Operation 11111 Accomplished

Happy Birthday, Xcott!

Operation 11111: Xcott's Surprise Birthday. For Xcott's birthday, I organized a day of birthday suprise for him on Saturday, April 24th. It all began when I asked him if I could have a surprise birthday party for him a few weeks back. He said "No." I said that I wanted to meet his brother and his friend Wendy, and they he should have them come up to Princeton to visit sometime. He responded "Nah, that's too much of a hassle for them." I had the brilliant idea that I would contact all of them and have them come up for Xcott's birthday!

I started off by calling Xtradios. Even though he's in the Midwest, he'd be able to point me in the right direction and give me the contact information for Andrew-Unit and others. Xtradios was very accommodating and did give me people's email addresses and phone numbers. I contacted A-U, and he forwarded me Wendy's contact information. I even called Xcott's mom to get his brother Chopper's phone number. Xcott had borrowed my phone for a roadtrip and saved the phone numbers of a friend who he was visiting on the way back to Illinois, and I even called her. Thus, all planning and scheming began.

My original vision was having all these people in a big room at a restaurant for dinner on Saturday, April 24th, the day before Xcott's birthday. They'd then be able to stay the night and hang out at the D-Bar. Due to various scheduling requirements, my plan had to be changed. Chopper and Sara were able to make it for the afternoon, but had to leave by evening to get back to attend the March for Women's Lives. The other people would be able to make it in for dinner. Everything really came together once I got an email back from Scott, Xcott's Princeton roommate of 4.5 years saying that him and Clarissa would be able to make it.

To throw Xcott off, we planned to have a birthday dinner on Sunday, April 25th, his actual birthday. He told me that he wanted to have dinner at Triumph, and I concurred. I sent out email to all the Princeton people and him about "fake" dinner on Sunday. I then sent out another message about the REAL plans for Saturday night. I emailed all the out-of-towners to let them know when to show up and where we'd be eating.

Rich and I planned on asking Xcott to lunch on Saturday, so that this entire mission could be accomplish. Xcott readily agreed for lunch. I tried to keep up the ruse by talking about other plans I had during the day, and tried to keep him distracted by talk of Regina's birthday.

The Day Of:
- Chopper and Sarah arrived early, at 11:30. Rich was dispatched to meet them in a Princeton parking lot. I picked Xcott up and we went to Teresa's Cafe. We went in and sat at the bar. I ordered Xcott a beer. I noticed Rich, Chopper, and Sarah in the window of the restaurant. As Rich walks in, I note to Xcott, "Look, Rich is here." After a short delay, Chopper walks in, followed by Sarah. Xcott stares, face lit up in complete surprise, and makes a loud exclaimation nose. As he turns red, he makes confused "What are you doing here, noises." Surprise! Chopper has gotten Xcott back for surprise him in Ohio for his birthday last month.

We have lunch and then walk around campus and the Princeton Street Fair. Unfortunately, Chopper and Sarah have to leave in the afternoon to go see some other people and get back to D.C. So, Xcott and I decide it's time to practice some Irish music. We find a spot outside by the Prospect Gardens. It's a secluded area right off the main path with some benches. We're able to sit there and practice with only a little oggling by the passersby. At this time, Rich, Cynthia, and Ed are meeting Scott and Clarissa, Wendy, and Andrew in the parking lot.

Since we're outside, I'm worried that Xcott will spot everyone as they walk up to us. Luckily, an undergrad stops by to ask Xcott about his concertina, effectively distracting him. As everyone starts up the pathway, Xcott spots Cynthia, and starts to concentrate on thinking "Is that Cynthia?" As they walk into our area behind the bushes, Xcott starts taking in the sight of his friends. He has to put his concertina down. The shock and confusion turn him red and make him shaky. He's never seen all of these people in the same place at the same time. Andrew and Wendy are from NIU while Scott, Clarissa, Cynthia, Ed, and Rich are from Princeton. It takes him a while to really get over the surprise. (Hooray, it was a surprise! I was so worried that he knew.)

With everyone assembled, we head off to dinner to meet up with Katy. I inform Xcott that the dinner planned on Sunday was all a ruse. We have a delightful time, capped off with cakes that Andrew has brought from his favorite bakery in Virgina.

Afterwards, we head back to my apartment. Xcott opens his present, and some guests oggle Rich's DVR (TiVo) system. We head to the D-Bar once we are done watching an episode of the Bachelor. We have some drinks and sing Xcott a Happy Birthday, once again. Scott and Clarissa leave to go back to visit his parents, and Wendy and Andrew stay with us.

Mission accomplished. Best (and only) surprise birthday I've pulled off to date.