Alphabetical Shower

Given that I just don't seem the shower-hosting type, this might be the only bridal shower that I ever host, and so I when I ran across the e-mail again I thought I would put it up on the webpage for virtual posterity. To know why one would have alphabetization and office supplies as the theme for a bridal shower is to know the blushing bride herself. If you don't, suffice it to say that when Jan decided she wanted to be all wild and get a tattoo, what she chose was a tattoo of three linked green paper clips.

Date: Sun, 22 Feb 1998 16:40:25 -0500 (EST)
From: Jeremy Freese <jfreese@indiana.edu>
To: [recipients deleted]
Subject: Shower invitation

Old, new, borrowed, blue
Not just a bridal shower
But festive haiku!

Love is in the air! You have all been in-person invited to the bridal
shower that I'm hosting in honor of Jan Carolus, my best
friend from college and bride-elect of Bloomington's own John Gnida. I
am preparing paper invitations to this event for you all as well, but
the graphic design team is running late and I decided to send this
electronic invitation out to make sure everyone is up-to-date.
The shower will be held Saturday, February 28th, starting promptly
at 7pm. Exciting shower games are feverishly being planned. For those of
you who have never met Jan, don’t worry, as picking Jan out of the throng
of attendees is one of the first fun games on our list!

Kathryn Henderson has gleefully volunteered to be in charge of food, 
and Karen Lutfey is coordinating the many liquid refreshments we will 
have to offer. I am in charge of games, the gift drawing, decorations, 
and the most massive task of all, the cleaning of my apartment.

All of you have already drawn one of the coveted scrabble tiles for the
shower. As you know, these are for the gifts. Some people have asked me
how much should be spent on gifts. Really, no gift is too modest,
especially for those who barely know the bride, groom, and/or the shower
hosts. Those with a familiarity of and fondness for the happy couple may
be moved to be more extravagant. Really, the most important thing to bring,
of course, is yourself and your enthusiasm for the event.

Again, this is an Office Supply Shower, the first ever of its kind in the
State of Indiana (I checked). So the gifts should not only begin somehow
with your letter, but be along the lines of (a) office supplies, (b)
personal-organizational stuff, (c) time saving gadgetry. For example, Brian
Dietz, who drew the letter G, is planning to give Jan a year's supply of
gummed reinforcements. Unusual and clever uses of your letter are
encouraged.

A complete list of guests: 

Mr. A: Jason Schnittker Awesome!
Ms. B: Kathryn Henderson Brilliant!
Mr. C: Adam King Charming!
Ms. D: Liahna Gordon Delightful
Dr. E: Mike Large Effervescent!
Ms. F: Sara Hare Fantastic!
Mr. G: Brian Dietz Groovy!
Ms. H: Keri Lubell Harmonic!
Ms. I: Erin Maher Inimitable!
Ms. J: Karen Segar Jocular!
Ms. K: Barb Halpenny Kaleidoscopic!
Ms. L: Jocelyn Viterna Luminous!
Ms. M: Danielle Lavin Magnificent!
Mr. N: Jeremy Freese Neurotic!
Ms. O: Jen Amaral Outstanding!
Mr. P: Robert Soto Precious!
Ms. Q: Sharon Abbott Queer!
Ms. R: Lisa Aucoin Radiant!
Ms. S: Sarah Rain Sensational!
Ms. T: Karen Lutfey Titillating!
Ms. U: Robyn Ryle Unparalleled!
Ms. V: Lexi Berkowitz Vivacious!
Ms. W: Diem Shin Wonderful!
Ms. X: Sharon Soto X-citing!
Mr. Y: Dave Brady Yummy!
Ms. Z: Mystery Guest (???) Zesty!

--Jeremy