It was 5pm.  Wow, very cool, Lisa, family, friends all gathered around in the front hallway. 

And as they congratulated me, and I walked into the kitchen, sister-in-law Karen and more friends and family.  Then I noticed a popcorn machine, just like in the theaters.  Cool. 

And on the deck, a big tent, a snow cone machine, more family and friends.  My buddy Ron from work, and Dave from physio.  And many others, sorry can't mention everyone, you understand, it would affect the story, make it dull.  And on the lawn, more tents, and a pig roasting away with merely a hour or so away from the carver's knife. 

Oh and more friends and family and my dad and brother Paul, roasting the pig, and who will share the duty of carver.  Wow, very cool.

Ten minutes ago, I was driving down my street with my brother Wayne and sister-in-law Linda in my car.  As we neared my driveway, Paul's van was in my spot!  His work van on the street. 

So I went further down the street to turn around.  On the way back up, a blue car.  That's my friend Jim's car from work. Hmm.  So it isn't just close family.  So I parked in my driveway and blocked the van.

One hour earlier I was in Starbucks with Wayne and Bruce having a Venti skinny hazelnut latte and an oatcake.  And so were they.  We were having a boys moment talking about the dryer, the J24, the rain, and everything in between.  After that, Bruce went home to get Judy and I drove back to Wayne's to get Linda. 

An hour plus before that, somewhere around 2:30, I was sitting naked in Wayne's living room with Bruce on one side of me and Wayne of the other.  My clothes were in the dryer.  My belt and sneakers were so wet, they were un-wearable.  Oh, I had one of Wayne's bathrobes on.  I could feel the robe kind of bunching up a crack.  Weird feeling.  We sat and chatted, Bruce had a beer.  I just wanted my clothes and wanted to go home.  Of course I knew something was up.  I figured (again) the brothers and wives and kids and parents were at my place waiting.

Now, about 2pm or so, Bruce Wayne and I, LOL.  I guess I do need the extra "," otherwise you'll think I was with Batman!  So Bruce, Wayne and I were at the Wagwaltic Club, I was dripping wet from head to toe, and shivering from the cold and I "No I am not going downtown drinking with you guys, I am cold and I am going home."  After trying several more times, Bruce finally said "Geno, I was cleared to say this, you can't go home now."  AHA!  I just figured it out.  Can't get anything by me.  There is a small party waiting for me.

Twenty minutes earlier, we were standing there, the three of us, blowing this horn, two short bursts, must be seven or eight times over 30 minutes waiting for a ride.  No one was coming.  I asked Bruce what he does when no one shows.  He says he calls on his cell phone - which of course was now wet and not working.

"I never would have gone sailing in this weather today" says Bruce.   If there was an Oscar for leading man in this story, he'd get it.

An hour earlier, while at the helm, I did a 180.  I had had enough.  I was soaked.  We were going back in.

"Come on Geno" says Bruce, "It looks sunny out past Point Pleasant Park".  We were in the Northwest Arm on his sail boat.  By this time we had been soaked at least three times by rain that came down so heavy and hard that when it hit the deck (or ocean), it bounced up at least a foot.  I've only seen this once before, on #17 green at Oakfield playing golf about ten or so years ago.

But I had had enough and was going home.  All the way back, Bruce made me feel like a "wuss".  Well, he actually called me that and some other names, while he sat there dry in his sailing rain suit and Wayne stayed in the cabin with the roof up peering out the opening.  He did this non stop.

A few hours earlier, after I picked up Bruce for a day of sailing, we waiting at the Wag entranced for Wayne and Paul.  Alas, here come Wayne, no Paul.  Wayne reported that Paul's neighbors dropped over last night and they got to a few drinks and that he was still asleep (rather dead to the world), was not getting up (could not get up) and would not be joining us.  This acting job by Wayne deserves the best actor in a supporting role Oscar.  Then again, what else would/could Paul use as an excuse (oops reason)?
 

A day earlier, as Jim and Lisa and I were cycling doing our usual 34km from and to the Bike and Bean in Tantallon, Jim mentioned he was going to the Market on Saturday morning.  So I suggested to Lisa that we go.  But no, it was too early, she'd be too tired, she didn't want to go, yada yada.  So I said that was fine and that I'd go alone.  I thought it a great place to take some photos.  Nice history building, great lighting, and interesting people and shops.  Lisa seem a bit perturbed. 

Seems (unknown to me) (but she thought I knew) that she was worried, well she actually told me during the party, that sure the one day on the last eleven years you want to go to the market, just for fun, just by luck, would be the day your brother Paul and your dad would be there picking up a pig.  So did you want photos of them at the market hauling away a pig?  I had no idea.

Similarly, I guess this gave Lisa the cause for concern, while sipping our lattes and having a toasted turkey panini at the B&B after our ride, I mentioned, it would be cool if I could have a pig roast for my birthday.  Again, I had no clue.  She thought I did.  Funny!

A couple of days earlier, I emailed Wayne and Paul and told them that if they couldn't read their emails within 3 or 4 days, then fine, sailing is off, I'm going cycling.  When I told Lisa this, in her head she was screaming "NO!!! They're going to blow it".  And she flung an email to them and their wives and by magic next day, I had replies.  It never occurred to me that how coincidental these replies arrived after days of nothing.

The previous Sunday (keeping up, we were just on Friday) was my nephew Nick's birthday.  At that time I asked Wayne and Paul if they wanted to go cycling next Saturday, both said "cool", I said I'd email them with the details.

Many other weird things (things that could have been clues to me) were happening all around me, and of course I was saying things, again with no clue, that was giving Lisa signals that I knew something was afoot.  But hey, this story is getting long and even harder to remember and tell, since I am nearing fifty.

As I walked among the happy people, either not yet fifty or now so accustomed to it and more fearing the next decade marker, there were our friends Ken and Laura, Michael and Bernadette (with an appearance by their every fast growing son Dominic).  I remember him raking for me several years back where I thought the rake was heavier than he was.  Such a strong and good looking young man now. 

More friends around more corners...

There was Liz and Paul (on a vacation of his own and one that is already a bit longer than my planned 12 weeks - lucky guy).  CJ and Tim (my golfing buddy who taught me Texas Holdum, and after I kicked his ass first time we played, has never come back for more).

There was Patti and David  (a self professed great poker player, I'd rate him either 9/10 or any number on any scale as long as it was a few points below my rating - just keeping it real).  Toby and Paul (my "eye" guy who clandestinely "talked" me into the Lasik - best decision I could have made; and not a bad golfer, karate guy, hockey player, skier, race car driver, sailor, Jesus I can't remember the list, yes let's just end with Jesus, he can pretty much walk on water if he wants) (but he can't beat me at golf, yet or ever). 

My good friend Ron and his beautiful wife Anne.  Ron and I have been working with my good friend Jim (also present) for over 20 years defending our great country for all you fine folks so that you can get together and slaughter a pig whenever and wherever you like. Back to Jim.  He and I have been worked together for 25+ years.  We cycled together often.  He is in fantastic shape for - let's end it there - I can't say or mention age he'll get upset.  But if I can be in 1/2 the shape he is in 15 years, I'll be ecstatic.

Around another corner, was Sherri (Boston marathon runner) and Gerry her good lookin' hubby.  Of course Bruce was there with his lovely wife (and half marathon runner) Judy and their daughter Allison.  Karen, sister-in-law (who rumour has it has tasted the Hawaii Five-O) was present.  Brother Paul (working the pig with my dad) and Coco, and the kids Nick, Jake and Laurel; and Coco's dad Norman.  Brother Wayne of course was there, if you remember, we arrived together with Linda. 

And out on the deck were Lisa's parents Bill and Janet (who drove up from Liverpool and had to drive back in the dark with the bonus of pouring rain).

And of course my parents were there.  Dad working with Paul on the pig, my mother (I hope) resting from 3 days of cooking and preparing food for the party.  I didn't eat all that much, not a big eater as you know, and really, she would make me any of these dishes at any time, what a mom! 

A party of this nature can't happen without the work of the volunteers, yup no one was paid.  You all know who you are!  :)  And here's to me hopefully not missing anyone.  In no particular order...  Lisa (OK there is some order), for pulling it off, fooling me up until God decided to make it rain and ruin her plan, mom and dad for all the work on the food, Paul as well on the food especially the setup and tear down (which he did Sunday with Jake while I went cycling - there is no justice).  And Coco in the planning and errand running and getting lost in Sackville (not one of the task she was ask to do - the getting lost part), Karen whose house became a staging area for stuff and stuff and more stuff.  Bruce and Judy, Wayne and Linda who helped with the sailing and drying thereafter of the previously mentioned shorts.  Jake and Nick with the decorations, and Jake with the teardown (while Nick was also cycling with uncle Geno).

And thanks to all of you that showed and gave me your best wishes.  I will not forget this day, and I am sure I will be reminded often that I am over 50.  Then again, I am in an exclusive club with Bernadette and Michael, the born in 1958 club.  I may not be a charter member of it since they started it, but I am the youngest member in the club.  And we are no longer taking any new members!

I hope I did not forget anyone, it would have been less work not trying to mention everyone but what the hell...  Enjoy the photos that follow...

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