there we were....a group of "intellectuals"...comparing and contrasting films.  I say "intellectuals"  because though we were a clever and witty group discussing everything from education to Portlandia I don't have a fancy title such as "Doctor".  I was excited to pick some brains on some movies I had recently viewed and found much relief when opinions coincided with my own.  I'll take validation while devouring an antipasto tray if life presents such a moment.  We had several courses of a delicious meal and gabbed.  It was especially nice to feel so at home with a group of people.  We had lots in common and an overall feeling of having known each other for way longer than a minute.  (Paul and Mark...don't be sensitive...you know we go waaaaaay back.)  I was also most impressed while listening to Tom's wife, Katie, talk with such pride about the hard work they did together.  She helped out with editing on a daily basis.  How refreshing to hear a couple supporting each other to that extent.  I was very happy to meet some lovely new people and look forward to hanging out again soon! (Kara, this means you!)

Oh...and Doctor Tom of Cinema...accept my most sincere congrats on the most amazing accomplishment.  Give your hard-working wife a hug for me!