On Wednesday, June 21st it was my pleasure to host the retirement celebrations for Trudy Culver, Bill Everett and myself. I was not looking forward to this, but had contented myself with the thought that my portion would be over quickly and that I would have beer on hand.

Janice led off beautifully but I knew I was in trouble when the "Ian Cowling / Producer" rocking chair appeared along with wine, chips and a very nice spicy salsa! That was followed by a beautiful rendition of "My Funny Valentine" by Craig and Cheryl on their saxes and I got to dance with Darlene.

Up until this point it was a positive experience. Then Heather just had to relate a couple of very embarassing stories about my incompetance as a photographer. If this was not bad enough, someone was injudicious enough to let Karen up to the podium. (Let's learn from our mistakes, folks! Give Karen ONE Drama section, and the next thing you know she's making up for years of hearing "Hey, I saw your sister on stage last night!)

Now I was very taken with the Whoopie Cushion Award but no one had to hear the story of my bowels and the broken bus! I do admit that the Scented Air Spray Award looks fetching on the mantle but that's just not a story to tell when there's food around.

Fortunately, Dina was kind enough to say some nice things about me. Thank you, Dina! And doesn't that provide an interesting bookend to a relationship that started off with Italian fire in the eyes and fury in the voice!)


And finally, here I am, saying my bit but forgetting to tell everyone in the Arts office just how much I love them! Thank you, guys. You did this old man really proud. (Or, as Karen would say, "It was F#*^in' A")