Saturday night, if memory serves, Richard claimed my photographs make people appear better than they look. Matt and I combined to create this collection, and while they were all vetted by three adults, it’s impossible to know how the wearer of the face is going to react – especially given the close crops I favor.
Our dinner slash party together was perfect. Most of the night felt like any other, and for the brief time I became the center of attention, well, that was fine too. During those blush-inducing toasts I felt like Tom Sawyer watching his own funeral.
I’d like to clear-up a now decades old myth. It is a better story as told by Steven, and while I did peer in at Karen through her bedroom skylight, the truth is I didn’t then fall off the roof. Or jump off in an oedipally induced spasm. Or float off after a glimpse of her naked body. I fell off my ladder days later while shingling the chimney side of their house.
Anyway, I won’t soon forget Adam’s limericks, John and Karen’s rendition of “Here Comes the Sun,†or Dan’s Clintonesque soliloquy (Hey, he was talking about me, he could have gone on forever), or Susan’s Becca-like proclamation about me not being the boss of her, or Richard’s reason for giving me a toast, “Someone took my chair.â€
The reason for the last photo? Bill Lewis walked by while Diane and I posed for the second to last photo and asked, “Where’s the pitchfork?”
Chris
Picture of Karen (photo 19) is absolutely gorgeous. You should frame it for her. And I love the picture of you and Diane at the end. I think it’s the nicest pic I’ve ever seen of the two of you together (save for the black and whites in the photo booth decades ago).
Fun re-living this through the photos. Great party.
Jennifer
I’m not at all sure you cleared up any myths. I mean, I understand you didn’t fall off when you glimpsed her naked body, but that still leaves a lot of room for conjecture.
It strikes me as remarkable that your photos can make everyone ELSE look better than they do in real life. Scary thought: maybe they make me look better too.
adam
Spectacularly generously flattering series of photos, exactly what Richard said — everyone here feels great about every one (or should). And I know x number are by Mattman, but the net is fab … By gum, we look like we were having as much fun as it felt like we were! Hilarious to see your ridgetop view, too! Thanks for a great excuse for a great party!
Dan asked me to post my limericks — I don’t see making a standalone post of them, so here goes …
‘Twas a sweltering weekend in June
That we gathered one night past full moon
To invoke to Mike’s door
Six superb decades more
And he cannot get started too soon … !
Sixty candles can really inspire
Yes, Mike’s cake needs a good bit of fire
Enough for nine cakes, or ten,
But he’s a man among men,
And he’s the lungs for it, or I am a liar.
Nothing like a good “Surprise!” party
For shennanigans bois’trous and hearty
Though it’s a bit of a drag
When the cat’s out the bag
Oh, never mind that, did someone say,“Party!�
Happy birthday again, Mike!
Chris
Now that is my kind of poetry Adam. Loved your limericks. I thought about reciting a Louise Gluck poem to Michael for his special day, but that of course would have entailed having to read one, maybe even two. These were great.
rakkityed.schmahl
Happy birthday, Mike!
Jen
The picture at the end is the best. What a look of pride on Michael’s face! It makes me giggle that the theme from Green Acres runs through my head when I see it.
A wonderful night, truly. I hear the song the next day and teared up all over again.
Adam, you have a few years to get my limericks together for my 60th. Start working!