40th birthday "party"
Mate of mine invited me for his 40th birthday. This mate has been shrewd with his cash, also inherited a fair amount. What with that and working in IT, he's fairly well off.
So when I get there, and there are only 4 other guests (including a mutual friend from Uni who like me had travelled hundreds of miles to get there) I was somewhat taken aback. Not really a "party" then. Oh well.
We ate home-made chilli. Really pushing the boat out for a special occasion, that was. No champagne, in fact not much of anything. Not even a dessert.
We then travel some distance to see a band play. He gets his wife to drive who had only recently passed her test - and I'm guessing, hadn't been "allowed" to drive much, as she almost killed us on several occasions getting to the gig. Which was seated. Seated ! We were practically the youngest people there.
I spent much of the time outside the gig smoking spliff in a vain attempt to lighten myself up for the journey back to his which if anything was worse than earlier.
When we got home - there was nothing to drink. Nothing. My other Uni. friend thankfully had anticipated this and got some beers in the boot of his car.
I went to sleep in a bedroom which still had the original curtains in from when he had bought the house, these things must have been as old as the host, if not older.

I did actually tell my friend that considering how far we had travelled to see him, to not have drinks in for us was poor, to say the least.

When I had my 40th a year or so later had 80+ guests from 5 countries, got 3 bands in to play a bar I'd hired for the evening, free food and champagne.

God I hate a tightwad - he might have more than me in the bank, doubtless he has, but I have memories and enjoy life to the full.

Why do people live like that ? God only knows.
( I_Was_Mordred, Thu 23 Oct 2008, 21:31, 3 replies)

Lucky bugger!
I turned 40 earlier this year, and everyone pretty much ignored it.

Your mate's bash was far superior to the last minute book I got from the wife and the ten minute visit from two mates.

Ah well. Now I plan for my 42nd.... a far more significant year.

[Edit: I will thank one of my friends for a most thoughful gift - a CD compilation with his choice of the most amazing music from each year of my life. Truly remarkable and thoroughly fun! Cheers Sheepy!]
(EffinDoubt is breaking glass on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 11:42, closed)

Well, a party doesn't happen on it's own, you know
It took 6 months of organising for my party to come off...booking venue, bands, catering, hotels, liaising with everybody.

Twas worth it as the first (and last, until I'm in a box) time I got all my siblings together in one room (parents divorced so they are all "half").

Parties only work if you put the effort in - I'd love it if someone organised a surprise party for me but it will never happen.

Must say though since the 40th I've stopped bothering, because it seemed like only myself and one other mate went to the bother of organising them. Oh well.
( I_Was_Mordred, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:50, closed)

Clickety
You can`t take it with you!
(Billyfindus Shy and retarded since, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 12:25, closed)