Long Weekend Fun

I tend to overthink a lot of things. 

A LOT. Of things.

Which is why the unexpected and unplanned are quickly becoming my favourites. 

Thing is, you can't plan the unexpected. You just have to be ready to jump in with both feet when the opportunity arises. 

Such was the case this past Canada Day long weekend. 

B3, who, if you sit next to him at the pub or restaurant, will pepper you with questions and know your life story in 10 minutes flat. He will then introduce you to everyone who walks through the door whether he knows them or not. He's an extrovert with a gift of gab and no thought or opinion remains unsaid when you are around him. 

Except when he's being shy and insecure about a person, place, or thing. 

He's an enigma for sure.

So let's just say, if it hadn't been for me pushing him, ever so gently, to leap onboard this unexpected opportunity, our little weekend - which likely would have been pleasant - would not have reached the epic proportions it did. 

My boss/friend invited us to a BBQ at her house on the weekend. She was having a large gathering of people to her place to celebrate a birthday of one of the guests.  All of her parties are fun. So I dragged Mr. "I-hate-these-things-I-don't-know-anyone-there" to the BBQ.  

Well, said I, "You know the exact same number of people that I know - our hosts. You'll be fine." 

We employed our most polite selves and during an initial very civil first glass of wine, we were introduced to 11 people we had never met before. It left me wondering how on earth I would ever remember any names let alone who was married to whom. We eventually gathered around a large table and when we had dined on Blue Cheese burgers, Hellish Relish, and 7 Layer Salad, the birthday cake came out. There was enthusiastic off-key versions of Happy Birthday sung to the birthday boy (well - technically - birthday senior citizen - which I'm saying very delicately because technically, I'm one too - he's just 10 years more senior than I am).  I'm not sure exactly when it happened but a dance party broke out. I think our host started it. He had his "Mojo" working apparently. Playlists were exhausted and you know what; when a 70 year old guy pulls a Swiffer from the closet and is rocking the air guitar to CCR's "Down on the Corner", you know it's a fun party. 

It was somewhere during the dancing and the laughing that my boss plopped herself down in front of us and said "They are picking Bocci Ball teams tomorrow morning at 10:30.  Are you in?" To my surprise, Mr. "I-hate-these-things-I-don't-know-anyone-here" answered before I could even get my mouth open. "YEAH!!" 

Bocci tournament it is then. 

It might be a good time to reveal I had never played Bocci Ball before. 

"It's just like curling" said B3, the champion curler. 

"So I'll be sucking." I thought. "In front of strangers."  

Nevertheless we arrived at the birthday senior-citizens condo to find out who we had been paired with for team mates. I was relieved to be paired with Lenny - probably the most easy going person in that entire group. I apologized on the spot to him. "I think it's safe to say we won't be in the final four" I declared with utmost confidence. 

We piled into three cars and drove to one of the local wineries where more food was unloaded onto tables in the outdoor gazebo while the winery brought out wine. Lots and lots of wine. Lenny and I were the first team to play.  Against last years champions. Yeah. We lost that game but not as badly as you might think. Our next game went much better and after winning the next three we suddenly found ourselves in the semi-finals. The semi-what now? 

I might add, that B3 did not fair as well. He did NOT make the semi-finals. Just sayin'.

The semi-final match was rife with controversy. The other team had a right proper Italian on it who objected to our strategic way of playing. I called him a whiner. Then we beat them soundly. The team we faced in the finals was much more gracious. I was up against my boss. Perhaps some people might think I should have thrown the game. After all, she  was the person who had invited me to all these weekend festivities; but no. It was neck and neck. In the end,   Lenny and I could not be denied. No one was more  shocked than me. Well, except maybe B3 who definitely did not see that coming. 

The after party was back at birthday senior-citizens condo  where TROPHIES were handed out. My FIRST trophy. Ever. More food and more dancing, the party finally wound up around 10 pm and B3 admitted on the way home, he really liked some of those people. I did too.

As I struggle and stress over planning a summer holiday for myself I have to shake my head and wonder if I just have to be open to saying "yes" to an opportunity that hasn't presented itself yet. 

Champions "Snowbirds" - Me and Len