Half-a-century, Part One: The Bestest League of America

So yesterday, after spending some time shilly-shallying and some time working, I headed out, up to Cap Hill to watch a totally nerdly movie with Johnbai, getting out of the house in keeping with my usual practice when Otis has clients - she had an appointment for a two-hour special late on Saturday.

I didn't know until almost three hours later - after a badly-done documentary and some Belgian beer - that I was being expertly played by the superheroes Force of Nature and Delaying-Tactics Man. My afternoon of male bonding was actually a diversion so that Otis could spring the Walaka-palooza Superhero Birthday Bash!


A satisfied Delaying-tactics Man leads me into the trap!

I found myself surrounded by an array of costumed crime-fighters merry-makers all intent on helping to mark my milestone birthday. I was immediately granted my own secret identity, and joined the revels as Bionic Birthday Boy (we had the technology).


Mighty Pretzel Woman with typical twisted humor!


Special team-up issue: Celtic Power Woman, Spawn of Hellboy, and Exhausted Nursing Student Boy!


Crowella was escorted by Bizzzzzzznessssss-Man!



Crossover collector's item: Cheetah, Queen of Ewop and Mr. Really Incredible



I join Social Justice Man, ENSB, and Repair-Man for some super-snacks!

As we drank Bubbling Kryptonite Punch (and beer and wine) and ate all kinds of goodies that had apparently been hidden around the house, Force of Nature orchestrated a Walaka-quiz, just to make me feel more focus than a big B around my neck and a crown could. Spawn of Hellboy took first prize, a fairly dim Chinese light saber.


Tomato-Man and Lady Lu, the Princess of Persuasion!


A threatening Spawn of Hellboy!


Super-villian Mu-Ha-Ha doing his thing!


The dynamic duo: Electro & Cute!


Celtic Power!

Delaying-tactics Man rolled out a new, improved version of Win Walaka's T-Shirts, the exhausting exciting game show that debuted at Librapalooza last year. An array of 25 totally cool T-shirts, all ostensibly "mine," were displayed, and anyone could challenge me for any one of them by competing in a quiz-show question (with audio and video clues). I managed to retain fifteen of the shirts, dominating the categories of Comics and Sci-Fi Movies and managing not be completely shut out in Flowers, Vegetables & Fruits, and Popular Music. (I could identify bird of paradise, calla lily, star fruit, Shirley Bassey, and Randy Newman.) Exhausted Nursing Student Boy made a fine showing in both flora categories, and super-villain Mu-Ha-Ha clawed his way to a few shirts as well.


Mad props to Delaying-tactics man for yeoman work!


Even superheroes get cake!

Superhero stamina is a thing to behold, and the party continued on long into the night, calling for an impromptu pot of chili to reinforce the munchies. Even Working-Caterer Woman, who made a late appearance, had plenty of time to join the wee-hours conversation. All heroes finally returned to their own secret lairs at about one in the morning.


Secret identities revealed!

My deep and sincere thanks to everyone who came by to help me have a good time, and an especial shout-out to the Audio-Visual Avenger, who could not be there in person but who supplied vintage Superman video, creative consultation, and moral support.

And, of course, hugs, kisses, and huzzahs for my personal Force of Nature for being as sweet as she is, not just with this party, but every day.