[AccessD] Hey, it's Friday

Happy Birthday, Arthur.  You're only a few years behind me!  My friends
mostly know that I don't like surprises, good or bad, so I think my
heart (and pacemaker) are safe. LOL

Charlotte Foust 

-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Arthur Fuller
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 6:24 AM
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: [AccessD] Hey, it's Friday

Last night was my 60th birthday, and about 25 of my friends had a
surprise party for me. I was completely clueless about its occurrence. I
have a favourite Indian restaurant in Toronto called Shalimar, owned and
operated by a good friend called Khalid, and ironically, I decided that
that was where I wanted to have dinner last night. So I booked a
reservation, little knowing that the entire restaurant had already been
booked. Khalid managed to keep a straight voice when I called. My friend
Norma and my sister Clare came with me, and there's a great
bookstore/recordstore next door which I insisted upon visiting, little
knowing that there was a party awaiting me next door. This is a small
restaurant (always a good sign), and when I walked in, I saw that the
whole place had been re-arranged, a dozen tables united into one
enormous long table, and as I scanned the occupants I realized bit by
bit that I knew everyone at the table, and finally it dawned on me.

To break bread with good friends is a good thing. To find oneself as the
centre of attention, so to speak, surrounded by good friends, is truly
breathtaking -- and humbling. For some reason or other, I have a
collection of quality people to call my friends. We had fabulous food,
wonderful conversation and I even received some cool presents and cards.
Forced at one point to stand and make a speech, all I could manage was
to thank my friends for being my friends. I've known almost everyone in
attendance for 30 or so years, some more. There were even emails from
persons who could not attend, such as one of my oldest friends, Paul
Grenkow, who teaches English in Beijing, who could not attend only
because his wife was expected to give birth on the day.

I'm a lucky man. I have wonderful friends. But I do caution you to think
carefully about holding a surprise party for 60yo people. The heart
palpitations are unbelievable. On the other hand, what better way to go.

A.
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