Apertif: Observations

(Pic is our lovely hostess, Janna, all dressed up)

Our flat is an open loft in a Victorian-era warehouse. We lit it with candles, and played Frank Sinatra's "At the Sands" from 1966. We served Italian Prosecco and Kentucky Bourbon. 4 drank Prosecco, 1 drank Bourbon, and 1 only water. Janna and I each had a drink or two, and on empty stomachs we were getting happy. We put out some light snacks (nuts, mix, etc), but no one stumbled across them in the dim light.

People were a little cautious, but in good spirits. Everyone took care of introducing themselves, and congregated together in the most open part of the flat, near the kitchen. They didn't stray too far: no one wandered over to check out the couches or the sitting area. I think they were all having fun just chatting... and maybe a little nervous.

Specific thoughts? Everyone was attractive. Girls were gorgeous, guys were handsome. Not all clones of each other - everyone had their own look and attitude. "Right" age, I guess. Late 20s to early 30s, more or less. Its not like we had a 16 year old and a 60 year old both walk in, that might have been awkward.

Janna and I were mostly busy answering the door and pouring drinks, and when we had a free moment we stayed out of the way and let the 6 guests interact with each other. Weren't able to hear too many specific details of the conversation, but some common themes:

- Where do you live?
- Where are you from?
- How long have you been in London?

Don't think I heard too much work talk, thankfully, but I did catch the guys talking a little football at one point.

Pretty much what I would have been talking about if I were in their shoes. Nothing too intimate at first, right? Light, polite conversation. Pretty evenly spread about - either most of them together, or two groups right next to each other.

Alcohol consumption: Michael, Catherine, Christina each had two small glasses of Prosecco; Toby had one glass; Robin had a taste of Bourbon; Audrey was just drinking water - but smoking. One entire bottle of Prosecco finished.

Once the car called and said they were downstairs, I announced that was the end of this phase, thanked them for coming, then Janna walked them to the door. They had to navigate back out through the building and to the car themselves.

Overall, the Apertif phase went off without a hitch. Hope their next phases are just as smooth, if not a little more lively. Its not fun if everything goes according to plan, right?