NOLS Japan

When we shut the door for the year on the cold-water flat that is NOLS Belarus (founded over cafeteria bread pudding on Thanksgiving Day by a duo of like-minded criminals), it's time once more to dust off the postcards of Mt. Fuji and get down to business at NOLS Japan (born in the dead of winter under the influence of sake by Fabel, Roth & Co).

Last night marked the start of our 2011 season. New to our ranks is Mandy-san, who has been welcomed aboard as Rations Manager.

The Wandering Poet and Aneka's Japanese Boy fueled a productive brainstorming session that concluded with the ratification of our spring plan: We will produce and invite our friends to star in a Valentine's Day Shotgun Wedding at the Elks Club in Lander, WY.

The math is easy.

Fake Wedding + Real Alcohol = Good Times

Our vision:

1. Guest arrive on February 12th in appropriate attire, wedding presents and alcohol in tow.

2. At the door, guests pull a role for the occasion out of a gender-specific hat...

Bride
Groom
Crazy Aunt
Jilted Ex-Girlfriend of the Groom
Hearing Impaired Grandpa
Self-Employed Plumber
Wedding Planner
Priest
Maid of Honor
Horndog
Wedding Crasher
Photographer
Flowergirl
Ring Bearer
Best Man
Father of the Bride
Waitstaff

The list goes on (clearly!).

3. Each guest is armed with appropriate props...

Camera
Ringpops
Wedding Gown
Walkie-Talkie
Bridesmaid Dress
Bible
Flask
Cologne
Kleenex
Fake Flowers
Serving Platters

You get the idea (vaguely?).

4. Ceremony and reception to follow.

Bottom line is someone's gonna get a whole mess of wedding presents...