In these parts, a 'real hoot' is something rather
    more hilarious than 'a few friends & a barbeque 
    grill.'
    I was being quite straightforward.  It simply 
    seemed to me that a party celebrating the end of 
    love might indeed be a bitter festival.  And that
    the circumstances might help explain the anomie
    of some of your recent posts.
    Scottie B.