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If I knew turning 40 would be some much fun, I'd do it every year!!
OK, maybe not, but I think I am going to try and find a good excuse to have a big celebration once every so often! Apparently I had told my wife a while ago that for my 40th, I would like to have big party and invite all our good, old, friends over. So she actually set about to do that, and boy was it a blast! |
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Now, we entertain all the time, so its not like we don't do parties, but when you want to get about a 100 people together in our tiny house, it's
a bit of a challenge!
So, we did it in phases! |
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Kashmira had a good idea of what she wanted. For the big party, she wanted the backyard done up in a colorful theme. We rented tables, chairs and all the usual party stuff. I found the Chinese lanterns she had in her mind and hung them up. We cleaned up the garage and made it into an entertainment area for the kids. We ordered food from two different restaurants, and also had a live tandoor oven for fresh naan bread. The guys even fried the mixed vegetable pakoras and the aloo tikkis on the spot! |
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The surprise party was really a surprise - I knew something was going on, but had no clue as to to the timing and content. I walked in
about 5 minutes behind schedule, to find a room full of favorite people, all of who I had met in the last week or so, or even talked to
on the phone or in person the same day, and not one of them had given it away....! I am amazed Brian kept a straight face when he told me to go home and take care of my wife, and Cindy did not spill the beans when I called and asked her if she was free for lunch earlier that day.. I'll never trust any of you ever again! I am in the process of documenting this great con, because it deserves telling. There were so many small components that somehow did not crumble. There were moments of sheer luck, and one amazing decision that everything hung on....check back and I will link to that narrative from here..! |
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We did the cake thing, and I would like to very much recommend Satura Cakes (multiple locations), who make an amazing Shortcake that is
so incredibly light, and even a good sized portion does not fill you up and make you want to rush to the gym the next day.....
Thanks to Manoj for shooting the video, but no thanks to him for fogetting to get a good pan of the group...!! Wow, I can't believe all the background noise...I guess someone was really unhappy about not being allowed to blow out the candles..! |
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The highlight of the evening was a musical performance by a group I am proud to call my dear friends - Team Ehsaas! Watch the early performances.....things were just getting started..! |
| Watch this great duet by Subhen and Kohinoor...! | ||
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| This is a new favorite of mine, from the movie Fanaa....and then watch Rucha do a great version of My Heart Will Go On from Titanic...! |
| There were some hidden talents in the crowd...... | |||
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Still going strong, this stunning vocal by Kohinoor and by a guitar-vocal by Subhen - Suno Na... Kohinoor does another vocal, including the seductive Raat Akeli Hai, and Subhen wraps up with Rim Jhim Gire Saawan |
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The performance of the night was a Kohinoor vocal, with Subhen on guitar....Chupke Se, from the movie Sathiya this is one of my favorite numbers, and this is one of the
first songs I heard Kohinoor sing, way back when, which really blew me away. If you have heard the original, you will know what I mean. Interspersed with Kohinoor's poetry, this one is a classic!! Enjoy! |
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What can I say? How can things ever get better than this? Thank you all! The friends who timed their travel from Bangalore, LA and from all over the Bay Area, even Fremont (!). Kohinoor and Sanjay composed poetry for me - it was hilarious and humbling at the same time, I can't believe I did not get it on video - I guess I will have to record you separately now and splice it in. And that incredibly talented group of people who sang all my favorites..... Thank you all, from both of us! What more can I ask for? Simply this - come back soon, and lets do it all over again, this time just for fun! Here's to seeing you all next year! | 
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