See, Christopher had to work a double shift at Arlington
on his birthday.
Big Owl thought this was OK, because Big Owl is a proletarian
and thinks that work is good.
But Kathie and Carrie said "awwwwww,"
he shouldn't have to work so hard on his birthday.
So they decided to give him a surprise birthday party.
The party was the next day, the day after his birthday,
but that was OK.
He still had to work one shift at Arlington,
so Big Owl was satisfied.
But when Christopher got off work and came home,
there was a big surprise party waiting for him.
Kathie invited Betsy, Susan, and Phyllis,
and Carrie drove down from Louisville as a surprise.
Christopher liked that part of the surprise party a whole
lot.
The idea was to pretend that Christopher, who graduated from the University
of Louisville,
was really thrilled because he was starting a doctoral program at the
University of Kentucky,
and so he would now be the "newest wildcat."
Betsy and Susan decorated the house with blue and white streamers.
It was great.
Betsy even put a party hat on Christopher's baby picture.
She thought that was funny.
Big Owl thought it was kind of silly.
Kathie put on a blue party hat, and told Carrie,
"You will respect my authori-tie,
even though I have a silly hat on my head."
Carrie was a vision in blue and white, the colors of UK,
even though she also graduated from U of L.
Carrie, who is a great musician,
was even nice enough to teach the UK fight song
to Susan, Betsy, and Phyllis.
Boy, was Christopher surprised when he came in.
Boy, was he happy about the surprise party.
Boy, was he happy to see Carrie.
Just look at that shit-eating grin...
Big Owl made a banner "for the newest Wildcat."
Christopher even acted happy about that.
Carrie told Christopher he had to spit on that plate,
or he didn't get any presents.
Susan, Betsy, and Phyllis thought that was hilarious.
Christopher is a good spitter,
but not as good as Big Owl.
Kathie made special appetizers called "corn and crab fritters with spicy
sauce."
While Betsy was evaluating them, Susan was eating part of Betsy's share.
Christopher told Carrie how good the "brie en croûte" tasted.
It is a special French cheese dish that Kathie makes.
Carrie said, "Ohhhhh-kay."
Annie called from Orlando to sing "happy birthday" to her brother.
She couldn't be there for the party, because she was in Florida.
But Big Owl and Kathie plan to surprise her with a big birthday party
when she comes home for a visit in September.
Don't tell her—it's supposed to be a surprise.
Carrie brought in the birthday cake, and everyone sang,
"happy birthday to Christopher" in a loud, ringing voice.
Everybody there was a good musician and singer,
except maybe Kathie and Phyllis.
so it sounded great.
Christopher couldn't believe the cake—
the little bakery ladies at Kroger's managed to put
a picture of Christopher and Carrie right on top of the cake,
and it was edible!
Big Owl said, "What will they think of next?"
Christopher opened his presents,
and looked at the cake for a while.
Everybody else looked at Christopher.
Finally, Christopher blew out the candles.
That is what you are supposed to do with a birthday cake.
Christopher has a lot of breath,
because he is a tubist.
He can play really loud.
He had a really good embouchure when he blew out the candles.
Actually, he blew most of the candles off the cake,
and everybody got worried.
He has a really good embouchure.
But it was OK.
Everybody got a piece of cake anyway.
This is Christopher with his birthday cake.
He even liked the little UK flags on the corners.
The only one who wasn't too impressed was Azrael.
He went out on the deck and went to sleep.
Big Owl had to bring him back inside.
He isn't allowed out on the deck.