On Thursday, all of the riders and volunteers that participated on our company’s MS150 party were invited to a reception. The event, just like everything else, was perfectly planned. The attendance was outstanding. As we walked in we were given our medals to wear. At first the medal felt heavy, but I admit, I am like little kid getting a trophy when it comes to medals. I was already imagining hanging the medal on my wall next to my marathon medals.
We had wine and appetizers the first hour while we waiting for everyone to arrive. I noticed that everyone was excitedly re-sharing their MS150 stories. It has been almost a month since the ride, and the energy is most certainly still there.
Then the speeches and recognition time began. Everything was so perfectly done. Our executives spoke, and they recognized our top donors. I too felt very proud of the fact that our team had such a strong showing with donations. We beat teams twice our size in total donations. I like seeing my company’s name out there in such a positive light.
Everyone cheered when our head volunteer was recognized. She and her crew worked so well together. As riders all we had to do was ride and raise money because our volunteers took care of everything else. When our head volunteer came up to accept her award, she was almost in tears. I especially liked what she said about believing in the MS Society. I agree that it is a very worthy cause. She gave a perfect speech and then…the fun began.
A couple of weeks ago, an email had gone out to all of the MS150 riders with a list of logistical items. Ironically, it was the only email that I actually read in full. It is one of the few emails that I have read in the two years that I have been with the company. I was eating lunch at my desk when it came through. Normally, I am occupied with something more pressing than email.
The email said that a special post party was in the works, and invited us to send in nominations for clever awards for participants. I was still in the middle of lunch, so I had a little fun sending in some nominations. I nominated Cowboys Fan for “Best Crisis Adverted”. He actually ran over his helmet with his SUV about 10 minutes before we were supposed to take off for the ride. I was really amused by this after all the ridiculous stuff that I did trying to learn to ride a bike; he managed to find a way to top it.
I nominated Egal for best team support/encouragement in recognition of the countless times I went to her when I was freaking out about the whole thing. Not to mention the fact that she got me registered.
I nominated a girl that sits near me for not giving up. She was one of the last riders to come in on both days, and she was so determined to ride the whole way. I also nominated Weatherman, Trumpet and Mr.I Ride Really Fast on a Bike. For “Best Back of the Line Finish”. These gentlemen tried to jump the fence on Sunday morning and start early to avoid the insane crowd of riders. They got caught by the dozen police officers outside and were escorted to the very end of the line for punishment. The three of them still managed to beat nearly everyone to Austin. Mr. I Ride Really Fast on a Bike got his blog name for a reason.
Our head volunteer gave a very entertaining and fun special awards ceremony. It caught everyone, especially me, completely off guard. When I submitted the nominations, I imagined something like first grade where everyone got a certificate with some little note on it. Like I got best writer written on my little certificate in elementary school days.
Instead of a little note on a certificate, our head volunteer said she had some special awards. Before long, Cowboys Fan was up at the podium accepting his “Best Crisis Adverted” award. Imagine being him, just going about your business enjoying a party with your co-workers and next thing you know, you are in front of a hundred or so people receiving a beanie hat and certificate. For your special move of the big event.
Once I was able to collect myself from my fit of laughter, I was quick on my feet and pointed the finger at trumpet. I declared it must have been him that nominated Cowboys Fan for the award. Everyone chimed in with agreement, after all they sit right next to each other. Trumpet would have been the perfect scape goat….but then to every one’s surprise, he was one of the honored recipients of the next award….”Best Back of the Line Finish”
If it was me, I would frame the “Best Back of the Line Finish” award and hang it next to my marathon medals. These guys started about an hour after everyone and still finished WAY before everyone. It really was an impressive feat. Not to mention, hilarious story with them being treat like grade school kids being sent to the end of the line and all.
Once the laughter calmed down, everyone was left wondering who the nominator was. They do not need a computer program to do the math. Only 15 people took off from Mr.I Ride Really Fast on a Bike’s house where Cowboys Fan ran over his helmet. Four of them were nominated, so that leaves 11 people. Around four or so of the remaining 11 do not work at our company, so that leaves about 7 of us.
Me, Canary, Family Guy, Snoring Maestro, Zip, Smiley and Office Man are the suspects, but I seem to be the prime suspect at this point. Even looking at the list of suspects myself, I do not really have another good patsy. I fully expect my cube to be redecorated by Monday. I am not sure at this point if I should confess, or keep trying to play it off.
At the end of the day…this whole MS150 thing has been a lot of fun. I laugh more at myself than anything. I look back on how sensitive I was the day I was supposedly voted off the team, and I realize that it was all in fun. Of course being in a lot of pain and bruised head to toe contributed a lot to my sensitivity, but now I see irony in the fact that I was actually mishap free the entire MS150 weekend, while the experienced members had the misadventures for a change.
The reception was the perfect close to an hugely successful and VERY fun event.