A Very ‘Social Media’ Social

 

You’re either into staff parties or you’re not. All that jealousy, bitchiness and simmering resentment, mixed with enough Breezers to sink a ship and the faint possibility of a stolen moment behind the wheelie bins, sometimes even with your partner. A heady cocktail to be sure and not for the faint hearted. 

 I could be described as something of a social butterfly who would quite happily go to the opening of an envelope so when I received an invitation to Border TV’s reunion there was no holding me back.

Planning was meticulous. After all this was no official company organised function with invites on corporate paper popped into pigeon holes.This was organised by the staff, for the staff. Social media played a part with Livvy and Jean relying on Facebook as the catalyst and method of communication to ensure ex staff scattered around the globe were given an opportunity to come along and join in the fun.

For some the chance to be reunited with colleagues they had not seen for years was a daunting one. Personal circumstances dictated  dramatic changes to their life and I was blown away by the courage they showed to not only attend, but be front of house and proud of the journey they had taken.  It was quite humbling.

Right. That’s enough emotional claptrap. Let’s cut to the chase. Egos were left at the front door and not an angry word was spoken. I got delightfully tipsy, blethered all night, reminisced to anyone who would listen, and for a brief moment, we were all back together again under the same roof working for the company as the decades apart turned into minutes.  And yes it seemed we were all family. And for that reason its goes straight into my list of great nights out.  And that’s up against some pretty stiff opposition.

Normally you rely on hazy memories, stains on your tie, a missing sock, a black eye  and an empty wallet to realise how good a night was. However thanks to the internet photos were being distributed on Facebook within hours prompting more electronic interaction between long lost friends. It’s great to get back in touch with people you thought had gone forever.

I suspect Livvy and Jean and their army of volunteers and helpers probably intended the ‘do’ to be a one -off. But I can say that of the 227 people there I managed decent conversations with around a half.  By my reckoning that means we have to do it all again next year. Please find my cheque attached.

Disco Fever

Vole-ette doing his Wacko Jacko routine

The Vole clan has just returned from a weekend of partying linked to the 70th birthday of King Vole.

Friday was golf at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, better known as Hoylake where Tiger Woods triumphed in the Open in 2006. He had it easy that year. Conditions were interesting to say the least. The starter said the wind was ‘a wee bit brisk’ which must go down as the understatement of the day. It was the sort of wind where the middle aged have to stand leaning slightly into the gale while small children and the elderly run for cover. Fashion went out the window as the groups wiped the mould off ancient waterproofs and were reunited with long forgotten wooly hats that hadn’t seen the light of day for years. Suffice to say the usual eclectic clothing and explosion of colours which you can only get away with on a golf course dominated. We all looked like Albanian pimps. 

It was a gale. Simple as that. And boy was it hard work as the intrepid revellers (in our group’s case fortified by a decent Spey malt) plodded round the course doing our best to enjoy ourselves. And in a strange way we did. Vole- strengthened by the whisky- made a decent fist of it. And for someone who last hit a golf ball two and a half years earlier, it was to be a satisfying day.

Vole’s spectacular array of middle aged medical complaints surfaced but even they didn’t even spoil the moment. The pulled muscle in the arm will heal and the ‘morning after’ stiffness in neck/back/legs is a distant memory.

The main event of the weekend was a party in the clubhouse. Posh frocks, tuxedos and the whiff of expensive perfumes filled the air as King Vole gathered family and friends for a top night of good food, good wine, good music and good company. Vole-ette Junior ripped up the dancefloor with some Michael Jackson inspired moves and sated we all wended our way home after midnight.

A top night. Thankyou King and Queen Vole for hosting a very generous weekend.