Ok folks, I am back, rested up and ready to make a LOOOOOONG-ass post. This is both a recap and personal shout-out post so if its too long for you, deal with it.
This gathering could not scarcely have gotten off to a more horrible start for me. At 5:30pm on Thursday, I get to JFK only to find out upon checking my bag that the airport is temporarily closed because of lightning in the area. I was NOT pleased to say the least. I went to the gate to find out not only were all incoming and outgoing flights grounded, but our plane had been diverted to another airport. Amanda, thank you so much for helping me calm down when I called. I was about as sour and angry as I ever get and you were very patient and soothing and really got me back to normal headspace.
After 7.5 hours at JFK, I finally got on a 45 minute flight to Boston (Amtrak next time, seriously). Robace, amazingly enough had stayed there for over 5 hours after his flight landed to wait for me and still had a big smile on his face, and was full of enthusiasm for the gathering. My spirits were back in a big way. But then in a "its just one of those days" kind of moments, when we went to pick up Rob's car from the hotel parking lot, the system controlling the gate was down and we were stuck there for another half an hour.
Finally, at about 2:30am, Friday morning, we were on the road to NH and a short 45 minutes later we arrived there about a quarter past 3am. Everyone who stayed up so late to greet us, I cannot begin to tell you how much that meant to me. Being able to end that day by seeing all of you wonderful people really saved what was an all-around crappy day to that point. Lee, Amanda, Crystal, Tortuga, Rhino, Emperor Rob, Amnesiac, Snail, Dave2112, and Jeff, thank you so much for that.
I only slept a couple hours that morning and was up around 8am and exhausted. After some caffeine and a brisk jog around the neighborhood, I was ready for the day. Brunch was truly epic that morning. Not only did the table have the privilege/misfortune, depending on your opinion, of hearing me give a live rickroll, we also got to hear Amnesiac ramble off the most insanely bizarre backstory about how we all knew each other to the waitress.
Later that day, I was talking to Crystal outside the house, just casually chatting as we made our way back to the house, when this sweet little lee goes all crazy ler on me and tickles me to the ground and then pins me on the grass (she's not that strong, I'm just that ticklish, fyi). Crystal, what a natural 'ler you are. U haz a big win for that. I wants more of that next time.
After a refreshing dip in the pool, Lilly, Viper and SapphireRose arrived. Almost immediately, my tranquility was over and I found myself pinned to the deck by Lilly, Dave2112, and Robace, so Lilly could tickle the stuffing out of me. Dave, sorry about any permanent damage I may have caused you in my struggles. Rob, I can't believe you let her have the brush, you bastard.
This was the beginning of a long weekend for me. Later that evening, I found myself cuffed on the floor of the living room, while Lilly simultaneously tickled/spanked both Emperor Rob and I. How long have you been waiting to get both your "ticklish lees" at once, hun. Hope you enjoyed.
Later Friday, I was innocently sitting on the couch, minding my own business when Lee came over and decided she wanted to test my ticklishness in the event I lost the Family Guy Trivia Contest and would have to be tied to the futon. This was torturous enough with just Lee, but then Mondy came by with a surprise for me. Under Bella's tutelage, she was now a ler, and a vicious double teamed commenced on me. Lee, I know you said that was only 5 minutes, but there's no way that wasn't at least 10, maybe 15. Sadly though, a punishment for losing the Family Guy trivia game would not occur (see below).
The gathering just kept getting bigger and better as more and more people kept rolling in starting Friday evening. By Saturday afternoon, Lee's house was overflowing with people. Among the long list of epic new arrivals was the TMF's very own Wizard of Oz, HDS/DSL. HDS had barely arrived when all of a sudden he and Jeff were violently wrestling in Lee's study. For such a tiny little guy, HDS is the most wirey little dude I've ever seen. He could not be pinned down and not just by Jeff. Even with multiple lers on top of him, he thrashed around more than anyone I've ever seen, and that includes me
Finally, the moment I had been looking forward to for 3.5 months arrived. It was time for the Family Guy Trivia game versus Amanda. A gymnastic ring was hung from the Tree of Doom, and we each took turns holding onto the ring while being asked a question. After 15 seconds if the correct answer had not been given, an increasing number of lers were turned on us, a la Distraction, to make it harder to get the answer. After a well-fought contest, the Porncess of Fail was defeated. Mondy, the game might not have been played as the makers intended, but I won it the way we played, and you FAILED.
Perhaps the most memorable experience came later Saturday night when Rhino and I teamed up for a long massage/tickling session on Bella. All was proceeding smoothly for a long time until Amnesiac arrived to inform us of Bella's secret spot, which shall not be disclosed to protect the ticklish. Of course, Rhino could not resist trying this out. I unfortunately did not have a proper grip on Bella's legs for this reaction and shortly thereafter my head was introduced by Bella's legs to the side of Lee's desk. No damage done, I found a tighter scissor-lock grip, and we continued our work.
Sunday saw even more epicness. Ivorytickler, Tortuga, CapnMad, and Snail teamed up on the first ever live piano performance of CaramellDansen. You guys were awesome. You actually made that song palatable. Sunday also saw me play the most futile game of Wii Bowling ever, as I attempted to play lying flat on my back while being tickled by Temptress the whole time under my free arm. I think I only lost by 100 but who knows. We also were treated to Rob's epic stripping to the music of My Sharona. Rob, you have now ruined that song for me for life. Good thing, I didn't like that song much to begin with.
Finally, Monday came and it was time for me to say goodbye. Unlike NEST, this time I knew how it tough it would be to say goodbye, but that didn't make it any easier as one by one I watched my friends continue to leave and eventually me as well. So ends this abridged recap of my NHLee experience (unabridged coming soon to hard-cover). Now its time for some shout-outs.
LeeAllure What can't I say about you. You are a tremendous hostess, a brilliantly evil 'ler, give a fantastic headscratch and massage, and are truly a wonderful wonderful friend. I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to come for this wonderful weekend and for all your generosity.
Brighteyes1082 Beyond all our FAIL talk, you have become one of my closest friends. You always know how to cheer me up when I need it, give advice when I seek it, or just pick up the phone when I need someone to chat with. I love you so freaking much and miss you terribly already. I'm so glad you are moving to New England and that are paths will cross again many more times in the near future.
Classy A total embodiment of your screenname. I'm glad we got to chat more than we did at NEST and look forward to continue to getting to know you. Thanks for making Sunday night karaoke very entertaining.
IvoryTickler What a pleasure it was to meet you. You are a brilliant artist and all-around great guy. Looking forward to seeing you again in the hopefully very near future.
Venray and Raya I'm so glad you two came even if only for Saturday. Ray, you are the heartbeat of this TMF community. Please get well soon. Raya, you are the best. Hope you still like me even if you found out I may not be as nice as I seemed, mwahahaha.
Spotman and Spotlady It was great to have a chance to meet you too, especially as one who has enjoyed your clips. You are both wonderful and I was very glad I got an extra chance to see you both on Monday.
SnailShell You know I've got nothing but love for you my deviant Canadian Jewish brother. You were perhaps the only person giving out more massages than me this weekend, sometimes on the same person at the same time. Always a treat when our paths cross.
Impaler Thanks for all your support. You are unquestionably loyal and a valued member of Team Baldy. And boy can you take a sizable amount of tickling. You're worse than me.
MrMiguu It was a pleasure to meet the 3rd Admiral of the FailBoat, which turned out to be the Winboat. Rock on with TNE.
MTPJeff Waah, Jeff's an awesome guy and I totally had so much fun hanging out with you and joking around and sometimes torturing people with you, waaah.
Lilly I'm glad I got you a little bit this time around, but oh boy did you make me pay for it every time. Totally worth it though, hehe. Love ya hun.
ViperGTS You're awesome man, even if you did soak me with that damn gun when I was in my street clothes.
SapphireRose You're such a sweetie, even if you couldn't resist sneaking in a tickle on me every time I passed by. Meh, but who couldn't.
HisDivineShadow I'm so glad that you came out from behind your curtain to join us for your first gathering. You're an awesome guy and we all want to see much more of you. Thanks for all your support every time Mondy threw a hollow FAIL at me.
AffectionateDan and AylaNY It was a real treat to meet both of you. Dan, next time I think you and Rhino should wrestle. I've always wondered who'd win in a wrestling match, a bear or a rhino. Ayla, how you survived 3 hours of HDS thrashing around is a mystery to me. I guess all that Bear wrangling has paid off.
Robace I cannot begin to thank you enough for waiting for me all those hours in Logan for my sorry ass to arrive. You are a great friend, and you bring wonderful passion, enthusiasm, creativity, and love to this community. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you in the future and look forward to that very much.
Bella I'll know better than to use that flimsy hold on your legs next time. I hope to be able to make it out in November.
Jpie It was great getting to talk with you this weekend. You were a great ler during the Family Guy game even if I did make it difficult swinging around on that ring.
AsuTickler Omg Rhino you were freaking killing me with everything you were saying Saturday night. "Rhinos like dollars" made me laugh so hard, I couldn't breathe.
Amnesiac You are one of the funniest, most clever, and most genuine people I've ever met. Its always a treat hanging with you and I eagerly look forward to our next encounter. I'm sure it will be epic.
Dave2112 You are a credit to all Daves. It was a real trip hanging with you this weekend.
CapnMad Watching you do that CaramellDansen dance was worth a trip to NH alone.
Pokey I'm sorry I didn't see very much of you this weekend, but I'm glad you came out. You're one of the nicest folks out there and it was a pleasure to catch up with you again.
TickleEmperor I love you bro. I never tired of hearing you enthusiastically shout out my name every time I entered a room, as if I had just arrived. Your never-ending enthusiasm makes these gatherings all the more special.
Tortuga You're a sweetheart. You made me feel so good everytime I sang this weekend. I had so much fun with you whether it was chatting, being tickled until I agreed to go swim with you, or searching Costco for items neither of us had ever heard of.
CrystalLight One of my biggest regrets from NEST was that I barely got a chance to speak with you at all. I'm so glad in the three months since then we have had the chance to talk often, become great friends, and now had a second chance to spend some significant time together at a gathering. I was very glad that you and Cassi were the first two people I saw when we arrived in NH. Loves ya both.
To everyone else, I missed, thank you for making this weekend so special. I love every one of you.
