60 Again

The big day dawns. I'm too excited to stay in bed and read my book so get on my bike. Reoxygenated blood peps me up and I'm ready for party jobs. There's always more than you imagine but today they go well because I've got a team on board: Kahu, John, Chris, Anjie. We don't plan we just do. Everything gets done in spectacular fashion, especially the moving of the pool table from up the lane. It's a tight fit in places so I assume the role of Health and Safety Officer. This table won't move again. 

Anjie is super efficient and super practical. We move furniture while the boys are at the supermarket and Kahu is tidying his room. There's lights, glasses, food, dishes... then I get dressed. Saves last minute stress and I work better when I'm on top of the small things. John comes back from the shopping trip with fluro g-strings and bras- one for him, one for Will. Outrageous it is. He has volunteered himself and Will to man the door. They look shocking, but that's the point, and line up Mexcal shots for guests and themselves. 

We're off to a good start. Rene begins with Afro beat. People sream in with Margo and Steve on the sofa at the top of the steps in their see through and high rise gear. Lots of chat, drinks and some chocolate. The party begins to take shape. People wander up and down the hall... the David Bowies take pictures in the doorway of Chris's room... Kahu stays in his room receiving guests. I wander round hostessing, sipping drinks, nibbling and keeping an eye on things. It doesn't take long for the party to take off. Scoff's disco jam gets fills the living room. I've given him a play list which starts with disco and I wait for him to move on but he stays with it. I lose track but keep dancing. And chatting. And quaffing wine. I'm 60 and it's all good. I hear John tapping a glass till there's quiet and he speaks, as him who has known me longest. Since high school, 15. At one point he drops to his knee and does a mock proposal. Unexpected. Never know how to take him. A wet towel I've been mopping spillages with gets passed around for people to speak. They start with, "I met Jillian when..." It's reaffirming and works as an impromptu. Amana has made me a cake, big enough for one candle. All I need. 

I get the towel and send us back to boogie wonderland. That's what we're here for. I'm loving having people from all walks in one place: old flatmates from different stages of my life...Deanna, Lyndon, who also did the building for my EQC fix, Heather, another friend from ex-boyfriend David days, and my second stay in London when I also met Chris. Her son, Oscar, and Kahu went through school and played rugby together. There's Convergence friends, some Pap High people, the party crowd, Judith, Karen and Patsy, and Chris's mates. So many connections, and we're partying hard. Kahu lobbies to party with his friends and gets a ride from Judith.

The music goes on and on. The kitchen gets more outrageous, eventually I sit down. It's half 3. I chew the fat with Armana and drift in and out. I wake, look at the clock and hit the hay at 4:15. There's party goers around but Chris is up and tidying glasses. John is in my bed, he has permission. I climb over and slip into blissful slumber. It's been a big night.