wow, what a weekend. a beautiful couple, a beautiful wedding, amazing people, and of course... a bounty of delicious cuisine.

i don't know where to start. it was 52 bours of sensory bombardment. watching two close friends get married put me in a state beyond happiness. i love these two people so much, it made me happy to be present as they solidified their relationship. the world is a better place for it and we should all rejoice that these two crossed paths. ok, so i'm gushing. weddings do that.

there were over 300 attendees on saturday night, and throughout the weekend i met people i had only heard of second-hand who turned out to be everything i had imagined - and more. i seem to have a knack for making new friends. it's saying goodbye that i'm not so good at.

when the alcohol began to flow at an after-party, there was a little bit of a "particleman roast" of sorts, except that it wasn't on comedy central and it wasn't about my career. i'll say no more. i'm glad the comments aren't working right now.

what else... the groom, decked out in traditional Bengali groom's garb, rode in on a horse with the requisite cowboy hat. the bride's father, a devout and knowledgable muslim, greeted me and said "shalom! do you have any hebrew music with you?" the power went out on friday night leaving the guests at their outdoor tables with nothing but candlelight to illuminate their conversations. i thought it lent the occasion an intimate feel. cops showed up friday night. old ladies next door complained of noise saturday night. wedding partiers wandered downtown in search of bars that would stay open past 12:30. afternoons were spent compensating for the previous night's debauchery. cake was eaten. the really spicy foods were avoided. arabic was sung. henna was applied to hands and feet (not mine).

all in all, a weekend to remember. my sincerest thanks to the bride's parents, the groom's parents (ahem), and of course the bride and the groom. mazal tov!