Wild Night For The Middle Aged in the 305

So we mustered at Diane and John's Grove condo -- Diane had awesome apps and her boy Garrett was in from Asheville, celebrating the purchase of his new BMW from Braman -- pouring frozen Ketel Ones...John E and his lady Cynthia joined us, and we watched the sun set over the Biltmore Hotel in the Gables -- the ladies drank champagne. At about 7:30 we met outside as the enormous limo pulled up -- with a few drinks under my belt, I made good natured fun of the fact that the driver was a woman... I turned out to be prescient, even though inebriated. As we poured more drinks, I looked out the window and realized we were headed West -- I think she thought our destination was Hialeah instead of Wynwood. Luckily John E, a former USAF fighter pilot, was able to navigate for the lady, and we somehow arrived at the Mana Event Space on 23rd Street. We came upon quite a scene. Well over 1000 people were there, and lines awaited, but our VIP badges got us right in. We saw our man Norman standing in the ring, looking positively regal in his tux. We found our table, and Stu and his boy were there -- Val feeling awesome that he was the only kid in the place. We greeted Norman's posse -- his partner Glenn, brother Martin, and old friend Maria. In my buzz, I hugged and kissed Maria's husband -- except he wasn't. Luckily he was an affable fellow, who welcomed my greeting with a laugh and smile. I texted Norman that I "kissed the wrong brown man..." The boxing went on, and we watched -- one of the matches were between 2 women. I asked Wifey if she'd fight for me -- she said she wouldn't. But what if some other woman tried to steal me away? Nope, she said, maybe poison, but no violence... The featured match got cancelled! El Maja, Norman's boxer, was overweight, and his chickenshit opponent refused to fight him, even when offered a bigger purse at the last minute. Still, as none of our group with the exception of Stu's boy is much of a fight fan, the spectacle and friendship was the draw, and around midnight we piled back into the limo, We had midnight reservations at Touche -- another packed place. We got the last table, and enjoyed a Miami Spice 4 course dinner -- most of us switched from booze to Arnold Palmers. After dinner, we rode the elevator to the first floor to use our free admission to the gentleman's club below -- and walked around, to see how the other side lives. I'm told there were cartoonishly gorgeous naked women dancing, but I really don't recall. I was watching Wifey closely -- she was nonplussed. Cynthia lamented the fact that there were no naked men. We found the thought of that repulsive... Back in the limo, we laughed the whole way home, and discussed the concept of strip clubs. Diane's son was among her number -- and I pointed out she really was a cool mom, not a regular one. I think I'd have visited a strip club with my dear, late mother maybe AFTER I drank Drano... Wifey and I walked into the house around 3:30 am, to be greeted by D2 with her hands on her hips. I was very tired, but I'm pretty sure Wifey and I were grounded for the rest of the month for staying out so absurdly late. But the main point was Diane and her fiance. Diane is one of these people who can take the good time and make it great, and last night was certainly an example of that. It took most of today for Wifey and I to recover. But the laughter and memories will linger. Just because she dances go go...