I waited for HOURS and HOURS at Round Lake and no one showed. What? It wasn't actually at Round Lake? Well no one told me!! I hate you all!! Well, except Leen cuz he looks so darn cute, just like a big teddy bear. And ok, maybe Fred cuz he can cook.
Ok, ok Shelley too, cuz she will hurt me.

Some day I shall return!!

( ooo that sounded good, almost famous quote like )

I can honestly say that while I have had fun at every RLW that I've attended, 2006 was probably the most relaxing and enjoyable to date. The weather was reasonable. No one seemed to be fighting. Fred's cooking was, as always, exceptional. Jeff's swords and Matt's pop top competition gave the kids hours of entertainment. Shelley et al did a great job of organizing. There wasn't any part of the weekend that I didn't enjoy(okay possibly the absinthe), including comparing early morning hangover shakes with Sean and Sacha before they headed off to Saskatoon.

NEW GAMES/ACTIVITIES:
Slingshot Paintball, Bicycle Jousting, Outdoor Killer Darts (not what some of you who did not attend might think), Beer Darts, Beerbelly Darts (only Jeff and Murray played this variation), Floating About on Blow-up Plastic Things, Swashbucklin' Sword Fights, Touch Football, Bocci Ball, The ARRR Wave, Grapefruit Baseball, and Throw Some More Absinthe on the Fire.
Boat jousting, I am sad to say, did not happen after all, despite there being two powerboats at our disposal.

OLD FAVORITES BACK AGAIN:
Washer Boxes, Soccer, Tubing, Water Skiing, and Swimming.

ATTENDEES:
Shelley, Steve, Melany and Amber; Jeff, Kathy, Kimberly, Krista and (briefly) Joey; Paul and Shannon; Scott, Kandi, Duncan, Eric and Connor; Holly, Murray and Sean; Sacha; Matt and Lew; Fred; Caroel, Darcy, Ben, Kaemen, and Hannah; Leen and Kirsten; John and Kieran; Kelly and Amara.

CONSPICUOUSLY ABSENT:
Adam, Tasha, Debbie, Russ and Ryan, Trudy, Alyson, Dave (OK, nobody expected Dave to show up, but we did think about him, and he was, indeed, absent), Kevin and his crew (we miss you Kevin!).

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

• "Arrrr!" - Everyone
• "Shut Yer Pie Hole Woman!" - We won't say who, but we will say both of them were on KP for the duration of the year until the following RLW.
• "Stupid Men Tricks Rules!" - Matt after 30 paces into the field for Slingshot Paintball.
• "Never before in the History of mankind, have so few men deserved so many beer." - Steve after the 1.5K bike ride with Matt that turned into 4K of cross-country and 3K of riding in wet sand.
• "Steve, can I teach Melany how to play caps?" - Fred.
• "What do pirates do when they retire? Use their Arr Arr Ess Pees." - Matt being funny at the beach.
• "MURDER?! Oh yeah, I'll play that!" - Paul.

THINGS I WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE HAD HAPPEN:
Our van stalled out twice on the way home. Overheating problem of some sort. Had to wait a half an hour both times - once just before Tuxford, and once just after. Managed to make it to Moosejaw and we let the van sit for an hour while we bummed around. That was good enough to cool it sufficiently to make it back to the Southland Mall, where it stalled for the third time. 5 minutes walk away from hot showers, and we had to wait half an hour for the last few blocks.

The water fight breaking out was a hoot.

Now, oddly most of you might expect that I would choose washer boxes [as my favorite sport] since Shannon and I excelled at this sport (even though we chose to keep our amateur status rather than going pro so we can compete in the next olympics), and even though I was almost always the first adult parking her lawn chair to watch in amazement the epitomy of Stupid Men Tricks known as beer darts; I think my most fun game was playing soccer Friday night. Shame on you to whoever it was who kept calling for the opposition to target my dear husband's injured knee....

I learned a lot more about Matt and Lew; very interesting people... Oh, and Duncan is no longer a little boy.

[About Fred's cooking,] Gosh, hmmmmm... let's see... the steak was awesome, the salads rocked - oh and that pull apart beef might actually top... nope... definitely the carbonara. :)

[If I could change anything about the weekend] I think I'd subtract a few mph off of the wind. (arrrrr)

I'm kinda partial to 1999. I was much cleaner there, liked my outfit better, and the accommodations were more plush. :) I seriously don't know how I'd rank it. This was #7 for me, and I have found all of them shocking, fun, surprising, and with highs and lows, but the highs are much higher than the lows. This one was definitely a good one.

{About a moment of peace,] That would be Friday night when I finally was able to get my GD tent to stop spinning.

My favorite thing about RLW-2006 is how relaxed and easy going everyone was. I don't remember any fights, arguments, or even harsh words. It seemed for some reason that everyone was just enjoying the moment. When Steve sent out his 18 sleeps email, I noticed a tone of expectation/excitement in the emails akin to kids just before Christmas. I seemed like everyone in the group had independently embraced the RLW as the nexus of our little clan.

1) What is your favorite thing that happened this weekend?
Shiver me timbers, you don't really think I'm going to write about THAT, do ya? I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request.

But if put to the point of a rapier, I'd have to say:
the morning swims,
the way the little ones looked after themselves without squabbles,
gettin' a deck under my feet with a good woman and fine friends by my side,
and no Narcissus-be-damned Orlando Bloom around ta ruin it all!

2) Tell us about your favorite game of the weekend, whether it was watching or participating.
By the Seven Sirens of the Saskatchewan, there's no practice more vile or qeer than darts. It's more fun to win than lose, but there are worse ways to be pillaged, if ya know what I mean, boy. Aye, there's few things that shout "Victory!" louder than the "thunk-whoosh" of yer rival's aluminuminum cask of honey wheat ale. Ah, sweet misery.
But in the name of all that's silly, the Spirit of Round Lake lived on in that friendly little bout of bicycle jousting. Now that's entertainment.

3) Describe something new you learned about one of our friends (DO NOT reveal any secrets that were confessed).
Oy, and listen close: Kathy the Lew'd is really a reflexologist in disguise. But not a word t' anyone; ya don' think she wants to spend all weekend massagin' the feet of this foul-smellin' lot, do ya?

4) What was your favorite Fred dish and why?
Lard Thunderin', ya put a bye on the spot! But, I do remember fondly the peel-away pork, tater salad, greek salad, and Bananas Foster. I dinna ken who this Foster bloke was, but he can sail with our crew any weekend.

5) If you could have altered one thing about the Round Lake Weekend this year, what would it be?
More trebuchet, less flatulence. 'Pologies, Kathy me darlin', but I was betimes thankful for the wind.

7) Did you have a moment where you felt at peace and at one with the Universe? If so, tell us about it in as much detail as you can (we won't laugh, really).
Well, truth be known, I had some melancholy moments this RLW, but this is just the crew to be with when those moods strike. My two moments when I felt that everything was just as it should be were cruising the lake as the sun hit its orangest hour, and sitting at the fire with my mates singing.

Aye, there is no storm nor ill-fortune that this group can not pull you through. You are the finest.

1) What is your favorite thing that happened this weekend?
Even though all the games were fun to watch and play, I think that watching Duncan with the younger kids and how he was with them was my favorite thing. I think that he went out of his way to play and make sure they all were having a good time. At his age, a boy could easily spurn the younger crowd. I was reminded of Sean and how he was at that age. I was very proud of him and have told him so.

2) Tell us about your favorite game of the weekend, whether it was watching or participating.
Playing soccer with all the kids.

3) Describe something new you learned about one of our friends (DO NOT reveal any secrets that were confessed).
That Kathy can trash talk like a hockey player.

4) What was your favorite Fred dish and why?
Greek salad, hands down.

5) If you could have altered one thing about the Round Lake Weekend this year, what would it be?
That it is longer. The worst day is always the last.While most of you all see each other on a fairly regular basis, now including Scott, I on the other hand see most of you once a year and I don't think that it is enough.

6) How does this year's RLW rate vs. other years, which year is #1, and why would you put it at that ranking?
I worked it out and I have been to 17 RLW's, and even though two or three have been weather-wise a disaster, even those have had their good points. This year was great in that there was fun had by all and great camaraderie. I honestly can't rank any of them, including this one.

7) Did you have a moment where you felt at peace and at one with the Universe? If so, tell us about it in as much detail as you can (we won't laugh, really).
Again, it was watching my kids. All the kids, actually. My hope is that we are still doing this with them and their kids as well years into the future.

1) What is your favorite thing that happened this weekend?
I would have to say the water fight as well. That was a lot of laughs and it felt really cool as well.

2) Tell us about your favorite game of the weekend, whether it was watching or participating.
Murder darts was a new game for me and I quite enjoyed it. Swimming is always a favorite of mine as well. Watching Matt play beer darts, he's my star.

3) Describe something new you learned about one of our friends (DO NOT reveal any secrets that were confessed).
No confessions, I just felt Iike got to know everyone a little bit better.

4) What was your favorite Fred dish and why?
Fred is my favorite dish. ;) ;)

5) If you could have altered one thing about the Round Lake Weekend this year, what would it be?
Leave that vile green alcohol at the liquor store.

6) How does this year's RLW rate vs. other years, which year is #1, and why would you put it at that ranking?
I found this one more enjoyable because we had four days of enjoyment. The fun and games just never stopped. The kids are a pleasure to be around.

7) Did you have a moment where you felt at peace and at one with the Universe? If so, tell us about it in as much detail as you can (we won't laugh, really).
Lots of massages and foot rubs. I really felt I got the most out of the time spent. I never wanted for anything. Food always available, friends to chat with and have many laughs, sitting around the fire at night kind of felt like that 70's show. Passing the bottle and singing songs.

That's it folks, thanks for the great weekend and hope do it all over again next year.

1) What is your favorite thing that happened this weekend?
Oooh... where to start. Lemme think. There was the drinking, and then.. yeah, more drinking. Oh and yes - the drinking. More Absinthe, say I. Kidding. The campfire singing was great. John, Sacha and Benjamin - kudos to you. Keep playing. The morning dips in the lake were really special. Ummm... Water skiing - I wouldn't have minded more boat time for myself, but it's one of those availability things and I think it is probably most special for the youngsters. My thanks to Leen and the Boyes Bunch for bringing their boats.

2) Tell us about your favorite game of the weekend, whether it was watching or participating.
Paintball with Duncan, Murray and Matt, followed by soccer, even if my dear wife was encouraging my opponents to "go for his injured knee", and of course Bicycle Jousting (with continued apologies to Matt). Watching the kids sword fighting was very gratifying (plus for me personally the knowledge that I may have helped steer Kirsten - a natural athlete - into fencing). Flying kites with my son :-]]]]]] Beer darts as a spectator sport!!!! LOLOLOL...

3) Describe something new you learned about one of our friends (DO NOT reveal any secrets that were confessed).
I try not to learn new things.... :-] ... Hmmm... Paul likes stargazing. The Universe revolves around Shelley... no wait, we already knew that... LOL...

4) What was your favorite Fred dish and why?
I liked everything I ate. No favourites.

5) If you could have altered one thing about the Round Lake Weekend this year, what would it be?
A little bit less hard stuff in circulation at the campfire. Yes, yes... I know - one can say "no", and we adults have the right to drink as we will, but it can catch up with you all of a sudden and then bingo! Off you go to bed and we don't have the pleasure of your company anymore.

6) How does this year's RLW rate vs. other years, which year is #1, and why would you put it at that ranking?
1999 was of course the best RLW :-] ... for the rest - hard to compare - the communal meals are really wonderful - this is the single best change that has happened since we left Round Lake after 1989. For natural beauty - Clearwater (okay, not the campground) in 1996. One of my single all time best non-1999 RLW memories is of Paul and I jumping off the cliff into the clean, clear water of the lake on that beautiful, glorious sunny day so long ago. All different... most good...

7) Did you have a moment where you felt at peace and at one with the Universe? If so, tell us about it in as much detail as you can (we won't laugh, really).
Lying in the tent with Joey, listening to him talk sleepily to himself, realizing that I was drifting off to sleep and that Kathy would come and get me in half an hour so I could go back to the campfire. Watching the stars with Paul Saturday night (until the dorky CO's interrupted... thanks, guys). Watching a kite dance at the end of its string.

1) What is your favorite thing that happened this weekend?
Spending time with everyone.......

2) Tell us about your favorite game of the weekend, whether it was watching or participating.
Washer box game with Kathy O.
And the beer darts.

3) Describe something new you learned about one of our friends (DO NOT reveal any secrets that were confessed).
You are all great friends.....

4) What was your favorite Fred dish and why?
All and no reason why...

5) If you could have altered one thing about the Round Lake Weekend this year, what would it be?
To stay longer.....

6) How does this year's RLW rate vs. other years, which year is #1, and why would you put it at that ranking? GREAT GREAT GREAT. No one year is better than the other.

7) Did you have a moment where you felt at peace and at one with the Universe? If so, tell us about it in as much detail as you can (we won't laugh, really).
No one moment, just lots of little ones to make one great weekend.
Thanks all, we are a great bunch of people...........

We(Paul and Shannon) would like to thank Fred and Shelley for the great meals. Fred as always the food was great, will never complain when somebody else is cooking. Shelley thanks for the planing and organization and collecting part and also the many other things you did. I, We would that to say the RLW2006 was great, great, great. It gets better with every year. I , We, can not express enough how much fun it is for the two of us to come out and join the crowd for this (our usual one weekend summer vacation), fantastic weekend away from the usual daily grind.

I, We, agree with everyone's comments about the RLW. Tip, yes. Paying for Fred's meals, yes. Work (assist and clean up) schedule, yes. Keeping the steak and sauce, yes(although change is good too). Pot luck, yes. Fred cooking and all of us assisting, yes.

All in all I,we, love this one weekend a year. It really does us good to get away and see and spend time with each and everyone of you's.

Again, Thanks to Fred, Shelley and everyone for a great 2006 RLW.

Shannon and Paul
P.S.
Can't wait for next year's RLW.