Railroading Valentines Day

Today is the day of romance, and in years gone past, I have made some embarrassed, shuffling, self-conscious remarks on the subject.

This year is no time to break with tradition.

Today I help celebrate the wedding of woosang and gunzel412 at Queanbeyan Railway Station. Two train fans hitching if not coupling. As the bookmarks I've been inserting into the romance books to be left around town say, "they love trains, BookCrossing and each other".

Isn't that sweet? Two wonderful people and I am so very glad to have met them. They just ooze enthusiasm for all manner of things. Trains, technology, books... And each other. They get such joy out of life it brings a smile to my face.

It's been twenty four years since I first took up with Kerri, and if Yvonne and Dave (to use their real names) get as much joy out of their marriage as I have from mine, they will be very happy indeed. Chuffed, as The Canberra Times said yesterday.

Another great source of joy entered my life three years ago when I discovered BookCrossing. At first it was just the concept I was in love with. And then I discovered the forums, full of people of such warmth, wit and kindness that soon I began to be drawn into their personal lives. Their triumphs and tragedies were my own. And mine theirs.

Meeting my first BookCrossers in real life showed me that it was even more fun to meet BookCrossers in real life. And in late 2004, at the Sydney BookCrossing Convention, I discovered that I had a magic licence to hug beautiful women who weren't related to me.

So to all my BookCrossing and Livejournal friends, those I've hugged and those I'd like to, may I say how much fun, joy and yes, even love, I have received and I hope given in equal measure. Innocent flirting, all of it - I'm taken and many of you are - but it is a great pleasure to me to tell a beautiful woman she is beautiful. Often in looks, but in spirit always. There's something about BookCrossers that selects towards the generous of heart, and nothing is quite so attractive to me as a caring, open soul. Would that the world were full of BookCrossers!

A Happy Valentines Day wish to all: may there be romance in your life. If not today, then soon.

And to myopicmeringue, who claims to be perfectly happy all by herself, that's fine, but it's not one-sided - I love everything about you, from your out-of-focus smile to the long-chatty posts you make about your life and work. How I wish I had your generosity of spirit, your patience and your empathy towards others!

And to finish off this post on a corny, embarrassing and totally appropriate note:

A Valentines quickie!

Oh lord - what a day. I've been flat chat since about five this morning, geting all the things I need to do done. And still not finished. Probably get to bed at one in the morning.

Let's see. Went into town this arvo and bought a sorely needed new pair of boots. And a shirt to go with them. Won't look like my usual op-shop refugee. Nor will I trip over the laces that keep on undoing themselves in my old shoes. Best of all, with brand new boots I won't have to scrub them for Kiwi Kustoms.

Finally rocked up at the Canberra Station with moments to spare. Stepped onto the platform and here's an old brown diesel rail car pulling up with Yvonne and Dave hanging out of the windows, dressed up to the nines. A madcap trip, with books everywhere, bowls of petunias, half the comapny with cameras hanging off every limb taking photographs of anything railwaylike.

Queanbeyan Station and here's everyone else. More books, more guests, table set up in the station entrance. Here comes the happy couple, looking absolutely glorious. They both scrub up pretty good!

Pictures later on Flickr.

Lovely ceremony; every moment captured on camera. Lots of smiles and laughs. Sounds of railway and engines in the background as the railcar was moved away.

Afterwards, they changed back again, dining train rolls up, decorated with white ribbons, we all pile in, find our tables, rose petals on the white tableclothes. Welcome drinks, start rlling north and then south towards Royalla, halfway tpo Cooma. Glass of wine as the sun goes down, kangaroos bounding along beside the train. Yvonne's father at our table - lovely bloke, agrees with me that Lonesome Dove is the best western ever. He's big on American history. I warmed to him immediately.

First course went down well, stop at Royalla, get out and find that Dave knows everything there is to know about trains and is impossible to fool. I indicate the purlingstrake on the side of the carriage and mention gubbins, but no dice.

Main course, cut the cake, toast the bride and groom, have wonderful time. Very cheerful company.

Back to Queanbeyan, locals pile off, a few minutes later we arrive in Canberra, hugs and kisses all round, good night all!

Just listening to Jenny Kendalll-Tobias before getting my head down for a couple of hours before I catch the bus to Sydney at four in the morning.

Still have to make a tonne of release notes...