An Ode To Joe (and Shannon and Maureen of course!)

Shannon and Maureen’s wedding went off without a hitch…other than the fact that the church was not unlocked until 2:25 and it was a 2:30 wedding. Being an usher didn’t help me out any and I had to do unruly crowd control on 150 guests. I even had to tazer one rogue who wouldn’t take no for an answer. I felt that on the Lord’s grounds, this was appropriate as he was trying to break into the church. Sorry about that Duncan!

However, in all reality, things went well. Ushering was reduced directing the herd of cattle when they entered into the church (bride side, groom side) since there was just this mass flux of people. I ended up taking my excellent, excellent viewing position by the musicans up at the front of the church. That’s a bonus of getting to be part of the wedding – you don’t have to be in the back wondering what’s going on up front (aka “Did Shannon cry?” Shannon most definitely did NOT cry at the wedding and we have had many witnesses confirm that, so James, suck it up and pay off the bet ya baby!)

Playing a Mozart tune with Caroline went off alright. I messed up this one chord change which I had kept messing up all along during the practices. Do I really care? Not really…only the musically adept people in the crowd noticed which consists of 1% of the population. I like those odds.

Jason graciously hosted us at his house before the reception started and then we headed off to the Irish Hills Golf Course to start the night off strong! The MC was great, the venue was great, the speeches were great (old and cheap women…Duncan, you art brave!…heck, while I’m at it, let’s all remember how I got a shoutout from the bridesmaid during her speech. Awesome.), the food was great.

I took stage to play Mr. Jones to start off the night. After viewing the video taken of the event (aka, very dark, but you can hear me play) I can now safely say I am an accomplished wedding singer and am now charging $50 (or free drinks all night) to play at any further events. My apprenticeship is done!

The rest of the night resulted in a flurry of dancing and mayhem, where around 11:30, the ties come off and the shirts unbuttoned. I even brought my trusty pewter beer mug which Shannon gave to me as a gift. Thanks to those who brought it to me after I had left it at the reception! But where are my sunglasses? That’s the real question. I just bought those suckers for $9 at the Beer Store!

The highlight of the night was definitely Joe. Joe is currently up in Nunavut making tons of cash working for the Coast Guard. In the true spirit of Joe, I brought a framed portrait of him (seen above) and carried him everywhere. Joe got in more pictures with ladies than he would have in real life. Ha! I even had him on the chair next to me during Mr. Jones. Let me apologize to all the people who asked myself and Maureen (and whoever else) if our friend was dead. He is not dead, just cold and very sober up in Nunavut. Joe, here’s to ya. Rumour has it, Joe’s picture went home with a lady at the end of the night. Booya.

By only disappointment was that by 12:00, there were only 4 people left in the room who were over the age of 40. I won’t knock the families too much, but bring out your dancing shoes next time!

Special props go out to Vero who looked very pretty in her party attire. Tu es tres belle, mon cherie!

Congrats Maureen and Shannon! I hope you enjoy your move to Deep River and life together as Mr. and Mrs.