It began innocently enough. A wonderful meal at Connolley’s with friends from both near and far, started off our evening in the RDU area. Binder, Amy, Erin, Joe, and Christine all joined me at my beloved establishment. If you didn’t read about how wonderful my friends are you need to refer back to the 10/2004 time-frame. Below you’ll find even more proof as to why my friends are absolutely wonderful.

I had way too much to eat, but the Boxstai and fish and chips were delightful. Usually the proceedings would lead me to expect nothing other than sickness as I consumed both cider and a delightful “chocolate cake” martini as well. From there we needed to take the already buzzed up “children” home *smile* and we headed to Raleigh. Where to start. I gave full reign to beloved Joe to decide which direction we headed. Quickly it was decided that the Glenwood south area was the place to head for the intended target… yes, there is always a target it’s just a matter of what the game is.

So we go into Havana and enjoy a delightful bottle of 10 year tawny port. Yum! Yea, this is even more mixing to my tender stomach… but it’s all good, even at this point. After sitting and talking and having a blast onto itself we decided it was time to shuffle down the street a little further to another bar which will remain nameless (again at Joe’s suggestion).

The music is bitchin, I’ve been itching to dance – it’s all good. I dance for a while and get lectured… did you work the room? No. And with this little prodding I go and take a peek around. Joe and I scoot about the room and I see from afar. Yes, there is my prey so to speak… my object of drooling for many years. I tried to tell myself it wasn’t really him but I couldn’t ignore the re-growing hair and the sideburns. I could die. But I, as always have not the nerve to say hello. Thank goodness for good friends who won’t let you chicken out.

Needless to say a few make their way across the room and say “are you Bates Battaglia?” “Yes, I am.” “I have a friend who is a really big fan, but she’s too shy to come say hello.” From there I’m told he excused himself from his cohorts to “say hello to a fan” and made his way across the jammed dance floor… to talk to me.

Yes. I finally, after all these years, met Jon “Bates” Battaglia in person. He lingered and talked to me for a while, called himself a ‘bad brother’ a few times and even asked me to repeat my name a few times to ensure he heard it, he sure to shake my hand a couple times and to touch my side. I could have licked him I was so close (believe me, the thought definitely crossed my mind). *grin* The rest of the conversation goes into my personal journal, but for those interested parties who referred to him as ‘pansy boy’… yes, he is every bit as gorgeous in person, kind, polite, and even seemingly intelligent for having a few beers in him. Again I repeat, who made out better in the deal which led me to my current position in life?

Anyhow. As a firm believer that everything in life happens for a reason and that there is a power far beyond us pulling the strings I can firmly say that there was a reason why I was to stay in Raleigh this evening. Sorry Paulie, I’ll get to watch you play again someday, I know that, but until then. This evening’s memory will do quite nicely.