Pam's 50th Adventure

After a restless quasi-sleep in a cramped Economy Class seat, we awoke to the sounds of breakfast being served as we reached the coast of Ireland.  I wished Pam a happy 50th birthday, as we think she was born in the early morning hours! Waking up over the coast of Ireland and realizing... "I just turned 50!"   Our Air Canada Boeing 767 arrived late enough to cause us havoc! Our flight pulled up to the gate at Heathrow's Terminal 2 late, at 10:45am instead of 9:30am.  Not a big deal ordinarily, except I had prebooked a surprise lunch cruise on the River Thames, departing at 1pm sharp.  The UK customs check took forever:  we got out of that queue at 11:55 and claimed our bags.  For those who know London, you will understand the stress that followed.  Trying to get from Heathrow to Central London in an hour is basically impossible.  Using Google Maps, I checked Uber, regular taxi, Heathrow Expres, and London Underground time-frames, an...

A party planner, I am not.  Grand ideas?  Those come to me much easier.  But between the 'grand idea' of a combination surprise party and surprise trip and the reality of making the party happen, I underestimated what would be involved.  Earlier this winter, I asked our friend, Malcolm Bradley, if he would be willing to arrange the social room in his new apartment building for Pam's 50th surprise party.  He readily said yes, bless his heart.  I'm not sure, however, he realized how much I would come to lean on his help -- and that of our close friends, Mel and Juliet Whalen -- on the actual party day. The invitations went out.  The food was ordered.  A dozen invitees agreed to perform as part of a coffee-house segment.  At 3pm, a few of us gathered to set up the room and get things ready.  There are many stories that could be told about the lead-up to April 20th, some of which would remind you of a Monty Python sketch, but I will leave ...