Surprise!

[kerravonsen]

I had a surprise for my birthday. No, it isn't my birthday yet, not for another week and a half. Which is how they managed it, clever people.

I had been saying repeatedly last year that what I wanted for my 50th birthday was a surprise party. And they just gave me one today! YAY! How do you surprise someone who wants a surprise? You have a Cunning Plan. The Cunning Plan was to tell me they were organizing a birthday dinner the weekend after my actual birthday, and invite me over to have a casual games afternoon this afternoon. I nearly ruined everything, because I'd had a dreadful night last night, and begged off the games afternoon because I didn't think I could cope with (a) possible nagging from a Certain Person, and (b) social interaction in general.

Then I got a call from jelebino saying I should reconsider... which twigged me in on what was happening, since he shouldn't know anything about a casual family get together... and he also mentioned tamanoilita whom I thought was currently in Queensland. So, yes, he unintentionally let the cat out of the bag, but, hey, that got me to change my mind. I mean, I knew I would be tired, but I figured they would cut me some slack. So I called my brother J back, though I didn't let him know that I knew.

And it was still a surprise, because of the sheer number of people who were there, not just the people I had been expecting, but various other people as well both friends and relations.

Lovely lovely lovely lovely! My cool friends got to meet my other cool friends! There were conversations about everything from unicycles to Doctor Who to crochet to Pern to LED lighting...
I'm sorry LB couldn't make it. Oh well.

Yes, I was wilting by the end of the afternoon, but that was after everyone had left and the adrenaline was no longer sustaining me.

People made little speechlets about me, with things that reminded them of me. It was so cool. "Everything is Awesome!"
And there were actual pressies from people. My sister gave me an awesome amazing quilt-hanging that she made (though I have nowhere with enough space to hang it...), there were books, and a Mobius scarf from dawnmist, and a hairbrush from reynardo big enough to use as a weapon - at least, that's what Cousin S suggested I do with it...

So I'm wilting again, but la, it was good.

P.S. How to get out of making a speech on your 50th birthday: start singing "100 bottles of beer on the wall". I didn't even get to finish the first verse. (evil grin)

Comments

[watervole]

Wonderful people. a great way to do a surprise party.

[kerravonsen]

8-)

[kaffy_r]

Many (future) happy returns of the day, and congratulations on finding an excellent way out of speechifying!

[kerravonsen]

I was quite prepared to sing the whole song, too. 8-P

[vilakins]

How absolutely wonderful! What a lovely idea, and it must have taken a lot of planning.

[kerravonsen]

8-)

[madeleone]

What a fantastic surprise. See, that's what would worry me about throwing a surprise party, what if the guest of honor begged off. LOL! Glad you decided to go and that it was fabulous! Early B'day wishes to you!

[kerravonsen]

Yes, apparently I threw them into a panic.

[kittylefish.livejournal.com]

oh, i'm so happy for you! everyone needs a big surprise party like that at least one in one's life, lol. <3

[kerravonsen]

\o/

[reynardo.livejournal.com]

Ahh, so that explains why you were looking amazing and ready for a party rather than a games day. The other option was that I hit your place and persuade you out for a cuppa, but I think you would have become a little suspicious as we approached the venue :-)

[kerravonsen]

Ahh, so that explains why you were looking amazing and ready for a party rather than a games day.

Ha! If I hadn't already known, I think that what Brother J said when I rang him back might have made me suspicious anyway, because he suggested I wear a particular outfit (which was a rather party-ish outfit). Something which he would never have done normally. Naturally, I wore something completely different (but still party-ish). I wanted to wear something that would go with my new scrunchie which I had just made the night before.

I did bring games, though. And after everyone had gone, I begged to play a game of Elfenland, anyway, even though I was tired. So we did.

The other option was that I hit your place and persuade you out for a cuppa, but I think you would have become a little suspicious as we approached the venue :-)

Indeed.

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

What a fantastic thing for them to pull off! :) I am so glad you had such a good time, with so many loved ones there to celebrate you. You deserve it! *hugs*

[kerravonsen]

8-)

[sandra mcharg (from livejournal.com)]

:) It was a party not to e missed- so glad we were able to be there!

[kerravonsen]

8-)
I hear there was much plotting on Facebook...