Urban Tribe

I belong to an urban tribe of sorts.  For the past several years, or so, I have attended monthly "gatherings" at a pub downtown called Fiddler's Elbow with a group of professionals, mostly in the education field.  There are teachers, former teachers, retired teachers, and counselors, as well as friends of said individuals, who all have a standing invitation to meet up on the appointed Friday every month.  Sometimes it is an intimate group and sometimes it is a boisterous crowd.  We eat, we drink (sometimes copious amounts), and we talk!  Boy do we talk!  Topics usually include art, movies, music, theatre, books (my favorite topic because I get so many good recommendations, especially from Jim), religion, philosophy, history, politics, travel, and everything in between.  I try to attend as often as I can because, not only is a splendid time guaranteed for all, I consider this group of friends to be a second family.  I have a tendency to be a loner; I crave solitude and I am very proud of my independence and adventurous spirit.  But sometimes it feels really good to belong!  This group provides me with a sense of community that I don't really feel in my neighborhood.  I know that I can count on them for just about anything!  One night, after one of these gatherings, my car wouldn't start.  A friend let me use his Triple A membership to get my car towed, went with me to the dealership, and then drove me home!  I am so lucky to have such an amazing support system in my life.  Our group met again tonight and it was so much fun!  Our discussion included Downton Abbey (we are all completely obsessed with this show), the novels of Erik Larson (The Devil in the White City, Thunderstruck, and In The Garden of Beasts), the current season at Pioneer Theatre Company, and old episodes of Seinfeld.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself with good food, good friends, and good conversation and I eagerly await our next gathering!