Well, it happened. After nearly two months of posting every day, I missed one. However, it appears no one really noticed. While it's comforting to know that no one is waiting to jump down my throat when I slack off, it is a bit depressing that no one seems to have noticed... Maybe you all just take the weekend off and read those postings on Monday.
Yeah. That's what I shall say. Bully for me.
I did have a good reason for not posting last night. At last, my secret project can be revealed. After a month of lying and subterfuge, I can speak openly.
See, I planned a surprise party for Joanna's 30th birthday, which was yesterday. But because I can do nothing by halves, it was a Victorian-themed murder mystery party. It took a tremendous amount of time and effort to set up, and a good deal of that was for other people. I took a basic idea provided by a British company specializing in such things (Host Your Own Great Murder Mystery Games is the name of the site I got it from, though it just provides links to other distributors) and then rewrote it all to suit the guests and a bit more complicated plot than they provided.
About 20 people were in attendance. Christina Parker, angel that she is, actually made a Victorian dress for Joanna on the sly, which was beautiful. Kristen Glenn and her boyfriend Andy came up early and did a huge amount of set-up and decorating, with Andy doing most of the cooking all through the night (I planned a terrifically complicated and tricky dinner menu, based on an actual Victorian dinner service, which he pulled off with aplomb), and several others lent a hand as well. Jen Groniger and my dear friends Mary and Deb from Voicetrax served and took care of staff chores, and the mighty Chuck (also from Voicetrax) stayed after until 1:30am to help me clean up. It was astounding, Joanna was surprised, and I think everyone had a great time.
I am completely spent now, though. I've devoted nearly every waking moment to this for two weeks, putting off all other duties, and I've gotten about ten hours of sleep in the last five days. I feel like I've run a marathon, especially with all the falsehoods and misdirection I had to employ to keep the secret. So now I have to, you know, do those things I am required to do: grade, teach, etc. Not many people would give up their professional career to put on a surprise fancy dress party; I'm a rare breed.
I'll try to put up some photos soonish. Oh--and, of course, Joanna was the murderatrix. What else would you expect from my wife?
2 comments:
You are too kind, Master Slusser, and it was my pleasure. I was so happy to see that Joanna was so surprised after all of your hard work!
On the picture front, would you be so kind as to let me know when you receive pictures from Holly's husband (I feel horrible I can't remember his name...I want to say Michael, but it seems every other person I know these days is a Michael)? I would appreciate it!
Bravo, good sir, as we had as much fun as she did!
*glee* I've been hearing about this vicariously through Christina - it sounds like it was a lovely, lovely party. I can't wait to see more pictures! :)
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