Saturday, January 14, 2006

TWQ: Birthday Presents & The Captain's Birthday

Today is my birthday! As a result, TWQ (The Weekend Question) asks this:

What is the best and the most unusual birthday present you have received?

This is my answer:

The best birthday present I ever had was the party that took place when I was 21. The whole family, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends etc were together, with a great disco. Everybody thought it was the best party they had ever been to.

The most unusual present was when I was 26. My parents had secretly booked a kissogram girl to visit me at the office where I worked. Everybody knew except me; as I was working away on my computer, a barely clad woman sneaked across the office and said , "Hello!" I have never been so surprised. Cameras were clicking away. My father was watching from the window behind me!

Now it's over to you...

----------------------------------

What is going on?

It's my birthday, and no one on the Enterprise has said anything to me at all about it,not even the senior staff.

They are just saying, "Good morning, Captain." and the usual formalities.

If someone doesn't say "Happy Birthday!" soon, I shall put everyone on double shifts...no, make that TRIPLE shifts."

Now that's strange; I'm walking around the decks and it all seems so very quiet.

Just what IS going on?

I get a message on my Com from Riker.

"Captain, we have an emergency in Ten Forward; we need you here right away!"

Can't Riker handle it himself? He usually gets in a panic if the replicators break down and isn't able to get his supply of donuts.

I enter Ten Forward; it's all dark.

"SURPRISE!!"

A mass of voices shout before the lights come on; it's the entire crew.

The senior staff come forward; Beverly speaks,

"Sorry, Jean-Luc, for the little deception, but we decided to have your birthday party here."

Deanna brings forward a large cake with several candles alight; I won't say how many, but it looks like Worf is ready with Security in case anything sets alight.

Riker joins the band they have hired, who are Arnold and The Astronauts. Everybody sings:

"Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday, Captain Picard,
Happy birthday, to you."

As usual, I get a little embarassed when I'm the centre of attention, like when I visit the children on Captain's Day.

"Err...thank you very much, everybody."

The crew then get to another day of music and dancing

'Birthday Boogaloo' gets them going...

What a super day it is;
the one day of the year
we get to celebrate the fact
that you're even here -- it's your birthday!
Happy birthday to you!

We're gonna have some fun today;
it's all because of you.
So grab your friends and make 'em dance
a birthday boogaloo -- on your birthday!
Happy birthday to you!

Any other day is just
any other day of the year,
but today we want to celebrate
'cause we're so thankful you're even here
-- oh yeah!

Bake yourself a birthday wish
and blow the candles out.
Do a backward somersault
and jump and twist and shout -- it's your birthday!
Happy birthday to you!

Before your birthday's over
there's one thing I want to do;
if I may, I'd love to dance
a boogaloo with you -- on your birthday!
Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!
Do the birthday boogaloo!

It's your birthday!
Happy birthday to you!

After that, we spend the time playing Twister, which left the crew in a tangle. If we had an alien invaders at that time, there could be a problem.

Lastly, Beverly comes on in a shimmering dress like Marilyn Monroe's and sings huskily and slowly:

"Hap-py birth-day to you,
Hap-py birth-day to you,
Hap-py birth-day, Cap-tain Pi--card,
Hap--py bir---thday, to... you."

I needed some Bajoran Brandies and Klingon Bloodwine then.

When it is all over, Beverly kisses me and whispers, "Happy Birthday, Jean-Luc."

I guess it's been a great Birthday!

47 comments:

Bec said...

Well, happy birthday to you, Captain Picard. Or should I say Graham?
My most unusual birthday present was scuba diving lessons from my husband; best present would have been the scuba lessons except I discovered a nasty case of claustrophobia when underwater in all that gear, so I'll just say any of the many times I've been given my beloved Chanel No 5!

(oops, Michele sent me)

craziequeen said...

'Graham'?....

ohhhh, she went to the wrong place!!

:-)

Happy Birthday sweetie - will call in later, but housewifely duties demand my attention atm.....

cq

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, captain, and many, many more.

kenju said...

Have a great birthday, Jean-Luc and many more to come!

Bec told me to come here today.

Viamarie said...

Swell party! Happy Birthday again!

Karen said...

Happy Birthday! Love your memories of best and most strange. My best AND most strange was when I turned 40, my co-workers arranged for the high school marching band, in full uniform, to greet me at the front door of the office as I left for lunch. They played songs like "Another One Bites the Dust," etc. I loved it. My boss was mad cuz he thought I'd be mad. Not me!

Michele sent me. Have a terrific birthday!

Lazy Daisy said...

Happy Birthday....best present my husband getting all the kids home for the weekend on my birthday without me knowing. Michele sent me today

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Cap'n..

Worst is when my at-the-time gf bought me tickets to go see Les'Miserables knowing full well that I realy don't enjoy plays in the slightest. I had to fake some kind of joy even as I was trying to figure out exactly what had just happend.

Best memory, thats a tough one. I've honestly enjoyed them all equaly even the one that left me attending a play.

Anyways, Michele says hello.

cheers

P.

Ciera said...

My best birthday present? a delightful email ... oh wait ... it wasn't my birthday was it? No matter! :) Anyway, I have to go type a reply

Happt Birthday Jean-Luc!

Chrixean said...

my best birthday present -- a surprise party thrown for me by my highschool friends where we went to the mountains for a nichttime picnic. Was fun! Strangest birthday present? Can't think of any now because I usually liked the stuff I receive :-)
Happy birthday, Jean-Luc!:-D

ribbiticus said...

happy birthday, captain! (or should i say graham?) how wonderful that your parents were the ones who gave you a kissogram! how weird was that! lol! here's hoping you have more parties that are just as kick-ass fun! :)

ribbiticus said...

michele sent me back! how's the birthday loot so far? :)

HRH Courtney, Queen of Everything said...

Best birthday was #30, big surprise party with just about everyone I'd ever known present. Weirdest present also came from that party, as one of my high school friends went to the local cable access station and got me a copy of the play I was in during my jr. year in high school.
Odd.
Here via Michele.

mistipurple said...

Happy Birthday Captain Picard. a most appropriate time to present to you our ancestors' treasures... the million year golden roots of the life-giving ginseng.
you may want to sip it when you return to your private lounge after the party. they are an instant health rejuvenator, to put it mildly. *ahem*

Marie said...

Happy Birthday to you, Captain Picard!! I hope that this year brings many wonderful times and adventures. :)

To answer your questions: The best and most unusal birthday present is actually combined into the same birthday - my 30th. Many dear friends and acquaintances of mine threw a surprise party at one of my favorite spots in San Francisco. That was my best present.

My most unsual present was the gift of tandem sky-diving for my 30th. I went the very next day, which was a Saturday. Of course I was thrilled and gladly went to the airfield with a couple of other friends who wanted to join in as well. I enjoyed the experience very much.

BarbaraFromCalifornia said...

Happy Birthday!

May you have a great and inspiring year.

My best birthday present was when I turned 40. My children, and many friends came to a party given by my husband. Everyone played some instrument, or piece of music in my honor, including my children. It was unforgetable.

Trucker Pete said...

Happy Birthday, Jean-Luc!

Nettie said...

Happy birthday (UH!)
Happy birthday (UH!)
People dying every day
Happy Birthday (UH!)

Yeah, I know, the Viking birthday song doesn't have quite the same effect in print.

Lori said...

Happy Birthday Captain....No licks??....I guess Bev will be doing that later...LOL

The best present....would be last year on my 29th.....we went out to eat....and hubby had them come sing Happy birthday to me.....when it was over...My daughter that is 3... turned and looked at me...and said...Happy Birthday Mommy...I love you....it was the sweetest thing!!!!

Unusual...hmmmmm can't think of nothing!!!

Have a great day!!!

Natsthename said...

Happy Birthday! A bald head NEVER looked better!!! (not even Yul Brynner's!)

craziequeen said...

Most Unusual: I started my first nannying job only a couple of weeks before my 18 birthday. Mrs L found out and baked me a cake. She cooked it secretly in the aga, and forgot it. We had a lovely chocolate shortbread :-) It was the wonderful.

Best Present: My 'Dragons don't washing up' Pocket Dragon from cyberkitten. We were on a crazie holiday and 11 of us in a house were getting to me a bit, so I sort of lived in the kitchen washing up! I was getting quite down. He even managed to buy it while we were out shopping for the day - together!! That man is so thoughtful :-)

cq

carmilevy said...

Hi Captain. I hope this birthday tops even your 21st. You deserve all the happiness in the world for being such an influential force in the blogosphere.

And that picture of Ms. McFadden in your previous post...gaa!

WendyWings said...

Happy Birthday, my most unusual present was probably my now four year old daughter , well she was born a week before my birthday but it was close enough :)

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday! I can't think of any birthday present that's memorable. Thanks for sharing your experience.

dddragon said...

And not a Wesley in sight!? WOW, that IS a happy birthday!!

My husband threw a surprise 40th birthday party for me - I think it was revenge, since I had done it to him the previous year. I didn't catch on until moments before I walked into the room.

YellowRose said...

Happy Birthday!!! I wish you a wonderful year!! :)

Carol said...

Happy Birthday!
How many candles on the cake there?

Professor Xavier said...

Happy Birthday!

That kiss-o-gram sounds like a fantastic present. I wonder if I can talk my wife into getting one for me?

Shannon said...

Happy Birthday, Jean-Luc! The best and most unusual birthday present I ever received had something to do with Anakin's roboclaw and I, like, can't quite talk about in public.

Nic said...

Ooooo, more kisses, more kisses! I hope your birthday was all you wanted it to be and more, my friend!

Running2Ks said...

Happy birthday, pal of mine. May Beverly's kissogram be better than the last one ;)

HUGS!!!!

*my best gift was this year: time!

Jean-Luc Picard said...

Wow! Thank you all for these wonderful messages! You really are a great group of people!

FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

Isn't it nice to know that many people love you? Happy Birthday Capt. This is the best and most beautiful thing in the world you can have for your birthday. They are things you cannot see or touch. They come from the heart.
Again Happy Happy Birthday!!!!
By the way you haven't signed in my guestbook. While at it also place a pin in my guestmap. Make yourself known throughout the world.

craziequeen said...

No - thank *you*, Jean-Luc.
We're always assured a chuckle or an outright belly laugh when we visit your journal.
And you're a good blogbuddy.
Although your birthday is now over, may I still wish you every good wish for the year ahead!

And Carry On Blogging!

cq

Viamarie said...

It really was a great birthday from how you described it.

Michele sent me to greet you a Belated Happy Birthday! Like your blog. Enjoy your postings.

Karen said...

Hope you had a wonderful birthday yesterday!

Here again via Michele's!

Pink Pen said...

Happy Birthday :)

Michele sent me.

Suburban Turmoil said...

A very happy birthday to you, Captain!

Michele sent me!

ribbiticus said...

hi, jean-luc! hope you had a grand time yesterday! so when are you going to tell us all about it?

:)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEAN-LUC!!! And many many more to come!

I've had many wonderful and memorable birthdays and it's hard to pick one that is 'The Best', but if I had to, it would be the birthday I spent with my dear friends while in England on that fabulous day in The Cotswolds...

Jean-Luc Picard said...

Thanks again, everybody.

Friday's Child, I've tried that Frappermap, but found it tough!

Daydream believer said...

Happy Belated Birthday! That's me, a day late and a dollar short...

My best birthday was my 20th...my boyfriend took me to dinner, and a play...and then suprised me with a leather jacket and jewelry..*sigh* of course I made the mistake of marrying him!!!! ha ha

Happy Birthday!

Jaime said...

Happy Birthday, Captain!

Nice party, but that's not quite the version I heard from my friend who serves with you (though I'm not supposed to tell you that). She sent quite the interesting account of it....stop by if you get a chance.

Shelley said...

Have a super day! Birthday Boogaloo, what a hoot! Hope you get some great presents...although I doubt you can top the "Kissogram" girl! Heehee! Huggs!

Michelle said...

happy belated birthday! hope it was a good one :)

M. C. Pearson said...

Sorry I missed your birthday party Cappie! Sounded great...wish I weren't so sick or I would've been here on time.

I'll be reading your latest adventures during the course of the week. I appreciate you stopping by and all your prayers!

Marj said...

hahahaha looks like you've been quite busy too! sorry i missed it, happy birthday!

~wyn ^_^