Black Gold

If you'll recall, a few posts ago I explained that Bill had made his own birthday plans. Having discovered that one of his business acquaintances was part of a group of petroleum industry folks who had banded together to create a dramatic society called "Black Gold Productions," he bought tickets for us and five other couples to attend their production of "Wash Your Troubles Away." The event was a fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society and included a meal, a melodrama and a variety revue.


I was all set to make a lot of snide, snarky comments about oilfield workers who are in touch with their creative sides. I was prepared to suggest that Chris organize poetry readings among his fellow railroad workers or that Carl host a book club out at his plant. Instead, I am eating crow...which is not a very tasty bird.

It turned out to be a lot of fun!

Apparently, they have been doing this event for ten years and rake in a significant sum each year for the cancer society. We attended the last of six performances and it was a sellout crowd every night, with about 350 people in the auditorium at the Oildale (full of vintage "charm") VFW hall. (Okay, maybe that sounded a little snide.) Because Bill paid the corporate donation rate for the tickets he was dubbed a "Drama King." (WooHoo!) It bought him a quarter page ad in the program and front row seats for our group.

The food was good...no surprise. Those oilfield boys know their way around fire and a hunk of animal flesh. We had pork ribs, chicken, two kinds of sausage, beans, salsa, salad and rolls. The big surprise was the entertainment. It was well-written, funny and performed with levels of skill ranging from nearly competent to very good. In closing, I will leave you a little taste of the grand finale:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BILL!!!