VaxCave

As I write this, I am exactly 10957 days old (give or take an hour or three.) I even went to the trouble of calculating leap days in my age. I’m that kind of geek.

As most of you know there was a surprise party in my honor at Mad Mex in Robinson this past Saturday. Everyone on the planet was apparently aware of this event. Even I knew that something was going to happen on that Saturday. However, my ideas about when, what, and where were a bit askew from what actually happened.

Let me add at this point that Bridget doesn’t surprise me. It’s not that she hasn’t tried before now. It’s just that I am very good at inadvertently ruining surprises. I hate that I do it, but my mind is so paranoid and strange that I tend to figure out such things. My perception of what was happening is a bit different than Bridget’s plan. Since Bridget had spoken hardly a word in regards to my birthday, I figured something surprising was in the works.

As the date drew closer an obvious distraction was floated my way. The plan was that Team VaxCave would spend the day with their counterparts from Team Ciocco. Ben and I were to go shopping for new TVs whilst the ladies went and had their nails done and watching Sex and the City afterward.

I assumed that the girls would stay at the house to clean up, get all the guests situated, and then have the catering (I assumed by Mad Mex) arrive in time for Ben and me to get back. This assumption led to the surprise. Ben had offered to buy me a margarita for helping him choose a TV. I never turn down a chance to go to Mad Mex. I didn’t even care that I knew I’d be having the same for dinner.

As I walked in to Mad Mex I noticed balloons in the party area. I said aloud, “Looks like someone’s having a party.” I didn’t notice any of the people’s faces, so I didn’t make any association between the party and my presence. I only saw the balloons. I continued toward the hostess table so that Ben and I could be seated. It was then that I saw someone step toward me and blow a noisemaker. I thought, “That’s stran… OH CRAP!”

“SURPRISE!!!”

It was amazing to have so many friends in one place. I think we had just shy of 40 people in the room. Richard, freshly back from his second tour in the Middle East, was there with his wife, Jen. Many, many friends from work were there. Team Swisher and Team Ciocco did their best to conspire against me. Mom, Dad, and Dan were all present. Big Justin made the trek. Curt, Denise, and new son Wesley were there. We had three babies (five weeks, nine weeks, and nine weeks) in attendance. We even had two teenagers. Rick even showed up.

I always say that I don’t know anyone. This showing of all my friends in one place was truly awesome and proved me wrong. I’ve very thankful and appreciative for all the work that went into this party. I hope that everyone had an awesome time. I couldn’t have asked for a better get-together to celebrate my birthday. Thank you so much.

Postscript: If you’d like to do something in terms of a gift, please consider donating to the MS Society and sponsor my brother in the Escape to the Lake ride. Click on the “Donate to Daniel” button above his picture. Thanks.

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Filed by AxsDeny at 10:28 pm under General