The Date--Part One

For Christmas, my parents gave us a wonderful Christmas present. The next series of 3 posts will cover it in detail.

Megan and I each received a series of envelopes with careful instructions about when to open them, and in which order. After reading, skimming, or getting the gist of the necessary legalese warnings, we opened the first envelope which contained the following (with some minor, non-meaningful edits made by me):

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PART A
You may not know it yet but this is your favorite Christmas. Like you would expect it is one in which your participation is an essential part.

Step 1: Each question requires your candid and precisely accurate response--no hedging or dodging.

My favorite--

1. song is __________.
2. nice restaurant is __________ and fast-food restaurant is __________.
3. activity is __________.
4. movie of all time is __________.
5. form of attire is (circle one): a) formal; b) semi formal [Sunday best]; c) upscale casual [nice pants. dress shirt, jacket, but no tie, dress shoes]; d) casual [slacks, dress shirt no jacket or tie, dress shoes]; e) rough and tumble (levis, tee shirt, sneakers or sandals, socks optional]; f) swim suit
6. dance style is (circle one): a)traditional ballroom - waltz, quick step, fox-trot, Viennese waltz; b) Latin ballroom - cha cha, rumba, samba, salsa; c) disco; d) modern; e) tap, clog; f) free style; g) square dance, western, line dancing; h) other __________.
7. food is: main course __________; side dish __________; vegetable __________; bread __________; fruit __________; cheese __________; dessert __________; ice cream __________
8. sport to play is __________ and to watch is __________.
9. book (novel or story) __________.
10. color is __________.
11. place to go for vacation is __________.
12. President of the United States is __________.
13. celebrity is __________.
14. subject/class at school is __________.
15. type of music is __________.
16. TV show is __________.
17. super hero is __________.
18. game is __________.
19. toy is __________.
20. hobby is __________.

Step 2: Fold this questionnaire you just completed, seal it in the "DATA - Do not open until instruced to do so" envelope, and give it to (your spouse).

Step 3: Open the envelope marked Part B and proceed as instructed therein. Allow 15 minutes for Part B.

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PART B
Congratulations, you have come this far without turning back in despair, giving up in frustration or hiding in the closet (if you are in the closet please disregard the last phrase).

Step 1: Now it is your task to search your mind, rack your brain, peruse your notes and thereby determine the answer to the top secret questions below. (Important: Do not use any other sources of information.)

(Your spouse's) favorite--

1. song is __________.
2. nice restaurant is __________ and fast-food restaurant is __________.
3. activity is __________.
4. movie of all time is __________.
5. form of attire is (circle one): a) formal; b) semi formal [Sunday best]; c) upscale casual [nice pants. dress shirt, jacket, but no tie, dress shoes]; d) casual [slacks, dress shirt no jacket or tie, dress shoes]; e) rough and tumble (levis, tee shirt, sneakers or sandals, socks optional]; f) swim suit
6. dance style is (circle one): a)traditional ballroom - waltz, quick step, fox-trot, Viennese waltz; b) Latin ballroom - cha cha, rumba, samba, salsa; c) disco; d) modern; e) tap, clog; f) free style; g) square dance, western, line dancing; h) other __________.
7. food is: main course __________; side dish __________; vegetable __________; bread __________; fruit __________; cheese __________; dessert __________; ice cream __________
8. sport to play is __________ and to watch is __________.
9. book (novel or story) __________.
10. color is __________.
11. place to go for vacation is __________.
12. President of the United States is __________.
13. celebrity is __________.
14. subject/class at school is __________.
15. type of music is __________.
16. TV show is __________.
17. super hero is __________.
18. game is __________.
19. toy is __________.
20. hobby is __________.

Step 2: Obtain the sealed "Data - Do not open until instructed to do so" envelope from (your spouse) and with him/her present to verify and acknowledge your genius, open and compare responses.

Step 3: Although there are 20 numbered questions there are actually 29 answers neeed. Each answer is good for 4 points and there are 4 bonus questions so technically it is possible to have 116 points. You must somehow get 100 points before the end of January. If you do not have the correct response you can get credit for the correct answer using the technique outlined int he enveloped marked "Part C."

Step 4: In a secluded place open the enveloped marked Part C.

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Part C
It is amazing that you have come this far. Perhaps you are even astonished yourself. As you know by now thyere have been perils along the way. Maybe you have heard such exclamations as: "Oh, you should have know that" or "Is is not!" or "What made you think that?" or even "What were you thinking?"

Nevertheless, you have proceeded with the dogged determination for which you are admired. You have withstood the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and are now bravely pursuing the last leg of your quest for 100 points.

Okay. Chin up, take a deep breath, go for it.

Step 1: You may get replacement points for each questions that you got wrong by planning and implementing a special with (your spouse). There are the requirements:

1. You must fit into a single evening the activities or memorabilia that will allow you get the points you need. To do this you must take (your spouse) on a date so you could both experience first hand the correct answer in some way.

For example: Let's usppose that you missed questions 1, 2, 5, 6, some of 7, 10, and 12. To get the need points your date you might (1) learn and sings the favorite song; (5) buy an article of favorite attire (10) of that favorite color; (2) go to that favorite restaurant and (7) order the favorite dishes then (6) dance in the parking lot while you (12) talk about the history of the U.S. during the administration of that favorite president and you just happen to have a picture of him in your pocket.

2. To assit you in the implemention of this step you will find enclosed a check in the amount of $XX. It is exclusively for this purpose. It is not to be used as a down payment for a Lear Jet or any othe little thing. If you lucky enough to miss question 11, perhaps you could use it towards going there.

Step 2: After completing your date, you last and maybe most difficult taks is to call us (video call is preferred) and then blog about it.

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We thought it was such a great present, we reproduced the contents here so that you could try it on your own--making this a gift that keeps on giving.

The next several posts will recount our experiences in implementing the aforementioned, previously detailed, prior instructions regarding "The Date" Parts A, B, and C.

Enjoy.