THE SCHEDULE
Even though many of the meetings begin earlier, the weekend officially begins with the:
Thursday Night Meal
This event is a Dutch treat meal located at the discretion of the host group, and attendance is optional. Some choose a continuation of already started serious partying. Younger planners, particularly those with children, usually feel a responsibility to eat at an early hour. Older, more experienced planners, as well as host personnel, tend to choose a later hour meal, finding more time is required to complete "the happy hour." Some claim this meal to be the best meal of the weekend, primarily because it requires the least amount of work on the host's part, is extremely informal, and requires minimal planning. An experienced planner, however, never admits this fact, always avoiding conflict and savoring the actual PR itself.
Friday Morning Meetings
All planners normally attend a minimum of one meeting on Friday in order to qualify for the necessary expense account justification. Variations of excuses are available to the seasoned planner. Included are: 1) a host employee who is needed to run errands or work at "the site," 2) a planner accompanied by a spouse (usually wife) with no mall transportation, 3) retired planners with clear consciences, and 4) planners whose late arrival is due to excessive workload and high importance factor ratios.
Friday Afternoon
All planners are exempt from meetings in the afternoon except Executive Committee attendees. Absence excuses for this meeting are similar to those listed above; however, due to the smaller number of affected parties, the exercise of excuses is less frequent. Options for other afternoon activities include, for hosts, preparation for the Friday night activity, and for guests, sitting (or swimming) around the motel/hotel pool area, indulging on munchies and beverages of choice.
Friday Night Activity
The quality of this event has been mentioned earlier. In any case, it is a time of good fellowship, a fun evening, and a golden opportunity to acquaint (and reacquaint) the attendees with the planned events of Saturday and relive a few experiences from the more remembered roasts. A seasoned planner can corner three to four rookie planners (and their families) on a good night and leave a marked impression for the future of Pig Roasting. Examples of past activities include the Lake Murray Stew at Columbia, Steamed Crabs at Richmond, T-Bone Steak Cookouts in Birmingham, River Boat Cruises in Chattanooga, Catfish in "Nawlins," as well as the "bland" dinner out at one of the local restaurants in all locations. Once again, the advanced planner is cautioned to shield newer attendees from any indication of a great time so as not to diminish the climactic events of Saturday.
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