The 29th Unexpected Party was even better than the 28th!

Maybe because there was one more Hobbit this year than last. Thirty-three In all. In no special order or importance there was Mary, Gos, Noreen, Tit, Scott, Sam, Sarah, Frank, Debbie, Layne, Sandy, Henry, Marie, Jerry, Sharon, Danny, Vivian, Mike, Eileen, Jake, Harvey, Pat, Debbie, Jim, Elaine, Paul the bubble boy, Pete, Dave, Jimmy the Lens, Uncle Ray, Elaine, Craig and Craig's friend. There's always one person at the party whose name I can't remember. For years it was Craig and now it's Craig's friend. Oh well, anyway; I do think it was the best so far, probably because of the afore- mentioned stars. Maybe it's because the older we get the better we get. Yes, I know it's said year after year but this was the best one yet.

The party can really be broken down into many individual parts that comprise one great event. First, there's the setup... Gandalf, Frodo, T. Bombadil, Beorn and the Bubble boy for the most part with people joining in as they arrived. Before you knew it, there are many setter-uppers.

A strategic decision to move the food/grill up by the tent was made and it was a great idea as record amounts of chow was devoured by the hungry inhabitants of middle earth. The new tent resembled one that would be seen at any proud Hobbit Reunion.

Of course the first thing set up was the beer, then the grill, followed by the tent, the party table, generator, lights and music. The weather was stifling hot but the setup crew will attest it was a labor of love.

Then there's the famous fabulous Friday Night affair... Maybe the least documented portion of the annual event; as well as the least remembered. People are just excited to get there, see everyone and start partying. The cameras usually are left in the cars as everyone welcomes everyone and the party gets going.

There really aren't too many things in life better than a Friday night at the Unexpected Party. The ice cold beer in the magic keg flowed like a rolling rock, the tender, tasty speidies by Mary simmered on the new grill and then melted in our mouths, the music as usual rang through the hills and trees and soon dancers were swinging in unison, the tequila started pouring, the slammars started slamming, and what happened after that can only be guessed.

As any good brother would Jerry Beorn Gosney sabotaged his brother's sausage sandwich with the hottest pepper ever grown and the party was full speed ahead. The biggest question that everybody asks the following morning is: "what time did I go to bed last night". Nobody's telling however.

This year we followed up the Friday night gala with an Elevensies breakfast, could it be second breakfast or first lunch.

We should all thank Danny for as instructed, he did bring a 29 year old girl for the appreciation week end. I think we should do Elevensies again next year in honor of all the Old Farts that turn 50 years old in 2003 or earlier. Unexpected Party Old Farts Appreciation Weekend? Why not? What do you think? Like I said the older we get the better we get... Any youthful volunteers for guest speaker?

Which of course brings me to Frank the speaker, great job with the poetry, you've come a long way Frank. Didn't know you were that well rounded....great poetry interpretation I must say.

Afternoon tea, lunch, second lunch came next followed by Relaxation time. Conversation, relaxation, concentration, ejaculation, bubbleation, (pictures), adulation, photographation, and trying to kick the keg-ation.

Then came the event that can be called nothing other than The Wedding...

Complete with bridesmaids, flower girl, wedding guests, wedding cake, wedding music, a reception, wedding pictures, a beautiful Bride,