The food was good but...

[TexasGuppie]

I had been planning the 4th of July BBQ for family and friends for months. I had invested a chunk of money in meats, spices, food for sides, etc. as well as picking up a few new "gadgets" like 2-Maverick ET-73's, 2-12'X12' EZUP awnings and some other stuff. What I'm trying to say here is that I was READY.

I got to the ballpark (Ameriquest Field in Arlington) at midnight for setup. Boys and girls...it looked like a BBQ consession stand! It was trimmed out in red, white and blue, had a couple of flags and tables for everyone with their own centerpiece, salt and pepper, papertowel holder, etc.

Things were going great until:

• 2AM: The sprinklers (that were supposed to be OFF) blasted me straight out of a nice little nap with a direct hit to the face. I spent the next hour moving two galvanized garbage cans around to cover the offending sprinkler heads.
• 4AM: It got chilly. Yeah, I know...how the hell did that happen? I wrapped up in a beach towel and went back to sleep.
• 7AM: The rebel sprinkler heads turned the nice dry ground into a muddy pig trough.
• 11AM: One of my new ET-73's went out (bad food probe wire is the best I can figure. It read, "HHH.")
• 3PM: Hurricane winds from the north. They pulled one of my EZUP's out of the ground and by the time I caught up to it, it was destroyed (that's okay though because it was a freebie.) I dragged it back to my site only to watch as the wind buckled one of my new 12'X12's.
• 4PM: I was forced by wind and impending rain to tear down my site before even the first guest arrived. It was a shame too because I was very proud of the way it looked and the extra "mile" I went to to ensure everyone would have a comfortable place to sit and eat.
• 5PM: Guests arrive and eat although not in comfort as all are crammed under the one remaining EZUP.
• 6PM: Pouring rain and I'm soaked.
• 7PM: Ranger's game postponed until 8:40 first pitch.
• Missed the fireworks show after the game (I was asleep.)
• Rangers lost 3-2.

But...everyone liked the food and I was asked to do a Labor Day BBQ event. I'll hold onto that thought until I know more about the weather forecast for that day!

Ken (was ready to quit Q'n after yesterday. I'm okay today though.)

 

[Doorbusters]

ouch!

 

[Ron_L]

One word of advice after a day like that, Ken...

Don't buy a lottery ticket.

:-D :-D :-D

 

[TexasGuppie]

Before the storm



Man...she was pretty for awhile.

Ken (of course, that's my opinion.)

 

[TexasGuppie]

almost forgot...

...the Port-A-Potty in the background. I rented it for $75 and had it delivered the night before. Some moron decided it would be fun to tip it over, drain all of the smell-good-blue-stuff and bust the seat.

Ken

 

[Kevin]

What the fark were the sprinklers for. The grass is mostly dead anyway. Too bad you worked so hard for a good time for your group to have it spoiled. You gotta know that we respect the effort. If life gives you lemons, make a big farkin sling shot.

 

[TexasGuppie]

What the fark were the sprinklers for. The grass is mostly dead anyway.

Yeah...I hear you about the dead grass. A little later in the day (before the wind tried to turn me into the male version of Mary Poppins) the Head Grounds Keeper from Ameriquest Field dropped by my site and apologized for nearly drowning me in the sprinklers. He also spread some of the stuff he puts on the pitching mound when it gets wet, to help soak up some of the water.

I asked him about the condition of the grass outside vs. the condition of the field inside. His reply? "I get paid a lot to keep that grass perfect. I pay a crew to get what you have here...obviously they are paid too much."

Ken

 

[MilitantSquatter]

Too bad Ken.... a lot of love and work went into making things right for your guests....

Go get em on Labor Day.....

 

[BBQ_MAFIA]

Sorry to hear you had some problems. All in all, I'm sure your guests were impressed with all your effort and of course the eats.


Like MilitantSquattter wrote, "Go getem on Labor Day"

 

[tommykendall]

Where's the after-storm photos? I'd like to compare that to the bash photos - we faired quite well given the rain we received.

 

[jgh1204]

At least it did not hail!

 

[LeeBo]

When I read your post I kept thinking, it can't get worse, it can't get worse. EEE GADS!! And then the Rangers lost!

Sorry to hear about your loss.

Yep - I'm Okie but the Rangers are my baseball team. Our local Redhawks team is one of their AAA teams. Tonight on TV before the game they talked about last night's rain/storm. Wowsers.

One day you'll laugh about it, but probably not any day soon.

 

[kcquer]

Ken, my hat is off to ya Bro. First rate looking setup. Sorry it wasn't as nice for your guests. Here in KC we have an acute appreciation for quality tailgating and that's a great looking setup Bro.

Better luck next time!!

 

[CarbonToe]

Man...she was pretty for awhile.

TG - That does look really festive, It's a shame that the guests didn't see it to appreciate the extra effort you put in. But the important bit is the company (and of course food and drink!) and it sounds like you had a blast! :eusa_clap

The Port-A-Potty looks a little close to the eating area....not as in hygene, as in privacy for people using it whilst others are eating!!

Did guests tip it over or 'scum'?

 

[TexasGuppie]

The Port-A-Potty looks a little close to the eating area....not as in hygene, as in privacy for people using it whilst others are eating!!

Did guests tip it over or 'scum'?

I had to put the P-A-P a little closer that I really wanted to in order to keep every passerby from using it. The guests were actually glad to see it there as it was 3/4 of a mile to the nearest facilities.

And yes, SCUM tipped it over.

 

[kickassbbq]

Sorry bout that Texas Man,
I know how much work it was. Mine, too. From 1:20 a.m. Thuesday morning (can't take a nap with a Lang!!!) ate at 2:00 p.m., loaded and got home at 4:00.
75-80 people. Butts, Briskets, Salmon, ABT's, Chicken and everthing was good. Worked my $$$ off, feed em, got out.
Smoke On!!!!!

 

[bbqjoe]

So, other than that, Mrs Lincoln, how was the play?

 

[spicewine]

Hey Ed!!! Where are those pix that you promised me???:wink:

 

[kickassbbq]

OK, I go out to the Harely Shop and get underneath the top shelf in the Harely Davidson toolbox, taped to the inside lip and get the memory stick.
Stay right there. Some are on the way.
By the By. I have a little FA coming in tomorrow and she has agreed to do the Pics O' Chicks. Wish me luck on that one.
God, I am a sick dog. Proud, too.
Smoke On!!!!!!!